The Crime in Callahan's Morrow - being rewritten

Chapter 21: A Portent of Change

XXI.

"The world doesn't know you until you shine. Even then, the real you exist simply inside – as a soul, a spirit, energy tied together and to the corporeal by invisible threads. Sometimes you just have to show others what you're made of."

~Donn, the God of Death of the Celtic pantheon

From a conversation with his granddaughter

The night was chilly with a katabatic wind coming down in gusts from the local mountain in the west. It always scattered the clouds, and Nicole usually considered it a good thing. But not tonight as the moon twinkling in the sky seemed to be laughing at her. There was nothing to cover its ugly smirk. Or maybe she'd been too strung up and was imagining it.

With a silent exhale, she got out of the taxi and walked to the flashy entrance to Merton's, howling wind left behind. The bright yellow sign looked the same as the last time. In retrospect, the fundamental difference in her approach seemed amusing. Tonight, she hadn't worn what others thought her best clothes. Tonight, she was marching to a proverbial battle, armed and angry, head held high while she carved out clues and details, bled dry all connections in her arsenal, and acquired allies or foes. Tonight, she was starting a war.

The word on the streets rang with the notion that Shark was holding a private party in the club. It seemed his business was doing better, a cause for celebration. How nice of him to be so easily tracked down with all the boasting he'd done during the last week.

The bouncer, a dark-haired man that seemed sparkling with magic, sat on an elegant curving barstool. He slid a glance at her, and Nicole saw his brown eyes assessing her approach with the black irises narrowing into slits – A werecat of some kind? – then he murmured into the earpiece, nodding once. "The boss expects you in the VIP section."

She tilted her head in acknowledgment and headed to her destination. It was obvious Mark knew something, although what, she would find out. One way or another. She would not play fair tonight. With this, she would cross off two of them from her list of contacts to meet. Whether they offer the needed assistance or decide to oppose, she would find a way to use them. If only to acquire knowledge.

She found them sitting in a private booth framed by walls while the dark curtains at its sides were drawn to the corners. Both vampires were sprawled on blue tapestry, holding polished glasses in their hands, looking at her with grave expressions. To be honest, Shark looked like he was sweating bullets while Mark's composed face still betrayed some uneasiness.

She noticed the third glass on the free side of the table and promptly plopped down in front of it.

As the dark cloth of curtains fell closed all the noise diminished to nothing, presumably from a spell to make it as private as it could be, Nicole regarded them with narrowed eyes.

"Now, boys. It's time to talk."

Their expressions of displeasure were fun to watch. But she loved even more how they seemed to curl into themselves, cowering with fear lurking in their eyes.

Lana must've been onto something when she had said, "Don't smile like that, sweetie. You looked like a deranged goddess of war for a moment there."

Nicole guessed her face morphed into that look right now too. Good thing she didn't care.

***

Giuseppe strode down the barely lighted stairs, following Kazimir into another underground hallway that apparently had seen better days. The descent was slow and almost painful considering that his ribs loudly protested at him at each step for hauling unconscious Adrian over his right shoulder.