Serving Up the Night

Jazz rolled into her consciousness and was twisted up in warm blankets and sheets. Dark hair tangled over her face and she gazed at the pale color that painted her floor. Golden sunlight was reduced to dark crimson, drawing in a breath she felt her muscles stretch and the beat of her heart. Laying there she was aware of a pain in her neck and the heavy weight of being too tired. Rolling onto her back she gazed at the bedside table and blinked several times at the clock. It read just after one in the afternoon and she knew there was somewhere she was supposed to be. As her mind tried to think of it the phone rang when it wasn't picked up, the machine clicked in. At the sound of her boss who was pissed right off, Jazz pulled herself up and staggered to the living room. The sunlight was pure here and she flinched at the glare. Holding up a hand against it she made her way to the phone and pressed the replay button. The machine whirred and then clicked and the message came on.

"Jazz, I got a message from a guy named Leo that you weren't coming into day. Why aren't you coming in? I sure could use the extra help and as far as I know, you still work for me. If don't want to loose your job get your ass down here in an hour."

She glared at the machine as the memories of last night came to her. She remembered going to the Haven and getting hired by Leo to work with him. Then she remembered some chick with blue hair who bit her. Absently Jazz reached up to her neck and felt around. It was hurt to at a certain point but there was nothing for her to feel. Heaving a sigh she reached for the phone just as it rang again. Her hand hesitated as she considered not answering. Then picked it up and held it to her ear.

"Hey Jazz, feeling any better?"

It took her a moment to place the voice. "Hi Leo. I feel a little better I guess. My boss just called and threatened to fire me if I didn't show up in an hour."

"Speaking of bosses, I need to talk with you about the running of the bar. Can you meet me at the Haven in half an hour?"

"Sure." She felt a rush of excitement go through at the idea of going back to the Haven. It was an odd feeling, she had never been excited about work before. "I don't have a key though."

"Don't worry, the doors will be open, just me at the bar."

"Will do." She said, "Thanks Leo."

He paused, "For what?"

"For a job, for talking to my boss, for everything."

"You're welcome, see you there in thirty minutes." He hung up and she held onto the phone for a bit longer.

Returning to her room she looked down at her wrinkled old clothes. Leo had said something about a dress code so she had to change. In her closet she found the white shirt and black pants. The only problem was that the shirt was short sleeved and would reveal her tattoos. But there was nothing she could about it right now. Putting the clothes on her bed she went to shower and get ready.

Before leaving she was reminded of the glaring sunlight. The only sunglasses in the house belonged to her sister and she hated sharing anything. Taking them anyway she slid them on and left. This time she had her keys.

Jogging her way back to the Haven she found Leo's car waiting and smiled at the memory of him carrying her. Pulling open the heavy doors she found he was right and entered the club. There was no music this time and it was unnerving to be alone here. Stepping down into the club she gazed at the artistic flares and beauty of the place.

"Hey there,"

She turned and found Leo behind the bar in a black sweater with his hair tied back. His features were beautiful and his eyes were brilliant. For a moment she lost the ability to speak, a quick shake of her head reminded her of the ache in her neck. Leo frowned when she put her hand to it.
"It's nothing." Jazz said and made her way behind the bar. "So what did you want to show me?"

"Everything. Tonight is going to be even more busy then yesterday. Parker's group has a special guest and he always draws them in. So we are going to train you a bit on the layout of the bar."

"Did I mess up last?"

"No." Leo laughed slightly, " Not at all, I just want you to be prepared is all."

"Oh, okay." Jazz glanced around at things as she removed her coat.

Leo paused at the tattoo on her left arm. His eyes darkened a little but he covered it up and gazed at her as she set crouched down and started reading labels. " Interesting tattoo."

Jazz glanced up at the sharp tone, " Oh...thanks, it's a family marking."

"I see. Okay lets get started."

**
Six o'clock came and the club filled with people, staff who were dressed in dark stylish clothes. They chatted with Leo and glanced at her from time to time. One of them actually stopped to talk to Jazz.

"Hey, I'm Peter, I saw you here last night. Good work, not many people can keep up with Leo on the first go round."

Jazz gazed at Peter and smiled. He appeared to be a slight guy with long blonde hair dressed in brown leather and blue jeans. He had dark green eyes and pale skin, his smile was easy and bright white.

"Thanks."

"Hi ya Peter," Leo came over and they shook hands. " How are things?"

"Good as can be right now. It seems Cameron is keeping to himself which makes things less interesting for us. But at least now we can get on with our own business now."

Jazz left them to chat as she made her way to the back, once her coat was hanging beside Leo's she took a moment to tie back her hair. Her eyes caught sight of the tattoo and she traced her fingers over it. Her memories of gaining the mark came back to her and she shivered. The mark was a black owl clutching a golden half moon in it's talons, from the tips of it's out spread wings came a Celtic pattern that surrounded the whole tattoo.

"Jazz?"

She jumped as Leo called for her. "Coming!"

Hurrying out to the bar she found Parker was sitting there with his band mates. Her gaze slid to the young girl who had spoken to her the day before.

"You're back again?" Parker asked lightly and smiled at her, " So how was it last night?"

"Busy but really good and you?"

"Interesting. We were just telling Leo about it, care to join in?"

She thought about it and shook her head. " Thanks but no. So who's this guy you have singing with you tonight?"

The girl spoke first, "A friend by the name of Sebastian."

Jazz bit her tongue before she gasped and instantly stepped back from the group. It couldn't be him!

Leo noticed her panic as he frowned at her, "Jazz anything wrong?"

"Ah, no. Look, I'll be back in a minute." She came out from behind the bar and ran up the stairs of the club.

Sunset had settled in deeply and she ran for the only place in the city that had answers. Coming to a dark street she paused and peered down at it, at the end was a dark little store front. Making sure both sides were clear she ran down the center of the street. Reaching the door she tried the knob and found it was securely locked. Drawing in a breath she stepped back, licking her lips, she breathed out. Fine lines creased her features as she concentrated, a slight wind started at her ankles and whisked up into her hair. It hovered there for a moment before hurtling its self at the door. The wind seeped under the crack in the door and there came a sharp click from inside. The door opened and the wind dissipated as Jazz stepped in.

"Ember? Beowulf? Leda?" She called out the names as she entered the hall, approaching the next door.

"Welcome back Jazz." The voice whispered from all corners of the room and was both male and female. " We have been expecting you for awhile."

"Oracle, I need to know why you failed me." Jazz shouted into the seeping darkness.

"I did not fail you Jazebel, you left of your own will."

"You promised me Sebastian would never return and now he is here. How is this not failing your promise?"

There was a sharp snap of wind behind her and Jazz turned to see a ghost formulate in front of her. The ghost was of a woman who was known simply as Oracle. No one knew much about her only that she appeared as a guide from time to time.

"Are you so sure he is here for you Jazz?" Oracle asked sharply. "Or have you forgotten that you have a sister who is also gifted?"

"Sebastian had his chance with Roxy years ago."

"That is true, but now she is matured in her abilities." Oracle smiled slightly as something crossed her mind. "Come now Jazz you must not panic when people from your past show up. They are all not after you."

Jazz frowned at her, " Oracle, if that were true then I would not have had to leave my family, my friends and my life. I would still be in New York working with my father."

"If you miss it so much then why don't you confess to the charges against you?" Oracle asked critically.

"Because they are false and you bloody well know it." Jazz snapped, "Oh for crying out loud, I don't have time for this. Do I have something to fear or not?"

"Not from Sebastian."

"Fine."

She moved down the hall and walked right throw the ghost. Residue of spiritual manifestation gleamed like dew on her skin. Walking out of the store the door closed and locked behind her as she ran back to the Haven.

The club was full of people and Leo was busy, he didn't look up at her as she walked in. Jazz said nothing as she joined him behind the bar. Her gaze kept darting to the stage where Parker and his band were setting up. It was hard to focus tonight and she kept expecting Sebastian to walk in and every thing to fall apart. Just like it had a few years ago.

"Jazz the drinks." Leo snapped.

She shook her head and made herself take the orders and fill them. For now there was nothing she could do when Sebastian came and there was no reason to let herself panic.