Author's Note: Hey beloved readers, it's been a while and I apologize for anyone that's been looking forward to the next chapter. I've been very busy these past few months and after my "Mirror Lake" story didn't do so well I have not been as motivated to write. I'm slowly finishing up this story as I come up with ideas for how it should end. Thanks for following :)
*****
"Trust me, I know my ropes." I said to a dubious Duke the next day. We had decided that I would be tied to Duke with a rope harness as he carried me while he flew. "The harness will hold." I assured him as he examined the rope between his claws. "This isn't the one you made, is it?"
I scoffed. "What's wrong with the ropes I make? Anyways, it's not."
We packed everything into Duke's bag and had a light breakfast, since we would be flying and didn't want to upset our stomachs. We ate silently and I checked the bag a few times just to make sure we had everything.
"So we'll fly to Scarsdale and then from there, we'll have to do the rest on foot. We should get going, I may need to take some flying breaks." Duke said as he shouldered the bag.
We walked to the top of the hill and I tied the harness around me and Duke, triple checking the knots. He beat his wings, sending soil and rocks flying away from us and flattening the grass. I grabbed his arms tightly as the initial take-off jerked me from side to side.
My heart raced once we were airborne. I had only flown with Duke a few times in the past, and the feeling was still exhilarating. It was very beautiful up here, to see the large forested areas and small lakes that dotted the area. I watched the view for a long time, despite the strong wind making my eyes water. Eventually I grew tired and fell asleep to the rhythmic bouncing.
I woke up later when the rough thump of Duke landing interrupted my sleep. Duke untied me and we both walked around, stretching and groaning. It was already dusk but we had arrived at Scarsdale. I could tell from Duke's expression that he was very tired. I felt guilty, I expect the trip would've been much easier had he only been flying by himself.
"Do you think you could ask if we could get the basement area again?" Duke asked me as he stretched. "We can rest and tomorrow do our investigation."
****
It was a little strange to enter the brothel from the front door. The front desk had a cute redhead that greeted me in a friendly way. "Well hello dearie, what's your pleasure, men or women?"
"Neither, I'm here to see Isabelle."
"Oh! I see." She excused herself with a smile and I waited.
I was looking at the nude paintings on the wall when I heard a voice behind me.
"Well well well, look who's here." I felt warm hands on my arms and I jumped a little.
"Oops, sorry." The dark skin woman held up her hands and laughed. "I didn't think I would have the pleasure of your company again so soon. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Duke and I want a room in the basement if it's available."
"For my favorite couple, of course. I assume you want it to be discrete again?"
"Yes, please." I said.
Duke and I returned to the back entrance and quietly made our way downstairs. Isabelle followed us. "Freshen up, and when you're ready, maybe you'll join me in the lounge for a drink or two?" She nudged me and winked. "And Duke, I'm sorry the invitation cannot be extended to you, should I bring down some liquor?"
Duke nodded. "That would be great, wine please."
Isabelle nodded. "Of course." And then she pointed to me. "And you, shower and I'll get you some fresh clothes."
"Oh. Ok." I said, surprised.
Once again, the bathing area was empty, the trickling of the water into the pool the only noise. I splashed myself with water and scrubbed myself. I heard a knock on the door and Isabelle walked in. I covered myself with a towel shyly but she appeared completely unfazed.
"Here, you'll fit into these. "She said, handing me some clothes. "I'll meet you upstairs?"
"Thanks." I studied the clothes. They were of a soft material, and they had beautiful swirly designs on them. I put them on and headed upstairs.
The young hostess left for a moment and returned with Isabelle. She led me to a new area I had never been to before. It was a large area with many people dancing to music. It was dark, so I followed closely to Isabelle as she expertly weaved between the many gyrating bodies. She led me to an area that was obscured by dark curtains.
"This is where we relax and get away from it all." Isabelle said with a wink as she parted the curtain.
There were already a few women sitting inside on large plush couches. The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers and also some smoky scent that I didn't recognize. I noticed that a few women were smoking long, glass pipes. I scanned their faces casually as I sat down on a large purple couch. And who did I see but Donya, who did a double take when our eyes met.
"Some wine?" Isabelle asked sweetly.
***
The night went on and we continued to drink and chat. Mostly I just listened to the women who had various tales of men they had met or places they had gone. They were all fascinating in their own way and their ability to weave a tale was enviable. I was bracing myself for Donya's tale but she never spoke, only mulling over the stories while she smoked a small glass pipe. We hadn't acknowledged each other beyond the eye contact. Thankfully my glass was never empty thanks to Isabelle's careful attention.
"Oh try this one, one of my patrons from the east brought this as a gift. He only comes once every few years." Isabelle said. "But always for me." She said with a wink at me, as if we were sharing some old secret.
"I'll take some." One of the women, a blonde, held out her glass but Isabelle waved her hand impatiently.
"Try it." She was slurring a bit as she poured me a big glass. The mouth of the wine bottle leaned dangerously past the rim my wine glass.
"Ohh!" I jerked forward to catch the mouth of the wine bottle and all the ladies chuckled.
I took a sip of the new wine. "Oh wow. This is really good." I liked the sweetness mixing with the tartness of the wine. "Savor it, it really is a great wine." Isabelle took a drink straight from the bottle before pouring the previous woman a glass, who didn't seem to mind at all.
Isabelle had her arm on the back of my chair and had somehow ended up sharing my chair with me.
The booze was really starting to hit me hard, and I had trouble following the next story. I looked over at the corner I had been avoiding for the entire night. It looked like the woman beside her had taken possession of her pipe and was smoking it languidly.
"Come here, Donya." Isabelle called to her.
"You know, I don't work for you anymore." Donya said with a drunken chuckle and a shake of her head.
"Please, come here, Donya."
With some difficulty I watched the tall brunette get up from her seat and walk over. Isabelle pulled her into her lap and all of a sudden it was way too crowded. I started to sit up and leave but Isabelle grabbed my hand. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I could get up at the moment, my legs felt like rocks and my head felt so heavy. I smelled the faint scent of Donya's perfume, a familiar and somewhat painful reminder. "No, stay. You ladies need to tell me all about what's been happening. What is all this monster talk I keep hearing about?"
"Oh..." Donya gestured feebly with one hand. "Honestly, I'm not sure where to begin." Donya said. Her cheeks had a healthy blush to them and she swayed a bit as she spoke.
Heh, she's drunk. I thought before a wave of dizziness hit me. Oh fuck. I am too.
"Well let's just put it this way...before, there were not as many monsters." She said, before hiding her mouth behind her mouth, eyes twinkling.
"And now there are." I chimed in. We both laughed way too hard at that.
"Maybe, we're doomed, " Donya said with a wave of her hand.
"Maybe we're not, who's to say." I chimed in as we both snickered drunkenly at the dark humor.
"This is all just an epic journey to discover that we are royally fucked." I said as I leaned back into the couch. My head spun, but it felt so good.
Donya nodded, "Perhaps the cultists will come back and finish the job." she said dryly.
"Come again?" Isabelle asked gleefully, her eyes lighting up. "I didn't hear anything about these cultists."
"You didn't tell her about our adventure?" I asked Donya, who shrugged uncharacteristically as she took a sip from her wine.
I snickered. After listening all night, I was eager to have something to share. "They had powers...like...magic or something."
Isabelle sat up and looked from me to Donya. "Is this true?"
"Yes, they wanted to take Duke's blood for some sort of ritual." I said in a secretive voice. I paused. "I have no idea why though, but I have a feeling that these hellish creatures were the result of it. But who knows if those are even real."
"Very interesting. Isabelle said, eyes twinkling. I have heard of all these creatures roaming about, but I had no idea it was because of Duke. " She sat back, please with the new information, almost greedy with it.
"But this stays between us." Donya warned, breaking from her drunkenness to suddenly become serious. I could feel the heat emanating from her to me.
"Of course." Isabelle said with a dip of her head. "How many years have you known me? You know I can keep a secret." She shoved Donya's shoulder, a sluggish move that looked a bit too strong. Donya almost spilled her drink and quickly sat up straight. "Speaking of secrets, I'm going take care of a few things, have fun." Isabelle pressed the wine bottle into my head and got up. We watched her lift the curtain and saunter back out into the crowd.
We sat there silently. I noticed that there were not a lot of women around, most had left while we were talking. There were two talking in the corner but we couldn't hear them. There was a long moment of silence.
"Are we going to keep doing this? Acting like we don't know each other?" She finally asked, breaking the silence.
"I never did that." I said, resisting the urge to scoff at this statement, even though I knew it was true. As if I could forget her.
