Thanks for the reviews!!!! This is where my plot comes in, it is a little too informational, but I promise the next post will be all fluff!!!
Enjoy!
The Plot Thickens
Immortal. That word kept ringing in Mick's head. This girl was immortal…yet mortal, wasn't that contradictory? By the looks of it, the rest of the room was trying to grasp this concept too.
Adriana slowly rose from the couch. "I know. It's hard to understand, but I am telling you this because I need your help." She looked at Mick as she said this last part.
"Our help?" Beth asked, "Why would you need our help?"
"Actually, I was talking to Mick." Adriana said without breaking eye contact. "I understand that you are a PI." She waited for him to nod in agreement. "I need some help…some information. And you are the only detective I know who can deal with this particular problem…you are discreet, correct?"
"Yes." Mick responded, "But what do you need me to investigate… Do you have a ex-keeper on your tail?"
Mick's sarcasm was obviously lost because Adriana responded dryly, "No, I am having some issues with my freshies. The company I hired to supply them seems…shady."
"Really? How so?" Mick quirked his eyebrow, Josef fed from one of her girls… He glanced at his friend.
"Well… things have been happening. Like tonight," Adriana looked to Beth, "I'm not sure what is happening, but some of the freshies have been acting strange." She paused and heaved a worried sigh. "It's like…it's like they are drugged, but that should be impossible. The company runs full background checks and requires weekly drug testing in order to make sure the freshies are safe for vampire consumption."
Beth snorted, 'Safe' for vampire consumption… Mick looked towards Beth who made an apologetic gesture and then looked back to Adriana.
"So, you want me to investigate the company…see if there is any corners being cut…and then what?" Mick asked.
"Take them down." Adriana's eyes gleamed transparent blue, a shot of fear resonated throughout Mick's body. Josef smiled in sadistic pleasure. Adriana's voice was laced with malice. "If these guys are messing with my stock, I want them taken out by the yard arm and hanged."
"Yard arm?" Josef asked playfully. "What…did we join the Royal Navy?"
Adriana turned on him suddenly. Her eyes were near transparent and she looked ready to kill, but then she stopped, seeing that her act had not scared Josef in the slightest. In fact, he looked amused. She decided to save her dignity. "My dad was once a seaman. I picked-up the term from him," she returned quickly.
"Wait, your dad? But I thought you said…" Beth questioned.
"My father is dead, just like I said. My dad is the man who raised me. Technically, he's my fifteenth great-grandfather." She smiled.
The room was silent again. Mick finally looked to Beth and then to the door, indicating they should leave. He turned to Adriana and said, "Thanks for your hospitality. I'll look into your case." Mick held out his hand to Beth, but Adriana stopped him.
She looked to Beth. "I heard you say that you from the press at the door. You aren't going to report on any of this, are you?" Adriana's threatening look was enough persuasion to make even the hard-hitting reporter in Beth back down.
"No. I have known about vampires for a while. I've even covered stories involving them. I know how you value your secrecy." Beth's eyes slid briefly in Josef's direction. "Trust me, your secret is safe with me." Beth looked Adriana in the eye, determined not to be intimidated.
"Good. If you wouldn't mind, I might be able to help you." Beth raised her eyebrows as Adriana walked to the large desk in the back of the room. She pulled out a typed statement and handed in to Beth. "Use this in your report. It is laced with code words about the true nature of our club for all the vampires out there, and it should keep the nosy humans out." She smiled genuinely at Beth.
Beth smiled in return and accepted the paper, Maybe the evening wasn't a waste after all…
Mick again started to escort Beth from the room. Josef got up to follow them out.
"Actually," the three turned to look back at Adriana, "I would like to speak to Mr. Konstantin. Alone, if you don't mind?"
Josef smiled and raised his eyebrows, "What? Can't wait to get me alone?"
Adriana gave a small snort of laughter and waved Mick and Beth from the room. Mick had one last chance to curiously glance back at Josef, before Adriana shut the door.
She turned her attention to Josef. "Actually, Mr. Konstantin, I wanted to interrogate you…"
Adriana's eyes flashed light blue as she approached him seductively. "Why don't we start with some basics…" Josef eyes mirrored hers, the seduction in her voice playing its trick.
This girl was like no one else he had ever met.
