"I don't understand why I have to go with you," Cal exclaimed and pulled her long-sleeves tight. "Wasn't the point of me staying here, with you" she pushed the door after him and outside into the cold air. This was the first time she'd been out of his apartment in four days, and though she couldn't breathe, she sniffed the air in wonder. It had rained earlier, and the smell lingered. "So that I could avoid other vampires in the city?"
Magnus shot her a cat-like smile and opened the gate, ushering her through. "You can't just stay cooped up forever, you're in New York! The city that never sleeps! Aside from the fact that not all the vampires here are bad, the place I'm taking you doesn't generally cater to them. You won't have any problems avoiding your kind."
Cal almost scoffed. They didn't cater to vampires? Oh wow; what a surprise!
"Why do I have to go to a club, or bar, or whatever it was you said," she asked him and put her hands in the front pockets of her pants. Thankfully, Magnus had said that though the place he was taking her to was nice, her black jeans, black boots, and gray-v-neck sweater would suffice.
"Lounge, actually," Magnus explained. "And I have a strong feeling you will enjoy yourself. Just go in with an open mind. Plus, they have Elysium," he added. "Which is the only drink that can have an effect on you, similar to alcohol."
"I'm underage," she said bitterly; she was forever eighteen.
"Honey, you're dead," Magnus reminded her. "Things work differently on this side of the world."
He'd told her that multiple times over the past few days, and it was driving her insane. How can a man who'd lived so long be so optimistic all the time? Surely, he'd seen the bad side of the world, how did he just ignore it?
"I don't have any money, Magnus," she reminded him. She'd considered applying for a night-position somewhere around the city, but at that point, the thought of being around, so many people terrified her.
Magnus ignored her and continued walking down the street, head held high.
After a few minutes, he led her into an alleyway. As they neared a door hidden in the wall, he lifted his hand and placed it on the door. After a few seconds, a golden ring appeared, shining brighter than the stars in the sky. Cal watched in wonder as the golden ring circled around the door, then down to where a handle should have been, and the door slid open.
"After you," Magnus motioned for her to enter the club, so of course she did. Once they were inside, they walked down a hallway, and he ushered her into a large room.
On the right side of the room was a bar, above it a balcony that circled a small stage in the front of the room. Cal almost cursed at how beautiful the place was, a perfect balance between fancy and casual. Colors of red, black, and white seeped throughout the room elegantly, and the bar had a particular sort of gold shine around it. Behind that bar was a man dressed in all black, and for some reason the first thing she thought of when she saw him was; dog.
She followed Magnus to a table at the side of the room as she continued to scan her surroundings, gasping once more once it landed to the front again. On the stage was one of the most beautiful piano's she'd ever seen; black, and sleek. She felt an itch in her bones. It had been so long since she'd played since she'd sang. The last time she could remember was when Arty was still alive, and they'd sang a duet during one of their father's ceremonies.
An old man was sitting on its bench, not playing, but taking a sip from his drink. After they sat down, he began a melody, and she lost herself in his song. At least until the bartender set drinks in front of them and told Magnus it was good to see him, then said he already put an order of food in for him.
The man only glanced at her momentarily, then did a double take, eyes widening.
"This, is the vampire you mentioned was coming with you tonight?" he asked Magnus hesitantly.
"Yes, it is," Magnus chirped and took a sip of his drink. "No need to worry, Benson, she drank what she needed this morning," he winked at her. "Benson, this is Cal, Cal, this is Benson."
Cal nodded to him, but the man only stared at her with wide eyes, his mouth gaping.
After a moment, it looked like he wanted to say something, but was hesitating nervously. Cal raised her eyebrow and waited.
"I can't tell if your reaction is because you're shocked I actually brought a vampire into a club that rarely sees them, because of you, along with every other wolf I've ever met dislike vampires, or because she's so beautiful that you're speechless," Magnus said teasingly.
If Cal could blush, she knew she'd be as red as a tomato. She quickly turned her head to the stage and snapped her mouth closed in a tight line.
Magnus leaned forward and pushed her glass in front of her. "It's Elysium, as I said. It won't make you sick, I promise."
Beside her, Benson cleared his throat and told Magnus he'd bring his food shortly, then left to the bar.
"Why did you do that?" she hissed at Magnus. Over the past few days, she was beginning to learn that he was the sort of man, or, warlock, who did and said whatever was on his mind and always had a good enough reason for it.
"Because he was staring at you," he explained.
..
A few drinks later, Cal was starting to enjoy being outside of Magnus's apartment.
She'd met a few more people, who had all treated her well, despite knowing instantly what she was. Another werewolf named Jerome, who looked to be in his thirties. A spritely woman who spoke so fast Cal couldn't remember what she was or what her name was.
And the most interesting so far; very old warlock, or perhaps witch, by the name of Elsa. She wore a light silver dress and a fox-fur over her shoulder and held a champagne glass the entire time she'd spoken.
So far, every time Benson had come back, he'd been silent. But this time he cleared his throat again after filling their drinks. Cal smiled at him, hoping it would help, but she covered her mouth when his eyes widened again. Had her fangs shown? She'd practiced in the mirror over and over again keeping them hidden.
"You haven't been a, um, a vampire for long," Benson asked quietly, leaning down. "Have you?"
Cal shook her head, was it that obvious?
Benson smiled, "I figured." He turned to Magnus, "you said she might want to sing? Teno said he's taking a break after his next song."
Who her? Sing? On stage? Here? The place had become more crowded since they'd gotten there, though she'd played in bigger crowds. But not in a long time, or without her sister or parents watching. Surprise must have shown on her face because Magnus chuckled.
"After a few more drinks, maybe?" He as speaking to Benson, but his eyes were on her. So she nodded and chugged her drink, making him chuckle again.
A little while later, the man on the stage, who much have been Teno, stood and bowed before leaving the stage. The crowd clapped loudly, and when no one took the stage, the werewolf she'd met before took the stage. Cal watched with a smile as he sang, his guitar in hand. He wasn't all that great, but it was nice all the same.
"You should sing," Magnus said, his voice encouraging. "Benson said if you're good enough, he'll hire you to play a few times a week."
Cal scoffed, "what makes you think I'm good enough?"
"Because of the way you spoke when you said you played a few instruments and sang," Magnus shrugged.
"Surely you have other forms of entertainment at your disposal?" she asked him. Though he was busy throughout the days with clients and whatever it was, he did in his office, or whatever it was, she'd only seen him go out with friends once.
"Alec doesn't get back for two more days," he explained. "So, until then, I'm stuck with you as my entertainment." He sighed dramatically.
When she didn't answer, he spoke up again. Though his voice was light, this time it was also more demanding, "Consider this a part of your payment for my services, little Calypso."
Cal glared at him, but couldn't help but smile. The Elysium was doing its job, she felt on top of the world. She pushed her chair out from under the table and stood. "Fine. One song. That's it though."