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We need to find Christian, now. He doesn t have much time.
Vlad started the car.
I understand. And I know just who to ask.
Vlad took the 101 Highway West to Highway 51 South, while Alyssa called her publicist. She told him
a family emergency had arisen and she wouldn t be able to make the speech. He wasn t happy about it,
but agreed to let the function coordinators know and reschedule for another date.
They were heading towards Central Phoenix.
Where are we going?
There s a club calledTwice Charmed. It s located around Twenty-Fourth Street and Van Buren. I
know some of the people who frequent the establishment quite often. They may be able to tell us where
Christian is.
Alyssa wondered just what kind of club it was. The area he spoke about was seedy, to say the least. It
was known as the place to find prostitutes and strip joints. Was Twice Charmeda strip club? At this point
she really didn t care.
They needed to find Christian and they needed to find him fast. She remembered the weakness in his
voice. And that hard blow to her face that echoed Bazhena hitting him. For some reason he was trapped
in Bazhena s hold. And he couldn t get away. No, it didn t matter where they were going. If it meant
saving Christian, she was ready to go to hell and back if necessary. She didn t question her feelings now.
They just were. She needed to accept them until there came a time when she could analyze them fully.
Now was not that time.
Vlad pulled into the parking lot of a large building. It looked like some sort of warehouse. As he parked
the car and came around to her side to open the door for her, she hesitated. This didn t feel good. There
was something wrong about this place. Something that screamed for her to leave and go far, far away.
To never return.
She sat frozen in her seat. Vlad squatted down by the open door, so that he could look at her.
It s okay, Alyssa. This place has a security spell on it.
Alyssa didn t want to move, but Vlad had caught her interest. She forced herself to look at him. What
was he talking about?
A security spell?
Yes. Many preternatural creatures come here. It really is not a place for humans, unless they are under
protection. The owners discourage humans from coming here by sending out a subconscious danger
signal. Humans pick up that warning and avoid this club as much as possible. That s what you re feeling
right now. But it is only an illusion. You will be safe with me. Now come, we don t have much time.
Christian needs us.
At Christian s name being mentioned, Alyssa broke out of her frozen stupor.Shaking her head, she got
out of the car.It s only an illusion. It s only an illusion. It s only an illusion. She kept the chant up as they
walked towards the entrance of the club, but her dread continued to build. As they approached the man
standing by the door, Vlad took her hand.
I must pretend you are with me, or they will not allow you in. Please play along, he whispered, giving
her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Even if she hadn t felt this uncomfortable feeling before, the sight of the large, formidable looking
bouncer would have done it for her. He gave Vlad a cursory glance then settled his stern gaze on her.
What does she want? he asked. Though he was addressing Vlad, his eyes never left Alyssa s.
She s with me, was all Vlad said, but it seemed to satisfy the man. He gave her a quick once over then
nodded his head.
You two can go in, Vlad.
Thanks, Dominic.
Alyssa felt the bouncer s gaze follow her as they walked into the club. Yet her attention was soon
diverted by who she saw. Or rather what.
The outside of the club looked like an old, rundown warehouse. The inside was opulent. That was the
only word for it. Despite the dim lighting, she noticed almost all the fine details. High domed ceilings with
art relief carved into it. There were bar stools and high tables, but there were also leather couches and
beautifully scrolled wood tables. The floors looked like marble. And there was one large bar spanning the
entire wall of one side of the club. Behind the bar there were what she assumed were espresso and
cappuccino machines. They looked shiny and clean, reflecting the dim lights on their smooth surfaces.
There were other machines she didn t recognize and bottles of liquids she couldn t begin to name.
Then there were the customers. Everyone looked human, yet she could sense they weren t. The air
practically hummed with magic. There was a lot of it here. Surprisingly though, she picked up on mostly
happy feelings. The people here, on the whole, seemed to be having a good time.
Vlad silently led her across the room. She could feel eyes following her. And she sensed some interested
curiosity on the part of those who looked at her. Many of them must be able to tell that she was a mortal
human, just as she sensed that they were not.
Vlad stopped abruptly in front of a woman wearing a form fitting black dress. The spaghetti straps that
held it up were slipping down her shoulders, as the woman huddled over the drink in front of her, but she
didn t seem to notice. Vlad reached up and touched her shoulder. The woman stiffened immediately, then
slowly turned to face them.
Alyssa couldn t stop herself from gasping. The woman was absolutely gorgeous, but that wasn t what
surprised her. It was the large bite mark on the woman s neck. It looked like someone had tried to take
a healthy chunk out of her skin. Although it appeared to be healing, Alyssa could still see blood glistening
on the puncture wounds. And she had a bruised cheek that was so swollen; her eye on that side was
forced partially shut.
The woman didn t seem to notice her. Instead her eyes fixed on Vlad and widened with fear. She made
as if to move away, but Vlad s other hand snaked out and grabbed her upper arm before she could go
anywhere. She tried to break away, but soon realized she wasn t going anywhere until Vlad let her.
Amy. What a pleasure to see you again. Vlad said the words pleasantly as he led the woman to a
secluded table in the corner. But as Alyssa followed close behind, she knew Vlad was feeling far from
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