Two weeks later, Arthur had fed three more times and used his new Potential at least once each of those nights, usually more. Each time, the feeding got a little smoother, and a little less awkward. He started coming to terms with the fact that he needed to survive, so if an awkward situation or a bit of creepiness was the price, so be it. And each time he used his Potential, it felt a little stronger, and a little easier to control. He still was unable to make any kind of complex commands, and hadn’t gotten the chance to try it on another vampire. Though, there was a distinct difference between using Potential on an unsuspecting human as opposed to another vampire. Something about being aware of what was going on somehow made it more offensive. Yet even without practice, Arthur was confident. Persephone had told him that the vast majority of vampires were just regular, untrained people trying to get by on the day to day who rarely if ever received anything more than introductory training on Potentials.

  Meaning, if Arthur were to run into another run of the mill vampire and get into a scrape with them, his commands might work. But if Arthur were to run into any of Saint’s guys who were trained and experienced, for example, they likely wouldn’t succumb. On top of that, most vampires who served in any sort of bodyguard or combat capacity were often from the same bloodline that Lewis was; meaning they had significantly enhanced strength, endurance, and speed. Or combinations of those things. And Arthur didn’t fancy getting hit in the face by a punch that had the force of a truck behind it. Even with his new, tougher form, he might not be able to take a hit like that and get back up.

  Persephone had just left the Industry Bar after telling Arthur all this. He had gotten used to the small, haze-filled comfort of the place. The longer Arthur spent here the more obvious it became that this was actually a pretty popular place for vampires. Subtle, tucked away from the rest of the city, and frequently visited by the Baron’s heavies, so that any kinds of Ferals or other problem-causers typically didn’t show up here. Arthur also learned that there were actual blood cocktails on tap. What was even more amusing was that many vampires had followed in the footsteps of their human counterparts and attempted to make all sorts of drinks out of blood. But the Industry didn’t keep fresh blood on tap, because it was considered inhumane. And packaged blood never tasted as good as the real thing. Plus, Arthur had been learning to enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

  Sitting there alone, smoking a cigarette that provided no nicotine value, Arthur was certain that he had changed. Not just physically, of course, but mentally. Maybe changed for the worse in some ways, better in others. On the inside, he felt more alive than ever, and was starting to see the world from a fresh new perspective. Though, on the outside, he was a literal monster. It didn’t bother him. Regardless of the spirituality of being a vampire, he enjoyed it. He felt strong, confident, and dangerous. He liked hunting, and drinking blood. He enjoyed the feeling of overpowering mortals, physically or mentally. He hadn’t given a single thought to the precinct, as they must’ve fired him by now, wondering where he disappeared to. And to top it all off, he was surrounded by people he actually liked.

  He had to come meet all of the Baron’s Claws. Persephone, obviously, was generally in charge of making operations across all fronts run smoothly. Lewis was their enforcer. Shiang acquired all manner of things from guns to money to cars to people. The last two Claws were people Arthur had already met, though their ranks within the Baron’s hierarchy had been kept secret. Benny was the Baron’s information specialist, which made sense. He had done such a good job at playing the neutral broker only in it for the money, that vampires all over the city did work through him. And all of that information went straight to the Baron. Benny well and truly had his finger on the pulse of vampire society in Longley, all from the dingy basement underneath a police lab. Now, to Arthur, it made sense why Persephone always seemed to know everything about everything. Because she did.

  And then there was the last Claw of the group, making five. Arthur was equally surprised to find out who it was, but at the same time remembered that all he knew about Claudia was that she was dangerous, and all she cared about was getting ahead. So she fit the bill. Tonight, she sauntered into the Indsutry in a sleek, revealing red dress, high heels, carrying an expensive looking purse wearing perfect makeup and black, eye-catching lipstick. She looked far too well dressed compared to everyone else in the bar, and it showed, as gazes of lust, resentment and jealously shot her way. Arthur figured she must be used to it by now, because her perfectly practiced smile never broke. Though he had a feeling underneath it all, she held an equal amount of resentment in turn.

  But her smile broke as soon as Claudia saw Arthur leaning next to the backroom door, and she grinned, making her way over to him. All eyes were on them as Claudia wrapped Arthur in a friendly, but tight hug. Arthur couldn’t say he didn’t know every little game Claudia liked to play, but he did know she liked to be the center of attention. She had a delighted smile on her face as she released him and made their way into the backroom. As soon as the door closed she started gushing.

  “Oh my god! Look at you, you’re like a brand new man. A sexy one, at that,” she cooed. “God your hair! Wait, Percy dressed you, right? She must’ve, no way you went from your slobby, slouchy, albeit charming self to…this!”

  “Thanks, Claudia. Good to see you too. And no, actually, I picked these out. With Lysander’s help,” Arthur said, working to keep a stupid smile from crossing his face. Ever since reintroducing himself to her, now working on the same side, they had become downright friends. She was always bubbly and fun and pleasant, and even if it was all just to tease Arthur he still enjoyed her company. Plus, he knew that he’d rather have this side of her than the side that stuck enormous knives into people.

  As she sat down on the couch she made a face of disgust, running a finger along it, “Eyuck. When’s the last time you people cleaned this place? There’s a reason it’s half empty here. I could make this place really something, you know? Make it pop,” she said, making a pop sound at the end.

  “You’ll have to talk to Eddie, not me,” Arthur said, sitting across from her. “How’ve you been?”

  “ME?!” She said, “Who cares about me, let’s talk about you! Let’s see…first you were a cop,” she said rolling her eyes, “Then you worked for a bunch of asshole vampires who fucked my club up, and now you ARE a vampire!” She made an excited squealing sound, “You’ve come so far! I’m so proud of you!”

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  “Wait wait, what do you mean? Fucked your club up?”

  “Oh they didn’t tell you?” Claudia retrieved a long cigarette holder from her purse and inserted a cigarette, then leaned forward to have Arthur light it. He searched for a lighter among the various glasses and junk across the table between them, finding one and lighting the cigarette. She had a kind of abrasive charm.

  “Just after Percy met me at Syndrome, Saint sent a bunch of his guys my way and beat the shit out of some of my bouncers to get to my safe. They didn’t actually steal anything valuable, just tore the place apart looking for information. Thank god I wasn’t there. I’m so sick of those fucking guys.”

  “Sorry that happened,” Arthur said. “I kind of feel like I’m the one who caused all this mess, honestly. I was there when Aiden died. Got involved with Saint. Ended up, you know. Dying.”

  “How’d that feel?” Claudia said, leaning forward on the couch.

  “What, dying? I didn’t really feel anything. I was shoved off a four story building and just…fell. All I could think of when I was falling was how fast the ground was coming at me.”

  Claudia nodded, leaning back in her chair, dragging from the long cigarette holder in her fancy dress like some sort of nineteen-thirties actress.

  “Oh. Huh,” Arthur said to himself. Claudia looked at him with an eyebrow raised. “I just realized, I guess all vampires died at one point.”

  “That’s right,” Claudia said. “Lots of things that make us different. Some of us are total psychos, some are pretty cool. But all of us have been through some serious shit.”

  Arthur looked up at her, “How did you die?”

  “Art!” She cried, “It’s rude to ask a lady that, didn’t Persephone teach you anything about manners?” Arthur looked at her skeptically, and they both began to laugh.

  “Oh, you had me for a second,” Arthur said. “That was good. It’s always good to see you. It feels like despite all this crazy shit going on you’re one of the only people I really trust.”

  Claudia’s face turned serious, the second time ever Arthur had seen her like that. “Be careful who you trust, sweetheart. We might all work for the same guy right now, but everyone wants what the others have. And believe me, a lot of people would do nasty things to get where we are. Well, where I am.”

  “Where exactly is that?” Arthur asked. “I mean, I don’t really understand what you do. For the Baron, I mean.”

  “I’m the Gardener!”, she said. Arthur made a face. “I know, it sounds weird. I don’t actually garden. Ok. So, Longley is the Baron’s city. And he wants it to grow, and flourish, yadda yadda. To make that happen, he needs somebody who can create all sorts of beautiful places for people to spend time, meet up in safe spaces, and whatever else they might need. In fact, every city that’s worth a damn has a place like Syndrome. Neutral ground. Place where all our kind can go without having to worry about getting attacked, all under protection of the Baron.”

  “No shit,” Arthur said. “Are there other places like that in the city?”

  Claudia shook her head, “Just the one! But, I do have plenty of other properties that serve other purposes.” Claudia stood, leaning forward, flicking the ash off her cigarette into a glass bowl. As she sat back down, she chose a spot closer to Arthur.

  “I’ve got warehouses for all sorts of stuff. I’ve got places to buy all sorts of things. I’ve got different little hideaway spots too. To be fair, technically a lot of it is the Baron’s property, but I’m the one who runs it all. Keeps it all on the up and up. But I’ve got my own places too.” Claudia inched closer to Arthur as she spoke.

  “Some places more…private. In case you just need to, you know. Get away. By yourself or…with somebody,” she said, now just a few inches from Arthur. He kept eye contact with her, knowing this was just another one of her games. A way to tease him. She poked his shoulder gently with one nail and a beautiful smile spread across her lips. Arthur did everything in his willpower to keep his cool, knowing she was just messing with him. Probably.

  The door banged open as Lewis strode into the room, “Christ, you still trying to blow every single fuckin’ guy you see?”

  Claudia didn’t move, but her eyes flicked towards Lewis as he slumped down on the couch. “Only the smart ones, hence why I’ve never touched you,” she quipped. Lewis shot her a look, then Claudia’s face went back to it’s usual, mischievous look as she moved away from Arthur.

  “Jeez, all business with you two. Fine. I drove all the way down to this dump for you guys. Better tell me what you want before I get bored. Quick.”

  Lewis eyed her menacingly, “Remember who you work for. This isn’t a social call. We’re going to set up a meeting in your club with Santiago.”

  Claudia let out an exaggerated sigh, “Ah, always needing this, needing that. Never how are you, do you need anything to drink, thank you for keeping us all alive. See this is why I like Art here, he’s not a jerk like you.”

  “Whatever,” Lewis grunted. “Arthur, you’re gonna be there, orders from the boss. Persephone and I are gonna talk to Saint one on one and give him the gist; get the fuck out of the city or we’ll come down hard.”

  “Why does he want me there?” Arthur asked, as Claudia excitedly clapped her hands at the prospect of Arthur coming back to Syndrome again.

  “Believe it or not, but because you’re Persephone’s brat, you’re part of the club now. And most of us like you.”

  “Most of us?”

  Lewis just grunted, choosing not to elaborate. “Meeting’s happening in two days, at midnight.” Lewis pulled out his phone and tapped at it. “Here’s everything you need,” he said as Claudia’s own phone buzzed from her purse. “If you think we need more guys we can muscle the place up. Although, part of me wants Saint to do something stupid so I can break his fuckin’ neck right then and there.”

  Claudia wagged a finger, “Even you are beholden to the rules, Louie. No fighting allowed. But, if you want to tear him apart just outside, be my guest.”

  “You think this’ll work?” Arthur asked, directing the question at both of them.

  “Hell nah,” Lewis said. “But Persephone is a fucking snake when she wants to be. She’ll wring Saint dry until he reveals what the fuck they’re doing here, and he wont even know she did it. If he does act up, you know, worst comes to worst? like I said before. Broken neck.”

  “Well, well,” Claudia said standing, “I’ve got preparation to do. Art, do wear something nice. This time you get to be a VIP, in my club. That’ll be an experience you won’t forget,” she said, leaning down and kissing him on the cheek. She turned, leaning on one foot and making an unimpressed face at Lewis, “Louie,” she flatly. Then she left.

  “Better be careful with that one, she’s meaner n’ me when she wants to be,” Lewis said after she was gone.

  “I believe it. Seen it once, too,” Arthur said.

  “No shit?” Lewis said with a snort. “Well look kid, what’s coming up, I get the feeling is gonna end up ugly. Santiago and his goons are wild dogs. Knowing them they’ll cause trouble wherever they can. But Persephone wants you there, which means she trusts you. So don’t do anything stupid, ok? If shit hits the fan keep your head down.”

  “I’m not a kid, Lewis. You don’t have to treat me like one. Believe it or not, I’ve been through some fucked up shit.”

  Lewis eyed Arthur for a moment, then nodded. “I believe you. Still doesn’t mean I’m not gonna tell you to act smart. You’re the backup. Don’t do anything unless we do, got it?”

  Arthur nodded. His bluster was just a response to Lewis always acting above him. But inside, he was thankful to not have to be in the middle of the meeting. Not to be in the middle of the chaos, for once.

  “I can do that.”