Down below

Chapter 50.xxx

   The party was in full swing after midnight. The bar couldn't keep up with the orders. The waiters and waitresses were constantly serving the guests, balancing their trays packed with cocktails, drinks and other substances like acrobats. They were all dressed formally in black pant suits, white masks covering their whole faces to signal that they were off limits. Loki learned that from the NDA he signed. The body he borrowed belonged to a bartender who was sleeping under a spell in a hotel room inside Loki's body. This was the easiest way, because the hospitality staff consisted only of mortals to weed out any potential threats and the club was heavily warded.

   It wasn't hard to find out the location of Lestat's party thanks to one of his spies, cleverly placed in the palace of Hades. Loki spotted the King of the Underworld arriving shortly before midnight. He came with two bodyguards who watched his every move, sipping their drinks solemnly at the bar. Loki had the chance to test his cover when he was sent to serve him with the Macallan 25 he ordered. Hades didn't really pay attention to him, uttering an absent-minded thank you. He was dressed casually, wearing black jeans and a black faded suede biker jacket with matching boots. He seemed underdressed compared to some of the other clients in attendance. Loki suspected this was intentional, he didn't want to attract more attention than necessary which was nearly impossible as he was one of the most attractive man present. The pair of designer gold frame pilot sunglasses he hid his metallic eyes behind was quite conspicuous as well. Loki was a bit nervous about seeing Persephone again and he had mixed emotions of relief and disappointment when she stayed away. In the meantime, escorts and guests approached Hades almost every five minutes, but he politely declined their advances until a tall redhead in sheer black gown with side splits paired with twelve-inch red pumps. The girl sat next to him and he gestured to the nearest waitress for drinks.

Loki was collecting empty champagne glasses from a booth when something in the atmosphere shifted and he knew in his guts that Lestat arrived. He braced himself, reinforcing his cloaking spell, pulling his mental wards tighter before turning to see him and what a sight he was! He expected him to wear something extravagant, something raunchy, yet he was dressed in a jet black slim fit blazer, a thin silver chain of a pocket watch hanging from the top button of his black waistcoat. His obsidian shirt and dark blue jeans were hugging his curves like an ode to sensuality. He oozed money, sex and power, turning all the heads as he walked down the stairs with feline grace. David walked next to him, wearing a simple, yet elegant beige roll neck jumper with a burgundy herringbone tweed jacket and black jeans. Loki retrieved to the bar. Lestat was ambushed by business men and all sorts of dubious characters. He let David politely, but firmly swat them away, headed towards Hades who was watching the scene with amusement, his hands playing with the ginger girl's breasts under her dress who was now sitting on his lap.

'Good evening! I hope you're enjoying the party.' Lestat said.

'I haven't had the chance to take a look around yet. I arrived not long before you. David!' Hades greeted the dark vampire with a little nod.

'Your Majesty.' David bowed his head.

'Well, I must recommend the black room. I had tremendous fun designing it, although it is quite busy, I'm told. I can always reserve it just for you.'

   Hades grinned, satisfied with Lestat's effort to make him feel extra valued. He picked up the menu from the table that also described the list of experiences offered by rooms.

'Hmmm, I'm not even sure what some of these words mean.' he said, a slight frown appearing on his face, looking up at Lestat with a curious expression that was obviously fake; Loki could tell Hades knew exactly what the black room was all about.

'Oh, I'm sure you know. Let me do some networking and then I can show it to you, if you're not otherwise occupied.' Lestat smiled genially.

'Thank you. Congratulations on this year's performance, by the way. I was impressed.'