We meet Will out the front of the apartment building and walk to the pub; apparently, it’s ten minutes away, near the site of the original Globe Theatre. He nods at me but keeps his distance, strolling behind us three girls with Elliott and Damian. I can feel his eyes searing into my back, checking me out, since I took Sadie’s advice and changed into a black silk halter-neck top and skintight leather pants. As she said, ‘You might as well work it, even if it makes him scaly.’
The pub is situated in a back alley and down a flight of stairs like it’s been forgotten by time. A wooden sign on a chain swings above the door. It says ‘ThePale Heart’ with a chalky outline of a white organ. The soot-smeared mullioned windows don’t give any hint of what’s inside apart from vague moving shapes.
Will bumps my elbow.It looks a bit spooky, but it’s a friendly place.
Oh. Great. Has it been here a while?I’m relieved that he’s chatting to me again. I tested his mental wall a few times on the way over, but his shield was firmly up, like he didn’t want me prying into his thoughts.
He smiles.Yes, since 1599, when the Globe was built. It’s very olde worlde. You’ll feel right at home.
So what’s the plan?Sadie asks us.Blend in and hope we overhear someone talking about the brothel?
As good a plan as any,Elliott pipes up.Let’s go in. I’m dying for a taste of their home brew.
Damian chuckles.Me too.
Doesn’t look like the thrall bouncer is on tonight. We can just go in.Will pushes open the creaking door, and we all file through. The ceiling is so low I have to duck under a couple of sagging wooden beams and almost trip on the uneven wooden floorboards.
Watch your step.Will grabs my arm, and my skin tingles at his firm touch. But he drops his hand instantly, like even that small contact is a problem for him. I try not to feel disappointed.
‘Well, this is ambient,’ says Sadie, gazing around at thehuddled groups gathered around tables with single candles dripping wax.
The place reeks of age, tallow, and ... vampires.
The rickety bar is manned by a petite busty barmaid with blonde curls polishing glasses. Her expression is glazed, but her heart thumps faster as we approach.
I glance at Will.She’s human.
He nods.Yeah, that’s Trixie, the landlord’s thrall. She’s been working here since the Victorian era.
Right.
Yikes!I think privately.That’s worse than Sadie enthralling Elliott!
She’s the sister of my mate’s friend,Will continues.They’re both vampires ... Anyway, it’s a long story. I won’t bore you with it.
I nod, eyeing the thrall curiously as she checks out Damian as he leans on the bar. Then her eyes swivel to Elliott, and her cheeks flush as she gives him the once-over too. OK, maybe her life isn’t all polishing glasses behind the bar; she’s definitely had some vampire action over the years.
‘Well, hello there. Welcome to The Pale Heart,’ she purrs. ‘Haven’t seen you two in here before. I’d know if I had.’
Sadie, of course, isn’t going to stand by quietly while this overt ogling of Elliott is going on. She elbows her way in between the guys and says tartly, ‘Hi, can we grab somedrinks? Myfiancéis really thirsty.’ She hooks her arm possessively through Elliott’s; he looks a bit amused.
The barmaid raises an eyebrow, unfazed. ‘Sure. Pints or half pints?’
‘Oh, I think full pints. We’re going to need the energy since we’ll be going all night.’
Trixie rolls her eyes, knowing she’s not going to get a look-in with Elliott, not with Sadie there.
‘Coming right up.’
She goes off to pull the pints, and Sadie looks pleased with herself. Moments later, six frothing ruby-red pints of blood are plonked on the bar.
‘That’ll be £60.’
‘Sixty pounds!’ says Sadie, sounding horrified. ‘That’s extortion!’
Trixie shrugs. ‘We have high overheads.’
Grumbling about being ripped off, Sadie opens her purse and hands over her credit card.
