Dreamleaf Blues (The Book Wielder Saga)

by Sean Davies

  “Nothing like getting paid for getting laid!” Kaylie said in a naughty tone that made Genie giggle.

  “Hey, new chick.” Tanesha grabbed Genevieve’s hand and shook it vigorously.

  “This is Genevieve, or Genie for short,” Kalie said, making the introduction. “Genie, this is Tanesha, who I pointed out earlier.”

  “I like watching, and being watched,” the Vampire explained in a matter of fact tone. “That’s why my curtain is usually open.”

  “It’s always a pleasure to watch you work,” Kaylie said flirtatiously.

  “And steal my techniques.” Tanesha winked and then turned her attention back to Genie. “It’s nice to have another chick in the ranks. I just hope you’re not another bitch like Scythe.”

  “I’m nothing like her,” Genevieve said reassuringly. “I’ve only had one run in with her, and it wasn’t great.”

  Tanesha sat down beside Kaylie and looked at Genie intensely. “Oh, oh, do tell!”

  Genevieve gave her a quick explanation of the mock battle that had transpired at the Woodsholme Grill, and the two good-looking prostitutes followed her every word intently. They were both shocked and delighted that someone had put Scythe in her place.

  “She banged her way to the top,” Kaylie explained. “She used to be friendly to us lot, but as soon as she got a taste of success she started treating us like trash.”

  “Banged and tongued ass,” Tanesha said, making a small ring shape with her thumb and finger, and she stuck her tongue in-between crudely.

  Genevieve and Kaylie cracked up in laughter.

  “Tanesha tends to speak her mind,” Kaylie said with a smirk, “except with her clients…”

  “Oh, it’s so big!” Tanesha cried, thrashing around jokingly on the bed in various poses. “I’ve never had it so deep, mister, you’re the best I’ve ever had!”

  Genie and Kaylie once again broke into rowdy laughter.

  A bulky man in a tight black t-shirt smacked on the iron bars and made the girls jump.

  “Tan, get your tight ass out here,” he said rudely, and let himself into her pad.

  “Good thing I didn’t get dressed,” Tanesha sighed, and gave Genie a serious look. “If Seth does like you, then I’d watch your back around Scythe.”

  “She prefers girls, I can always tell,” Kaylie said with a smile, before slapping her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to out you like that!”

  Genie shrugged. “It’s cool, it’s hardly an issue compared to everything else that’s going on,” she chuckled.

  “Is that so?” Tanesha purred sexily. She strolled towards Genevieve slowly, and deliberately swayed her naked hips seductively. The tan-skinned Vampire ran her fingers lovingly through Genie’s hair. “Well, don’t you be a stranger, cutie – gang members get it for free…”

  Genevieve went red in the face, and was unsure of what to say, what to do, and where to look.

  “Tanesha!” the man roared.

  The Vampire flicked her long black hair moodily and stormed off towards her room. “Come back soon,” she said cheekily on the way out.

  “And close that fucking curtain!” the man yelled.

  Tanesha drew her thick red curtain and wiggled her little finger at the girls playfully, joking about the size of her visitor’s privates, before disappearing behind the fabric completely. Genie and Kaylie both sniggered.

  “She’s such a laugh… and an incredible lay,” Kaylie smirked.

  “It’s a shame Annabelle isn’t here, she’d love you girls,” Genie said musingly.

  “Aww hun, I hope you find her. If you do, we’ll throw a massive party or something!” Kaylie beamed. “We better get going soon-ish, or we’ll be in trouble. Do you want a quick shower first?”

  Genevieve realised she’d been in the same clothes for a long time, and nodded gratefully. “I don’t suppose you have any clothes I could borrow?”

  The sexy brunette pouted thoughtfully. “Not much apart from lingerie, I’m afraid. Tell you what, you go shower and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Genie thanked her, and Kaylie dug out a clean towel from the chest of drawers and tossed it to her. Genevieve spotted several neatly positioned sex toys in the old wooden drawer before the busty brunette closed it, and the vast and varied collection even beat Anna’s own private stash.

  Although the bathroom was small, it was nowhere near as dismal as Genevieve had originally thought. It was equipped with a clean sink, mirrored cabinet, small shelves lined with various types of makeup, a powerful wall-mounted shower, and decent toilet. As Genie stripped off, she noticed that the floor was warm, and assumed that the Golden Fangs had installed modern heating systems when they put in the plumbing.

  She turned the shower on to full and Genie enjoyed scrubbing herself clean. Kaylie walked in carelessly after a few moments, and Genevieve quickly tried covering her privates.

  Kaylie smiled playfully. “I think I’ve got something together for you, when you’re ready. Oh, and feel free to use my make-up and toiletries if you want.”

  The Mage’s carefree nature made Genie feel silly for covering herself, and she forced herself to be brave and carry on washing regardless, although she did catch Kaylie studying her figure naughtily.

  “Okay, I’ll be done soon,” Genevieve said as nonchalantly as she could, and helped herself to some flower-scented shower wash.

  She dried herself quickly, wrapped herself up in the towel, and applied some simple mascara and eyeliner. The sight of her new red irises still unsettled her greatly. Genie scooped up her old clothes before leaving to see what Kaylie had found for her to wear.

  Laid out on the bed was a red tartan skirt and a white shirt, and Kaylie stood beside them with an apologetic look on her face. “Sorry, this is the best I can do; the skirt isn’t too short.”

  Genevieve groaned and begun pulling her underwear back on. She tried on the shirt and dress, and was glad that they weren’t too revealing. The white shirt fit her perfectly, but she imagined that it would barely stretch over Kaylie’s impressive bust. Genie put her coat on and was pleasantly surprised with the ensemble.

  “Wow, looking good!” the Mage said happily. “If you leave your old clothes here I’ll get them washed for you.”

  Genie took a deep breath before speaking. “Right, where am I heading?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take you – follow me!” Kaylie took Genevieve by the hand and led her out of the converted dungeon cell.

  Genevieve saw that there were at least a dozen rooms lining both sides of the corridor, and at a glance she could see that each one had its own theme or style. At the far end of the room was a sturdy arched door reinforced with iron plating, and when she focused her eyes she saw that it had a gold-plated lock with two fangs engraved above the keyhole.

  “Where does that lead to?” Genie asked as Kaylie led her in the opposite direction.

  Kaylie cringed slightly. “That leads to the interrogation cells. The guys don’t normally bring people through here though, as it would be bad for business, but sometimes they like to come and see us after…” She hesitated and chose her next words carefully. “Some of them get off on the whole sadist thing.”

  Genie shuddered when she imagined what gruesome horrors happened on the other side of the locked door.

  “Look out for the gold locks marked with the gang’s emblem. If you try to open them without the right key, they’ll take your arm right off,” Kaylie added. “The boss’ good mate Chaz enchanted them himself, he’s a complete prick but a powerful Mage nonetheless.”

  They walked through the old stone corridors of Fort Dominia and passed by many armed gang members on guard duty, and they gave the girls eager looks as they went by.

  “Oh, we’re certainly turning some heads today, I love it!” Kaylie said cheerfully as she skipped along holding Genie’s hand.

  “Well, we are wearing the right outfits for it, and yours is see-through,” Genevieve chuckled. The Mage didn�
��t care about protecting her modesty in the slightest.

  The Fort was well lit by modern lighting, and its narrow stained-glass windows had been obscured with a translucent black film. It was clear to Genie that the whole building was well stocked with booze, blood, and weaponry.

  Kaylie and Genie reached a stone stairwell that took them up to the first floor. The busty Mage took Genevieve to a larger arched wooden door not far from the stairs, and the sounds of fighting and gunshots ran through the ancient stonework.

  “This takes you to the training ground,” Kaylie explained. “You’re after Gaius, the head of security. Watch your back around that one,” she advised gravely.

  Genie nodded. “Thanks again, Kaylie.”

  “Don’t mention it.” The Mage leaned in and gave her a chesty hug. “And don’t be a stranger! Pop down any time you feel like talking, partying… or something naughtier. Like Tanesha said, it’s on the house for gang members – and you’re a lot nicer and better looking than, well, all of them. Oh, and I’ll have your clothes ready for the next time I see you.”

  Genie kissed the Mage on the cheek. “You’re the best. I’ll make this up to you someday,” she added earnestly.

  “It’s no big deal,” Kaylie shrugged and smiled sweetly. “Good luck with the training, knock ‘em dead.”

  Genie smiled and bid her farewell. She was eternally grateful to have an ally in her new Supernatural life who wasn’t a gold-plated thug, and truly intended to pay the working girl back for her kindness somehow.

  Genevieve pushed the large doors open and was greeted by the smell of sweat and blood. The room before her was huge and only separated by stone pillars supporting the ceiling. It appeared to be an old banquet hall that had been enlarged by knocking through its walls into the adjoining rooms. The space was split into various areas of combat training, and even included a gun range. Supernaturals were trading blows with each other using fists, weapons, and claws, and firing bullets and spells at targets and mannequins. Genie was no Archivist, or a dedicated history buff, but even she viewed the desecration of the ancient fort with great distaste. The sight of real life magic still filled her with mind-blowing awe, though.

  Standing expectantly by a blazing open fireplace was a broad-shouldered, burly man with short dark brown hair, a trimmed goatee, and sly yellow eyes. He was dressed all in black and his ensemble consisted of a trench coat, smart shirt tucked into perfectly pressed trousers, polished shoes, and tight leather gloves. He radiated an aura of authority, and if Genie didn’t know better she would’ve assumed he was in charge of the whole operation from looks alone.

  “You’re late,” he said in a firm yet pleasant tone, “but I can see that it was worth the wait.” He eyed her up and down in her impromptu uniform.

  Genie suddenly felt uncomfortable, and the confidence she had bolstered from being in Kaylie’s presence was washed away by the intimidating figure.

  “Sorry… I passed out,” she stuttered.

  The man shrugged. “First few days are always a bitch. I’m Gaius, by the way.” He beckoned for her to approach.

  “Genevieve Jameson,” she replied clumsily.

  He reached out and shook her hand strongly, and all the while his yellow eyes burned into hers.

  “Relax,” Gaius said after a long pause. “Now, I hear you’re looking for your lost friend?”

  “That’s right,” she replied firmly.

  “That’s very noble of you, especially considering your recent change of circumstances,” he said respectfully. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a bit more class around here. Seth also tells me that you managed to best him, although he tried to make out that you were evenly matched,” Gaius added with a chuckle.

  Genie didn’t know what to make of the man, but he didn’t seem nearly as intimidating as he had done a few moments beforehand.

  “Beginners luck,” she said modestly, and in an attempt to keep the tone light.

  He smiled warmly and reached into his trench coat. “Let’s find out for sure.” Gaius pulled out a 9mm pistol and handed it to Genie. “Ever handled a firearm before?”

  “No, never,” Genevieve replied sheepishly.

  “No matter,” he said nonchalantly. “Most Nightclaws gain a proficiency for ranged weapons naturally. Let’s see if you’re one of them.

  They approached the gun range and Gaius waved away the other members of the Golden Fangs, who silently obeyed without hesitation.

  Genie held out the gun in both hands, looked down the black barrel of the pistol, and attempted to line the sights up perfectly. She fired at a range of targets at different distances until the clip was empty, and sighed miserably at the results. She’d barely hit any of them

  “Wow… that was terrible,” Gaius said, laughing. “Try it again, but without thinking about it.” He tossed her a fresh clip.

  Genie reloaded the gun and tried again. She held the pistol in one hand and fired before thinking, hoping that her instinct would aim the weapon better than she could. When the fresh clip was dry, she’d done a bit better, but it was still a laughable performance.

  “Nah, you’re definitely not a gun person.” Gaius took the gun away and took three throwing knives from the inside lining of his coat. “Try these.”

  Genie reluctantly took the knives, assuming that they would be harder to aim than a pistol, but they instantly felt better in her grip than the clunky gun. They were a weapon of finesse and precision, and her mind assessed their balance and weight perfectly. Genevieve confidently flung each blade at a different target and hit the head section each time.

  Her jaw dropped. “How…?”

  “You’re a knife girl,” Gaius said casually as he retrieved the blades from the range. “Old-school but pretty cool, and now we know where to focus your talents.”

  While Genevieve was still in shock from her own deadly precision, Gaius gathered eight vicious-looking throwing knives and a black holster to sheath them in.

  “Do you mind?” he asked kindly as he knelt beside her.

  She shook her head, and he gently strapped the knives around her bare thigh, just under the hem of her borrowed tartan skirt.

  “Let’s see what you can do in close combat,” Gaius said as he brushed the dust from his knees.

  “You know I’m no killer, right?” Genevieve said timidly. She felt as though she was being prepped for war.

  “Yes, you were a literature student. I am head of security, remember?” he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Once again, Genie was unable to place the man’s true intent, and wondered if masking his persona was a tactic to keep those around him off their guard.

  When she didn’t reply, Gaius filled the silence. “It’s a lot easier when you haven’t got a choice, and considering who we’re up against, you’ll either kill or be killed. Look, I know this isn’t really your fight, but if you help us out, we’ll help you with your problem. Tell me, how far would you go for your friend? What would you do to be reunited with your lover?”

  “Anything,” Genevieve replied guiltily. “I’d do anything.”

  Gaius smiled victoriously, and he led her back over to the huge warm fireplace. Around the marble mantelpiece were racks and display cases full of melee weapons, and above it were stranger exotic ones displayed artistically on a large plaque of polished wood. He selected two long blades and passed one over to Genevieve.

  Genie took the blade and tested the way it felt with a few light practice swings, and just like the throwing knives it felt natural in her grip. However, she didn’t really know what to do with it, so Gaius gave her some basic step-by-step combat tips with both the blade and her bare hands.

  “You don’t seem to fit in with the other Golden Fangs,” she said as they were trading fake blows.

  “Is that a question or a statement?” Gaius asked with an amused look.

  “A question, I guess,” Genie replied as she parried a slow attack aimed at her chest.

  He chuckled. “Why do
you want to know?”

  Genie shrugged as she pushed away a knee attack, and ducked under his blade. “You know all about me, can’t I know a bit about you?” she said casually while wondering what juicy information the head of security had buzzing around his head, and how valuable having him on her side would be.

  “I don’t know where to begin,” Gaius said, looking intently into her eyes.

  Genie tried her best to appear as though she was making simple small-talk. “Well, what did you do before?”

  “I handled deliveries for the Trinity of Old, bringing stuff down to the Catacombs, like food for the kitchens,” he answered with a cheeky look on his handsomely rugged face. “That’s how I met Seth and his boys.”

  “They were chefs?!” Genie said with surprise.

  “Does Seth strike you as the culinary kind?” he asked rhetorically. “No, they did the grunt work for the actual chef, but you didn’t hear it from me,” he whispered in confidence.

  Genevieve giggled. “Then what did you do before that? I doubt you learnt combat training from handling deliveries.”

  “Very sharp.” Gaius looked impressed. “I was the master of arms at a Werewolf encampment in the deep forests north of the Capital, for the mighty Svorn and his clan. He is now one of the Trinity’s three leaders. I trained the new blood, and led hit and run attacks on the witch hunter’s inquisitors.”

  “Witch hunters… back from the olden times?” Genevieve gasped. “How old are you?”

  “Old,” Gaius admitted. “And yes, the same ones you’ve read about in your history books. Except they didn’t just burn crazy old men and women like the humans teach; they came after us Supernaturals in force, and used Sanctium to decimate our complacent kind. We made ‘em pay for it, though,” he added fiercely.

  “Woah, wait, back it up a minute,” Genevieve said, halting the training. “Vampires, Werewolves, and Mages fought holy humans? I need to know what happened!”

  “A noble heart and an academic,” Gaius mused appraisingly. “Well, after Imperia took the entire continent of Rura, and after Emperor Titus Aurelius’ bloody reign came to an end, the new Emperor Hagen ‘the holy’ turned his attention inwards. Under the influence of his fanatical religious advisors, he abandoned global conquest and decided to spread the pure word of the Twin Goddesses across the world instead.” He paused to snigger. “But of course, their message of peace was underwritten with violence; ‘believe as we do, or die as heretics’.”