Lauren Dane - Goddess With a Blade

The Silver Chalice was vintage Vegas in deep reds and golds. Whatever it was, the place managed to carry off the Rat Pack feel but made it modern and clean while also seeming luxurious. Hunter Corporation owned the residence tower to the south of the main casino floor and hotel. A nice sideline and a way to have heavy security without being too obvious.

Outside the revolving glass doors, the air was still warm. The streets teemed with tourists. Rowan understood the allure of being lost, of choosing to be someone or something else even for just a few days.

Vegas was a big game of pretend for a lot of people. And why not? Most had a great time and didnt go too far. Some stepped far enough out of line to have secrets to carry for the rest of their lives.

Some didnt go home at all.

In the circular drive just outside the doors, her valet, David, waited next to her Porsche. Even vessels for goddesses had guilty pleasures. Some women liked shoes and Coach bags. Rowan loved fast cars. The sexy sound of the engine always charged her blood. Something about the power that lurked there beneath the hood intoxicated her.

David nodded as he opened the door. She slid inside, the leather smooth and supple against her back and legs.

The Scion sent a call for you to come to his office, Desse. He called her goddess because he knew what she was. He says he needs to see you tonight. He was informed that should you find it in your schedule, youd return his call. Efficient and not entirely humorless, David had served the Hunters his whole life as Rowans father had served the Vampires. She hoped it ended better for David.

Always so urgent, these Vampires. Youd think with such long lives theyd be more relaxed. Arrogant bastard. Not an unusual trait for a Vampire. They did arrogant like no other species shed ever dealt with. She wondered if this one would be as pompous as the last one.

David hid a smile and stepped back as she made to pull away from the drive. Be safe, Desse. The policeman was also looking for you.

She smiled at the mention of Jack.

Thank you, David. Have a lovely evening.

He inclined his head and she pulled away, maneuvering around the knot of drunken people being delivered into cabs and vans in the drive on her way out.

After shed pulled safely out onto Las Vegas Boulevard without mowing down any civilians, Rowan called Jack.

Bout time you called back, Rowan.

Im sure all you do all day is lay around and wait to hear from me.

He snorted.

Whats up?

Whats up? Gone for months and He sighed. Listen, can you meet me for a drink? Come by the station, we can grab a bite or something.

Can it wait a few hours? I have a prior engagement but it shouldnt take overlong.

Im not gonna be here in two hours. I can come to your place or you can come to mine. Only I live in a townhouse a ways from town and you live in a swank apartment on the Strip. Personally I like your place better.

She laughed, despite herself. Fine. Ill meet you at my apartment in two hours. Ill instruct David to let you in if Im late.

Fine. Ill see you then.

Okay. She hung up and called David to let him know Jack would be coming over. She didnt need to tell him to keep Jack on the first floor. David was relentlessly efficient and she knew he always took care to keep the Hunter Corporation part of her life as secret as possible. Humans didnt know about Hunter Corporation but for a few key people in G8 countries and those serving Hunter Corp. Jack thought she was a private investigator. It kept them both safer that way.

In a handy bit of coincidence, by the time shed finished arranging things, shed reached Der Mitte, the casino/hotel run by the Vampire Nation. Oh, if those tourists only knew. Der Mitte meant The Center in German. It was the center of Vampire politics and jurisdiction in Las Vegas. The Scion ruled the local Vamps with an iron fist.

Once shed stopped the Porsche, the valet rushed forward. When he saw who she was, he inclined his head slightly. Not quick enough for Rowan to miss the hatred and distrust in his eyes. Still, the awe tingeing the edges of that hatred was enough for her. The moment she got out, one of the Scions toadies rushed toward her with a sycophantic smile. Rowan didnt return it.