Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Tuesday Teaser

 



“Fucking hell! Dammit, Frost.”

Nicholas chuckled. Yes, he imagined his informant didn’t appreciate the chilliness since he was ectothermic. That’s what he got for smoking. While Nicholas did request this meet, and knew the paranormal waiting for him, he wouldn’t relax his guard. A lax assassin was a dead assassin.

He sniffed the air currents again. Nothing human had been there in a very long time. The only living paranormal inside was who Nicholas expected. Nothing undead lay in wait, either. To him vampires smelled slightly musty with a hint of a moss. And, as odd as it sounded, decaying mushrooms.

Satisfied no one else lurked, he strolled out onto the main floor. Standing in a sliver of moonlight was a tall, muscular man. All around him was rusted machinery and equipment, some of which was broken. Tiles and twisted wires hung from the ceiling. Layers of dust and dirt cover every surface.

“Such a hostile place to do business.”

“It does have a delightful ambiance, does it not?” Nicholas stopped several feet away and glared at the cigarette. “Those are horrible. The scent is atrocious.”

Mick dropped the cigarette on the concrete floor and stomped it out. “Hey, you worry about your vises and let me worry about mine.”

“If only I had vises to worried about.” Nicholas mused. He was certain Mick didn’t hear the sarcasm in his words. “Good to see you, Mick.”

“Ordinarily I would say the same, but”—Mick waved his hand around—"the creep factor here is over the top. Even for you.”

“It was for your safely. You cannot be seen with me right now. You do not want to catch the attention of the one you have information on.”

Mick huffed. “No, no, I don’t. This is some shit, for sure.”

Nicholas studied the man in front of him. Little telltale signs of nervousness caught his attention, and he didn’t think it was because Mick was away from his swamp.

Mick’s heart rate was up, and Nicholas tried hard not to stare at Mick’s neck where his pulse fluttered. Mick was tense, and his breathing was slightly elevated. Something dark moved deep within Nicholas—a need that wouldn’t be denied much longer.