Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. This is rated PG-13 to be safe.

 

A very special thanks to my Beta. She is greatly appreciated and biased at thinking that I am a good writer.

 

The More Things Change (Nate’s Story: Chapter 29)

 

It had been a constant battle for three nights straight. With all of us having wheels it was easier to patrol though. I was still shaking my head about the whole Luna thing. It was just strange. Figuring that the daimons would stay out of sight and regroup for a couple of days, I decided to just go out and have a beer.

 

I had heard that the club Dead Druids was a cool place, loud rock and good atmosphere. Myra had told me that it was owned by another master vamp but the manager was a shifter. Most of the staff was either shifters or Fey.  As long as it wasn't vamps, I was okay. All I wanted was a beer and to listen to some music.

 

When I got there the line to get in was about a half mile long. It gave me plenty of time to study the people and the outside of the club. Loved the sign, there was just something about that time period… the Crusades and monks and… Someone tapped me on the shoulder.  I turned to see Mai. She smiled and gave me a hug.

 

“Where ya been?” I asked her.

 

“Here and there.”  I rolled my eyes as she continued. “Acheron may have found out who is sending the daimons.”

 

“Who?”

 

“I can't say.” I wanted to throttle her for that. She added. “It may be quiet for a few days, while things are getting sorted out.”

 

The line moved an inch as I sighed. “Whatever.”

 

“Nathan, if I could tell you anything I would.”

 

I believed her. I knew how the game was played. So I asked, “Going to be my date for the night?”

 

She smiled. “I'd love to.”

 

We made it into the club about ten minutes later. The guy checking IDs thought mine was a fake. Mai got a kick out of that. He must have figured I was telling the truth finally cause he let us in. 

 

Myra was right. The place was amazing. The band was doing covers and there really was a tree hanging from the rafters. The place was packed but everyone was getting along. It must have been the Fey influence or maybe it was just the feeling of well-being. It had a calming effect even with all the different flavors in the building.

 

Mai found us a table as I made my way to the bar to get drinks. The bar maid was dressed in black jeans and a dark green tee. Across the tee in silver was the name of the club. She was a redhead about five foot seven. Her eyes were a weird hazel color with specks of blue. They kind of drew you in and she had to ask me twice what I wanted.

 

“One Guinness and one Bacardi Silver.” I told her. I noticed her nametag said Diane.  When she brought the drinks, I tipped her. “Thanks Diane.”

 

She smiled. “You're welcome sugar.”

 

The accent caught me by surprise. “Where ya from?”

 

“New Orleans originally. Been there?” She asked.

 

I nodded. “Lived there for a while.”

 

“Hear about the big hurricane heading that way?”

 

“Another one?” I grinned.

 

She laughed. “Supposed to be a monster this one. They've named her Katrina.”

 

“Maybe it'll fizzle out.”

 

She shook her head. “Honey I have it on good authority that this is one bad Kat. You need anything else sugar you just let me know.”

 

“I just might. Thanks.”

 

I took the drinks and made my way back through the crowd to Mai. The band was playing a song by Megadeath.  They were not my favorite band but Mai was into it. She was tapping her fingers on the table and smiling. I set her drink on the table and sat down in a chair next to her. You couldn't really talk when music was this loud but that's what it was all about.  I guess the band played about an hour before taking a break.  A waitress came by and we ordered more drinks.

 

Mai turned to me. “So how do you like your new place?”

 

“It's nice… More of everything, including roomies.”

 

She nodded. “Acheron said that he sent one of the lycos.”

 

“And a Hunter on loan from the Morrigan. Are you still at other apartment?”

 

“Yes.” She smiled then looked away.

 

“What's wrong?” She turned back as I added. “Miss me that much?”

 

“A little.”

 

I grinned. “Just a little?”

 

“Don't flatter yourself Hunter. We aren't that close.”

 

“How close do you want to be?” I couldn’t help asking.

 

She didn't answer that but finally said. “I miss listening to you on the radio.”

 

“A lot of people tell me that.” I shrugged.

 

“Do you miss it?” I nodded. She smiled at me and added. “Something to look forward to after all this is finished.”

 

“Yeah maybe I could work the night shift in New Orleans. If I ever get back there.”

 

“I'm sure you will eventually.” My friend reassured me.

 

“Bartender says there's a big storm heading for the gulf. Think it's the same in our world?” I wondered aloud.

 

“I don't know. I'm not from your... I don't know.”

 

I frowned and was about to ask what she meant when two arms wrapped around my shoulders. Mai looked up and I swore she sneered. I laid my head back and couldn't help but smile. Callie.  She leaned her head down and kissed me. It wasn't one of those chaste ‘nice to see you’ kisses either. She stood up and moved to take a seat beside me. She was all in black, even her eye shadow and lipstick and she wore it damn well. Her hair was pulled back behind her ears. Her green eyes were shining.  A waitress came by with our drinks and hers. I paid. Guess I needed something to do with my money.

 

Callie turned to me. “When are you coming back to work?”

 

“Soon I hope. How's school?” I asked.

 

“Boring.” She looked over at my date and smiled. I introduced them.

 

“Nice to meet you Callie.” Mai didn't sound sincere.

 

I doubted that Callie cared because she turned her attention back to me. “I got a new tat. Wanna see?” She stood up and started to unzip her pants. I grabbed her hand and pulled her down into her seat as she told me. “It's just on my hip.”

 

“You can show me another time.” I assured my coworker.

 

She grinned. “I'll hold you to that.”

 

Somehow I knew she would too. The band came back on for their next set.  I was listening and checking out the club. I looked up toward the upper balcony. I saw Irish there. We made eye contact just before he slipped into the shadows. I excused myself from the ladies and went to check it out. The balcony had tables and a really nice view of the other two floors. It was an advantage if you were watching things. I swear I looked all over that floor and never found him. 

 

The night was going fine until the lead singer of the band said that they were going to play some southern rock. I was thinking Saliva maybe or even Puddle Of Mud. I never expected in a billion years to hear Lynard Skynard. As the strains of Sweet Home Alabama poured through the speaker system, I didn't know whether to laugh or run. I kid you not.

 

As if on cue, Acheron appeared behind Callie. He had his hair long. It was black with blue streaks.  He sat down between Mai and myself.  Callie looked at him, mouth open like she was in awe. He flashed one of his rare smiles at her and then turned his shaded eyes on me.

 

I shook my head. “What did I do now?”

 

“As far as I know... nothing.  I was just checking on you.” The big guy told me.

 

“Aw that's nice dad.” I told him.

 

Callie asked. “Dad?”

 

Ash explained. “He only calls me that because I'm the one that has to spank him when he's bad.”

 

Mai burst out laughing.

 

Callie said what only she would. “Can I help next time?”

 

Mai was still laughing. Acheron just grinned. I got up and went to the bar.  He joined me soon after.

 

Diane had drawn me another Guinness from the tap. “You okay sugar? You look a little red.”

 

“I'm good.” I told her. Turning to Acheron I asked. “You got good news?”

 

“As in who has been sending the Daimons?” I didn't even bother answering him. “We're close.”

 

“Right.  You know one of the Daimons that attacked me last week said something very interesting.”

 

“Oh?” My boss asked.

 

“Yeah. She said, ‘I would love to see the look on your father's face when he learns that his son was killed by a child of Apollo.’”

 

“Wonder what that was all about.” Ash’s face was blank.

 

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

 

He shrugged. “Daimons will say anything.”

 

“Yeah? So will Gods.”  I turned back to Diane. “I think I need something a little stronger.”

 

Acheron walked back over to the table and said something to Mai before leaving. I stayed at the bar talking to Diane. I never saw Mai or Callie leave.

 

I did see Luna arrive.  She had on that familiar duster, black jeans, a dark blue tee and black Docs.  She strode over and sat next to me. Another bartender appeared, male, short and a bit round but I was guessing that was deceiving.  He smiled at Luna and kissed her cheek.  They talked quietly for a few minutes. He set a shot of Tequila and an MGD in front of her before going off to tend other patrons.

 

“Hey Diane. What's shakin'?” Luna asked.

 

“Not a lot. You off tonight?” The bar maid asked the shifter. She nodded and Diane smiled. “Good. You needed a break.”

“Your family evacuated or are they gonna ride it out?” The shifter asked.

 

“Oh hell some of them are stupid enough to try it. They're hopin' it'll veer off but I just don't know.” The woman told her then walked away.

 

“There were three more murders.” Luna told me.

 

“Any of your people?”

 

She shrugged. “Does that matter? A life is a life.”

 

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Except when it's mine of course.”

 

“They want you arrested on suspicion.”

 

“They as in Anita Blake and the Mayor?” I asked. She nodded. “So tell them to arrest me. Then Irish and Roan will have to take it all on themselves. You know what we're up against. You've seen it first hand.”

 

“That doesn't mean anything.” She sighed.

 

“They won't even listen to Asher?”

 

She shook her head. “They think he is biased on your behalf.”

 

I growled low in my throat. I could feel my eyes slipping.  I threw some money on the bar and a ten in the tip jar.

 

I leaned in close to Luna and whispered. “I hope the next one isn't close to you and yours, because I swore an oath to protect the humans, not vampires and shifters.”

 

I left then. I walked out the door through the crowd waiting to get into the club and headed for my car. It was early when I got home. Irish was watching some old movie. Roan was still out.  I was going to ask him where he had gone off to but decided my mood was rotten enough already.  I went to bed thinking, ‘To hell with this town.’