Courts and Cabals 2 G.S. D'Moore (the little red hen read aloud .txt) 📖

is attentive,” Aden clarified, “and he is my mother’s First. He has the responsibility to facilitate your transition from civilian to supernatural life, and integrate you into the cabal’s daily workings.”

“He’s a micromanaging dick,” Dani reiterated. “Let’s go see the ass.”

Aden left us at the entrance to presumably take care of Xamira. Dani led me to a separate bank of elevators. The small lobby was gaudily decorated in the Imperial theme that was standard at Caesars Palace. Knowing that Lilith’s mother had met Via in Italy during the height of the Roman Empire, some of the pieces might actually be legit.

The elevators were just as richly decorated with lots of marble and mirrors. Dani hit the button for the penthouse. There was a beep, and a small screen popped out above the bank of buttons. Dani provided a thumbprint and retinal scan before extra options popped up. She hit PH1 and the elevator shot up so fast I stumbled.

“We keep it pretty mundane in the human sections of the hotel, but the cabal-only sections are fully outfitted with tech and magic,” Dani’s point was proven when a soft ding announced their arrival only a few seconds later.

The elevators opened and I found myself face-to-face with a large man carrying a tablet. He had a few inches on me and was built like a body builder. He wore khaki pants that strained to contain his quads, and did nothing to hide his impressive package. Above that was a short-sleeve polo that barely made it past his shoulders. It reminded me of those gym rats who had to show off their biceps all the time. Of course, this guy’s cannons would make the Governator jealous. He wore a pair of blue-light glasses – they didn’t actually do anything to give you better eyesight, but they cut down on the blue light that was killing humans’ eyes during this technological age – and those glasses highlighted black irises. It was a creepy contrast to his white hair. I would have pegged him as a supernatural even if I didn’t know he was Lilith’s mother’s First; so, there was no reason he needed to be wearing the glasses. That cemented the douche status I’d already categorized him in to, and confirmed this had to be Peter.

“Hey, you pointy-headed motherfucker,” Dani greeted with a smile. She knew something I didn’t, because his head didn’t come to a point as far as I could tell.

“Underwood,” he grumbled. “Don’t you have someone’s sword to play with?”

I wasn’t sure if that was a reference to her bladesmith abilities, or her skill at sucking dick. I never got an answer.

“Hiya! You must be Cameron Dupree. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Nicole Aulani, and I’m Miss Venitas’s personal assistant. Thank you so much for coming right up,” a bundle of energy in sensible black pumps, and a spotless blouse, appeared from behind Peter’s mass to extend a hand.

The hand was warm, her grip neutral, her features native to Hawaii or some other pacific island, and her smile so warm and genuine you could tell she loved her job.

“Human,” my instincts immediately categorized her as a non-threat. That surprised me. I was quasi-human as of my last reckoning, and as a regular Joe, I’d managed to do a lot of damage to some powerful people. I needed to check myself before I wrecked myself.

“Everyone is a threat,” I reminded myself never to judge humans as weak.

“Nice to meet you,” I returned her smile, but kept my eyes on Peter.

“The pleasure is all mine, and on behalf of Miss Venitas, she can’t wait to meet you in person . . .”

“We need to go over a few things first,” Peter interrupted, and used his mass to butt Nicole out of the way. By the way she moved, she was used to this. “It is my responsibility that all Firsts of the cabal are qualified and accountable. Lilith Venitas is a powerful member of this organization. She is destined for greatness, while you, Cameron Dupree, are a high school drop out.”

“Not one of these guys,” I mentally groaned as I realized I was dealing with someone who wouldn’t even give me the time of day unless I graduated Suma Cum Laude from Harvard Law and clerked for the Supreme Court.

“Well, I’m here,” I met his eerie gaze and didn’t look away.

“This one’s got some cojones on him, Peter. Last Fae who talked to him like that, he put that bitch in the ground,” Dani grabbed her crotch like she had her own pair.

I let Dani do the trash talking for me, and just kept my eyes on the big man. He watched me for another moment before he snorted and looked away. I took that as a win.

“PH1 is for Miss Venitas, close family, and honored guests,” he turned around and set off on the impromptu tour. Everyone hurried to catch up to his longer strides. “It comes complete with full suites and a dining space that can fit up to twenty. It works well for diplomatic talks as well as intimate evenings.” As the First for the head succubus, I assumed Peter had plenty of those.

“PH2 is for high-ranking Firsts and select security,” from the look on his face, that included neither Dani nor me. “It also contains Miss Venitas’s personal lab. You’ll be on PH3 in the suite next to Underwood. PH4 is a research level for any special projects Miss Venitas’s deems to sensitive to outsource.”

“Like my super spunk,” I guessed.

“You will have access to all four levels since Miss Lilith makes this her permanent home,” Peter didn’t look happy to be giving me free reign of the place.

“A lot of the cabal’s senior leadership doesn’t live here,” Dani filled in. “We’ve got rooms if they come to stay, but most of