Page 6 of Hades

Testing my theory, I lift my foot off the gas, and the Jeep slows, as does the bird.

“What the hell?”

Pulling over to the side of the road, I stop and put the Jeep in park, expecting the bird to fly off, since there are no trees near the road to perch on. To my surprise and horror, the large black bird lands on the rollbar of my Jeep.

Visions of Alfred Hitchcock’sThe Birdsbombard my mind as fear of this creature pecking out my eyes out plays through my head.

“Shoo!, Go away, stupid bird!” I yell as I attempt to swat it off my vehicle. It gives me a squawk and a side-eye glance as it flaps its wings but doesn’t fly off. In fact, the bird seems to settle in, preening as the three of us sit on the side of the road, staring at each other.

“Well, you’re no help,” I scold Hades, expecting him to go wild with the bird so close to his seat. But all he does is stare at it and give it the occasional growl before huffing and laying his head down.

I stare at the large, black bird for a moment longer before turning forward in my seat and putting my vehicle in gear. “Hang on, buddy,” I tell the bird, which flies off as soon as I start moving down the road.

The remainder of the drive is uneventful, and the feeling of being followed is gone until I see the Las Vegas city limits sign. I slow as I pass because I can’t believe what I see. Perched on top as if he had been waiting for me is the same bird, or at least I’m pretty sure it’s the same one. As I pass, it takes flight and follows me into the city.

When I decided to drive cross country and stop in Vegas on my way, I had to see a few iconic spots in the city. The first and the one I am most excited about comes into view as I turn the corner off the strip. The Black Door Club. The line to get in, even at two in the afternoon, wraps around the corner. The club is steeped in mystery and lore about being run by vampires and demons, none of which could be the fanny-pack-wearing patrons now standing outside the club, hoping to get in. The only one who looks as if he could rule over Hell is the bouncer standing out front. I’m sure his Lord-of-the-Night look is the reason he got the job in the first place.

Turning into the closest parking garage, I can’t help the excitement bubbling up inside me. I also can’t help but notice that my new raven friend perches himself on the streetlight outside the club, as if he knows where my destination lies.

Hades seems to be even more excited about our destination than I am. “I hate to disappoint you, buddy, but I don’t think dogs will be allowed in the club.” His expressive face says it all. He’s disappointed.

The JDL International Hotel we’re staying at is pet-friendly and located next door to the club. Grabbing Hades’ leash, my backpack, and the sun booties for his paws, we exit the garage onto the strip.

When I turn the corner with Hades, I see the black bird still perched outside the club’s entrance. As we approach, the hulking beast of a bouncer turns and looks directly at us. If they were looking to hire someone who looked like he could be an actual demon, they hit the nail on the head with this guy. My heart sinks when he turns and stares in our direction. I can’t tell if he’s looking at us or not, since he has on a pair of dark aviator sunglasses. But as we move closer, it’s evident that he’s watching us.

I hate being watched.

I tighten Hades’ leash and pull him to my side as we approach. My protector is an incredible judge of character, and I expect him to growl at the doorman or, rather, door beast.

But he doesn’t.

His tail begins to wag, and I can feel his excitement as we get closer. When we are directly in front of the door, I give the man a curt smile and attempt to continue to the hotel. But Hades yanks his leash and pulls me toward the doorman.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurt out as I try to wrangle him back.

The doorman lifts his sunglasses and I nearly pass out. His eyes are completely black. The rational part of my brain knows it’s all part of his act, contacts that can be purchased for Halloween. But the mystery of the club has me second-guessing.

“What a good Hellhound,” he says, letting Hades sniff his hand before giving him a scratch behind the ears.

“His name is Hades. He usually hates strangers,” I sputter, my voice cracking with nerves.

The doorman chuckles and shakes his head. “Of course, it is. Did the two of you want to go inside?”

I’m shocked at his invitation. Not only because I’m with a dog, but also because of the line of people waiting to get in. I glance at the queue. “What about all those people? They’ve been waiting.”

“None of them showed up with Hades by their side,” he says with a pointed-tooth grin.

He steps away and pushes open the door behind him with one arm. Hades doesn’t hesitate, he surges forward in a flurry of fur as if he owns the place.

“Thank you,” I say as I pass, and the people waiting outside begin to yell and complain. “I’m sure they have a no-dogs-allowed policy,” I whisper to Hades once we enter. “So be on your best behavior before we get thrown out.”

HADES

“Finish this fucking assholeso we can go drink.” Wise words, they were not. I take another slug of the Ambrosia before handing it over to Reaver. We’ve been sitting in my office for what seems like forever, a common practice after his fights.

We have a great partnership, he and I. He kicks ass nightly, and I make a shit ton of money, then we drink. The downside is that all I hear from him is “Kennedy this, Kennedy that, blah, blah, blah.”

“Fuck!” I yell before standing. The half bottle of Ambrosia has kicked in, and I sway before walking over to the pedestal that holds the seeing bowl, or whatever the fuck it is.

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