Chalice of Life

by R. A. Rock

  Ethan stared up at the building with a feeling of trepidation. It looked like an abandoned factory, plain metal with peeling brown paint. The only thing even remotely remarkable about it was the door that fitted smoothly into the wall, as if it only opened from the inside.

  There were no windows. No other doors. No lights, except for the flickering street lamp half a block down. The sidewalk was crumbling and weeds grew in the cracks.

  “You sure this is the place?” Finn said, his tone doubtful. “I don’t see how we can get in.”

  “Don’t worry,” Ethan said, focusing on his desire to see Ignis and finally get closure. He wanted that—quite desperately. And as usual, whatever magic hid the place—a nightclub for paranormals and all manner of magical creatures—from human eyes, suddenly disappeared.

  The entrance became visible. Pillars and arches, glass panes, polished wood, and brass handles. It seemed to reflect the class and opulence of L.A., while at the same time hinting at its hidden dirty side.

  What had been a metal warehouse was now a pure white building that belied the nightclub’s dark and twisted interior. It was like a gorgeous McMansion in the suburbs that hid the dysfunctional family within.

  Ethan stared at it with hostility.

  Then, resigned, he moved under the arch toward the entrance, not looking back to see if the Faeries followed him.

  The only way to get rid of these two was to go in, find Ignis, and introduce them. And that wasn’t going to happen by standing out here.

  The doors opened of their own accord, enticing them in. They were spelled to allow only immortals in—especially desperate ones or those looking for adventure. Ethan wasn’t sure which category their little group fell into. Not that it mattered.

  With a sigh, Ethan stepped into the notorious nightclub known as Styx.

  Chapter 7

  Ethan would have been impressed by the magnificence of the entryway, if he hadn’t known about the debauchery and villainy that took place inside the nightclub.

  This Styx location had been built in the late 1800s, he’d heard, during the time when the last Mexican governor of California had been in office. The place was very different from the London location, which Ethan had also been to. Though it had the same seedy vibe, just covered with a thin veneer of elegance and beauty.

  Ethan saw Tessa and Finn exchange a nervous glance. They might not remember each other but they had clearly been in a relationship before they’d forgotten each other. It was obvious to him anyway, from the way they acted. Not that he cared about the faeries or their problems.

  “Let’s go,” he said, eager to get this over with. At this time, nearly midnight, the place was starting to fill up and he didn’t want to have any trouble getting a private table.

  The antechamber was impressive, as usual, but Ethan paid it no attention. This wasn’t his first time here.

  “Are those feathers?” Tessa said, her head tipped right back so she could see the ceiling high above her.

  “Probably,” Ethan said, moving forward with purpose. It didn’t do to pause for too long in any part of this place. It was very easy to get distracted…

  And never go home.

  “What’s in those urns?” Tessa wrinkled her nose.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “Hey, that’s a Skransser,” Tessa said, pointing at the black and silver doors that led to the nightclub proper. “I’m not exactly sure what that is. But the name popped into my head when I saw it on the door.”

  “Good for you, Stars,” Ethan said, patting her on the shoulder, which had more muscle than he had been expecting. “Now let’s go. And try not to get eaten alive.”

  “Skranssers don’t eat you,” Tessa said, staring off into space as if a memory was coming to her. “They suck your soul.”

  “Lovely,” Ethan said, biting his tongue. This woman was maddening. “Now, remember what I said.”

  They both got serious looks on their faces. Good. He needed them on their toes, not distracted by the opulent decor.

  As they entered the actual bar, Tessa sniffed audibly. “How can a place smell like peril and revolution?”

  Her forehead wrinkled in confusion.

  They were immediately approached by a woman who was so beautiful, Ethan could hardly believe she was real.

  “Can I offer you a glass of Elixir?” she said, her smile lighting up her lovely face. “Made on a Starless Equinox. The Starlight in it is a hundred proof.”

  Ethan noticed that Finn clenched his fists when she held the tray out to him. Ethan gave him a look.

  Finn nodded. “I remember what you said.”

  “No thank you,” Ethan told the server, giving her a small polite smile. “We’re meeting someone.”

  She shrugged and moved away. In the background, Ethan could hear music playing but it wasn’t loud enough to hear over the crowd.

  “Stay close,” he said to the Faeries and headed into the club.

  The place was dark but not smoky. That was different from London. He had hardly been able to breathe when he’d been at the other location. The place was decorated in navy blues, purples, and black. Chrome accents were everywhere. Despite the old-fashioned exterior, this Styx location had obviously been renovated recently. Lights flashed, and the music was loud but not so much you couldn’t hear the person next to you.

  Ethan had noticed at least six different types of paranormal creature since he had entered the place but he’d seen no sign of Ignis. He circled the place twice. The mage was nowhere to be found.

  “Might as well get a drink,” he told the Fae.

  Finn frowned. “I thought you said not to drink anything here.”

  “They won’t dare sell me doped-up alcohol,” he told them, approaching a server.

  “Can I help you?” she said. The server had dark eyes and flawless skin. Straight black hair framed her oval face. And when she smiled at him, he suddenly forgot what he had come here for.

  The woman wore a black crop top that displayed her flat stomach. A short, pleated skirt barely covered what must be a very fine ass, and she wore black stockings that came to just above her knee and three-inch heels to complete her outfit.

  Ethan was suddenly hit with a strong urge to seduce this woman. He felt a wave of desire wash over him for the gorgeous server. He shook his head to compose himself before he spoke.

  “We need a private table.”

  “I can take you to a private place and we can…”

  Ethan held up a hand, suddenly realizing what was going on. “No thank you,” he said to the nymph.

  “Are you sure?” she said, chewing her lip.

  He felt his heart race as he wished she would let him bite it for her. “No. I mean, yes, I’m sure. The table please. Private. And a small unopened bottle of your best Elixir from Ahlenerra. None of that Earth-produced swill. With four glasses. Got it?”

  She frowned at him but nodded and led the way to a table near the back. There was a curved bench on one side and three chairs on the other. After they sat down, she pulled a heavy curtain around them, closing them into the bench and away from the prying eyes of everyone else in the place.

  At Ethan’s insistence, Tessa was seated between the two men so he could make sure the fragile Faerie was safe. He was surprised she didn't argue. But the place probably scared her.

  The nymph brought the bottle and four wine glasses.

  Finn turned toward Ethan. “What the hell was that?”

  Ethan grimaced. “What? The woman? She’s a nymph. Took me by surprise.”

  “Ohh,” Tessa and Finn said at the same time.

  “So now what?” Tessa said, disappointed. “He’s a no show?”

  “Don’t write him off just yet,” Ethan said. “We may not have seen each other in a long time but I know his little ways.”

  He opened the bottle and poured each of them a glass of the blue liquid. By the time he picked up the cool glass, it was a pretty lavender color. After he dr
ank and set it down, it was a deep purple. He did love Elixir. The perfect balance of sweet and sour tastes always seemed to quench his thirst. Like the humans’ lemonade but much, much better. And he didn’t mind the magical buzz it gave him either.

  It was hard to get good Elixir on Earth because there were strict controls on how much could be imported from the faerie land. He had just paid an exorbitant amount for this unopened bottle. But it was the only way to ensure it hadn’t been tampered with.

  They drank in silence before Ethan sensed that something was off. He set his glass down and tried to figure out what it was.

  “What is it?” Tessa said, also glancing around.

  “There’s something…” He studied the area in their private booth not sure… That was it! Smoke was leaking in around the curtains, which the server had pulled.

  But there was no smoking in this Styx.

  “Okay, Ignis,” Ethan said, crossing his arms on his chest. “I know you’re here. Show yourself.”

  Tessa and Finn were watching him and Ethan gestured toward the smoke that was actually blue mist, which was coalescing into a man shape.

  After a moment, the mage appeared across the table from where the three of them were seated on the curved bench. He had appeared on one of the chairs that were tucked under the table, and once his body was solid enough, he pushed the chair back from the table so he had room.

  The mage’s flaming red hair was cut short and styled. He was wearing a well-cut suit and was as handsome as ever. The years that had passed since Ethan had seen him last hadn’t marred him in the least. He looked exactly the same. When he spoke, he sounded exactly the same as the last time he had seen him, too.

  Angry.

  “Ethan Hunter. You bastard.” Ignis’s voice was sharp and annoyed. “Why the hell did you trick me into coming here?”

  “Risk and reward, Ignis,” Ethan said, and the mage’s eyes widened at the words that he had once spoken to Ethan. “Risk and reward.”

  Chapter 8

  By this point, Ethan was wishing he had never arranged this meeting with Ignis. He didn’t like being in Styx. He didn’t like having to meet with his old friend and bring up all the pain of their shared past. The hour was far too late and Ethan was way too tired to have to deal with this whole situation.

  But he wasn’t going to let that snippy little Faerie be right about him. That he didn’t care. He cared. Well, mostly about himself, but he watched out for Rebekah and his Hunters from afar. He cared about his fans. Sort of.

  He didn’t want to stay, but he was going to because he did care and he had made a promise to introduce them to Ignis and that meant having a long overdue conversation with him. He steeled himself for the recriminations that were coming.

  Ignis was like a father to Rebekah and Ethan was like the cheating ex. So yeah. Not going to be pleasant. But Ethan knew he probably deserved it. Okay, definitely deserved it.

  That didn’t mean he had to like it.

  Ethan clenched his fists beside him. His first instinct was to fight, but he wasn’t like that anymore. He didn’t solve problems by fighting—or not most of the time anyway.

  “Oh, is that how you think this is going to go?” Ignis said, his eyes flashing. “Taking us back to the days when the Huntress was created? As if that can make what you did somehow okay? Because of what used to be? That's long over. You left us. And good riddance.”

  Ethan didn't say anything. Better to let him have it out. No doubt he had been thinking about this for centuries.

  “And bringing Faeries with you?" Ignis went on. "What were you thinking?” He wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Nasty creatures.”

  Tessa’s mouth dropped open. Finn scowled. But Ethan held his hand up and they both didn’t say anything. He had forgotten that Ignis thought that Faeries were a nuisance. That was a strike against them. Well, a second strike against them, he thought. Ethan himself being the first.

  “Look, Ignis, I know you’re angry with me.” He picked up a napkin from the table and fiddled with it, folding it and refolding it in his discomfort.

  “Angry? The depths of Demura have got nothing on me. I’m furious.”

  “And you have every right to be.”

  Ethan didn’t remember ever having seen Ignis this enraged, in fact. His pale face was turning red and his eyes were bulging a little. Ignis was usually cool, calm, and relaxed. Nothing really ruffled him. Ethan was clearly bringing out the worst in him. He sighed internally. He tended to do that to people.

  But this was his chance to make things right with him and he wasn’t afraid of losing face. The old Ethan would never have done this. Apologized. But he wasn’t that person anymore. He had changed.

  Ethan sat up and looked Ignis in the eye.

  “I’m. Really. Sorry.” He emphasized each word.

  That got Ignis’s attention.

  “You’re what?”

  “I’m sorry, Ignis. I shouldn’t have left—”

  “Abandoned.”

  “I shouldn’t have abandoned Rebekah the way I did. I know she can take care of herself and kick anyone’s ass that needs it. But…” Ethan wasn’t sure how to finish that thought.

  “But she—you—” Ignis took a breath and got himself under control. “You’re not trying to get her back, are you? Because she’s finally over you. And I will never let you hurt her again.”

  “No. No. Definitely not. It was never like that between us. We didn’t—” For some reason, his eyes cut over to Tessa but he pulled them back to Ignis. “We never loved each other, Ignis. It was only ever…”

  “Lust?" Ignis stared at Ethan in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Maybe for you, Ethan. Not for Rebekah. She loved you. More than you ever deserved."

  “Agreed," Ethan said, feeling sick to his stomach. But he went on with his attempt at an explanation. "I never really abandoned her or the Hunters, though,” Ethan said, needing Ignis to believe him. “I still protect Rebekah and keep her safe. From afar. I’ve been keeping a close eye on everything. I sometimes even intervene if I think it’s necessary. Just because I’m not in the ranks anymore, doesn’t mean I’ve been neglecting my duties to the humans, my Hunters, or Rebekah.”

  Ignis dropped his eyes. Then he looked up at Ethan again and the resentment in them knew no bounds.

  “She loved you. And you left her.”

  Ethan stared into space for a moment as the thousands of memories he and Rebekah had made together filled his head.

  “I cared about her too.”

  There was a beat of silence.

  “I am so sorry for hurting her,” Ethan added, a lump in his throat.

  Ignis blinked, his eyes suspicious. He seemed taken aback but his eyes never lost that hard, angry look.

  “Okay, fine. You're changed. All of sudden you're sorry. Sure. Whatever. But I've seen no proof of that. Nor does it matter to me.” Ignis said, his tone curt. "You didn't really expect me to forgive you for what you did to her? How much you hurt her? Did you?

  Ethan shook his head. “I hoped. But I guess what I did was pretty unforgiveable."

  "Pretty unforgiveable," Ignis snorted, sitting back. "He calls it pretty unforgiveable."

  The faeries were silent, no doubt completely uncomfortable during this unbelievably horrible conversation.

  Ethan felt a wave of regret wash over him. He really had thought that Ignis might forgive him at last. He had hoped that he could at least clean up one mess from what he was just realizing was a long and eternally messy life.

  "Why did you ask me here, Ethan?" Ignis interlaced his fingers in front of him on the table.

  “Well....”

  Ignis didn't wait for him to explain.

  “If it's not about Rebekah, then you must need my help?”

  “That’s right. Well, these people need your help. I told them I’d make the introduction.”

  “You thought that you introducing them would give a couple of faeries an in?” He said “faeries” as if the wo
rd tasted bad in his mouth and the disbelief in his voice was only overshadowed by the mild amusement, at the irony of the situation no doubt. Ethan knew that Tessa and Finn were barely holding it together after so many insults.

  “I knew that my presence would probably be a hindrance, to be honest, Ignis.”

  The mage stared him down. “Major obstacle, you mean.”

  “But I also knew that you were the only person who could help them with their problem.”

  Ignis was trying to hide it but Ethan could tell he was interested. The Mage was brilliant and he had a vast amount of knowledge of how magic worked on Earth. Plus, he tended to get bored. New challenges were his catnip. He couldn’t resist. That was Ethan's only hope at this point of getting him to help.

  “I don’t think I can work with Faeries.” Ignis waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. “I’ve had nothing but trouble with their species.”

  “Okay, I’ve been as quiet as I can be for as long as I can,” Tessa said, standing up and putting her hands on the table. She leaned forward with a grim look in her eye. “But you two assholes need to stop insulting my race or I am going to kick your asses.”

  Ethan inhaled and caught a whiff of raspberry from Tessa. He held back a chuckle.

  The kitten had teeth.

  “Tessa,” Finn hissed, not afraid but he clearly understood that Ethan and Ignis weren’t to be messed with.

  “What, Finn?” She turned back toward Ignis, her face angry and determined. “We can’t help what we were born.”

  Ethan was a little surprised. She hadn’t shown this sharp edge to her personality before. He wondered what else might be revealed when she got her memories back.

  Ignis burst out laughing. “We are a couple of assholes, that’s true. Him more than me,” he admitted, jerking a thumb at Ethan and glaring at him. Then he looked Tessa in the eye and his smile reappeared.