DEAD CAN DANCE
The call came after midnight and I let the machine pick up. A man's deep, slightly accented voice was inviting me to audition at the new vampire bar, Fangtasia, in Shreveport. Personally I thought the name was a terrible pun but who am I to argue with centuries-old denizens of the night who decided to add to Louisiana's already colorful nightlife?
The voice continued, "If you've got an iPod please feel free to bring your own music."
Three weeks ago I had seen an ad in a dance trade paper; they were looking for experienced dancers. The hours were late, of course, but it proved too intriguing to pass up. I had just come off a road show and additional income was always welcome. I'm a classically trained dancer who has found herself repeatedly disappointed by the racial politics that dominate the dance world. You get more acclaim abroad than right here at home.
Anyway, that frustration led to moving on to Broadway shows in NYC, musical theatre, experimental and avant garde performance art. Always keeping me on the cutting edge of my profession, dance is my life, my soul and my passion. I am very good at what I do. I'm also a 25 year-old black woman who has no illusions about the world. Home is south of the Mason Dixon Line with all that implies. I don't know if Southern vampires even notice racial politics, having their own issues with being accepted, but I was willing to give them a try. I certainly didn't have any issues with those of the fanged persuasion. I deliberately sent my picture with my resume and had also written a cover letter explaining why I would enjoy working at Fangtasia.
To be honest, I'm a student of dance, and dance encompasses all kinds of history. In my spare time there's nothing I enjoy more than researching dance from other cultures over the centuries. This runs the gamut from Ballet to Modern, Jazz, Middle Eastern, European Folk, Indonesian, whatever. When I travel I try to seek out new places to learn another form of dance. So it's funny I'd end up auditioning at a local bar, but I was going to be home for a while and I couldn't imagine anything more exotic than a vampire bar.
So here I was, standing outside the bar, right after sunset the next evening as requested. There were three other girls outside with me. One was definitely a vampire, her chalk white pallor quite unnatural against flaming red hair. She wasn't beautiful, but she was striking. She was eying the rest of us with an intensity that bordered on hostility if not outright hunger. At least that's what came to mind. So my cheery "Hi!" was met with dead silence. Guess the other two were cowed by vampire girl since they glanced over at me very nervously without smiles or comment. The vampire, however, smiled, showing fang. Ugh. Guess bitch comes in vampire too.
The door opened and a gorgeous blond haired, blue eyed female vampire ushered us in. I barely had a chance to get a bead on her before she was ahead of us leading the way into the bar. God it freaks me out when they do that. The huge room was as chilly as an icebox with walls the color of dried blood. Famous Hollywood vampires lined the walls: Bella Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Klaus Kinski, and my favorite, Frank Langella. It was hilarious, by the way. All that faded when glanced over to the bar and met the most hostile pair of black eyes I've ever seen. They belonged to a beefy Native American who looked as if he was weighing our souls.
The beautiful vampire spoke, "I'm Pam and that is Long Shadow. We will be evaluating each of you and if it works out, you will start tomorrow tonight. We are looking for something different with our dancers. Show us what you've got."
She pointed to the iPod dock. Vampire girl introduced herself to Pam as "Teegan," stepped out first, and put her music on. I was surprised; it was some good house music. The electronic beats were pulsating and compelling. She quickly jumped on stage and began her routine. It was good, especially since she used the startlingly quick movements all vampires seem to be able do. It was only a few minutes. I glanced over at Pam and Long Shadow, but their faces reflected neither pleasure nor distaste. Teegan finished and jumped off the stage. Pam glanced at Long Shadow. He raised an eyebrow. Pam led Teegan out. The other two, Suzie and Bethany, did their thing and Pam led them out too. She returned and looked pointedly at me.
I walked over to the empty dock and started my music. I had chosen a Bedouin chant overlaid with a lush sensual beat. It seemed appropriate for the atmosphere of a vampire bar. I began to move. The routine I chose combined my belly dancing skills with some lock'n'pop hip-hop moves. Too soon it ended and I was climbing down the stage. Pam was right there and held out her hand. I smiled and took it.
"Well that was different," she said. "I like it. Eric will, too."
"Eric?"
"Your boss and mine."
"Really?" I breathed.
"Yeah, we can use you. I thought you had good moves. Right Long Shadow?"
"Yeah. Delicious!" said Long Shadow which scared the hell out of me. His fangs were extended; it was not a reassuring sight. I looked away.
"Well off you go. The bar will open soon and we've got to get prepared." She walked me out and I asked a question that had been nagging at me all night.
"Pam? If I work for you guys I'm safe, right? I don't need to worry? You'll provide security for the human folk working for you?"
Pam glanced over at me appraisingly.
"That's a very good question. You're the first to ask."
"I'd think that's the first thing any sane person would ask, right after how much are you paying me?"
She flashed me an amused smile.
"You are Eric's employee. Therefore every vampire will respect that relationship or face the consequences."
"So nobody crosses Eric?"
"Nobody."
She said that with a finality that made me shudder. The guy must be a total badass.
She opened the door to the parking lot. It was still early and a few cars, including a sleek looking red Corvette, were the only ones in the lot. I said goodnight to Pam and drove away.
The next night I arrived an hour before my first set to get ready. Tonight I was doing the prime 8pm-12am slot. They had set up a small dressing room for the dancers, which was a relief. I quickly changed and sat down to finish my makeup. Tonight's look was dark smoky eyes and blood red lips to complement the black ombre body stocking I wore. The material shimmered with black spangles and the ombre pattern was shaded in all the right places. It left very little to the imagination while actually showing nothing at all.
I also wore a pair of shiny patent leather stiletto boots. The whole outfit screamed "sex," which seemed to be the underlying theme in the bar. I was twirling in front to the mirror, making sure everything was perfect, when Pam stuck her head in to give me the 5 minute head's up.
She stared hard at me and then commented; "Now I know why you asked that question."
"What question?"
"The one about being vampire bait."
"I thought I asked about my safety."
"Same thing." she said, "Follow me."
We walked towards the stage and I stared straight ahead. Didn't want any distractions, and in this bar there were plenty. I handed my iPod to Long Shadow as I mounted the stage. His fangs were showing again. I guess that's the vampire equivalent of a hard-on, but with larger consequences. I did not like the way he stared at me, but if you are a performer you learn to blot out a lot.
The music started and I began my routine. Tonight I decided to use some remixed folk songs. Many of them were very old, but my DJ was a genius at this kind of fusion with dance beats. I let the music take over as I glided through my set.
Towards the end, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the large throne-like chair on the other side of the stage was occupied. I knew that Eric Northman, the vampire who owned Fangtasia, usually sat there on display for the humans who came to the club. I hadn't met him, but man, was he was big. His face was shadowed, but I saw long golden hair trailing over a pair of massive shoulders. It was hard to see more, but I got the distinct impression that his focus was on me. I could feel it. Wow. A little curious, I finished up to thunderous applause.
Vampire girl Teegan was at the foot of the stage waiting to begin her set. I barely glanced at her, but I heard a distinct hiss as I passed by. I stopped and glanced back; what the hell was her problem? As I turned to walk towards the dressing room, I realized there was a mountain of hard bodied muscle in my way. Said mountain was dressed in a sleeveless black silk t-shirt tucked into dark denim jeans. Black boots completed the ensemble, but it was the belt buckle that caught my eye; it was simply barbaric. It was a gorgon's head, as big as a man's fist, which looked to be solid gold. The snakes surrounding the awful snarling face, which did look like it could turn you to stone, were all tangled together and added to the considerable heft of the buckle. I stared at it somewhat mesmerized.
Suddenly realizing I was being rude, I looked up, right into the face of the most beautiful man I've ever seen. I swear my mouth went dry.
A mane of long golden hair framed a wide brow and deep blue eyes fringed by thick gold lashes. His breathtakingly angular face had high cheek bones, a straight nose and a chiseled, square jaw line with a delightful little cleft in the middle. Eric Northman looked exactly like a Viking raider of yore. I'd find out later how on target my first impression was, but in the meantime I was at a loss for words. He hadn't moved during my thorough perusal but now his sensual lips parted in a dazzling white smile and his piercing eyes met mine.
"Jezebel Jones" he said, the voice deep and melodious, "You dance beautifully."
"Thank you," I replied shakily, still staring. Couldn't help it, the man was that gorgeous.
Besides, I was seriously overwhelmed by his sheer physical presence; he had to be at least six foot five.
"The music you chose was quite interesting." He continued.
"You like folk songs?" I said somewhat surprised.
"One of those songs had elements of Old Swede. Quite random and very surprising to hear in that format; it's been a long time."
Exactly how long, I wondered as I stood there grinning with pleasure.
"I'm glad you liked it, always great to make a good impression on your boss."
He nodded. "Indeed. Join me for a drink." This was not a request.
"You drink?" I asked incredulously.
"True Blood," he said. The dazzling smile turned enigmatic and I thought, "Yeah, I just bet," and it must have crossed my face because he regarded a bit more intently.
I regrouped.
"Mr. Northman may I join you after I get dressed?"
"Call me Eric," he said eying me with appreciation. "Don't bother changing; I like what you're wearing." And that was that.
He turned and led the way towards a booth at the back of the club. I followed and couldn't help noticing the stares of vampires and humans alike. The fangbangers looked jealous and the vampires looked at me with new interest. Either way, it was not a good vibe. Oh great, I thought unhappily while Eric strode ahead not noticing anyone. He stopped by the booth and waited for me to be seated. I couldn't be sure, but I swore he inhaled sharply as I passed by. It was very disconcerting because I was feeling self conscious at that point.
A human waitress, since they were the only ones who served, came up and took our order for drinks. I had already decided that nothing harder than a Coke would ever pass my lips in this place. Eric smiled and raised an eyebrow as he heard my request.
"No drinking on the job," I said to his unspoken inquiry.
"Not even when your boss invites you?
"Especially when your boss invites you," I countered. He grinned. It was a breathtaking thing to see.
"No fair," I muttered. Low enough so he wouldn't hear me.
"Oh god," I thought as the smile widened, "he can hear me!"
"It's ok," he assured me, "we have more enhanced senses than you do. There's no need to be nervous. I only want find out a little more about you."
"Sure," I said even more nervously, "what do you want to know?"
"I'm curious why a woman of your obvious talent would end up in a bar."
"Oh that's easy, you pay," I said a bit flippantly, and froze as something dangerous shifted in his eyes.
"I pay?" he stated coldly leaning forward, eyes narrowing. I suddenly felt like a mouse trapped by a cat's hungry stares.
I backpedaled, "Ah...what I mean is that it's tough in the professional dance world and I have to eat." The intense regard softened and he nodded. "So you think you'll enjoy working here?"
"Sure, as long as I'm safe." I said, looking over my shoulder, indicating the audience behind us.
The dazzling smile was back. "No need to worry; I have marked you as mine. You will..."
"Whoa. Marked me?" I interrupted.
"Yes. This chat guarantees your safety. No vampire or human in Fangtasia will harm you."
"Eric all this sounds very strange to me."
"Our ways are different. We are very territorial. You are now a member of my retinue and all will respect that boundary."
"Wow," I said. "How archaic!"
"Yes, but it has its uses."
"So I'm yours? Talk about fringe benefits," I was laughing, "This is off the chain!"
"Off the chain?" He said raising one golden eyebrow. "I'm always amused at some of the terms your kind uses. Like fringe benefits, or my favorite, friends with benefits."
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "You have friends who are human?"
"I wouldn't say they're friends, more like short term companions."
"Really? How about minions?" I said, smiling widely.
He smiled back, "Oh yes, minions too."
"But no long term human friends?"
"That's very difficult as we are extremely different from you." He fixed me with a level stare, "If what you're really asking is can we love humans then the answer is yes. It's rare but it can happen."
"It must take a rare human to attract that kind of devotion."
"So I would assume."
Intrigued I boldly asked, "So this has never happened to you?"
There was a moment of silence between us and for a moment I could swear he was looking inward but as soon as he noted my stare he became present again. My question remained unanswered as he leaned forward to ask the origin of my name, Jezebel.
The change of topic was so swift and so decisive that I dared not bring up the previous question again.
"Jezebel," I said, "is the name I chose for myself. My real name is Judith, but Jezebel attracts more attention. Besides, I don't blame her for being a seductress. It was the only kind of power women wielded in her time."
"Times haven't changed that much," he observed dryly, and I figured he would know. "You are very lovely and seductive, Jezebel."
I gave him a wry smile, "Uh huh, but wouldn't you say as a vampire you have the market on that particular attribute?"
"I'm not the average vampire but I won't disagree."
"Then I return the compliment, Eric."
Our eyes met something electric crackled between us. His lips turned up, "I look forward to getting to know you....Jezebel."
I took a deep breath, "And I you, Eric." I needed to get out of there so I stood up and he did too.
He took my hand turned it over and placed a kiss the inside of my wrist. It took every ounce of control I had to keep standing. Again I noticed a sharp inhale on his part, but I decided this might be a vampire thing—a thing that could be explained at a later date. I didn't ask, since I didn't want to offend him.
"Have a good evening Jezebel," he said softly, "I look forward to future performances."
Regarding me seductively from beneath his lashes, he left no doubt that sometime in the future, the very near future if the heat in his eyes was any indication, one of those performances would be in private. Feeling overwhelmed, I smiled nervously and went on my way.
Reviews make me think about all that lemony goodness waiting in the wings. *grin*
A/N: Thanks to my fabulous betas FDM and Galla …you are totally my goddesses! To all my talented peeps on the Sookieverse, you know who you are and I live for your updates.
Here is the link to "Other": www (dot) last(dot) fm/music/Elwood+Emission/_/Other