NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul (12 page)

“Aha!”
she
said a few minutes later. Her red hair would mesh well with her Gossamer Garden green dress with its V neck and rippled mini pleats. Looking at its vibrant green color really made you feel like you are walking through a beautiful garden. It had embroidered tracing of cording, pearly beads and sequins, opaque green straps and a lettuce-edged lining. She added to it a pair of forest dragonfly earrings, lacquered in brass and suspended from accents of peridot. Being half Irish, after all, she got out a Celtic wish necklace. Hanging on a leatherette cord,
was
a pewter pendant with the etching of th
ree wishes.
Gaelic on one side;
English on the other.
In English, the wishes were:
Love.
Health.
Happiness.
Ashamed to admit it, Simone couldn’t quite pronounce the Gaelic vernacular. She should do her heritage proud and learn the language.

She decided on wearing her emerald crystal Claddagh ring. This ring was handcrafted in Ireland. Its beautiful Swarovski heart-shaped cut crystal hued
in emerald. It was set in two-
toned sterling silver. She picked up her dark brown suede shoes with a buckled cross-strap design. The style was gorgeous but made her think of gnomes and leprechauns. Well, she had Irish blood, after all.

Simone had had her shower earlier. Now, with
a little
gel combed through her hair, she tucked some big rollers in for volume. All she needed was to put on her face. She grabbed her make up bag and sat on the red velvet vanity facing the mirror.

Forty-five minutes later, Simone was fully dressed, made up and was now fingering her soft voluptuous curls as a blow dryer on the coolest setting was drying ninety-five percent of her wet hair. She wanted the rest to air dry.

Indea was putting o
n the final touches on her make
up, making sure her eyes looked smoky and sensual. The co
lor made her almond eyes pop, e
ven more so when she added a coat of midnight mascara. Simone opted for clear mascara and sparkling emerald green eye shadow. A light touch of red lipstick and a faint touch of blusher completed the final touches.

Indea’s lipstick was the color of light cocoa which she topped with a clear coat of shimmering gloss. It made her lips look full and lustrous.

They checked themselves in the mirror. Indea twirled around once, looking at herself at every angle. “I can’t wait! I feel so exuberant. Don’t you, Simone?”

Indea’s zest for life was infectious. Simone held out her
hand. “Let’s go have some fun.”

They both elected to bring just enough money to have fun with, a small handbag, and a cell phone in case one of them wanted to call a taxi because they knew it wasn’t safe to drive. But Simone already opted not to drink tonight, but if Indea still wanted a taxi, Simone would ride with her.

Simone always abided by the best friend’s cardinal rule: Go somewhere together. Leave together. Always watch each other’s back.

But Simone would drive Indea if need be. She certainly wouldn’t leave her by herself. They could have all th
e fun they wanted but always
safety first.

And that saying went for a lot of things.

*

Thirty minutes later, Indea parked the car in front of the club aptly named ‘Club Paradox’.
Simone’s heart started picking up its pace. She could hear the familiar trance music pulsing inside. She knew she was going to have a marvelous time.

The club on the outside look
ed
like an abandoned warehouse, one that was a storm away from collapsing. The doors’ rusty hinges creaked at every opening. From the outside, the club didn
‘t look like the place to be. That is, u
ntil they stepped through its doors.

They walked in and paid their cover charge then headed for the bar, taking in the multi-colored lights bouncing off the walls with amazing energy. A strobe light would pulse at certain parts of the music, keeping time with the beat. It made Simone’s feet itch to dance and mentioned this to Indea.

“Sure. One drink and we’re on the dance floor.” Indea sat on a bar stool beside Simone. “It is absolutely gorgeous in here.” Indea gazed at the old world style and allurement. It had a subtle Goth feel to it but boasted of more than just the usual Goth colors.
Reds and blacks.
But, also, greens, blues and metallic colors. It was, yet, it wasn’t. She loved how the mood of the club made you think yes and no and maybe at the same time.
It
was
a paradox.

“It’s perfect,”
Simone said as she looked around. Deep, rich mahogany wood made up the bar. The stools were black iron with deeply hued maroon seating, looking medieval in a way. There were a few tables scattered close by to give way to a breathtaking dance floor. It looked to be made of white marble. Here and there were black daises raised just about a foot and a half high for dancers to showcase their
moves.

Men and women were dancing around, some by themselves. It looked like a sea of leather and mini skirts and ost
entat
ious costumes. Their attire fit this club.

Simone re-focused her attention to the bar. She scanned
the bar drink menu. She needed
to have all her wits about her tonight. That’s why she opted for the non-alcoholic drinks.

“W
hat’ll it be, ladies?”
a
handsome
, thick-muscled bartender asked while eyeing them appreciatively. His accent hinted of a British background.

Indea smile
d
openly at him. “Cosmopolitan.”

Simone started with one of her favorite drinks.
“Virgin strawberry margarita.”
She leaned over to Indea. “I’m driving. Besides, I need to keep focused.” She gave Indea a knowing look.

“Ahh.”
Indea nodded and waited for her drink.

Simone’s gaze went to the wall over the bar. There were two museum-worthy swords crossed at the middle of the blades attached to the wall. The handles sparkled like diamonds. Green and red gems gleamed sporadically throughout the heavy looking handles. The whole piece glinted dangerously. They couldn’t be real.
They didn’t look to be secured to anything. They could easily be stolen. Not only did they look dangerous, they looked expensive.

There were gold sconces peppering the rest of the wall.
In them, sat red or black candles, the wicks charred but not in use.

How apropos,
Simone thought, awestruck at the designs. This bar had a definite ethereal aura to it. It was mysterious and dark toned, also. Now if she could find a man who fit that same description: dangerous, mysterious and dark.

“Your drinks, ladies.”
The bartender set the glasses on napkins as Indea gave him the money for the bill and a nice tip.

He took the money and winked. Indea smiled warmly before lifting her glass and sipping her drink.

Putty,
Simone thought, lifting her own glass to take a healthy swallow.
Mmm.
Cold and delicious.

Simone couldn’t help but smile. The bartender already seemed to be smitten with Indea. Maybe he was the one for her. But he was a bit too muscle-y for Simone’s tastes. He was probably a nice guy though.

No more than five minutes later, Simone and Indea were on the dance floor. It was like they had no choice. One of their favorite songs s
tarted playing. It was a
remix of
Enigma’s ‘Gravity of Love’. Enigma,
hand
s down, was their favorite
. The trance mix of this song surpasses all others in their opinion. The beat would make even the most unenthusiastic dancer get up and move with excitement. It had a way of penetrating your very soul.

The lights kept rhythm with the beat of the song. The strobes were pulsing in cadence to the sensual surge of harmony.

At first, Simone and Indea danced with each other. Not long after, two rather nice looking guys began dancing with them. Indea swirled her hips to the pulsing beat, arms up and pumping. Simone’s wavy red locks flowed back and forth and side to side as she moved her body. She danced somewhat close to the guy whose name she did not know. He didn’t seem to mind one iota. He was definitely having the time
of his life i
f that whopper of a smile was anything to go by.

About six minutes later, the song ended, much to the dismay of Indea and Simone, both of whom felt the disappointment.

Both girls thanked the guys for the dance before heading back to the bar, parched from the exertion. The bartender again winked at Indea, this time giving her a sultry stare.

Simone shook her head mentally as he got his fill of Indea.

“Excuse me, sir?” Simone waited for him to acknowledge her. “This place is fantastic. It’s just gorgeous. I love the whole feel of it. Do you own it?”

The bartender laughed. “I wish.
But, no.
A guy named Van Pirone owns it. I know he has a partner but I don’t know his name. They went into business together a while back. I can tell you want to compliment him. Lots of people do. Usually, if he comes in, he sits in the shaded corner.” He pointed to a secluded spot. “He keeps to himself mostly. He sits in that darkened corner whenever he comes in. He likes to observe people. See how they take to his club.” He looked at Indea.
“Name’s Michael.”

“Michael. I’m Indea and this is my very best friend, Simone.” Indea introduced, shaking his hand.

“Lovely names for such lovely looking ladies.” Michael declared. He took Simone’s hand and shook it longer than was necessary. “If you want to talk to Van, he usually gets here at eleven.” He glanced at his watch. “He’ll be here in less than a
n hour if you’d like to wait,”
he suggested.

“Great. Thanks, Michael.” Indea raised her glass. “These are delicious by the way.” She took another sip of her Long Island Iced Tea.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Indea.” He touched her hand before moving to the other side of the bar to serve more thirsty patrons.

“He’s definit
ely from somewhere in England,”
Indea perceived.

Simone sipped her virgin Pina Coloda. “You’ve found some one already, huh?”

Indea’s head canted to one side.
“Eehh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“No sparks.” Indea said simply. “He’s from En
gland. Better suited for you,”
she teased.

Simone shook her head sharply. “No thank you. But what do you mean, no sparks? You both looked like you really hit it off.”

“Yeah, I know it looks that way, but, no.
When he touched me.
No
zing
.
You know what I mean, Simone?”

“Yes. I think I do.”

“Well, we have less than an hour until Van shows.
Dance?”
Indea suggested
.

“You read my mind.” Simone grabbed Indea’s hand and walked back out onto the dance floor.

*

Indea checked the clock adorning the wall near the front door. She nudged Simone. “It’s ten after eleven.”

Simone looked around but didn’t see the man named Van any where. A sudden chill went through h
er body. She felt her back heat
pleasantly. She could sense eyes looking straight at her. She turned around.
Nothing.