[Draft] Crypt & Key - Chapter 2 (Patreon)

This is the second chapter of my work in progress. Same thing goes for this that went for the first chapter. Unedited. Uncorrected. Subject to rewrites and changes. But would love feedback of any kind regarding this ongoing project.

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Chapter 2

“Huh.” Claire muttered. “Makes sense. Did you get locked out of your house?” She snickered.

The creature rolled his eyes. “No.”

Claire pulled out her car keys and began twirling them. “I’m not in the business of finding lost keys.” She held up her own and jingled them. “Next time get a key finder.” She pointed to a small square attached to her key ring. It was one of those fancy gadgets that had a GPS in it and synced to her phone. She’d lost her own keys plenty of times that she had found the investment sound.

“Are you ever serious?” The vampire’s shoulders slumped. 

Claire shifted on her heels and looked up to the starry sky. “Once in a while, when the occasion calls for it. But you haven’t given me a reason to privilege you that sort of attention.”

“Very well.”

The creature stood tall again, he didn’t look particularly intimidating physically but there was an obvious strength to him that made Claire shiver. A small bit of the Charm drifted from him like a cloud of pheromones. Her knees began to tremble and her nipples hardened, poking through the thin blouse. She wasn’t particularly busty, only a handful really, but it was enough to be noticeable.

Damn it! Should have worn a thicker shirt!

“I need to find this key. I assure you it will be worth your while.” He paused, meeting her eyes. “There’s a great deal of knowledge within this Crypt that you would find helpful.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“As I’ve said, I’ve been watching you. I understand that you’re looking for…”

Claire held up her hand to halt the creature’s words. “Don’t.” The playfulness had seeped away into the darkness and an edge of steel was in her voice. “I don’t abide lies, especially from your ilk. Do not offer what you can’t give. Don’t even try to tempt me.” She clenched her fist and the tattoo on her back shoulder blade began to burn. It was like a warm touch of a needle dragging over her skin, it was far more enticing than the Charm of the vampire.

The vampire raised his hands, placating her. “I do not lie. Not in this matter, I assure you.”

For a moment everything was silent. A chilled breeze blew through the trees surrounding the parking lot and apartment complex. Claire held the gaze of the vampire, hard nails against sensual tempting silk. Gripping her keys tightly she took a small, calming breath. 

“Speak your name.” Her speech was gruff and formal. It wasn’t a simple question. When it came to creatures of the Nether, especially vampires, there was a sort of decorum that had to be followed. Something about the curse that had been placed on them, long before time was being recorded, demanded formality.

The creature spoke reluctantly. “Cadmus Quintin Marcellus”

Claire laughed, a deep and hearty belly busting laugh. “So you’re literally a Cad. Even more reason not to work with you.” She put a hand over her mouth trying to stifle the laughter.

Had the creature been capable of it, Claire was sure he’d be blushing.

“I assure you my name doesn’t reflect that. Though for your information, my name is old and means ‘One that excels’.” His glare no longer had that hunger, rather it had a very human annoyance that made Claire a little less on edge.

After a few more moments of laughter that she simply couldn’t contain, Claire regained composure. “Well, I guess finding your house keys isn’t something you excel at…”

“It’s not…”

“... but if you say you have something I want, we might be able to do business. However, I’m gonna need some proof. I’m not just gonna take your word for it. After all, you did just try to seduce me.” She narrowed her gaze at him. The effects of the Charm was still flowing through her. Being aroused wasn’t something that simply went away. It was like starting a ball rolling down a hill, typically it had to go all the way down before it would stop. Now she’d have to go to work with just that little bit of heat in her blood.

Geeze, just what I need. 

Cadmus nodded slowly. “I suppose that is...fair.” He reached back into his coat and pulled out a small envelope that was sealed with black wax, stamped with an intricate labyrinth pattern. “To open it you’ll need something small…” He held the envelope out to her. “Something dead.”

She took the envelope with a perplexed look and put it into her pocket without a second look. “I’ll take your case into consideration. If, that is, your proof is real.” The words were clipped and simple. Before she was even done speaking, Claire marched around the stone still vampire towards her car on the far side of the parking lot.

The feeling of the creature’s eyes on her back made her skin crawl in ways that she didn’t want to focus on.

Stupid Charm. I wish there was a way to negate it. If I’m gonna be working with him I can’t be worried about my panties all the time.

She shook her head. It was a good thing her grandmother had passed. If she had known Claire’s thoughts she would have keeled over. It wasn’t the first time she felt guilty for straying so far from the good girl that she’d been. A sweet little angel. Shy, demure, kind. Now she felt she was everything opposite. There was no more sugar and spice or anything nice. She was bitter, tart, and as close to being wicked as one could be without falling flat into the abyss that held all the things of the night.

Necromancers aren’t nice. We deal in the dead. There’s no room for niceties. The grave doesn’t abide by being polite.

Being polite hadn’t gotten her any closer to what she wanted. In fact, it had been her downfall, and the downfall of the one she missed the most. She touched her pocket, feeling the envelope. Maybe, finally, she could say that she was on a road that may prove fruitful rather than barren. Maybe one day she’d be able to see him again. It was so tempting. Cadmus had known just where to hit her and it was more than bothersome. She should just throw the envelope back at him. It was probably a trick.

She slid into her car and started it up. A quick glance told her the vampire was gone. Maybe he was still watching her or perhaps he’d gone off to feed. It didn’t matter much. She’d learn more about him soon enough. Never work with someone you don’t know, that was a rule she had ever since she was young and had started down this shadowed path. For now she needed to clear her head. Once she was more lucid, then she would see to this new mystery. Until then, it was time to go to work.

—-

Crafted Coffee was a small, stylish little cafe nestled on a corner in downtown full of salons, boutiques, and other upscale stores that catered to suburbanites that had too much money and time on their hands. Though the square was mostly swamped with rich business women, men, and various others, the cafe was a place that seemed to breach the class disparity.

Homeless and high class alike were constantly coming and going. Most simply gave their order, snatched up the coffee and the pastry and left. Others lingered for the free wifi, the rich smells of coffee, comfy chairs and ambiance. Though it was small, there was plenty of space to spread out so that you didn’t have to interact with anyone beyond the occasional waitress coming to check if you needed a refill. The floors were polished concrete and the windows made up the two outside walls of the establishment and were etched with circles and symbols that vaguely looked magical.

Claire walked in from the chill fall air into the warmth and comfort of her cafe. It’d taken a good deal of hard work to make the place, many jobs she hated and long hours of mindless work but it had paid off in the long run. She was her own boss, with a comfortable if not excessively profitable business. At least there was something in her life she could say she’d accomplished. She surveyed the store carefully, all the shelves were stocked, floors swept, windows washed.

“What are you doing here?”

The voice made Claire jump. Misty walked up with her wide hips swaying and brunette curls pulled back in a ponytail holding a carafe of coffee. She was a stout girl, but still had the look of a willow tree swaying in the breeze.

“Just couldn’t sleep.” Claire answered with a smile.

“Oooh,” Misty grinned devilishly. “Something keeping you up?” She winked and sidled up close. “You can tell me. Pleeeease.”

Claire rolled her eyes and nudged Misty with her hip. “Please Mist, don’t be so lewd.”

The girl chuckled and it made her rather ample chest bounce. Claire noticed at least one customer getting a peek before shyly looking back down to their activities. She couldn’t really blame them, Misty was a beauty from another time. Curves as smooth as the rolling hills, skin just slightly tinted by the sun, and bright blue eyes that were all too inviting. Claire had even considered getting lost in them a few times, but mixing work with pleasure was never a great idea.

“Well, a girls gotta dream a little right? You really need to get out more Clover Dear.” Misty walked with Claire to the bar, stopping briefly to refill a customer’s mug and taking the nickel he offered as payment.

Claire had long since decided that if she was going to own her own business she’d run it her way and one of those choices had been to offer plain black coffee for twenty-five cents, and refills for a nickel. There wasn’t much margin in it, but it got so many people in the door that ultimately the profits followed.

“I get out plenty.” She said walking to the small break room and office in the back. The area was large enough for a small table, fridge, a cabinet for snacks and other necessities. The store was on a skeleton crew, nights weren’t very busy. Her office door stood open and was almost as bare and basic as her apartment. A small Ikea desk with a laptop, stacks of papers and a lamp, and behind those a file cabinet. She opened the cabinet and put her purse in, briefly considering keeping the silver chain with her, but that would have been too conspicuous.

If Cadmus wanted to attack her, he would have done it. However there were other creatures to consider. Whatever crypt or key the vampire was looking for might draw attention. Maybe others were searching for it. If they were, they might not be as restrained as Cadmus had been. She thought over the possibilities for a moment then pushed the drawer closed. The risk was low that any Nether creature would attack her in public. In any case, she hadn’t taken on the vampire's request. The envelope was still tucked in her pocket, she’d have to assess its contents later and see if in fact Cadmus had given her something of value or just another wild goose chase.

With a deep sigh, Claire picked up an apron hanging on a hook behind the office door, slipped it on and headed out into the cafe to do some work. 

——

The night dragged. Customers trickled in steadily but there was never more than a half dozen people lingering in the cafe. Mostly those that found a seat were business people that had worked late and needed a pick me up to relax or continue on with the midnight oil.

Claire saw to the same duties as any typical barista. She swept, made coffee, assembled their small selection of baked goods and sandwiches and just generally kept the shop working like a well oiled machine. Being a good boss and owner to Claire was never asking others to do something you weren’t willing to do yourself. The tasks kept her busy and her mind clear, allowing plans to form in the back of her mind.

At around two in the morning a woman stepped through the door that grabbed Claire’s attention. She was a tall dirty blonde, hair spilling down her back and held away from her face by a floral clip. Her suit was a dark gray, pants tight and slightly flared at the claves. Black heels clicked against the concrete floor, and her red blouse was in stark contrast to the gray suit jacket that was buttoned beneath her buxom chest. Walking up to the counter she pulled out a small metal wallet.

“Tall vanilla latte. Whip cream. Shot of espresso.” Her words were clipped but tired.

Claire eyed her as she gathered up a few stray cups customers had left behind. There was a certain air that felt familiar about the woman. Something Claire had begun to recognize over the years. A sparking of the air that hinted at magic.

The woman stood patiently at the counter as she was handed her change and a few moments later handed her cup of coffee. “Don’t suppose you could add in some whisky?” She asked with a grin at Misty.

“Gotta know the secret menu for that.” Claire answered as she walked up and placed the try of empty mugs and cups to be washed and discarded.

The grin on the woman’s face showed the vitality behind some of the more mature wrinkles. She was easily in her early forties, maybe a bit younger, but those wrinkles showed the weight and wear from her life that was obviously stressful. After all, who would want booze with their late night coffee if it wasn’t related to stress.

“So what’s the secret order I need to give this a little spike?” She smiled. Her lips were a floral pink and it sent a shiver through Claire’s extremities. 

“Well, depends on if that’s all you’re looking for.” Claire turned away from the woman and swayed her hips deliberately as she walked back around to continue the never ending chore of straightening up the cafe. The woman followed behind, almost as if she were on a leash.

The feeling of this woman’s latent magic was washing over Claire. A lot like a drug or some sort of stimulant, it brought a deep arousal in Claire and she knew that being this close to the woman was doing the same to her. Magic had a way of making you feel high. Blood pounding, and endorphins rushing as if being spurred on by some unseen driving whip.

“Well, whiskey is always a nice little jolt after a long day at the office, but the day’s not done unfortunately.” The woman said staying in close proximity to Claire, their hips almost touching.

“Mmm, I see. So late night grind to get a project done?” Claire picked up a plate with a half eaten sandwich and turned to meet the woman’s gaze.

“Reports to be submitted, gotta get the budgets in order. Ya know, exciting stuff.” She chuckled and her chest moved with each laugh.

“I see. Taking a break then huh. Well, I’m guessing you don’t want a fuzzy brain when dealing with numbers. Dollars and cents don’t really go well with Jack Daniels.” Claire winked at the woman. “Believe me. I tried that once and almost ended up on the wrong end of the IRS.”

They laughed together, syncing up in an almost supernatural way. Claire could feel the magic the woman had twisting and reaching out, like metal shavings to a magnet. It was clear this woman didn’t know what she had, most people don’t. Everyone had magic in them, sometimes a little, sometimes an ocean full. Knowing it was there wasn’t hard, but knowing how to reach it and use it was a whole other skill entirely. The circle on her shoulder blade burned with just as much desire as her blood did. It wanted that magic. As much innate magic as Claire had, she always had a desire for more. A need for more. The circle on her back always needed a good charge, and having that charge come from another source was always welcome. Why spend her own magic when she could pull and store from an untapped reservoir.

“I suppose you’re right. I need something stimulating for sure, but booze probably isn’t the remedy.” The woman’s eyes moved over Claire’s figure. She probably thought she was being subtle, but Claire was more observant than most gave her credit for.

“I might have the remedy…” Claire teased as she put down the dishes on the counter, ignoring Misty’s winks and nods of encouragement.

“And what might that be?” The look in the woman’s eyes was sultry, knowing, interested. It might have been a natural attraction, but most likely this quick turn and desire was more of the magics between them being attracted. 

Claire turned to face the woman fully. She was shorter by a few inches, but that didn’t seem to matter in terms of who was more confident. Claire was far more self assured and ready for what she was doing. This woman was certainly enjoying the tease, the game, but might not be ready to go all in. There was only one way to find out.

“What’s your name?” Claire asked as she untied her apron and folded it neatly, placing it on the counter.

The woman’s grin grew, her cheeks turning a rosy warm red. “Ivy.” She replied and held out her hand.

Claire took it firmly with a warm and lustful smile. Their magic mingled in that touch and Claire let her senses pull in that warmth, sending a tingle down through her to her stomach and between her thighs. There was no doubt Ivy was feeling the same. “It’s nice to meet you Ivy, my name is…”