Midnight at St. Benedict's

Chapter 4.5

Hurrying around in ill-fitting heels and a skirt that was just this side of too short was not high on Lisel's list of fun things to do on a Saturday night. Neither was rushing past the long line of patrons hoping to get into Hole, all of whom were now looking daggers at her as she strode right to the front of the line.

Actually, Lisel's ideal Saturday night involved a good book and a large bowl of Skittles. And maybe a cat. She really wanted a cat.

She came to a full stop as the bouncer guarding the velvet rope gave her a once over. He wasn't especially tall, but what he lacked in height, he made up for in width. He also wasn't a vampire, but with they way he was built, Lisel figured he could get the job done anyway.

"I'm Lisel Andrews," she announced before he got a chance to tell her to go to the back of the line.

To her surprise, the bouncer required no further information from her. He simply nodded and unhooked the velvet rope.

"Jax is running late," he said. "But he'll meet you inside."

"Thanks," Lisel hurried in, ignoring the angry murmurs coming from the line behind her.

In the entryway, immediately to her left was an arched doorway covered with heavy red drapes. It didn't look like the entrance to any club she'd been to before. Lisel turned right, heading to the coat check instead. She handed her jacket to a stunning blond in a pin-up style dress. Again, she was human.

"Head straight through the curtains," she told Lisel as she handed over a coat check ticket. Lisel followed her instructions, pulling back the heavy velvet drapes.

She stopped dead.

For a moment, Lisel couldn't process anything except red and black. The colors dominated the room from floor to ceiling. The floor was tiled in red and black diamonds while the circular bar dominating the middle of the room was shiny, lacquered black. The benches and bar stools around the room were upholstered in blood red leather while the walls, which were painted in a matte black, were dominated by mirrors and more of the floor to ceiling red curtains Lisel had just walked through.

It was, quite simply, unlike any place she had ever seen before.

It was also packed with beautiful people. Both humans and vampires lounged on chairs and benches sharing drinks and conversation and, in many cases, something much more. Though Lisel could hear the music in the background, it was clear this wasn't a dance bar. It was a pick-up bar.

Lisel moved past a couple who were valiantly trying to occupy one small chair with two bodies and headed straight to the bar where she ordered a drink from yet another perfect specimen of feminine beauty. This one was a brunette. And, surprisingly, a vampire.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"A diet coke," Lisel answered, just as she felt a presence slide up behind her, a touch too close.

"You sure you can handle the hard stuff?" Jax's voice murmured in her ear. His breath tickled.

"You're late," Lisel said by way of greeting as the bartender went to get her drink.

"And you're looking hot," Jax answered back.

Lisel turned around so that she and Jax were face-to-face.

"Excuse me?" she asked, giving him time to rethink his statement. And back up. He was standing much too close.

Of course, he did neither of these things. Instead, he continued his assessment, his eyes roaming her body from head to foot. If she were an ordinary girl, the vampire onceover would probably have left her in a puddle on the floor.

But Lisel wasn't an ordinary girl.

"You're all right in a lab coat," he conceded. "But when you go all out, you're something else."

Lisel just barely kept a lid on her temper.

"I think you've forgotten that I'm here to work," she said. "So either you keep your commentary on my looks to yourself, or you can do this investigation on your own."

For once, she managed to wipe the smile off his face. Jax scowled.

"I can't give a compliment?"

"Is that what you think you're doing?" Lisel shot back.

The unwelcome sound of someone clearing their throat, just barely audible above the sound of the music, alerted them to the fact that they were no longer alone in their conversation. Lisel turned to see the dark haired barmaid grinning at them.

"Hey Jax," she set down Lisel's drink.

"Hey Miranda," he greeted. "Busy night?"

She nodded. "What can I get you?"

"Some information," Jax said. "About Christophe."

"Of course," Miranda's expression went serious. Lisel assumed that was because she was discussing their leader.

"I was wondering if he has a steady source."

Miranda gave Lisel a once over, a doubtful expression on her face.

"I don't think she's his type."

Lisel nearly choked on her drink while the scowl returned to Jax's face.

"I'm not sharing this one," he said.

Miranda just shrugged.

"Christophe used to mix it up," she said. "But the last month or so he's been sticking with Olivia."

"Olivia?" Jax repeated back. "Are you sure?"

Miranda nodded. "She was one of yours, right?"

"She was," Jax did a scan of the club. "Is she here tonight?"

Miranda shook her head. "Haven't seen her all week."

"Are any of her friends here?"

"I saw Rinalda earlier," Miranda nodded her head towards the edge of room. "I think she was with Lucas."

"Thanks," Jax said to Miranda before taking Lisel by the arm, causing her to abandon her drink.

"Where are we going?" She asked as they headed towards a set of velvet curtains behind which a couple had just disappeared.

"A feeding room," Jax answered.