Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. I think this about PG-13.

 

 

Nate’s Intro Part Six: Nate at Guilty Pleasures

 

I backed up against the wall, my arms at my sides trying to look docile.  They were practically on top of me when Myra stepped between us. They stopped, giving her a questioning look.  She said, "He's with me."

 

As she stood talking to them, I had a chance to take a closer look. They were vampires. I was sure of that, not very old. One was a brunette about five nine. He had his hair cut in a short military style. He also talked funny, and I noticed why. I noticed he wore a gold tongue stud. I wanted to yank it out just to see if it would hurt.

 

The second guy was taller, six three or more. He was blonde with ice blue eyes and a mood to match. I wondered if the height was all his and checked out his boots, normal heel. Okay the guy was tall.  I was still betting I could take them both but hoping I wouldn't have to try.

 

The blonde was telling Myra that Buzz had told them that I needed to be searched. Good security. But I wasn't about to let one of them touch me voluntarily.

Nope.

 

Myra turned around to face me. “Do you have any holy items? Silver knives of any kind? Any weapons? Because they do have a right to protect their people.”

 

The blonde vamp spoke up.  “It protects the Lukoi as well.”

 

Lukoi? What was that, their pet name for humans? I'd ask Myra later.

 

The blonde was still talking to Myra, “Your Ulfric would not be pleased if you brought an assassin into the club. Jean Claude would not be pleased at all either.”

 

I could feel my blood pressure rising.  My fists were clenched at my sides. Myra's eyes flashed, a change of color. It was only an instant and they were normal again. I wasn't the only one who was pissed.

 

She turned to ask me again, “Nathan? Honey? Do you have any weapons?”

 

“Honey?” I questioned her. She glared at me for that and I answered.  “I have a knife in my right boot. It's made of steel. It's black, looks really cool.” She frowned as I continued.  “I have a CD in my jacket pocket.  It's shiny and made of some polymer, not sure what kind. We'd have to have it analyzed.”

 

She suppressed a laugh.  I reached down to retrieve the knife.  That was mistake number one. Never take your eyes off a vampire, especially when there are more than one. I was on the ground faster than Simi could barbecue a Daemon and they were none to gentle in their search. I'd let them have their fun. I'd have mine later. No need getting thrown out before I gave Nathaniel his CD. I always keep my promises. After several protests from Myra, I was allowed up.

 

Myra: looked surprised. “You did have a knife. Why were you carrying a knife?”

 

I shrugged at her. “Because somebody told me it was dangerous down here. Besides, I don't have a gun.”

 

“I am so going to hurt you.” She shot at me then turned to the vamps. “Can we go now?”

 

Both of them were grinning. Mr. Tongue Stud said, "Enjoy the show."  He was twirling my knife in his fingers.

 

It was my turn to glare. “I want that back. It belonged to my brother. If I don't get it back...I'll show you how much fun I have with you guys where I come from.”  The blonde started to say something, but Myra grabbed me and pulled me further into the club.

 

A waiter showed us to a reserved table up front to the right of the stage. All the tables in front of the stage were full of women and some had gotten an early start on the drinking. Myra ordered us a couple of drinks, telling the waiter that I would be paying. So much for women's lib.

 

The lights went down and a smooth male voice came over a speaker announcing the first act. It was a skinny little dude that looked too pale and way too young. He couldn't have been more than eighteen.

 

I turned to Myra, putting my lips close to her ear and asked, "What's a Lukoi?"

 

She jumped, turning to look at me. “The Lukoi is a group of…” She was apparently considering what to tell me and just how much.  “The Lukoi is the name for a wolf pack that live here.”

 

“And an Ulfric?”

 

“He is their leader, their king.” She explained.

 

I was starting to understand. “The alpha male?”

 

Myra looked uncomfortable. “Yes. The Lukoi are...well...”

 

“A secret society?” I filled in.

 

“They have to be careful around outsiders. It could be dangerous, health wise, financially. They're considered a danger, but not just the Lukoi.”

 

I sat there a minute, letting her words sink in, playing with them in my head. Then I got it. “Kattagari. I never even sensed it.”

 

“What did you call me!” Her question was anything but polite and I looked at her stunned.

 

“You're a shifter?” I asked. She nodded and looked away. I cupped a hand under her chin and turned her to face me. “Hey, I get along with almost all the of them. Some of the cats are a little, well catty.”

 

She smiled though her eyes were sad.  “Nathan, you can't tell anyone at the station. Please. Promise me.”

 

“I won't. You have my promise and I always keep my promises.” She nodded at my words. I wanted to ask more questions, but I didn't want to press.

 

Our drinks arrived by the end of the first set. I paid the waiter and tipped him. Myra talked about the Lukoi some more. I wondered how different they were from my own world. Some she liked. Some she definitely didn't and there were other shifter groups as well.

 

“Were rats?” I thought she was joking but she nodded.  “ I don't think I've come across any of those before.”

 

“Now you can tell me one of your secrets. Like how you appeared out of the blue. Mitch hired you without an interview. Where are you from?” She looked at me curiously.

 

“I'm not sure I can tell you.” I shook my head.

 

She prodded. “Come on. I need some form of bargaining chip in case you slip up.”

 

“I don't think you'd believe me.” I smiled disarmingly.

 

“You believe me. Don't you?”

 

“Yeah. I do.” I admitted.

 

“Then you know what kind of crazy town this is.”

 

I started to reply when the lights went down and the voice came back on the speaker. "Ladies...Brandon"

 

The curtain rose and there was a rush to the stage. The spotlight shined on a young man, his head down. He was wearing the uniform of a Roman Centurion. Kyrian and Julian would have been shocked. The dancer had a sword that looked dangerously sharp. The helmet molded to the side of his face. The armor glittered as if were freshly polished. He moved to a marching rhythm befitting the Coliseum. He worked one side of the stage then the other, drawing gasps and moans and even some screams from the women who now stood three deep.

 

“I take it he's a favorite?” I asked.

 

“Oh yes. Nathaniel is the favorite.” I turned to stare at her as she explained. “Yes. That's Nathaniel. Brandon is his stage name.”

 

I watched the women watch "Brandon."  There was so much lust in the air you could have cut it with paper scissors. They were enthralled.

 

“Is he a vampire?” I asked my companion.

 

“Oh no. He's a leopard.” She replied her eyes riveted to the stage.

 

I looked back to the stage in time to see "Brandon” start to lose some clothes. Well he was a stripper after all and the more he lost, the more the women loved it. He started with the armor then the tunic until the only thing left was the hat and a very tiny G-string. Then, the helmet came off and a cascade of hair came out. It was almost as long as he was tall, and looked to be a very light brown or dark blonde. I couldn't really tell with the lighting.

 

“Is all that hair his?” I asked surprised.

 

“Every luscious inch.” She was getting into the show. I couldn't believe I was watching some twenty something kid strip. Women were actually stuffing his string with money. He'd smile and wink and back away to work the rest of the crowd. “Told ya you'd watch.” She grinned.

 

I started to ask her something when I felt a presence behind me, something very, very old. It wasn’t as old as Acheron but powerful none the less. I had the sudden overwhelming urge to run.