L'appel du Vide

Chapter 3

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"Ezra," Rose greeted and shuffling indicated that got up from her usual table.

She stood to the right of where I was hiding and I could see how she fell into a deep bow.

A light-hearted laugh rang through the club.

"Rise my Rose," this Ezra-man said. "Bowing does not suit you."

His voice was deep and so very smooth. It rumbled in his chest and then formed words that held an edge to them, almost like a predator waiting to strike and catch his prey.

Rose remained in her position a bit longer than necessary, hesitating to get up at first. Closing her eyes, she straightened her back and then stared down our guest.

"What brings you here?" She said and politely held her hands in front of her.

"Hmm," Ezra hummed and I could almost feel his energy survey the room. I did not like the way it settled on my skin.

"Just a routine visit," he continued with a voice that hinted of his new-found boredom.

"Your last routine visit was 67 years ago," Rose replied in a steady voice. "One is not due for the next 33."

The room fell silent again.

I could only hear the rearranging of fabric because Ezra was probably adjusting his position.

Had Rose angered him?

After a couple of silent minutes that Rose had to spend gazing at this man, he hummed again in affirmation.

"Can't I come and visit you?" He sounded like he was... pouting?

"No, of course, you can, Ezra," Rose said and bowed again in apology. "It is just very sudden. We have only started grieving."

A tapping sound echoed through the room. It was too light to have been Ezra's foot or heel, so I wondered who or what he had brought with him.

"How unfortunate," his voice purred. He seemed not interested in any of that.

"Would you like to maybe continue this conversation in private?" Rose offered. Her light tone and professionality surprised me.

"No," Ezra's voice projected itself through the room. "It would be a shame not to speak to my lovely employees."

Employees?

Rose gestured around the room and avoided the man's gaze as much as possible.

"That's no problem, but they're none here that you don't know of or have never met," Rose said.

I choked on my own spit.

Amicus jerked in front of me due to the sudden sound. He shuffled closer to the bar, pressing me further into my hiding space and trying to cover the sounds coming from me.

Who the fuck was this Ezra guy?

Maniacal laughter rang through the room.

I cringed at the pure insanity that radiated from it.

"I'll let that one slide, for now, my Rose," Ezra said still recovering from his fit of laughter.

Rose was unfazed. She stayed glued to her spot and eyes trained on our guest.

"Well, Ezra," she began. "What can I do for you then?"

"Business has been.... tough," he drawled and I hear the low clinking of glasses and the abrupt intake of air from some of the gathered females. "Your lovely establishment was unfortunately affected as well."