AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He glanced at Camille. “You’re right on track. I can tell you exactly who this belongs to. I never thought I’d see her again, though.”
“Who is it?” I asked.
He let out a long sigh. “Her name is Fraale. She’s scary-ass freaky and one of the most openhearted women I’ve ever met. Just the right type—if you prefer life on the edge. But I can’t imagine her hiring on to assist the demons. Seriously. If she’s there, she’s in trouble, too.”
Menolly stared at him, her eyes widening. “Fraale? Are you sure?”
“Who the hell is Fraale?” I asked. “You sound like you know her.”
“I do know her,” Roz said, a sheepish grin escaping onto his lips. “Before Fraale was turned into a succubus specializing as a dominatrix, she was my wife.”
CHAPTER 23
Of course, all hell broke loose. This was way too Jerry Springer for me to keep my mouth shut.
“Married? You? You’ve got to be kidding,” I said, staring at him like he had just grown another head. “I’ve got to hear that story—”
“Delilah, shut up,” Menolly said softly. So softly that I jerked around. The look on her face was anything but joking.
I bit my tongue and said, “Yeah, okay. Well, then tell us this. Is she freakin’ out of her mind, cozying up to Karvanak? Or just plain nuts?” The thought of a dominatrix succubus scared the shit out of me. My guess was she’d be tall, lean, wearing lots of leather.
Rozurial’s smile faded. “Neither,” he said softly. “Fraale and I . . . when we were . . . let’s just say that if she’s working for Karvanak, chances are she was sold into his hands, like Vanzir, and has no choice in the matter. Fraale may wield one hell of a whip, but she’s never been one to raise her hand in violence unless someone’s done her wrong. I think she might be in trouble.”
Menolly pushed back her chair. “Then it sounds like we might have two people to rescue,” she said. Roz flashed her a grateful smile, and I wondered just what the hell was going on. Roz was obviously worried, and Menolly seemed to know more than she was letting on.
I let out a long sigh. “Menolly, you ever been to the Fangtabula?”
She nodded. “Only once, and it was with Wade. Not the cleanest place in the city and definitely on the shady side. They run gambling rooms there, though every time the cops have raided them, the place seems to magically empty, and they can’t find anything. Spooks the cops like crazy to go wandering around a bunch of moody vamps.”
“I bet,” I said, wondering if Chase had been in on any of the raids. If so, he hadn’t mentioned it.
“Not only that, but I’ll bet a month’s pay they’re running a blood-whore service under the table.” She grimaced.
“Blood whore?” Zach looked confused.
Menolly gave him a nod. “Yeah. Vamp wannabes or fang girls and boys hang out. They trade blood for the sexual high that a vamp can give them. They get addicted to the high and end up wasting away unless their ‘owners’ treat them right. Some vampires take care of their pets, but not all of them. The whole situation is illegal, and with good reason. But it’s like prostitution; there’s no way in hell you’re going to be able to prevent it. I think the government should legalize it and then tax the hell out of the clubs. At least then they could slap some regulations in place so the blood whores aren’t drained or abused.”
“Sounds delightful,” Camille said as she refilled her cup with tea. “You and Wade ever think of setting up rehab for the addicts?”
“No,” Menolly said softly. She squinted. “We’ve been arguing about other issues as of late. You might be onto something, though. I’ll talk to Wade next chance I get. Anyway, back to the Fangtabula. I don’t like the feel of the club though, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Terrance, the owner, is getting down and dirty with a demon or two.”
“Good.” I stood and stretched. “Then you won’t mind playing spy for us. Somebody’s got to go in and talk to Fraale to see if she’s a willing participant in Karvanak’s game or if she’s being forced against her will.”
A faint look of disgust crossed Menolly’s face. “Well, hell.” She let out a sigh, which was deliberate, since my sister never had to breathe. When she took a deep breath or sighed or any one of those wonderful oxygen-related activities, it was purely for effect.
“Fine,” she said after a moment. “But if I do, you’re coming with me. You can be my pet for the night. You’re used to wearing a collar, aren’t you, Kitten?” She gave me a wicked grin, and I groaned.
“I’m coming, too,” Zach said, but I held up my hand.
“No. Too dangerous, even for you. Roz, do you want to come with us?” I tried to soften my voice, but the question still hit home, that much was clear by the look on his face.
“Let me think for a moment,” he said, abruptly heading into the living room. Morio, Zach, and Smoky took off after him. Camille joined Iris by the sink, handing her the tea bags as Iris brewed another pot. Menolly wandered over to the window and stared out into the darkness.
Vanzir glanced over at me. “You are a lot like me.”>Her eyes were glowing as she planted her hands on the table and leaned toward him. “You hear me, demon boy? If I even think one of them is going to slip, he’ll be staring down at the tip of my fangs.”
Vanzir shivered. He might not have a good track record of saying the right thing at the right time, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew all too well how powerful Menolly could be.
“Got it.” He shoved the list across the table to her. “Here. I know where four of them live. There are others, but I have no idea where they hang out.”
