The Dare of Truth [slash]

Chapter 17

Fyn didn't waste any time. He quickly got dressed, nearly tripping over his own boots that he hadn't bothered to put away. He took time to lace them properly, however, before he stormed out of his apartment. The Alliance agents watching his home would see him, of course, but he was in no mood to contact Celia. If they had even one ounce of intelligence, they would follow him and intervene when necessary.

A taxi was quickly found, and a few minutes later Fyn was on his way to the Holden hotel. He thought about calling Kalish, but he didn't want to wake and upset his friend. Othric would learn about this anyway.

The hotel bar was nearly deserted at this late hour, and only a few guests were still there. The journalist quickly scanned the bar, but there was an unfamiliar young woman behind it, polishing glasses.

"Excuse me? I'm looking for your colleague. A sire with light-brown hair and a tattoo on his wrist," the lifebearer asked her.

"I'm sorry, it's his free night," she answered with an apologetic smile. "Can I relay a message?"

"You don't happen to know where I can reach him?" Fyn pressed.

Now the bartender eyed him suspiciously. "I'm sorry, are you a friend of Vale's?"

"Yes, I am. Please, it's important." Never before had Fyn made eyes at someone like this. Looking sweet and harmless seemed to have at least one advantage.

The woman's heart visibly melted. "Okay, he'd never forgive me if he missed a cutie like you. I don't know Vale's address, but he told me that he has another job at "Moonlight". I guess he's bartending there on his free nights. Good luck!"

Fyn thanked her and quickly exited the hotel. "Moonlight" was a rather seedy night club and hotel, but he had been there for research before. He had to find Viper – or Vale, as the bartender was calling himself. Asking Othric about the employment details was pointless; the assassin had surely given only false details. But if he had told his colleague about it, it was a different matter. Even the best professionals slipped up sooner or later. And "Moonlight" was the ideal place to hide. Nobody asked questions there.

About ten minutes later, Fyn reached the street where "Moonlight" was located. The taxi driver hastily drove away, not willing to wait this time. But the journalist wasn't afraid of the area or the sinister people lurking here.

He was the one people had to be afraid of.

With a grim smile, the lifebearer strode toward the entrance to "Moonlight". A burly bouncer guarded it, but a gracious tip was enough to admit even someone looking decidedly too young to be in a nightclub.

Late evening was the perfect time to be here. Dozens of people, lashran and humans alike milled about, dancing, talking, and drinking. The club "Moonlight", true to its name, was rather dark, with only a few blue and silver decorations and lights here and there. Next to the dance floor were several cages with exotic dancers in them. Tonight seemed to be a "heaven" theme since each one of them was wearing little white wings and fake halos.