Page 6 of The Dancer and the Dark
“Exactly.” Tenzin perched on the edge of her loft. “She started out with typical brothels as a human, but as she made more money, she wanted to distinguish herself and her clubs.”
Chloe smiled. “Gotta have an angle, right?”
“As there was no lack of brothels in New Orleans, you are correct. Marie-Hélène was educated—self-educated, I mean. She was an avid book collector and had read about geisha culture in Japan. She was determined to create an American equivalent in what she considered the most cultured city in the Americas.”
“New Orleans, of course.”
“Of course.” Tenzin waved a careless hand. “What was New York at the time? Nothing but banks according to Marie-Hélène. She had sex workers upstairs in her clubs, but that was for an extra fee. Social-club members could visit her houses for more chaste entertainment. Her employees were trained singers and dancers, musicians of all kinds. Trained conversationalists who were educated and informed about business and current events. She always had a few who could speak different languages for visiting dignitaries, and artists of all kinds. Painters especially. Sometimes poets would stay there just so they could write poetry about her regulars.”
Chloe smiled. “That’s kind of brilliant.”
“Very brilliant. Not only did she make far more money than her competitors, she counted many prominent people as friends. And since her clubs were classified as social clubs, their friendship could be public. She was considered an art patron, not a sex broker.”
Chloe could definitely see why Marie-Hélène had attracted immortal attention. “And after she became a vampire?”
“Not much changed except she and her sire started numerous other clubs around the country and eventually around the world. Many still operate in much the same way as her original clubs. They are members-only and very exclusive.”
“That sounds like something Gavin would admire.”
“I haven’t met her, but Ben and I have visited many of her clubs around the world. Like Gavin’s, they are strictly neutral ground. And yes, very entertaining.”
“Sounds like someone I’d really love to meet.”
“She will adore you and probably try to get you to work for her.” Tenzin stared at Chloe. “If she does, tell her that you are blood bound to Gavin. It’s the only thing that might make her back off.”
Well, that got intense quickly. “Okay.” Chloe cleared her throat. “I’m sure we’ll get along just fine, Tenzin. I wouldn’t worry about…” She felt her phone buzzing in her pocket. “Oh look, my phone.”
She pulled out her mobile and stared at the screen, surprised by the name that popped up.
Mother.
Chloe debated not answering the phone, but it must have been urgent in some way. She usually only spoke to her parents on major holidays and their birthdays.
She pressed the button to answer. “Hello, Mom. How are you?”
“Chloe?” Her mother cleared her throat. “I… I’m glad you answered. I didn’t want to email, and sometimes you don’t respond to my calls.”
She frowned. Her mother sounded as if she’d been crying. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m afraid it’s your father. He’s had a heart attack.”
“What?” Chloe’s knees gave out. Her bottom hit the chair. “Is he—?”
“I’m sorry, Chloe. He didn’t survive.”
Chloe’s head began to swim, and she felt light-headed. “No.”
“He went quickly. I wasn’t able to…” Her mother cleared her throat again. “He’s gone, Chloe. Your father is dead.”
3
Gavin woke to the dark confines of his day chamber in his Garden District home. He’d bought it around the time he’d started his club in Houston, and he hadn’t been disappointed with the purchase. It was a grand old manor that had been built by a wealthy shipping magnate in the nineteenth century.
He’d modified it for his own use, hired a trusted housekeeper, and used it every few years. When he wasn’t in residence, he rented the space to Marie-Hélène for a reasonable price for guests she couldn’t accommodate in her own compound.
Gavin glanced at his phone and saw a missed call from Chloe and two from Audra. “Cara, call Audra.”
“Calling Audra, mobile.”
