Consider my resources your own, Reichen added, lowering his voice to a confidential, deadly serious level. Men, money, arms, subterfuge, or intelligence...you name it. Whatever tools I have in my reach are available to you and the rest of the warriors.
Tegan nodded his thanks. You have to know, aligning yourself with the Order isn't going to make you very popular among your Darkhaven peers, Reichen.
Perhaps not. But then who can stand the self-righteous bastards, anyway? The German clapped Tegan on the shoulder. Let me take you into town to meet someone. If you need information about any shady dealings, or movement taking place in Berlin's underbelly, then you really must talk to Helene.
The female you were with earlier tonight?
Yes. She is a dear friend...with certain other benefits. Reichen grinned. She's human, not Breedmate, in case you wondered.
Tegan had been wondering, in fact. He hadn't missed the healing bite mark on the woman's throat as Reichen had kissed her good- bye at the curb, but he hadn't detected any kind of blood scent on her. Nothing beyond the bland, coppery tang of basic Homo sapiens red cells.
And it hadn't appeared that Reichen had scrubbed the woman's mind after feeding from her either.
She knows about you--about the Breed?
Reichen nodded. She can be trusted, I assure you. I've known her for many years, and we are business partners in her club as well. She has never betrayed my trust. She won't betray yours either.
Reichen smoothed his hair back at his temples, then gestured for the mansion's front door. Come. Let me make some introductions for you.
A short while later, Tegan found himself seated in a plush red velvet booth inside a high-end brothel called Aphrodite. The place was swank and expensive, an adult playground filled with beautiful women, sumptuous furnishings, and a host of assorted pleasures to be had at a price firmly negotiated up front. Tegan watched with mild disinterest as more than one small orgy was under way in full public view.
The clientele at the club was almost exclusively human, with the exception of Reichen, who was evidently no stranger to the establishment. He sat across from Tegan in the large booth, his fingers toying idly along the shapely arm of Aphrodite's proprieter, the stunning Helene. More than one of her girls had come around to have a look at Tegan. He'd been offered drinks, food, company, and quite a few temptations not found on the club's general menu.
As the last beautiful prostitute sashayed away from them on her teetering high heels, Helene shot him a slight frown. If you have specific personal tastes, I'm sure I can make arrangements to accommodate you.
Tegan shifted on the soft velvet seat. His personal tastes had narrowed down to one female alone, and she was back at Reichen's estate, probably wishing she'd never met him. I appreciate the offer, he told Helene, but I didn't come here to get laid.
We were hoping you might be willing to help keep us informed of any...unusual activity taking place in the city, Reichen added. It would require your total confidence, of course.
Naturally, she said, nodding in shrewd agreement. Are we talking about keeping an eye on unusual human activity or something else?
Both, Tegan said. Since Reichen had obviously made her aware of the vampire nation and trusted her to keep the secret, Tegan didn't see any point in mincing words. We've been seeing an increase in our Rogue population back in the States. We think we know where it's coming from, but there's a good chance some of those problems may come to roost here in Berlin. If you hear anything out of the ordinary at all, you need to make us aware.
The human female inclined her chin. You have my word.
She held out her hand to Tegan and he took the opportunity to read the woman's emotions. His touch told him instantly that there was nothing dishonest in her intent. She meant what she'd said, and her word was good.
Tegan released her and leaned back as one of her employees came up to the table. One of my clients has had too much to drink, the young woman complained. He's getting loud and unruly. Helene's smile was serene, but her eyes were as sharp as laser beams locking on to a target. Will you excuse me? Duty calls.
She got up from the booth and smoothly motioned for one of the many bouncers to accompany her. When she had gone, Reichen lifted a brow at Tegan. She's charming, don't you think?
Tegan grunted. She has her appeal, I suppose.
Reichen narrowed his gaze on him now. I'm curious. Is celibacy something all of the Order adheres to?
The question drew Tegan's head up sharply. What the hell are you talking about?
I've just watched you turn away about a dozen flawless women who would have prostrated themselves at your feet for the chance to please you. No man has that kind of control. Unless-- The Darkhaven male chuckled. Unless the rumors circulating at the reception the other night are actually true. Is there something going on between you and the lovely Elise Chase? Something beyond the business that brought both of you to my city?
There's nothing going on between us. Or at least there shouldn't be. And wouldn't be, after the way things had gone tonight. I have no claim on the female whatsoever.
Ah. I was out of line. Forgive me for suggesting, Reichen said, obviously taking the hint from Tegan's clipped tone that the matter was not open for discussion.
Tegan rose to his feet. I'm out of here.
He was suddenly itching to be outdoors on patrol, away from the open carnality of the club. And he didn't trust himself to return to the estate with Reichen when all that would do was put him back in close proximity with Elise. Don't wait up, he growled, then stalked out of the place and into the night outside.
Chapter Twenty-three
Elise awoke just after dawn that next morning, following a fitful night of little sleep. Somewhere during the night, her survival instincts had kicked in and she realized that she could not stay any longer here with Tegan and hope to emerge with her heart intact. She had to leave Berlin and return home to Boston. The few belongings she had with her were packed into a small bag that sat near the door. She was showered and dressed, and had already called a taxi to come and take her to the airport.