Christian joined the group up ahead.
I sat down at a square table, Gem on my right. “Niko’s playing darts?”
She glanced over at him, her radiant smile being the true gem about her features. “Just wait until you see him in action. Watch this.”
Niko drew back his arm, his left hand extended in front of him. With a clean toss, the dart sailed through the air and struck the bull’s-eye.
Shepherd slammed his fist on the table, tipping over a beer bottle. A cigarette was dangling from his mouth, and he looked like he wanted to beat someone senseless as he dug some bills out of his wallet.
“Pay up, buttercup,” Wyatt said, collecting the money.
I gripped Gem’s wrist. “How did he do that?”
She scooted her chair closer. “Your guess is as good as mine. Shepherd always bets against him. He thinks the odds are in his favor that Niko will eventually miss, but he never does. I never get tired of watching him do it.” Her eyes sparkled with admiration when Niko turned his attention our way.
“Is that a can of apple juice?” I asked, pointing at her beverage.
She lifted it with two fingers and swished it. “I don’t drink alcohol. Can I just say for the record that what you did back at the cemetery was epic?”
I peered over her shoulder to where Viktor was sitting. He clinked his glass against Christian’s, and they fell into casual conversation.
Niko joined us, running his hands along the table until he reached the chair to my left. I noticed he had a few thin braids mixed into his hair.
“Be right back,” Gem said. “I promised someone a hug.”
She tiptoed behind Christian and wrapped her arms around him from behind. It amused me that Gem went through the motions of sneaking up on a Vampire. Christian patted her hand and quickly shrank out of her embrace. Undeterred, the violet-haired pixie took a seat next to Blue.
I turned to Niko, twirling a lock of my hair. “How can you tell the difference between men and women? Or can you?”
He rested his forearms on the table, eyes downcast. “Their energy is different. I can’t explain it.”
“How do you decide which woman you want to hit on if you can’t see them and haven’t spoken to them?”
Niko sat back in his chair and changed the subject. “You should talk to Viktor while everything’s copacetic. He’s in good spirits, and we still have a job to complete.”
I glanced at Viktor’s table and lowered my voice. “Do you know what he’ll say?”
“No, but you made a strong impression tonight.”
I chuckled and rapped my knuckles against the table. “It’s been one hell of a day.”
“Invite him to speak with you privately before the moment’s lost,” Niko suggested. “You seem to be waiting for fate to choose its moment.”
Inspired, I stood up and approached Viktor’s table. The laughter died down, and Christian half turned, showing his profile as he watched me saunter up next to him. I lifted my chin and ignored the smirk on his face.
“Viktor, do you have a moment to speak privately?”
Never taking his eyes from his drink, he nodded. “Very well.”
Hell, that was easier than I thought.
When we reached the doorway to the main room, Viktor rested his hand against my back and led me to the left. “Let’s go away from prying ears. Christian has a tendency to eavesdrop. That’s why I know when I return to my seat, there will be a fresh glass of vodka waiting for me. Isn’t that right, Christian?” He ended with a chuckle.
“Did they name this club after the drinks?”
“It used to be a Sensor club,” he said. “Everyone was allowed in, but they were the ones who ran the place. They would spike all the drinks and charge extra for the emotional experience.”
“I’m glad I didn’t order anything.”
We entered a small room, and he closed the door behind him. “Unfortunately, they didn’t think it through. What happens when you spike the drinks of hundreds of customers?”
I collapsed in the oversized brown chair. “Lots of fights, I’m guessing.”
“Precisely. That is why most clubs no longer spike the drinks unless they’re a specialty, and even those are too mild to have any lasting effect. Owners are very particular about the dose and what kind of emotional imprint they’re selling.” He took a seat in front of me, nothing between us. Viktor waved his hand. “You can speak freely; this room is soundproof.”
My stomach knotted when I realized I had to kick off this impromptu meeting. I gathered my thoughts and relaxed my shoulders, hoping he wouldn’t think I was a groveling vulture. “With everything that’s happened tonight, I thought we could discuss my position with Keystone.”
“Fair enough. As it stands, you have no position with Keystone.” Viktor stroked his silver-and-grey beard, his rough voice softening around the edges. “I appreciate all that you have done, but I’m sorry. I have not changed my mind.”