Bloodshed

Chapter Twenty: Whatever it Takes pt. 1 (Linc's POV)

I hated Vegas. It was too bright, too loud, and too damn busy. But this is where Aiden said he and Simone tracked down the grimoire before they spotted Master. So, as much as I hated it--and him--this is where I needed to be. 

"Alright, I'm pretty sure this is the place." Aiden said, putting his hands on his hips and looking up at the building. It was like everything else in this city, bright, loud, and crowded. 

I groaned out loud, already dreadin' having to push my way through all the people. "Man, that's what you said about the last three strip joints we hit up. You sure you ain't just tryin' to perve on some helpless humans?"

The blond vamp didn't pay me no mind. He didn't even so much as look back when he trudged up to the door. A giant human with a clipboard and sunglasses stopped us at the entrance, but thanks to blondie's Influence, it only took a few seconds for us to get past him and head inside. 

"This is definitely it." Aiden whispered next to me. 

I started to ask how he knew, when a smell tickled my nose. It was earthy and spiced with sage and warmth. The scent of earth magic. The scent of the witch we were looking for.

"Talia is here." Aiden said, sounding serious for once. "Downstairs, in the basement."

"Shew, 'bout damn time." I huffed, clapping him on the back. "Now let's get that book and get the fuck outta here." 

He gave me a nod and led the way through the gaggle of people hoopin' and hollering at the girls moving onstage. There must've been a lot more folks in here than I thought, 'cause the further into the crowd we got, the closer together we were packed in. Before I knew it, Aiden and I were being smooshed against each other, shoving back the bodies that were closing in on us. 

"What the fuck?" I growled, elbowing someone who slammed into my back. "What're these assholes tryin' to pull?"

"It's Talia." Aiden said, fighting off a skin-head that was trying to put him in a headlock. "She must know we're here." 

"She treat all her visitors this way?" I snarled, flinging two guys off my arms. "Damn, I'd hate to see the way she'd do an enemy."

"You are an enemy." A woman's voice, cool and smooth, cut through the roaring of the crowd. Everything went quiet, and the people in front of us parted, making way for a woman. She was tall and thick, wearing a silky piece of bright orange fabric that popped against her cocoa skin. It was draped over her shoulders, came down to cover just her nipples, then flowed down to hide the spot between her legs. 

I glanced at Aiden, expecting his tongue to be hanging out of his head, but did a double-take instead. The horndog was actually keeping his eyes on hers, standing up straight with his hands behind his back. 

Huh, go figure. 

"Well, you are the enemy, Aiden." The woman said, looking Aiden up and down with disapproval. "You, on the other hand," she paused to look at me. "You I do not know. Tell me, cambion, what are you doing with this vampire? Are you in possession of a lecherous heart, too? Or are you his latest toy?"

"Toy?!" I gaped.

"Talia!" Aiden snapped. 

She smirked, glancing from me to blondie. "What? I was curious. You wouldn't be the first man Aiden has taken to bed." 

"He ain't takin' me to bed, lady." I bit out. 

Talia looked me up and down a few more seconds, then turned away. "Hmm, such a shame. It would be a delight to watch you two together." 

I gulped but managed to keep my cool. "Welp, sorry to disappoint, but I'm strictly giddy for titty." 

She stopped to shoot me a glance over her shoulder. And then she smirked, while speaking to Aiden. "Why have you sought me out, vampire? I thought we agreed never to speak to each other again after you and Simone fucked your way through my entire coven."