Page 40 of Help Wanted, Vampires Inquire Within
Mason
The sign on the door of the Downard Dog said the bar was closed for a private event. Despite the sign, Remy didn’t hesitate.He stepped around Mason, opened the door, and walked right in.
“I guess we’re the private event,” Mason said, leading his mates into the bar. It was smaller and with less amenities than the other bar the Lobo Gris Pack owned. Still, it was clean with a good selection of beer and a favorite hangout for many non-humans who lacked community or needed a safe place.
The running joke was that Lobo Gris was only half wolf shifters, and the rest were adopted from other species, including humans, a pixie, and a druid.
The room was shaped in an L with the bar running down half the length of the long wall. The bottom of the L was the larger front section of the bar with a row of picture windows similar to Joy, but without any wards or spells. This place was open to anyone who wanted a drink.
Once they were inside, Mason noticed a distinct division in the room. Most people present were gathered in the front section with a tightly packed group in the back . Everyone was sitting in chairs except for one person in an old wingback chair. Because the chair’s back was turned, Mason couldn’t see who was in it but he had a guess from stories he’d heard.
“I see Maddy and Tag!” Skyler declared. She slipped past Mason and rushed to the back.
Mason tried to go after her, but Jack grabbed him and pulled him back. “I see a hobgoblin aura over there. I think it’s in the big chair!”
“Yeah, I know,” Mason said as they watched Skyler round the wingback and turn to face the occupant. Looking over at Jack, he almost chuckled at the vampire's expression. There was nothing more powerful than a hobgoblin, except perhaps demi-gods. Everyone used magic, but hobgoblins could draw directly from the void, where all magic originated.
“Sopek!” Skyler cried out and leaned over with her arms open.
“Sopek?” Jack whispered. “How does she know the hobgoblin's name?”
It was Mason’s turn to be surprised. “I have no idea.”
Tobias, an old and powerful vampire, stepped close. “Jack, Mason, it’s good to see you both.”
They turned to face him. “How does Skyler know Sopek?” Jack asked the other vampire.
“You’ll have to ask her,” Tobias said, then held up a warning hand. “But only after the book club is over. Do not disturb the book club or you might not live to regret it.”
By now, Skyler had straightened up and taken a chair between Cora and Briar. The book she was holding lifted into the air and floated to the wingback chair. A small, clawed hand grabbed it. Sopek must’ve said something because Skyler smiled and nodded.
“She looks happy, and Sopek has never hurt anyone in the book club,” Mason said. “I’ve heard he gave Imani and her flock void magic.”
Mason didn’t think it was possible, but Jack paled beyond his normal fair complexion. “He infused their auras with magic straight from the void? No, that’s impossible.”
“Not only is it possible but it happened,” Tobias confirmed. “When Imani and her flock get here later, you’ll be able to see it.”
Jack shook his head. “I’m shocked by the amount of magic in this area. Far more than any other place I’ve ever lived.”
“Same,” Tobias agreed. “They’ll be at this for at least a few hours. Come join us. Mikey has some laced blood. It doesn't take away all the worry, but it helps.”
Mason waited for Jack to follow Tobais before he joined them at the end of the bar. He could see the hobgoblin now. It amazed Mason that so much power could be held in such tiny bodies.
“It boggles the mind, doesn’t it?” Jack murmured, picking up Mason’s thoughts. The longer they were together, the betterthey got at hearing through their bonds. “Nothing should be so powerful. But at least they’re mostly benign.”
“Mostly,” Mason grumbled. “Until they get annoyed and cause a tsunami.”
“That was only once,” Jack said.
“That we know of,” Mason reminded him, then picked up the beer Mikey set in front of him. He hadn’t felt this tense since first meeting Skyler. It wasn’t that he thought Sopek would do anything, but he hated the idea of something that powerful so close. He liked it better when he was one of the most powerful creatures in the room.
He really wanted to relax so Skyler could enjoy this night without feeling his tension.
He picked up the beer and downed half it in one long swallow. “Thanks, Mikey. I’m going to need two more of these and two shots of whatever.”
Mikey gave him a knowing look. “I’ll get you the same stuff I drink every book club. It’s got a bite but won’t make you feel like shit tomorrow.”
“Great,” Mason said as Jack leaned close and rubbed his back with a comforting hand. “Then I’ll take three.”
