"So Stan what are you up to?"
Stanley sat with a map spread out on the table in the dining area of the room. His brow was furrowed as he used a pen to mark a point on it.
"Just making sure I'm able to figure out the coordinates of the location where the vessel is hidden. It's been a long time since I had to find something such as this."
"So how do you know about this item exactly?" Tamsin asked taking a seat beside him.
"Well as I explained to you on the plane, sylphs are invisible and part of the fabric of time."
"Yeah, what does that mean exactly?" Tamsin said bring her feet beneath her in the chair.
"Basically we have always existed. When the earth was made we came into being. For centuries we simply existed in the air. The only evidence of our existence were the shapes we would create in clouds," Stanley said, a wistful look coming over his face. "It was quite some time before we gained the ability to will ourselves into an actual form."
"That must have been pretty cool. What forms have you taken besides human?
"Oh, let's see," he said tapping his chin with the pen. "I've been a bird, that was very fun. A wood nymph, an elf and once I was even an elephant. But my favorite form is human."
"Why, what makes them so special?"
"The complexity of human beings is unlike anything I've ever seen. Not to say that we as Fae aren't complex but it's different. We have certain abilities that differentiate us, make us in some ways invincible and humans are so vulnerable."
Tamsin nodded her head, "It's been a long time since I felt that vulnerability. I suppose it does lend itself an air of intrigue. But having said that, how do you know the location of the vessel?"
"Because we are a part of the world, and in some cases multiple worlds, we have knowledge of all that exists
"How is that possible?" Tamsin said with knitted brows.
"Well we don't know individuals so much as we have an understanding of all the species that exist or used to exist. We even know when a species ceases to exist, poor poor dinosaurs," Stanley said sadly shaking his head. "Anyway, when a magical item is formed, it leaves an imprint. So while I know that this item exists, I only know its general location."
"So how will we pinpoint it once we are in the area?"
"I know a guy who knows a guy," Stanley said with a smirk. "Why don't you go out and have some fun with the other ladies? Trust me, you want to enjoy this time with what you might have to face."
"You're right. I'm gonna go. Did Kenzi happen to mention where they were headed?"
"Down the road to the right I believe. She said you wouldn't need the name because it's hard to miss."
"Sounds like I'm in for a long night," Tamsin said with a wave after grabbing her leather jacket off the couch.
Tamsin shook her head as she headed down the street in the direction Stanley had mentioned. Kenzi was right, the location was obvious. There was a huge neon sign over the club entrance and a meaty bouncer underneath. The line was long to get in and Tamsin already knew Bo must have used her charm to skip the line. The Valkyrie might not have had that ability but persuasion was still in her repertoire.
"Excuse me," she said to the bouncer as she tapped his thick arm.
He turned to her with a frown; she was surprised when it stayed that way. Normally men responded positively to her in flirt mode, apparently he had already had more than his fair share.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to wait in that really long line. Any chance I can just go on in?"
"Many people waiting, many pretty ladies too. You are not so special, you wait like everybody else," the bouncer said turning back around and folding his arms.
"I see he prefers to do this the hard way," Tamsin mumbled as she proceeded to hit a muscle in his back that caused him to freeze in place. "I just hit a nerve that has paralyzed your entire body. You couldn't move even if you tried. Go on, try," she whispered in his ear.
She could see him straining to unfold his arms but they wouldn't budge. His eyes began darting back and forth, fear seeping in.
"What you do to me чертовски сука," he trailed off into Russian and while she couldn't understand it, Tamsin guessed by his tone he was cursing at her.
"Now, like I said before I would like to go into the club if you don't mind. Say yes, I release you. Say no, I leave you to rot like a spoiled vegetable.."
The bouncer called over the other who was guarding the actual line and said something to him. The second bouncer gave Tamsin the once over but nodded to her as indication she could go in. Tamsin smirked and said thank you in Russian, the one phrase she knew. Once the other bouncer walked away she hit the first guy in the back again, releasing him from paralysis. He yanked his arms apart and let out a long breath as he bent over. When he stood back up he glared at her. She could feel the heat of his stare on her back as she walked through the entrance.
Tamsin scanned the club looking for Kenzi and Bo. It was packed with bodies writhing all over the dance floor to house music. She was a bit surprised that Kenzi would favor such a pretentious looking place but when it came to the little human she was beginning to realize she had to expect the unexpected. Using her elbows to create space Tamsin waded through the people until she got to the bar. She flagged down the bartender and ordered vodka on the rocks, she figured when in Russia...
"Hi, are you American by any chance?" A deep voice asked from the side.
Tamsin turned and eyed the guy speaking to her. He was tall, at least 6'5 and he was built as if he was more than familiar with the inside of a gym. He wore a black tight fitting t shirt and dark blue jeans. She noted that he had on an expensive watch and surprisingly manicured hands. After giving him the once over the Valkyrie landed back on his face. It was pleasant enough, strong jaw, full lips with a small scar above the upper lip. His eyes were a dark gray and he had full eyebrows. He was actually quite handsome and it took Tamsin a minute to formulate a response. Her original one, "fuck off" seemed a bit harsh. At least he was nice to look at. It didn't escape her that he bore an uncanny resemblance to Mikhail.
"No I'm not American but it is where I currently live. What about you?"
"I'm from Germany, here on business."
"Ah German, that explains it," Tamsin said turning to take her drink from the bartender.
"Explains what?" He said putting down his glass.
"You look like someone I used to know and he was from Germany."
"I see, well I hope my looking like him is a good thing."
Tamsin smirked and took a swig of her drink as she shook her head no. The guy laughed and sipped from his glass as well. They continued their conversation and Tamsin was surprised to find herself enjoying it. It had been quite some time since she had met a man that captured her attention. After some time when she looked at her watch and was startled to find they had been speaking for over an hour.
"Shit, I'm sorry. I really have to go find my friends. It was a pleasure speaking to you...I never even asked your name," Tamsin said.
"Viktor, what's yours?"
"Tamsin. Nice meeting you, take care Viktor," Tamsin said as she put money down for her drinks and walked away. She could feel the same heated stare on her back as when she walked away from the bouncer but this one was way friendlier.
Tamsin smirked to herself and headed to the other side of the club where she spotted Kenzi mingling with some people.
"Looks like you're having a nice time," Tamsin said tappingg Kenzi on the shoulder.
"Me? I saw you talking to Hottie Mchotterson over there. Looks like you were definitely enjoying yourself."
"Yeah, he was a nice distraction," Tamsin said glancing in Viktor's direction. "But you and I both know who's really on my mind."
"Duh, Bo Bo of course. I think she's somewhere on the dance floor skanking it up with some hotties," Kenzi said sipping her drink. "You know, I think I see what the problem is with you two."
"Well, please enlighten me oh wise one," Tamsin replied with a smirk.
"You're treating Bo like she's someone else. I mean yeah, this Bo is a bit more serious and definitely more at home with the dangerous sexy stuff but she's still our Bo, just another side of her. If we befriend this one, maybe it would be easier to merge them back together."
Tamsin shook her head , "Every time I think I've got you figured you out you go and do or say something so insightful."
"Yeah, I'm pretty awesome," Kenzi said with a laugh.
"Well, I would definitely agree with that Kenz," Bo said straddling the chair beside Tamsin.
"Had fun out there?" Kenzi said smiling.
"Very, Russians know how to party," Bo said looking out on the crowd. "The sexual energy here is off the charts. If I was hungry this place would be a buffet right now."
"Not hungry? You fed off someone?" Tamsin asked trying to keep the jealousy she could feel creeping in out of her voice.
"Yeah, a lovely couple I stumbled on earlier. Wanted to have some fun in the bathroom. I took them up on it," Bo said with a sly smile.
"Very classy Bo," Kenzi said rolling her eyes.
"You know me, ever the lady."
Tamsin watched the banter between the two friends in silence. She was contemplating what Kenzi had mentioned. The human had a point; Bo was still Bo no matter how distasteful the other side of her was. And as time passed it was slowly becoming clear that this new version was in no hurry to merge back with her old self. So what better way to get a succubus to do what you want then seduce her.
The Valkyrie grabbed Bo as she was in the middle of making another crass remark and kissed her, hard. Their lips melded together as if they were separated twins. Tamsin couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips as she allowed her pent up desire to unleash. Bo returned the passion in kind nibbling on Tamsin's lips in between kisses. It took everything in the Valkyrie to break them apart.
"Et tu Tamsin?" Kenzi said looking bewildered. "I said to befriend her not suck her face off."
Before Tamsin could respond she noticed a scuffle taking place near the front of the club. The guards appeared to be trying to subdue some very large and intimidating men who seemed determined to get inside.
"Hey, I don't mean to interrupt but I think you all are going to want to follow me," a man's voice said from behind the women.
Tamsin turned surprised to see it was the voice of Viktor, the guy she had been speaking to earlier.
"Viktor? What's going on?"
"Oh let's just say there are some people who don't want you guys getting that vessel before they do."
"Well, looks like the proverbial shit has just hit the fan, " Kenzi said throwing back the rest of her drink. "I don't know about you guys but I'm gonna follow the hot guy."
Viktor directed them to another entrance towards the back of the club. As he led them out Tamsin turned to make sure Bo was following and realized the succubus was not. She had started in the opposite direction, apparently believing herself able to handle the men. The Valkyrie wasn't sure if she was doing it to protect them or because her bravado was such she had no fear. Either way, Tamsin had to help her. She swung around and tried to call to Kenzi and Viktor but the noise was too loud and they were separated by a crowd that was becoming more and more agitated.
"Fuck, looks like it's gonna be me and you guys," Tamsin said she patted the knives holstered on her hip and made her way towards Bo.