The Crime in Callahan's Morrow - being rewritten

Chapter 2: Pranking with a spell

 "A spell is just a blank canvas. What you do with it depends on your imagination. There are unlimited possibilities to be explored. So, if you need to incapacitate an enemy drawing near to you and you have the ability to make a storm but the pathetic and feeble version of it, then, by all means, make that flimsy cloud over their heads and imbue it with poison. They won't know what hit them when it starts to rain."

~Meredith Allesium, The High Commander of the Battle Witch Forces;

from the speech at the induction ceremony of a fresh batch of Battle Witches

II.

Merton's was...for the lack of a better word, flashy. A huge disco ball, which should've ended up in a dumpster a few decades ago, dangled in the center of a dance podium. Walls were adorned with glitter which sparkled when colorful lights fell on it.

Music was pretty loud, and Nicole wondered how a vampire like Giuseppe was fairing with his a-lot-better-than-average hearing sense. He must have used some kind of a safety enchantment, so the loud sounds didn't damage his ears and hinder him. Or he had perfect control over his senses. She didn't have any problems with her hearing enhancing enchantment she used for eavesdropping; it was like having volume control knob, she just had to be conscious of her magic to adjust it when needed.

Giuseppe led them through the middle of the room and a few people scrutinized them from where they sat. The party wasn't in full swing and most of the patrons opted for sitting rather than dancing. The cozy booths they passed were almost packed with different people some dressed classier and some more modern. Nicole identified them by slight magic output as supernaturals. Merton's was the most popular club for non-humans.

Nicole didn't really know anyone here while Giuseppe just politely nodded here and there, head held high, his steps confident and strong, inching them toward the back of this place.

They kept going and neared the VIP section. She'd never been there before even though she tried to get in many times. Presumably, her investigations would be easier if she could go there, but no, the fates hadn't smiled at her even once. Now that she knew what kind of clientele they catered there; she wasn't sure if she wanted to go in.

Giuseppe led her through a door and into a room that wasn't as flashy as the one before. It was a known fact that all the town's big-shots visited here at least a few times a season. 

She glanced at him when he paused. Then, realized she had to crane her neck. She knew he was tall, but walking beside him made it more evident. Nicole managed to reach Giuseppe's chin only because of her ridiculous, high heels. What had he eaten before being turned, whole horses?

A reflection in one of the antique mirrors brought her out from her musings. It was placed around the room as a decoration and had a thick wooden frame into which were carved elegant, wavy shapes 

When it finally registered in her brain, Nicole realized their position made them look like a couple: walking hand in hand as even their clothes complemented each other, her orange-reddish dress along with his dark gray suit and a beige shirt. Under that suit, his body was strong, though lean, but she could still feel the muscles coil where she gripped his arm like a lifeline. She might not be at ease with the situation, but it was either this or who knew what, and he was smiling normally, mouth curving softly which kind of made her more amenable.

She stopped staring at the reflection to sweep a glance over this part of the club, noticing it wasn't as crowded as the part for the general public. Even the music wasn't as loud; a somewhat slow beat was leading a melody of violins and wind instruments. The prices here were probably higher if you consider the rich clientele dispersed throughout the room, all in fancy suits and dresses that probably cost more than she could earn in three months' wage, but she didn't care. If Giuseppe wanted her to accompany him, she would bleed his account dry if needed.