Page 15 of Primal Dragon

Whoever was behind him clearly had the passcode too, because the door opened and closed once again.

Henrik stopped at another doorway where there were two vampires standing like bouncers outside a club. All that was missing was the thumping of bass and a velvet rope.

Vampire number one looked him up and down derisively. “Name.”

“Rik Smith.”

The second vampire looked down at his clipboard. After a moment, he said, “Go inside. Enjoy refreshments and mingle. You’ll know when the show is starting,” Vampire One waved him on.

Henrik didn’t show his relief. He’d made it through two barriers without getting his ass kicked. He would consider it a win for the night.

Inside there were another dozen people. He didn’t recognized anyone sitting spread out among the tables. His guess was most of them were human from the looks of them. It was odd for powerful vampires to use humans for their bidding, unless they were going to use them and toss them later.

Henrik moved to the bar trying to keep himself busy. He grabbed the small camera he’d brought that was far less conspicuous than his cell phone. He snapped off a couple of pictures while he sipped his Jameson and the rocks.

He kept his distance from anyone. He wasn’t here to make friends. He wanted to get all the information he could tonight. It was critical for the next step.

The peacoat and newsboy-hat wearing male crossed his path again, going to the far end of the bar keeping his back to Henrik. There was something about the guy that bothered him.

“Gentlemen, I’m so glad you could make it.”

Henrik twisted his body around, so his back was to the bar and he was facing the stage. A man who looked like a nineteen-twenties mobster stood center stage. No microphone, but he didn’t need one.

“My name is Stefano, and I am the benefactor of this production. I am so glad you all could make it. I am told that all of you are aware that everything we talk about and your jobs are off the record. If one of you squeals, you will be dealt with off the record as well. If you do your job, you will be paid handsomely. You’ll also have rights to this club every Sunday night. And if you haven’t seen the entertainment here, you’re truly missing out.” Stefano grinned.

Henrik caught sight of a vampire moving through the crowd handing out cell phones.

“Gerry is handing out cell phones that will have the address for your job and a text message will tell you exactly what the job is. These phones are not to be used for anything but directions for your jobs. Do the job. Deliver your package. Funds will be wired to your account after delivery and you will receive your next job accordingly. No more than one job a week. If you do not deliver your package on time at the correct place, your phone will self-destruct, and you will be dealt with accordingly. You are here because a benefactor has spoken on your behalf.”

Gerry approached and extended a phone to Henrik.

“For this first night, you’re going to be paired up. It’s a race, gentlemen. We only need eight of you. The first four teams to return with their prizes will continue to take jobs with your partner. These jobs can get a little sticky.” He paused for half a beat before adding, “You don’t want to be part of the teams that don’t make it back first.”

Henrik took another sip of his drink. The taste burned more than usual. He set it down and pushed it away.

His dragon was on edge. He didn’t like being surrounded by the enemy. If any of them picked up on the fact that he was a dragon and not a human, he’d be in big trouble.

“You were each given a number on your phone.”

Henrik flipped it over. There was a seven on the back.

“There is a corresponding number on someone else’s phone. Find your partner and get on out of my club. You’ll be sent your assignment within a few minutes. When you retrieve your package, return here and we’ll pay you and then you can enjoy the entertainment for the evening.”

Henrik remained resting against the bar while he watched the men in the room go around to each other comparing numbers with each other. A couple of guys approached him, but no match. He looked down the bar at the other gentleman who was remaining anti-social and mysterious.

Henrik grabbed his drink and moved down to stand just a couple of feet from him. “You wouldn’t happen to be number seven, would you?”

He didn’t look up but gave a prominent nod. “You too?”

“Yeah. Do you want to head out? Get a head start?”

Another nod.

Henrik caught a whiff of the male. His suspicions were right, he was a vampire. Henrik knew it was a mixed group, but he hadn’t expected to have to work with one. This was going to be a bigger pain in the ass then he was intending.

Henrik led the way back out onto Broadway. The cold air hit them hard.

“Wanna take my car?” the male asked.

---