Watcher in the Darkness, Book 3: Imprisoned

Chapter 30

The security gate wouldn't budge no matter how hard I shook it. Everything about it appeared normal, like nothing I couldn't handle. I've gotten through sturdier doors, but kicking the bars was like kicking solid rock. Stupid demons and their stupid demon magic.

Karen held her finger to her lips as I threw myself against the gate like a deranged gorilla. "Toby, you have to keep it down. They're going to hear you."

I ran my hands around the edges of the gate, looking for any defect. There were none. "Can you unlock this damn thing from the inside?"

"Yes, I can, but—"

"Then unlock it. Come on, let's go."

Karen shook her head. "I can't."

"Why?"

"You know why."

Of course, I knew why. Because I would snatch her away and never look back. I gripped the thick, unbending bars as I said, "I know Khalid has you on lockdown, but don't worry. I'll figure something out."

Karen put her hands over mine again. "No, it's not like that. I can't leave because I have to be here, in case he needs me."

A revelation settled over me. In hindsight, I don't know why it took me so long to arrive at the truth. I guess I just really didn't want to see Karen in that light. There was only one reason a skinrider that pimped vampires would need a necromancer. The words sickened me as I said, "You're Khalid's enforcer."

Karen frowned in confusion. "Khalid? Do you mean Lord Ahriman?"

I couldn't look at her. "He uses you to make the vampires do what he says."

Karen made a face. "You make it sound like I'm using my powers to hold them still while they get gang raped. It's not like that at all. This is a business and these men and women are professionals. Some of them have been in this line of work for centuries. No one is here against their will."

"That would be a lot more convincing if I didn't know for a fact that they can't leave."

"Yes, they can. They come and go all the time."

"Not without Khalid's permission."

"Uh, yeah, because then they'd have no reason to give Lord Ahriman his cut. He gives them a safe, beautiful place to live and work, and all he asks in return is his fair share." I closed my eyes as I shook my head, so Karen spoke louder. "I'm here to level the playing field. He gives them blood, money, and safe harbor, but you'd be surprised how many of them try to screw him out of what he's owed."

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised at all. "Wow. If you can't trust someone that'll whore themselves out for a mouthful of blood, who can you trust?"

Karen's eyes narrowed. "A mouthful of blood and thousands upon thousands of dollars per client. We're not talking about your run-of-the-mill streetwalker here, Toby. People need referrals from their referrals to hire these escorts."

"So the vampires here deserve whatever they get?"

Karen groaned as she leaned against the bars. "Dude, pick an argument. They can't be villains and victims at the same time, Toby. Everyone that works here was recruited, not entrapped. Including me."

I couldn't help but feel betrayed. "Why? Why did you come here? Really, what do you get out of this?"

Karen seemed amazed that I had to ask. "Are you kidding? What don't I get? For the first time in my life, I'm free, and I only have to worry about myself. I have a taste of what it's like to not be dirt poor. I can go shopping at places besides thrift stores. I can go to restaurants that don't have a freaking dollar menu."