It's even harder to catch a break in human cities than rodent. Don't let any sucker tell you any different. I'd hate to think how difficult life would be if I weren't overflowing with charisma. My first victim was going to be a man named Richard- a twenty-eight-year-old, single cop living in California. The Immunity force working in Richard were top notch. Then again, all I had to compare them to were the under qualified force I saw in sewer rats. I was forced to only go out at night to acquire what I needed. My progress was frustratingly slow.
One night into my stay, I decided to hit up a club downtown. I slipped my new shades over my eyes as I walked, observing others behind their dark tint. The Cell (worst name for a club I've ever heard) was easy to get into. A few bills got me passed the bouncer and into the loud, darkened club. There were she-cells dancing on the stages with cells of all types leering up at them. Running my hand through my red locks to smooth them back, I took a seat at the bar. "Give me the strongest thing you got," I ordered before turning to let my eyes scan around the club. I wasn't impressed by what I saw.
"And now for the lady of the evening, Mystic!"
At the loud hoots and hollers from every male in the room, I raised a brow. Casually, I sipped from my drink and eyed the stage. When the sounds of someone plucking on bass strings filled my ears, I relaxed slightly. Smooth jazz in a strip joint? I'd seen it all.
The she-cell who'd stepped out into the stage was... My jaw dropped. Legs for days, translucent, blue hair cascading down her back, thin waist with nice hips, a deliciously round bust all wrapped up in a silk kimono. All of that was only enhanced by her face- round with pouty, ruby lips, small nose, and delicately soft features. But it was her eyes that got me- onyx black with a hard edge to them. With a single stare, she could make any male feel like less of a man and always inadequate. I smirked slowly. I recognized the lyrics of the song playing over the sound system. Fever. The more I stared at her hypnotic dance, the more I realized. Her translucent blue color would look better red.
I waited in the alley behind the club after it had closed. Richard would be waking up soon for his morning jog and the Immunity force would be back on the streets. I'd need to vanish before then. But before that... My yellow eyes narrowed behind my shades when the door opened and someone stepped out. I was well hidden in the shadows, my black trench coat blending in perfectly. I smirked with I saw her. She was wearing a tan overcoat, her long hair pinned up and her face devoid of any makeup. Only her clear heels signaled to the world what she did after hours. She descended the steps behind the building before shutting the door behind her. She turned to walk away, but suddenly stopped. I raised a brow curiously.
"I know you're there," her voice said. An alto tone that held the promise of bodily harm to any that crossed her. I chuckled lowly before stepping out from the shadows. At the sight of me, she relaxed slightly while eyeing me distrustfully. "And what do you want?"
"Nothing much, baby. The name's Thrax. I saw your show and just had to tell you just how gorgeous you are in person," I cooed with a grin. My fingers caressed her cheek lightly before turning her face to me. She didn't even look intimidated. I felt my interest spike even more. Who was this fine creature?
"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that. If you don't mind, Mr. Thrax, I've got to get home. Some of us have to work," she said before moving my hand off her cheek and turning to leave.
"You just got off work, baby. Tell you what, you give me your name and I'll let you go on your way," I bargained in my smoothest tone. After several seconds, I removed my shades and stared down into her guarded eyes.
She didn't look impressed at first. But after getting a glimpse of my shining, yellow eyes, hers widened before narrowing. She smirked knowingly. "Katerina. I'll be going now, Mr. Thrax," she said in a tone dripping with seduction. Maybe I imagined her flirtatious tone. I highly doubted it.
~:~
The next day, I was just chilling in my pad biding my time until nightfall when Richard went to sleep. It was frustrating being cooped up all day, especially when I had better things that I could be doing. With an angry and frustrated glare, I gazed down at the city below me from with window in my hotel suite. Everything in Richard was pretty upscale and well kept. It was a nice change from the dumps I was used to. In the middle of my glaring, I heard a knock on the door. Room service finally decided to get the lead out...
I opened the door with a hard look on my face, but stopped at the sight before me. A slow grin worked its way onto my face. "Well... well... well. Look what the cat dragged in," I remarked.
"Room service," Katerina said with a smirk, a tray of food in her hands. She shoved the tray at my chest before striding into the room confidently. I shut the door behind her before turning to face her. When not on the clock, she wore a navy button up with a black pencil skirt and black heels that looked like they could poke an eye out. Her wavy tresses were loose and flowing once again.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Katerina?" I questioned smoothly.
"Mr. Thrax, I don't think I told you what my day job was before I left. I was in a hurry after all," she started while staring up at me with hard, alluring eyes. I was having mild difficulty focusing.
"Mm-mmm, baby," I drawled and stepped closer.
"I'll give you a hint," she said and pulled out a black, leather wallet from within her top. She flipped it open with a smirk to shine the blue Immunity badge in my face. I stepped back in surprise before narrowing my eyes and heating up my claw. "What can I say? A girl's gotta eat, too. And being on the force helps ensure my safety and well-being."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the best undercover work there is. The stripper, Mystic, meets the most low-life scum the city of Richard has to offer. Then, Katerina the Immunity officer turns them in as part of the requirements for her day job," she said while staring up at me with a smirk.
"Are you threatening me, baby?" I questioned and stepped closer to her, brandishing my glowing claw.
She pushed my hand back down to my side with a small smile. "It's not a threat, Hun. It's an offer," she almost whispered. I drowned in my confusion. "The undercover work goes both ways. Some days, there might just be a bacteria hoping to eliminate the competition, but can't go to immunity himself for one illegal reason or another. That's where I come in. I rat out some scum bag and get paid both ways for it. I may even rat out someone who crossed me for the fun of it."
"That's cold," I grinned.
"It's not hard to tell that you're a virus, Mr. Thrax. You've come to take down Richard from the inside out. I'm telling you to give up. Richard has the best immunity force a guy can have. He takes care of himself, eats right, diets, exercises, all that jazz. You won't be able to take him down on your own without a serious fight. One that you might lose. But, if you had help..." She was smirking confidently at me now as if she'd just given me an offer I couldn't refuse. I chuckled a bit before shaking my head at her. "I've met viruses like you before-"
"There are no viruses like me, baby," I interjected quickly.
She went on as if she hadn't heard me. "Did you know that Richard has been attacked by six different viruses in the past three months alone? Times are getting tough for a virus. What everyone could use is a little help. All I want to do is help you, Mr. Thrax."
"Just call me Thrax, baby," I started. "But I work alone. Besides, what do you get out of this?"
"There's a price on my head. My time is running out in this city. Immunity's good, but not good enough to get me out of this mess. And I'm getting the feeling that you can," she said while poking me lightly on the chest. I raised a brow at her. "I've got an eye for these things. I can see that you've got big plans. That's great and all, but you won't get anywhere without some help and I'm the only one offering. You can try and fail to take down the city singlehandedly. Or accept my help, take on immunity and win, and we leave Richard as partners in crime. I was never really feeling the undercover life anyways. I think it's time I branch out."
I chuckled lowly before uncovering my plate of food. I wasn't exactly sure what this health food junk they were serving here was. Ignoring the main dish (just a salad?), I eyed the plate of dessert- chocolate cake. Before I could take it, a blue finger swiped at some of the brown icing before bringing it to some matching, blue lips. Now I know that look. I smirked. "You want to work with me, baby? Alright. But, if you're gonna work with me, you're gonna have to work like me," I said with a grin before backing her into a corner. Trapping her between the wall and my body, I chuckled lowly. Even then, she didn't look the slightest bit scared. "Don't move, I might make a mess," I said before pressing the tip of my heated claw against her forehead. She grit her teeth to help bear the pain, but didn't scream. I can respect that.