Few realized that Trey was an Elder, a preternatural of unnatural age. It was this extreme age that gave him an aura which made most a little skittish. The very air around the man was charged with his energy and anyone standing close would feel the hair on the back of the neck stand on end. Rik had grown so used to the sensation he barely noticed it anymore.
“You’re late,” Trey said.
“You’re ugly but you don’t see me calling the media.” Rik grabbed the chair next to his friend then sat down with his back to the wall. He deliberately jarred the other man with his elbow forcing him to sit up. The front legs hit the floor with a thud.
“You can’t sit across from me?” Trey muttered. He shifted his chair to the right a few inches.
“Not unless you want me to leave myself open,” Rik shot back. “Do you want someone to stick a knife between my ribs?”
Trey’s lips quirked. “It has occurred to me a time or two.”
“I’ll just bet it has.” Rik pulled his sunglasses off and dropped them on the table. “This had better be good. I have a buxom blonde with a mouth like you would not believe waiting on me—”
“Get your mind out of your pants for a moment. The werewolf, Weylyn DuLac, arrived in New Orleans this morning and he and his pack-mates are here to do a little damage.”
“I’m retired,” Rik said flatly. “Log into the shadowdweller.com site and find yourself a licensed Hunter to deal with Fido. I’m out of the business and off your payroll.”
“Not this time, Rik. You’re back on the job whether you like it or not. It appears you’re the object of Lyn’s hunt.” He spoke in a deceptively mild tone and when those black sunglasses turned toward Rik, he wished he hadn’t removed his so fast. “Any idea what this might be about?”
“Maybe he has fleas?” Rik shrugged and he could tell Trey was not amused. “Who knows? It could be anything.” Like the fact he’d bedded Lyn’s human mate before he’d known she was his. It wasn’t like she’d thought to share the information before she had her mouth on his cock.
“Ulrik…” There was a note of warning in the way Trey said his full name. “I can’t allow trouble in the city tonight. You know as well as I do that the entire preternatural world is in a precarious state and the last thing I need is a pissing contest between a were-cat and a wolf.”
Rik scowled. “No one is going to get into a—”
“I want you to go make nice with him.”
Rik stared at his friend, shocked he’d even suggested such a thing. Cats did not associate with wolves. Ever. Wolves were an ignorant, unkempt lot who were more concerned with fighting anyone who got near them, especially the were-cats. It was rare to see a cat and a wolf in the same room let alone have a conversation. It simply didn’t happen if one or the other wished to walk away alive.
He shook his head. “Who are you kidding? I’m not going to apologize for an honest mistake to that butt-sniffer.”
Rik started to rise when Trey grabbed his arm in an iron grip that prevented his escape. Pain radiated from his wrist to his shoulder in a harsh wave that took his breath away.
“So you do know what he wants,” Trey said.
Irritated, Rik dropped into his chair and the other man released him. The pain faded immediately and he resisted the urge to rub his arm. Damn! He hated that little trick.
“When I was in New York last month I made the acquaintance of a young woman. She made an interesting sexual advance and I took her up on her offer. It wasn’t until after the fact that I found out Serena was Lyn’s human mate.”
Trey frowned. “She didn’t wear a brand or carry a medallion?”
“Not a thing.”
“So basically, you fell for the oldest trick in the book?” Trey ran a hand over his mouth, trying to disguise a smile. “You wouldn’t be the first to fall into bed with a curious human mate of a wolf. Some of the more adventurous ones have been known to bed a were-cat just to compare the lovemaking techniques between the two species.”
“So it would seem.” Rik braced his arms on the table. “Now you understand how I don’t owe him a damn thing, least of all an apology. If anything, his woman owes me one. She had to have known what she was doing when she came after me.”
The other man shook his head. “I’m not asking you this time, Rik; I’m telling you. The wolves are restless and are looking for the slightest provocation to justify getting out of line. I don’t want this stupid incident to be the beginning of a big free-for-all. It’s Halloween and it’s a waxing moon. I don’t need anything else thrown into the mix.”
“Hell,” Rik snarled.
“Retired or not,” Trey continued, “if you don’t do this and all hell breaks out, think about how many innocent humans could be killed.”
“I—”
“In this case, it doesn’t matter what you think.” Trey tipped his chair back and leaned against the wall again. “This is a mandate from the Council and if you go against them, I’ll have to put out an order for your apprehension.”
Rik’s lips tightened and he bit back a growl. The last thing he wanted was one of his friends having to pick him up. Marcus would like nothing more than to put him in handcuffs and conveniently leave him bound for a few hours. He had a sick sense of humor.
“Fine.” He swiped Trey’s cafe au lait and downed it, knowing this would irritate his friend more than words could. “What do I have to do?”
Trey pulled a square of orange paper from his pocket and handed it to Rik. “Be at The Chamber at 11 p.m. and they will be waiting for you.”
“I’ll bet they will.”
“Make sure you take at least one other ally with you, just in case Weylyn turns out to be a dick.”
Rik snorted and stuffed the paper into his jacket pocket. “Too late for that. He was a dick the moment he was whelped.” He rose and picked up his sunglasses. “Anything else?”
“Thanks.”
Rik looked down at his friend. Trey was a strange one; he guarded his privacy like a cat with a ball of catnip. While he was remarkably tight-lipped about himself, there was no one better to have at your back when it was time to rock and roll. The man wasn’t one for wasting emotions, so Rik knew what he’d said was heartfelt. He clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze before leaving the restaurant.
The sun had set and the streetlights had come on but he didn’t remove the dark lenses. His cougar senses allowed him to see well in the dark.
He had several hours before it would be time to appear at The Chamber. His previous plans with the voluptuous blonde had been cancelled due to his meeting with Trey and now they would have to be put on hold for the night, thanks to Lyn. This was shaping up to be a great night all around.
His gaze caught on a beautiful redhead across the street. She was dressed in a harem costume and the sheer outfit showed every inch of her drop-dead curves. Her hair licked at her back and her butt gave a friendly little jiggle as she hopped off a curb.
Now there was something he’d like to investigate further. This one was so sweet his teeth ached just to look at her. The full moon coupled with the need to mate caused his blood to heat just by watching her walk.
His skin prickled, alerting him to the arrival of another preternatural. Trey stood in the doorway of the Chat, and after a slow pan of the crowds in the street his gaze locked on Rik. His face was expressionless.
Trey gave him a slow nod, then turned and walked in the opposite direction. The mortals crowding the sidewalk parted before him in a wave.
Rik shot one last look at the redhead just as she vanished into a crowded restaurant. First he had to deal with Fido and after that, he would hit one of the local bars with the specific purpose of finding some female companionship. The moon was waxing and the need to mate was strong.
Tamping down his overactive libido, Rik headed down Bourbon Street. It was early but he’d arrange for some backup and head over and scope out The Chamber.
* * * * *
Charlene grinned as she thought about the humorous e-mail she’d sent to her college friends, Jill and Beth, several days earlier. It was finally Halloween and she’d sent a joke e-mail about the Top Ten Things to Avoid on Halloween. Number eight was her personal favorite: Don’t date a shapeshifter, as you’ll never know what to wear from one minute to the next.
Her grin turned to a wince as Maribel tugged on her corset strings.
“Easy girl, you’re killing me.”
“Wimp,” Maribel muttered as she tied the corset off. “You’re all laced in.”
Char turned and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. In this outfit, her friends from the New Orleans Public Library wouldn’t recognize her at all. Not to mention her family back in Boise.
Sheesh, if she showed up dressed like this they’d lock the doors and call the police.
“Char…girrrllll, you are going to burn down the house.” Laurance looked up from where she was crouched at Char’s feet. The other woman was lacing up Char’s thigh-high vinyl boots.
“Ya think?” Char tilted her head and studied her appearance.
“There isn’t a man at The Chamber that won’t be panting to take you home,” Maribel said. “Meow!”
“I’ll second that. I think you’re hot and you’re not even my type.” Raymie, a local drag queen and one of her very best friends, nudged her. “Can I borrow those boots when you’re through? They’ll look fab with my new leopard-print skirt.” He fluttered his impossibly long lashes at her and made a smooching sound.
Char laughed and shook her head. She placed her hands over the exposed tops of her breasts. “I don’t know. I think this outfit might be a little risqué for me.”
“Honey, this is risqué for half of N’Awlins.” Laurance rose. “You’re all laced into your boots.” The slim blonde stretched and looked in the mirror. Her eyes widened and she gave a low whistle. “Me-ow is right, Char.”
Raymie thrust out his skinny stomach then stroked the small bulge. “I think I’m bloated.”
Char elbowed him out of the way then turned to examine her backside. She gulped when she saw the indecent amount of thigh that was exposed by her napkin-sized skirt.
“If I sneeze I’ll flash everyone,” she said.
“And what a bee-you-tiful butt it is.” Raymie patted her on the backside then sashayed toward the bathroom.
“I love the costume, Laurance, but I don’t know if I can wear this out in public. I mean, I really appreciate all the work you put into it but my butt is hanging out.” Char wailed the last few words.
Maribel plunged her hand into her own bodice, plumping them to her best advantage in her tight red dress. “Raymie is right, you do have a lovely bum.” She reached over and tweaked one of Char’s velvet ears that were fastened on top of her head. “You look hot…almost as hot as I do.” She made a kissy face in the mirror.
“Gee, thanks.” Char frowned and tugged on the skirt. “I feel like if I move the wrong way something might fall out or I’ll stop breathing.”
Laurance propped her chin on Char’s bare shoulder. “The trick to a corset is to take slow, shallow breaths.” She ran her hand over Char’s laced-in tummy. “You aren’t laced in too tight so you should be okay. Just take it slow and easy.”
“Raymie, do you have my shoes?” Maribel bellowed from the bottom of Char’s closet.
Raymie’s head popped out of the bathroom. “Who are you kidding? I only wear Italian leather on these stems, not that cheap plastic crap you drag out of dumpsters.”
“This isn’t too tight? I would hate to see what it would feel like if it were any tighter.” Char ran her hand over the narrow strip of belly that was visible between her corset and skirt. “Though I must say the cleavage is pretty impressive this evening.”
“I still think you should’ve gotten your belly button pierced as Laurance had suggested.” Maribel had located her stiletto heels and she was pushing her feet into the lethal-looking shoes. “That would have been really hot.”
“Piercings are very cha cha this year,” Raymie called.
“Yeah, that would be sexy. A puffy red welt with a ring through it.” Char tugged on the hem of the indecent black vinyl skirt again but it didn’t get any longer this time either. She tweaked the cat’s tail that was attached to the waistband. “What about this? I’ll be poking everyone all night.”
“Quit fussing,” Laurance slapped her hand then reached for her tiara on the dresser. “You look perfect, Char. Cat Woman never looked better.”
“I’ll say.” Maribel stepped up behind her and all three women were framed in the mirror. “We look like sex incarnate.”
“What about me?” Raymie, resplendent in a green sequined evening gown and towering black wig, exited the bathroom and joined them. “Am I not too sexy for words?”
Char tilted her head and studied their images. She was dressed from head to toe in black vinyl as Cat Woman while Maribel looked lethal in blood red as a devil, complete with horns on her head. Laurance was dressed as a fairy in a delicate white tutu and puff sleeves that shimmered as she moved, while Raymie looked like Cher, only with an Adam’s apple.
“If we don’t get hit on, hard, then all of the men in New Orleans are blind.” Laurance picked up her wand and tapped Char on the shoulder. “I think we’re ready to go, ladies.”
“I’m not too sure I want to get hit on,” Char gulped. Her hands were both hot and cold at the same time. “I’m too worried about my butt falling out of this skirt.”
“Oh, but it’s easy to pick up a man.” Raymie slung a miniscule evening bag over his shoulder. “First you find a hot one, then you just wiggle your breasts and flutter those lashes and he’ll be panting for you.”
Maribel tossed an arm around Char’s shoulder. “Weren’t you just saying last week that you were determined to take charge of your life? You tossed that worthless Brad out of your bed over seven months ago and there is no better time than tonight to find a new boy toy. It’s Halloween and the moon is full…”
“And its time to let your inner animal loose,” Laurance chimed in. “Claim your sexuality and your life at the same time.”
“But…” Char laid her hands over her breasts, which bulged from the top of the corset. “I feel so exposed. I still think I need—”
Raymie shook his head. “The twins are fine. They look good snuggled in their corset like two little troopers.” He reached past Laurance and picked up a round compact. “This might help, though.” He dabbed some of the sparkly powder over the exposed tops of Char’s breasts and shoulders.
“Perfect.” Laurance clapped her hands. “You’re a fashion genius, Raymie.”
“Now, let’s go.” He tossed the compact onto the vanity and linked arms with Maribel. “The men of New Orleans await our pleasure.”
Char looked down at her exposed breasts that now gleamed with the shimmery powder. “Yeah, that helped,” she muttered. Picking up her coat, she followed her friends out the door.
Chapter Two
The Chamber was a popular nightclub that catered to the ever-present tourist crowd. Bondage gear decorated the walls and the bartenders were clad in various forms of leather and chains. Cages were suspended over the dance floor and half-naked women gyrated to the loud music.
When Rik had arrived, he’d done a slow tour of the building and learned where all the exits and possible ambush spots were located. He didn’t like having this forced meeting in such a public place, but since he wasn’t in the driver’s seat he didn’t have any say in the matter.
He leaned against the bar and sipped his cranberry juice, while watching the crowds. There were several other preternaturals close by, mostly young vampires and a few revenants—no one he needed to worry about. Then again, there were very few predators a full-grown were-cat needed to be concerned about.
A jolt of awareness shot across his skin, alerting him to the approach of another were-cat. Marcus entered the main door and moved through the crowds l
ike a machine, his movements easy and economical. Dressed in worn blue jeans and a black leather jacket, he looked deadly capable of handling anything that might come his way, which was why Rik had called him for backup.
“You’re early,” Rik said.
“So are you.” Marcus’ dark eyes moved over the crowd. “I thought I would pop in and check out the action.” He smiled as a petite blonde dressed in dominatrix gear squeezed past them, her ample breasts coming into contact with Marcus’ chest.
“Lively crowd.” He winked at the woman.
Rik’s gaze moved over her curves. “Well, it is Halloween.” While she was well-endowed in the chest, he preferred a little more flesh on his women. It was much easier to hang onto a woman in bed if she had real hips.
“Yes, it is.” Already Marcus’ attention was focused on the woman and he was slowly moving away. “I think I’ll prowl until it’s time to play with the dogs.”
“Stay alert,” Rik said.
“You too, bro.”
Marcus vanished into the crowd and Rik continued his survey of the room. The music was blistering; the dance floor was a colorful sea of gyrating bodies and, in the center, was a raised platform. That, too, was crowded with dancers. He noted a small group of young male vampires near the platform. He made note of their faces and was thinking about ordering another drink when a flash of black vinyl against pale skin caught his attention.
On the edge of the platform near the railing was a curvaceous woman dressed in a skin-tight black vinyl skirt, what little there was of it, and matching thigh-high boots. A wicked-looking corset with miles of laces embraced her ample breasts and little cat ears were perched amid her rumpled, reddish-brown curls. A long black tail was attached to the waistband of her skirt and it swished from side to side as she danced.
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