Free Blood Slave: A Realm Walker Novel by Kathleen Collins Page B

we find out anything of interest on Morgan?”
    “You mean other than what we already knew?”
    She nodded. They did have quite a bit of information on the man but it was all easily obtained public intel. She didn’t know one politician that put his true self out there for the world to see. And that’s what Morgan was, a glorified politician. He might not hold an office, but he ran the city just the same and if he didn’t keep up appearances or he showed any weakness, he could find that all in jeopardy.
    “Not much other than the city just rebuilt a bridge and named it after him. I don’t see how that matters for anything, though.”
    “Keep digging. I need to get going or I’m going to be late.”
    “Sure thing,” he said then grinned. “Have fun at work, Jennifer.”
     
    ***
     
    River Market had an entirely different vibe after dark. The streets teemed with people. Among them she could pick out discretely clothed police officers, trying to keep the peace and the drug problem under control. Prostitutes walked the streets, openly displaying their wares. Of course, some of them had on more than Juliana did. It was November in the Midwest after all. Thankfully she’d remembered to bring her duster and had it wrapped around her. She’d taken a cab to the club as Nathaniel intended to drive down later and scope out the scene as a patron. He’d hang around and give her a ride at the end of her shift.
    As she got out in front of the club, she glanced up and down the street. Outnumbering the prostitutes, the johns, the dealers and the cops were the blood slaves. She still couldn’t get over how easy they were to spot here. Every time she’d encountered them previously, they were discrete and shuttled in and out of side doors and alleys. Or they were companions to a single vampire. Here they were on display, showing their bites as if they were expensive pieces of jewelry. They were as busy trying to snag a vamp to snack on them as the prostitutes were trying to pick up a trick. Thomas would flip if he saw this in his territory and it instantly made her think less of Morgan for allowing it to go on here.
    The leprechaun was back on door duty and he held it open for her, dipping his head in greeting as she walked by. The club was packed. Music thrummed through the building and a winged light fae gyrated against a pole while wearing nothing but six inch heels. Juliana blinked as the woman made a move that she previously wouldn’t have thought possible. That had to be painful, but the dancer didn’t miss a step or let her smile slip for an instant.
    “Like what you see?” The voice came from right beside her, making her jump. Morgan. She hadn’t even seen him approach. Granted, she’d been mildly distracted by the fae stripper, but she didn’t like that he’d been able to surprise her. Didn’t like it at all.
    Plastering on a smile, she turned to face him. “She’s very…flexible.” She gestured to the room around them. “It’s much busier than I expected.”
    “Come with me. I’ll show you where to stow your stuff.”
    She followed him through the crowd. Either he had a knack for moving through it, or they all instinctively got out of his way. He showed her to a locker and she hung her duster inside. There were a couple of strippers at the tables at the back of the room, but after an initial glance in their direction, the women ignored her and Morgan. He gave a low whistle as she turned around and he tilted his head in appreciation. “Nice. You turned out better than I thought you would. You looked too lean in what you were wearing today. I like the girls to have curves, but you’ll do.”
    “Um…thanks. I think.”
    He flashed his teeth at her, showing her that his fangs were out.
    She widened her eyes in feigned surprise and took a step back.
    He frowned and then understanding dawned. He pointed at his mouth. “Those?” He retracted his fangs. “Sorry. The tourists expect it. Don’t want to