Ripper (Hunter #1)(55)

“The girlfriend experience?” I’d heard the term before. Rather than simple sex some johns wanted to “date” their prostitutes.

“For many, this is the way they find female companionship,” Marcus explained. “In the past, slaves would be taken or human lovers would be found.”

I stared at the throng on the dance floor. They were carefree and young and it was Saturday night. I didn’t think I’d had many Saturday nights like this. “So why don’t the vampires take human lovers anymore? It would make things easier.”

“And when the humans decide to leave? In the past when a vampire took a human lover, the woman or man in question became the property of all Vampire. It’s one of the ways a slave was made. The slave was never allowed to leave. Another place for the human would be found if the relationship became tenuous, but once you entered our world you did not leave.”

No wonder the king was having trouble. He’d upset the entire foundation of the vampire world when he freed the slaves. “So a vampire can’t take a human?”

“It must be approved by the Council,” Marcus replied. “The vampire cannot reveal his secret to the human until he or she has been approved and that approval is hard to come by. There are, of course, some who know the truth. It’s easier to get those approved. If a woman is in this club, then she is considered fair game. She knows our world and is a part of it. This is why it’s dangerous for you to go about unescorted. You’re beautiful and vibrant, and any number of vampires would love to drag you away and make you theirs.”

I laughed at the thought of some vamp dragging me off by my hair. “So they’re going to think I’ve already been claimed since I’m with you.”

“Yes, they will assume I have taken you as my lover. Since I’m on the Council, they will believe the relationship has been approved. You’re under my protection.”

“And who was supposed to protect the girls who work the club?”

We walked around the dance floor and into a smaller room. People here were playing cards and talking quietly. It was a lounge and it was much easier to have a discussion here. The vampire quickly found an empty couch and indicated a place for me to sit.

“A woman, a former slave, runs the vampire club you saw me at last night,” Marcus explained. “Her name is Stacy Sears. I’ll introduce you tomorrow. She and Devinshea set up this system and she’ll be able to give you the names of the women in the photos. I’ll make sure she answers all of your questions.”

He said it like he was going to have to use force. Tomorrow was going to be very interesting.

“Vorenus.” A low growl came from the doorway to the lounge.

Marcus and I turned to see a huge, hulking man inhabiting the doorway. He quickly stalked over to meet his prey. He moved with a fluid grace that had only one word to describe it—werewolf.

Marcus didn’t seem to be at all intimidated by the wolf, but he moved closer to me. He put his arm around the back of the couch above my shoulders. It told the wolf that Marcus had already laid his claim. I doubted it was necessary. Wolves didn’t tend to have relationships with non-wolves for anything more than an occasional one-night stand.

“Joseph.” Marcus acknowledged the wolf with a slight nod.

“We have a problem and you’re the only one who can solve it.” The wolf didn’t sit, preferring to stare down at the vampire.

“Well, I’ll do whatever I can to help,” Marcus offered graciously. “Kelsey, this is Joseph Castle. He’s the local alpha for the werewolves.”

The alpha looked me over. “Kelsey Atwood? You the girl Trent told me about? You the one he warned my son to stay away from?”

“I suppose so, though I have no idea who Trent is.” I could see the similarities between Joseph and his son Darren. They were both tall, dark, and completely annoying.

“Trent is the head of the queen’s security. My boy can be an idiot sometimes,” Joseph said with a sigh. “He was telling everyone who would listen how he scared the hell out of you and sent you running. I told him it wasn’t something to brag about, scaring a woman.”

“I think I held my ground well enough, Mr. Castle,” I said with a smile. Darren had been telling tales.

Joseph’s eyes went from me to Marcus, taking in how close we were. I could easily see he was making the deductions Marcus wanted him to make. “I don’t think my boy knows you have powerful…friends. You should be careful around vampires, miss. Lots of girls seem to be missing lately.”

Marcus’s arm came down around my shoulder and curled softly. It was a request. I kept my mouth shut because sometimes I can get my questions answered without ever saying a word.

“Which girls?” Marcus asked without a hint of deception. He was good.

“Patty Kincaid and Britney Miles,” Joseph said. “Neither one has been seen or heard from in a couple of weeks. Both of those girls were pretty wild. It isn’t the first time Patty’s up and left and Britney was having trouble with her mom. Darren tells me this doe he’s been friends with is missing, too. She’s the girl you’re looking for, right?”

He was looking directly at me and I answered him. “Yes, she is. I was hired to find her by her mother.”

“You got anything yet?”