Dark Flame (Flame 3)

Off to the right, guests moved in and out of three very different doors. When they went in or came out, depending on the venue, sometimes he heard music, other times laughter.

Fergus moved up next to him. How far away from you can I move and still remain cloaked?

In the same space, thirty feet.

He was on the move as he said, I’ll check for Roche in the far room.

As Juliet headed to the middle one, Brannick took the remaining door. When a patron opened it wide, he glanced in. He didn’t dare go inside, because of the shared disguise with Fergus. He needed physical proximity in order to sustain the cloak.

A band was playing alternative rock. Customers sat around a large number of small tables. It all looked harmless enough. Roche wasn’t inside.

Both Juliet and Fergus returned to him. He shared what he’d seen.

Juliet shrugged. Just as I remembered. A lot of drunks in there, and a gifted fae doing kinetic tricks. But no Roche.

He glanced at Fergus who grimaced. It’s a goddamn restaurant and no, that bastard is not inside. So, where do we go from here?

Brannick glanced back at the guarded pathway leading to the Village. We know it’s rumored Roche’s drug organization operates from the Village. And we know he has at least one sex club that caters to wealthy clients. My instincts tell me he’s keeping Mary imprisoned somewhere close to his interests.

He glanced at Juliet. How about you? What are you getting from this environment?

He liked the stern set of her face. She was all business and her vampire cloak was tight as a drum. I’ve focused my energies on Mary, but I’m not sensing her anywhere in the vicinity above ground. I say we go below.

Fergus?

The wolf nodded his agreement. Roche wouldn’t keep her in a place so easy to get to. I say we head down as well.

Brannick weaved his way through the increasing number of people entering the foyer. Juliet followed, and as before, Fergus guarded the rear.

Just as he reached the nearest guard, however, a strange communal awareness hit him, a very fae sensation. He glanced at Juliet. She’d turned toward the automatic doors, which suddenly opened up for a number of tough-looking security types.

To his surprise, Juliet took his hand and squeezed hard.

A moment later, Roche walked through.

Oh, shit.

At least ten more security men followed, maybe eighteen in all. Each bore a sword, a holstered handgun and AR-15s slung over their shoulders.

The predominantly fae crowd instinctively moved out of the way.

To Brannick’s shock, Roche headed straight for him, though he quickly realized his object was the descending path that led to the underground Village.

The guards stepped aside for the entire crew.

Brannick held himself very still as Roche drew near. He could feel Juliet do the same.

Roche carried himself like a man who ran a small empire, keeping his dark feral eyes forward as he moved.

When the last of his men trailed through, Fergus’s voice entered the group conversation. Shit, that was close. Even in Brannick’s head, the wolf’s rough voice made him sound like he was chewing on sawdust.

Juliet looked up at Brannick. Should we follow after them?

Brannick’s lips twisted. I think we should. Maybe Roche can do us a favor and show us where he’s keeping Mary.

As soon as the last of the detail crossed the threshold, Brannick slid in behind him. He then shunted off to the side to give Juliet and Fergus room to move in fast before one of the entrance guards unwittingly bumped into either of them.

Once inside, Brannick saw that the corkscrew led off in three different directions, which probably helped accommodate the constant flow of traffic.