Bloodlust

I momentarily panicked. I didnt have any money. And I was wearing a schoolboys clothes that hadnt been in style since the turn of the century.

"Callie, I think " I began, trying to come up with an alternate idea for our evening when the front door swung open to greet us.

"Good evening. Are you guests of the house?" The mans eyes flicked down my old clothes. I was wildly underdressed for this venue, and I knew it. Callie, however, looked radiant.

"Yes," Callie jumped in, straightening her shoulders.

"And your names?"

From the way Callies lips flattened, I could tell she hadnt realized there was a guest list. I stepped in front of her, suddenly inspired. "Were the Picards. Remy and his wife, Calliope."

"One moment, sir." The man waddled in his slippers over to a podium holding a list that almost certainly did not include Mr. Remy Picards name. He turned a page, then turned it back.

"What are you doing, Stefan?" Callie whispered.

"I have it under control," I said quietly. "Just smile and look pretty."

The man returned, looking genuinely distressed.

"Im terribly sorry, sir, but your name is not on our list for tonight." He glanced around, as if ready to beckon a security guard if we made trouble.

I want you to let us in without asking us any more questions, I thought, channeling all my energy. "Wed really like to come in," I said aloud, concentrating on looking deep into his eyes, ignoring Callies curious gaze boring into my back. "Are you sure you didnt see our names on the list?"

The mans eyes flickered.

Let us in without looking at the list.

"You know, I believe Imighthave seen your names. In fact, Im sure I did. The Picards! Im sorry. It was my confusion. Right this way," he said, a slightly vacant expression on his face. He led us through large double doors and into a sumptuous parlor. Low crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the air smelled of jasmine, magnolia, and freesia.

"Enjoy your stay at Madame Xs. And if I can be of any assistance to either of you, dont hesitate to come fetch me," the man said, turning on his heel.

"Thank you," I said.

Callie simply stood there, looking slack-jawed at me. "How did you do that?"

I shrugged. "I just made him doubt himself. He wouldnt want to say no to the Picards, whoever they are. Besides, what if our nameswereon the list, and he said no to us, then we complained to the owner?" Secretly, I was thrilled. My Power was strengthening.

"So I take it that this isnt your first time sneaking in where you dont belong?"

I glanced at her slyly. "You of all people should know that to be true."

She laughed, and I gave her an impromptu twirl. People stared at us. Even though a pianist was playing a jaunty tune in the corner, this wasnt a room where people danced. Instead, guests drifted from one conversation to the next as they sucked on cigars and gulped down champagne.

"Do you know anyone here?" I asked as we brushed past couple after couple, all clad in finery.

Callie shrugged, the shadow of a frown crossing her face. She glanced around the room. "They all hate Father. They say hes a Unionist whos taking advantage of New Orleans with his business. And perhaps he is, but at least his show doesnt pretend to be something its not," she said, jutting her chin.

I shifted in my seat. Wasnt that exactly what I was doing? Pretending to be someone I wasnt? I couldnt look at her, in case she could see the depths of my lies in my eyes.

A server came by with a tray laden with champagne. I grabbed two glasses.

"Cheers," I said, handing one to Callie.

As we sipped the bubbling liquid, conversations swirled around us, growing louder and more boisterous with every tray of drinks the waiters brought out to serve. Mens movements grew more languid, women laughed more readily.

"Is your father ready for the next show?" I asked, forcing a conversational note to my voice.

"I suppose so."

"Who will the vampire be fighting?"

"I dont know," Callie said. "A crocodile, or maybe a tiger. It depends on what Father can get on such short notice. Why?"

I shrugged noncommittally. "I want to place a bet."

"Father wants something cheap. Hes worried people wont pony up as much money for another animal fight. It seems the monsters much stronger than a beast."

"Oh," I said, trying to process the information.

"But lets not talk about work. Tonight is supposed to be fun! Lord knows we dont have enough of it in our real lives." Callies voice grew melancholy. "Speaking of fun," she said, pointing to a small crowd moving through a set of double doors at the back of the club, "I think the burlesque show is back there."

"Shall we?" I asked, offering my arm.

The back room, much smaller than the first one, had numerous wooden tables crammed onto the floor. A stage was set up at the front of the room, and the space was dimly lit by candles. Instead of joining the crush toward the front, Callie and I sat back on a low-slung, red velvet bench beneath a large mirror in the back of the room.

As soon as everyone settled into seats, a master of ceremonies took to the stage. I was surprised to see that he was a man wearing a dinner suit and cape. Id imagined a burlesque show to be louder, larger than this, with plenty of music and scantily clad women.

"Good evening! As weve all heard, we have a vampire in our midst," he said dramatically.

Audience members tittered nervously. I glanced at Callie out of the corner of my eye. Was this some sort of trap? Did she know what I was? But Callie was leaning forward, as if mesmerized by the mans words.