I turned away, unable to watch.
“You know why I can’t, Jason. Please don’t make this more difficult than it already is.”
A chair scraped against the floor. When I peeked, Mom and I were alone.
“Change isn’t easy,” she said. “Especially when it comes to zealous beliefs. Religion. Politics. Sex. Most people are unwilling to consider their stance isn’t the only right stance. As if their beliefs are a ‘one size fits all’ for everyone’s unique circumstances.” She smiled slightly. “Your father is starting to see his beliefs can’t hold true for me. I don’t fault him for his moral rigidity. His unyielding faith is part of what made him so attractive to me.
“Let’s go check on the club’s progress so we can hurry back. I hate leaving your dad alone for too long.”
We took my car, mostly because Mom didn’t like driving. I saw the addition of the sign well before we reached the lot. The large letters rested on top of the building’s impressive roof like some roadhouse. But the building looked nothing like a rundown roadhouse. The goblins had been hard at work, painting and improving the outside so that the enormous sign graced a trendy nightclub meant for a big city.
“When Dad said you were calling it Club Blayz, I thought he meant fire. What’s the meaning behind the spelling?”
“I’m blazing a trail where our kind can feed and humankind can have the most intense sexual experiences of their lives. Blazing Lays, if you will. But that’s far too crass. So Club Blayz was born.”
“Well, it’s subtler than man-beef buffet.”
She grinned at me.
“Come inside. I can’t wait for your reaction.”
The lower level was complete. Everything from the flooring to the bar top to the seating arrangements was a perfect mix of country meets contemporary. Even the spacious bathrooms were impressive. I found the single chair inside the room a little odd, though, and asked Mom about it.
“One of the conditions of opening the club is that I have the bathrooms staffed with trustworthy attendants to ensure human safety. I don’t see why. I’ve already paid to have this place warded so no human can die here.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Plus, it creates jobs for the people stuck in Uttira.”
“You mean, people stuck here as a result of their inability to prove they belong in the human world? That’s hardly a qualifying character reference for the position of human guardian.”
“I don’t have my mark. Does that mean I’m a danger to humans or that I’ve failed to pass Adira’s games?”
“Very true, Eliana. I shall keep an open mind.”
Mom showed me the stage where they could have live music and an area designated for dancing.
“I would love to have a soft opening just for Uttira’s youth. Do you think any of your classmates would want to attend?”
Given how they’d flocked to the Roost when they found out there was an impromptu Game Night, I felt fairly certain my classmates would be up for anything that wasn’t another night of same old same old at the Roost.
Mom’s delight reflected in her eyes when I confirmed they would.
“It will be a night to remember,” she promised as we continued the tour.
Chapter Seventeen
My phone rang after lunch,and I readily reached for the distraction.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Eliana. It’s Jenna. Um, I know you’re with your parents today, but I was wondering if you could maybe help me.”
“Sure. How can I help?”
“Something’s wrong with Fenris.”
My selfish thoughts came to a screeching halt.
“What do you mean? Is he hurt?”
