Page 42 of Changeling
How many brothels has she been to? Nothing about her youthful appearance, bright eyes, or modest green dress screams “I frequent brothels,” but what do I know? The Twig has been my first; perhaps it’s her thirty-first. How old is she? One can never tell with a vampire, and I hadn’t thought to ask.
“Thank you,” says Dominus. “I pride myself on maintaining a comfortable establishment, miss.”
“Sachi.” She extends her hand.
Dominus glares at it as if it’s grown spikes.
With an effort at subtlety, I elbow him in the ribs. He takes the hint and shakes her hand like the gentleman he is.
“Sachi. I’m Dominus.” Then he nods a greeting to the vampire-witch at her side.
“Remigius, but my friends call me Remy.” He returns the nod.
Dominus makes a sweeping gesture to the newly arranged furniture, and we shuffle our way there and take a seat. Remy and Sachi sit on one lounge, Dominus and I on another, and Leonas lowers himself in his own chaise, perched as if ready to pounce.
Though the tension has lessened, it’s not gone, and there’s a gap where I’m unsure who should speak first. Annais, the lucky bastard, gets to leave this awkward gathering to fetch Rizpah.
Sachi breaks the silence. “Apologies for meeting you this way, Dominus. It’s never been our intention to cause strife. Sebastian was concerned you’d be worried.”
“I was.” Dominus’s tail encircles my waist again in a motion that seems involuntary. “I searched all night, but it’s impossible to track a portal. How was that done?”
“Ah, that was me.” Remy sits at the front of the cushion, both feet firmly on the floor, back straight. It’s clear his trust will be difficult to win, but he doesn’t seem the type to attack unless provoked. His magic is a palpable phenomenon, strong and powerful at his fingertips, ready for his guidance. “The portal was the safest way to secure Sebastian.”
“They thought you might hurt me,” I explain. “But I told them you wouldn’t. I’m sorry you were worried.”
“That wasn’t your fault.” Dominus still doesn’t sound like himself. He’s on edge. They all are.
Rizpah arrives with her usual cheer, wine bottles in hand. Annais follows, carrying plates of food: nuts, olives, cheeses, dried apricots, and hard breads. The spread is set on a low table between us.
To my surprise, Remy and Sachi both make small talk with Rizpah. Of course, I can’t understand a word they’re saying. Does every supernatural speak so many languages? Will I learn someday?
She manages to cheer up the room with the force of her lively personality, insisting we each have a mug of wine and a plate of snacks. One bottle is for Dominus, Leonas, and myself, but another is set in front of Sachi and Remy.
Vampires. Is that blood? My life has gotten so weird.
Rizpah places an assortment of snacks on a little plate and forces it on a reluctant Dominus. It’s got to be what? Four in the morning? Five? But to stay in Rizpah’s good graces, I fill my plate and munch, though I’m fighting not to yawn.
When Rizpah and Annais leave us to our discussion, the mood is decidedly less strained.
“The Dozen sent you?” asks Dominus.
Remy nods. “They’d offered Sebastian safe haven and knew he was on the way. When word arrived via messenger that Ivaz was waylaid and left Sebastian with you, we were alarmed. Your line harbors a known hostility toward his kind, and the concern was great enough to warrant intervention. Portaling is dangerous but, under the circumstances, deemed necessary.”
“How do you know of my line?” asks Dominus. He’s warm next to me. I’m tempted to cuddle into him, saddened by the thought of leaving and sleepy to the point of having to force my eyes open. The wine isn’t helping.
“The Dozen seeks, records, and protects a wealth of information on all preternatural creatures, incubi included.”
Dominus won’t like that. Predictably, he grumbles, “My business is no concern of yours.”
“And yet here I sit,” says Remy, “offering only goodwill. Feel free to set the record straight if we have it wrong.”
“Sebastian is safe here.” Dominus’s tail agrees with him, giving me its own little squeeze. “I promised Ivaz, and I keep my word.”
“I’m sure you do,” says Remy. “And Sachi, who also possesses fae blood, is she safe?”
“I’ll not be the first to strike, but nor will I sit idly by if threatened.”
“Fair point.” Remy casts a fond gaze to Sachi, who’s kicked off her shoes and sits with her legs tucked beneath her, a smile on her face between sips of whatever substance fills her cup. She couldn’t possibly look less threatening if she tried. “If you could please contain your wrath and fury in Dominus’s presence, all will be well.”
