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Blood Thief Box Set(35)

By:Mac Flynn


A small smile slipped onto his lips. "Yes. A valuable item like that has changed hands quite often."

I arched an eyebrow. "So you're saying this is the same fleece?"

"There is no other that I know if," he quipped.

"So what's so special about it that you want to get involved?" I persisted.

Simon seated himself on the arm of the couch and set his hands in his lap. "A tale that is not told is when it fell into the hands of a very wealthy individual by the name of Midas."

I furrowed my brow. "Midas? Like in the touch?"

He nodded. "Yes. He was favored by a god and was granted the ability to change anything into gold merely by touching it. Unfortunately, the touch was not limited to inanimate objects, but to food and other people. The gift was eventually rescinded, but not before he touched his most prized possession."

I shrugged. "What's the big deal about that? Wasn't it already gold?"

"It was, but when his god-granted gift came into contact with the divine object the fleece was changed into something more than merely the golden skin of a sheep. The fleece itself was then granted the ability to change anything wrapped in its folds to gold."

I blinked at him. "Seriously?"

Simon stood. "I would not joke about a matter that pertains to such wealth."

I frowned. "So if you knew this was real then how come you haven't got a hold of this thing sooner?"

"It was lost to time since the early medieval period. How it came to drop into the hands of the good doctor we can only speculate, but that is hardly the concern." He glanced at his watch. "The night district should be quite busy by this time. We can expect to find the proprietors of the clubs at their usual dens."

I stepped in front of him and held up both hands. "Wait a sec. I'll admit something making gold like that is cool, but what's the rush?"

"The rush is we must find the thieves before they learn its value and sell it on the Black Auction," he explained to me.

I sighed. "All right, I'll bite. What's the Black Auction, and what'll happen if it gets on it?"

Simon smiled and opened his arm to me. "I will explain in the car."





CHAPTER 2





We found Certus waiting for us in the parking garage, and in a few minutes we were driving down the road. I took my usual seat opposite Simon as he restarted our conversation.

"The Black Auction carries more than the usual trade of illicit human goods," he explained as he crossed his legs and set his hands in his lap. "Valuable items prized by those aware of the paranormal also pass through its house."

I arched an eyebrow. "Like what?"

He glanced out the tinted window to his right. "Blessed holy water, tomes filled with ancient curses, bottles capable of capturing souls." His eyes flickered to me and a sly smile slipped onto his lips. "There is even the occasional aphrodisiac for those undead who wish for a more pleasing evening."

I rolled my eyes. "All right, I get it, it's a shopping mall for the paranormal. So what happens if the fleece hits the market?"

He pursed his lips. "A feeding frenzy will occur, and the winner of such an auction will recoup their losses by starting a production line through the fleece. The gold market will be flooded with once-worthless items, and the price will collapse."

I shrugged. "So what? A lot of countries aren't on the gold standard anymore."

He turned to me and frowned. "But I still am."

My mouth slowly dropped open. "Are. . .are you doing this so you don't lose your shirt on gold?"

Simon turned away from me and a sly smile graced his lips. "Among other reasons." He leaned back and spread one arm across the back of his seat. "I must admit I am curious to see the fleece. It isn't every day one sees a relic more ancient than I."

I snorted. "I'm sure you two will have a lot to talk about, but how are we supposed to even find it?"

Simon watched the world sweep by. "A little skill, and a little luck."

I slumped down in my seat and frowned. "So you're telling me you don't have any idea where to start?"

He pulled out the slip of paper given to him by Dolf and tossed it to me. I juggled the paper before getting a firm grasp on it. "The address in the club district will give us a starting point. From there we will follow the trail of most thieves and learn its whereabouts."

I studied the address and frowned. "There's a lot of businesses in that part of town, and I heard it's a pretty rough place."

He turned to me and flashed a toothy grin. "I am sure we will be able to handle ourselves. As for the businesses, I have an old-well, we shall call her an acquaintance."

I looked up from the paper and scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He chuckled. "Jealous?"

I jabbed the paper into a pocket. "No, but if you've had multiple partners I'd like to know. STDs might not be particular about living and undead bodies."

He smiled and returned his gaze to the window. "You have nothing to fear from either of those quarters. The woman is an acquaintance, and recently acquired a valuable club along the strip. The thieves may have tried to pass the fleece through one of her connections."

We reached the club district, a red-light area filled bright neon signs, blaring music, and crowded sidewalks. The curbs were a constant flow of cars that picked up and dropped off club-goers. The streetlights illuminated the colorful outfits of the club clientele as they flowed into the open doors of the low buildings. Beyond the doors were flickering lights, alcohol, drugs, and bad music.

Certus parked us on a curb in front of one of the larger buildings. A long line began at the closed double-doors and snaked its way down the block.

I stepped out and tilted my head back to read the sign over the door. "The Four Horsemen?"

Simon stepped up beside me and followed my gaze. "The previous owner's idea. She had an unusual sense of humor."

"So what happened to her?" I wondered.

His eyes swept over the crowd. "As what happens with every greedy individual. Her greed forced her into a deal too far."

I studied his face. "Sounds like someone I know right now."

He smiled down at me and offered me his arm. "I will be mindful to check my greed, but after this interesting adventure."

I sighed, but accepted his arm. Simon led me through the crowds and to the front door. A burly gorilla-like man stood beside the pair of doors. He sneered at us.

Simon met the thing's dark gaze without hesitation. "We have brooms to deliver."

The guard narrowed his eyes, but jerked his head over his shoulder in the direction of the doors. Simon bowed his head and led me past the bouncer and into the large noisy room that made up the club. The walls were covered in thick red curtains, and at the back was a small stage. In front of the stage was a dance floor, and against the curtains stood the tables for those not dancing.

"'We have brooms to deliver?'" I asked Simon.

He chuckled. "You will see."

Simon led me to the right rear corner of the room. There was a side hall that led to a back door, and at the opening to the hall was a door, and on the door was a plaque that read 'Janitor.' Simon opened the door and revealed a staircase in the floor. More bad music hit our ears, but at least this music wasn't so loud.

We hurried down the stairs, careful to shut the door behind us, and arrived in a subterranean basement. Round tables were placed around the perimeter, and in the center was a boxing ring. Two participants were locked in combat. My eyes widened when I realized one was a werewolf, and the other appeared to be some sort of man-bear.

"So the handsome Simon Cruor graces us with a visit," a female voice spoke up.

We turned to our left and my eyes fell on a short woman. She had a slim, beautiful face with a becoming figure if she didn't wear baggy dress pants and a vest and white shirt. Her head was covered in a large green cloth hat that made her look like a mushroom. Behind her followed a tall, muscular man with thick brown sideburns and eyes that reminded me of Fortis.

She stopped in front of us and eyed Simon. "And might I add you don't look a day over two hundred."

Simon smiled and bowed to her. "Good evening, Lady Gorgon."

She frowned and waved her hand. "Not that name. It's Georgina, remember?"

His smile danced across his lips. "My apologies. My memory is not what it used to be."

She tilted her head back and laughed. "I'm sure." Her eyes fell on me. "And who do we have here? A new recruit into our world?"

Simon gestured between us. "Miss Faith Luvena, allow me to introduce you to Georgina-"

"Just Georgina," she finished for him as she held out her hand to me. "A pleasure to meet you, Faith."

I gave it a good shake and smiled. "Likewise."

Georgina withdrew her hand and cradled her shaking hand in her other palm. She looked me up and down before a sly smile slipped onto her lips. Georgina turned to Simon. "A few more bites from you and she won't have to worry about her complexion."

I frowned. "What's that mean?" She shrugged, so I glanced at Simon and jerked my head towards the woman. "What's she talking about?"

Simon ignored me and kept his eyes on the woman, though his smile grew strained. "There is some business I would like to discuss with you."