Larissa nodded, not sure what she could add to that.
Beside the stone giants was a man. He was human unless excessive greasiness was a special characteristic of one of the new races. He was in charge of admittance – allowing entrance at his whim, denying those who seemed to have a problem with him putting his hand under their skirts. Anyone who voiced disappointment was given a look by a giant, after which they slunk away.
As they walked toward the door, something that looked like a cherub with a mustache zoomed around them. When he saw Fallon a small scream erupted from him and he headed for the door, waving chubby arms. “Boss, she’s here!”
Fallon approached, her gaze focused entirely on the greasy man. Aislynn was on lookout, constantly taking in their surroundings and the people around them.
They stopped in front of the giants, ignoring the loud complaints of those in line who they jumped in front of. Fallon said, “Seemus, nice to see you at the door today.”
The oily man’s lips compressed together, his eyes giving a slow rake over Fallon’s body in an obvious and distasteful show of dominance. It might have worked if he wasn’t noticeably shorter than the swordswoman. “You’ve been summoned, I assume?”
“Would I be here otherwise?”
“You have to leave the sword,” Seemus said, taking a step back to situate himself between the two stone giants, getting out of Fallon’s reach while allowing the giants a clear path to her.
Fallon eyed the two giants and snorted. They did not like this probably rare display of fearlessness, for both brought themselves to their full height in preparation for a fight. Fallon took a step closer. “Tenro goes where I go, and as I’ve been summoned, I’m going inside.”
Seemus made a small motion with his hand and stepped back even further inside the doorway. “I’m afraid my orders are very specific. No weapons ever. You need to go now, and tell Wulver to send someone more respectful.”
“Which means you are denying me?” Fallon asked, and smiled. Larissa had seen rabid dogs snarl with more warmth. “After the day I’ve had, that is excellent news.”
The stone giants took a step forward.
Inside the club, the silvery curtains that separated the front doorway from the club entrance billowed inward as Seemus flew between them. He landed on the edge of the dance floor, out cold. The two nearest fey didn’t stop their dancing.
Fallon came through the door, stepping on Seemus’ body as she entered. Aislynn was a little gentler, stepping over the unconscious man and directing Larissa to do the same.
Aislynn kept a hand on her elbow, but that pressure was nothing in comparison to all the other stimuli butting against her senses. Breathing wasn’t the best idea here, as thick smoke and the earthy, sharp smells of herbs and spices – even money most were of a narcotic nature – clogged her sinuses. The lights went from too bright to deepest dark and back again in mere seconds, not letting eyes adjust. Underneath the too loud music were snippets of conversation in dozens of languages, with most of them not a human variation.
Fallon led the way, her gate steady and sure as she made a path toward the back of the club, her head never turning to take in any of the sights, though how she could be immune to the sight of the tall elf in a tuxedo dancing with the short, bearded dwarf in a wedding dress was a mystery.
What kind of place was this?
Better question, what kind of woman was this Oracle?
Fallon reached the back and flung aside a set of dark silk curtains to show a door. Without knocking, Fallon opened it and stepped inside
It was 1001 Nights in live action. Everyone here wore body-baring, jewel-toned outfits right out of a harem scene.
Their actions belonged in a harem, people all around engaging in acts of hedonism that would make the most jaded courtesan blush.
Dear gods, I never knew a man could do that. I need to find another cuss out when some guy makes me really mad…
“So why the hell did we need to come here to you?”
Fallon’s pissed off voice knocked through Larissa’s shock at the acts she was witnessing. It took a few moments to focus on the swordswoman, standing a few feet away from a teal blue settee that adorned the middle of the room. The settee was surrounded by men and women, all of them tall and lithe and so beautiful Larissa had to check the urge to start smoothing her hair and clothes in their presence. The way Fallon stood blocked the person she was talking to.
A few steps closer, and the face of the Oracle came into view.
She looked human to Larissa eyes – and it wasn’t as if she was wearing a lot of clothing to hide any parts that might not be – but her coloring could best be described as dipped in gold. Velvety brown skin, thick dark hair, near black eyes, but all held a deep golden sheen that was as beautiful as it was unusual. The woman was beyond stunning.