As soon as I got to the building, I realized that I hadn't been here before and everything about this place felt weird. It was as if it was scentless. That wasn't possible.
I sat and smiled at the receptionist and she did the same with me, but there was a hesitancy in her response. I needed her cooperation. Finding allies against Fagua's father wasn't going to be easy. But my men in the casino assured me this was the place to go if we wanted information on new visitors to our city.
"Hi," I said, as if it would make her more comfortable. I looked around. The whole room was empty except for a few couches and a coffee table littered with magazines.
"Is there something I can do for you?" she asked.
I was going to ask her if she'd seen my name on her list or if I should book another meeting, but I stopped myself. She was impeccably dressed, and she looked as if she'd been professionally groomed. She was perfectly manicured and as straight as an arrow.
"I'm here for a meeting. I'm sorry I'm late…"
"Oh, are you with the casino? You're right on time. He's ready for you. He's in his office."
She walked past me and held the door open, then smiled.
I stepped into the office and saw a man standing at the back of the room. He was looking out the window and was wearing a black tailored suit. From here, I could tell that he wasn't human. I gave the receptionist a nod and she closed the door behind me.
"Hello, I'm here about Fagua," I said to the man's back.
I was surprised that I'd managed to keep my voice calm considering I felt anything but. I looked at him, and he turned slowly around to face me. He was a balding man who appeared to be in his fifties. His skin was so white that it looked almost transparent, and the deep black of his eyes stood out like the two holes in a skull.
"Ah, so this must be the youngest of the brothers," he said. His voice was soft, but it was in a way that meant that he agreed with you even when he didn't.
"I'd like to negotiate. Leave Fagua alone and—"
"I'm afraid that's out of the question."
My hands balled into fists and my wolf growled in my chest.
"Sit down," he said, waving a hand at one of the chairs in front of his desk.
When I remained standing, he took off his jacket and placed it on the back of his chair.
"My name is Alister."
My eyes widened. This man was the most powerful vampire in all of the country, and I was meeting him. Which meant we were in more serious trouble than any of us realized.
"We're tracking down a rogue vampire we believe your Fagua has been helping." Alister nodded as if I'd told him information that he already knew. "As I said, these matters are beyond negotiation."
"She's not responsible for what other vampires do." I managed to control my voice as I said it.
"It doesn't matter," Alister whispered. "She knows very well that if she lets vampires run amok, then innocent people will die."