Shadow Warrior

Chapter 7

Arriving at the hotel, they made their way to the receptionist. She was human. Abby had to show extreme restraint due to the human nearly drooling as she stared at Jace.

Snapping her fingers in the girl’s face, Abby cleared her throat.

“Yes, ma’am, how can I be of assistance?” The woman’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard.

“We are looking for our colleague, Andrew Kesh. He is staying here. Can you please call him down?” Leo was being friendlier than Abby liked.

The woman picked up the phone and dialed the extension for his room. Standing there for about 30 seconds, she hung up the receiver.

“I apologize, but it does not appear Mr. Kesh is available. May I take your name and phone number to pass along a message?” She looked at Leo as she spoke. Completely ignoring Abby.

Abby could feel her body start heating with anger. This wasn’t unusual, but due to her recent discovery, she was much more defensive.

Leo responded instead. “We will be back tomorrow.”

He turned, gently grabbed Abby by the hand. Total shock consumed Abby’s system. She couldn’t bring herself to speak before they exited the building. Leo didn’t let go of her until they made it to the car.

“Are you okay?” Leo asked her, searching her eyes for the answer.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Leo gave her a flat look. “You know I can feel when you’re lying. What was all that about? Your runes were glowing. You were pissed. Why?”

Abby had to take a second to rack her brain for an answer that was honest, but would be professing her forbidden feelings. “I don’t like her.” Her answer was short and filled with loathing.

Rather than pushing the issue, Leo moved on. Jumping into the car. Neither of them knew what to do now. Their path had gone dry. No new information and no where else to start. Each of them comes to the same conclusion.

“We need to find the downworlders’ club.” They had both started at the same time, but Leo had finished the sentence.

Pulling open their files, Abby found the information they needed. It was located in downtown Rome. The building looked to be just as old as the city, but modernized.

“There’s a mall just down the road. We are going to need new clothing. I walk in with what I have and our cover will be blown.” Abby typed in their new location onto the screen of the vehicle. Leo followed each direction given by the device until they arrived.

Seeing as this wasn’t for pleasantries, they quickly got in and out. Not wasting time window shopping like they usually do.

Leo had found a nice suit with enough pockets and big enough that he could hide all of his weaponry along with his runes.

Abby found a nice dress suit also with the perfect hiding places for her own weapons. Human technology wouldn’t be able to detect them, but demon magic could. Her sleeves went far enough down her arms to hide all of her runes, but not restrict her movements.

It was nearly night by the time they arrived in front of the club. Lights could be seen outside the building, while the music base could be felt outside the building. The windows bounced with the beat of the music.

Leo stepped out and quickly made his way around to Abby’s door. Opening it and putting out his hand for her to take. She took it with a smile. Gently pulling her from the car, they made their way inside. Each of them getting a glow in the dark stamp from the bouncer letting them in.

The inside of the building was alive with bodies moving about. The music was deafening as is beat against their chests. Abby and Leo each looked about the club for any ideas of how to get more answers.

The bar was full of all walks of the underworld. Each being grabbed their poison to douse their senses. It was the perfect time to be here. They would all be riding their own highs and not paying close enough attention to watching for Shadow Warriors.

It would be surprising if Shadow Warriors showed up at all. Rome was a different beast than most places. This was where the Concurrence held the least power. The warlocks controlled this area. Centuries of power, they weren’t going to give up to the Concurrence. If anything, illegal was taking place, it was happening in Rome.

Leo and Abby made their way to the bar. Each ordered a Felixar. It would get elves drunk, but it did nothing to the Shadow Warriors. They had to look at the part of belonging. Asking for water or anything else was a stupid move. Abby had learned that lesson the hard way the first time she ever went to an underworld club.

Abby broke out with a smile at remembering how little she knew at that point in time. Leo was patient with her and even covered when several beings around them noticed what her order was. Felixar was a trip the first time you took it. To prepare her body to consume it in the club, he gave it to her one night. It was a small glass, but it packed a punch. Knocking her on her ass. She was a mess that whole night. Any form of self-control was gone. Actually, if she recalled anything it was the fact that she dry humped Leo.

He was mortified by her actions. To make matters worse, she had yelled at him that she wanted a man’s touch. Looking back now, she should have known then, what she knows now.

Leo was scanning the room for any leads as his mind had wandered. Following his example, she started scanning the room. Looking up, she was shocked at what she saw.

There was Warrior Kesh. He was obviously drunk about something. His eyes were hazy as he made out with a Echidna. The being had a woman’s beautiful face, but the eyes and body of a snake. Her tongue was deep in his mouth. Both of them looking intoxicated with one another.

Abby looked away quickly and tapped on Leo’s hand. Looking at her, she motioned for him to look up towards the room Warrior Kesh was in. His eyes grew wide at finding their target.

“Is that…” Leo didn’t even finish before Abby replied, “Yes”.

“I knew something was up with that guy.” Leo looked at Abby.

“I told you to trust your instinct. If he is here, he isn’t here on Concurrence business. And by the looks of it, he is a regular. He doesn’t have any of his runes hidden.”

“I think we need to find somewhere darker to hide. If he looks down, he may recognize me.” With that, Leo grabbed Abby’s hand and headed, with their drinks, to a darker corner. The feeling of his hand in hers felt right. Nothing ever before had ever felt so right in her life.

They stood in the dark corner for hours. Observing each being around them. The night grew dark, as did the atmosphere. There were several beings that did not hide what they were doing.

From the slip of a hand up a dress, to someone being partially bent over while the guy’s pants are obviously unbuttoned. Abby had to look away as she felt her cheeks heat up. Abby had never been with anyone before. Never really thought about it before, but seeing the pure desires in their faces, made her body ache for that kind of touch.

Shaking her head, she turned her focus to Leo. He was standing there with a hard expression on his face. She couldn’t read it. Something was bothering him perhaps? He quickly signaled for them to walk. She followed unquestioningly.

Realizing they were headed out the door right behind Warrior Kesh. He was obviously very drunk as he stumbled out of the building and onto the sidewalk. Signaling to a man, a car was brought forward. Kesh jumped into the back of the car.

Leo led Abby to their car, where they both jumped in. He followed close behind Kesh, but stayed far enough behind to not be noticed.