Fallen

Chapter 11

Toby was right about the bar. It wasn't very busy this time of day. There were a few couples sitting at tables in the corner, but the dance floor was empty. A lone bartender worked the bar, wiping down a cocktail glass, and the lights were normal, not swirling monstrosities of colors. It didn't take long to find who I was looking for. When she wanted to be seen, she made sure that she was.

"And shwing," I joked quietly, striding forward quickly. Toby and Eliza followed quickly behind me, a tiny, whispered conversation taking place.

"Is that her?" Eliza asked the brawny detective.

"Who else could it be?" Toby asked. Eliza didn't have a comeback for that. Ruby had worked hard to make herself stand out over the years, and believe me when I say she was not easily forgotten. Her stark red hair such a contrast to her caramel skin and dark eyes, and the way she smiled so mischievously when she saw my approach with ruby red lips, pun intended, there was no way that anybody's attention wasn't on her.

"Gavin," she purred while I took the seat next to her. "It's been a while."

"Ruby," I said, meaningfully allowing my eyes to follow her extremely low neckline. "Good to see time's treated you well."

"And it's a pleasure to see you again," Ruby said with her pearly white smile, cocking an eyebrow. "How long has it been? A hundred years?"

"Ninety seven years, eight months, one week, three days," I replied precisely, bringing my attention back to her face.  "You left so abruptly, and right in the middle of things. Ever the tease." 

"It is an art of which I am a master," Ruby answered, still smiling, noticing my companions. "I see you've brought company." 

"Ah, yes, the groupies. I guess I should introduce them." I pointed back to the detective. "The walking mountain is Toby, and the girl behind him is Eliza. They're my charges for take your humans to work day."

"How exciting," Ruby replied, examining Toby from head to toe. "I always did love chocolate."

"I'm afraid this chocolate is spoken for," Toby said quickly, touching the ring on his left hand. Ruby made a pouting face.

"Oh, you're no fun," she whined, then her attention turned to Eliza. "And is this the newest link in the fling chain for Gavin?"

"She wishes," I scoffed. I could feel Eliza glaring daggers into my back. "I've had my turn at show and tell, now it's your turn. Word has it that you have a new fling yourself."

"You'll have to be a little more specific," Ruby replied, smiling naughtily. "You know that I can't just stay with one flavor for long, Gavin."

"Simon Mills, guy ate himself to death just last night," I replied, seeing a tiny shift in Ruby's confident masquerade. "Sister said he'd found some companionship who was probably a little out of his league. Naturally, I thought of you."

"Ah, dear Simon," Ruby said, tapping her martini glass. "Such a nice man. A shame such a bad thing happened to him."

"Ruby, we both know you know more than that."

"As much as I enjoyed our time together, Gavin, I don't believe you have the right to pry into my personal life," Ruby said, sipping her martini.

"Why are you so nervous?" I asked curiously, Ruby paused, looking at me with a flash of fear crossing her eyes. "Something has you spooked."