Chapter 18: Could This Be the Start of Trouble?

Valene:

Since Master Wade had business to tend to with the Lycan Alpha’s pack, we waited until around half-past eight to head to Bone’s pub. It didn’t take much time to get to Bone’s Bar and Grille.

When we pulled up, I watched as people piled into the bar. “You know…you do not have to do this, Valene.”

I chuckled. “Do what? Quit or quit in person?” I had to see his face when I said this. I wanted to know how he facially reacted to my question. I shouldn't have asked but I simply could not help myself.

“To be honest, Valene, you do not have to do either,” he said. “I never pressured you to leave your life. You did.”

I looked back out of the window of the car, disappointed in his response, though not necessarily upset. How could he ever understand the complexities of being a rare-blooded human serf, after all?

“As I told, Harlyn…I don’t think you’d understand, Master Wade…with all due respect.” I finally countered.

“Then help me understand, Valene. I will never understand if you do not confide in me.”

“That’s just it,” Turning away from the scene of the entranceway of Bone’s Bar and Grille, I faced Master Wade. “I don’t…I just don’t think that I could ever entirely explain." After I said this I attempted to try my hand at explaining myself anyway. "You don’t see that I am doing anything wrong, Master Wade but everyone else would if they knew my allowances

“Valene, I told you once before, regardless of what anyone thinks-”

“I hope you forgive me for interrupting, Master Wade but…we both know that things are just not that simple. The quandaries that not only you but…but Master Slaughter and Mistress Harlyn would have to go through-nevermind me. Master Wade, there will be so many problems to follow if ever my allowances got out-”

“And you think I can’t handle that?” Before I could answer, he expressed with frustration, “Two years shy of eight centuries. I have fought in wars and toppled empires. Now I run a state. Do you…really think that I cannot handle some disgruntled inhumans who are upset because I reward my vassals according to my desires?”

How could I go against his logic? I couldn’t because Master Wade was right

…as long as no one else knows…as long as…as long as it’s dark outside. There are so many…stipulations to actually having this life, Master Wade.”

“Well, that is the world that you live in, Valene. I don’t know what you expect that I do about it-”

“I did not ask to live in this world, Master Wade. The choice was made for me and yet you…and…and Harlyn try to force me to accept it as if hoping for anything more is out of reach!” I snapped before I could even think about how…disrespectful it would come off. “I…I’m sorry, Master Wade. I-I shouldn’t have spoken so recklessly.”

“Don’t…” he lifted his hand to stop my banter of apologies. Master Wade silence me and then sat there in silence himself. “You really feel that way…you think that I…feel that way.”

It wasn’t a question, it was more a verbal realization of my feelings. And for some reason, I suddenly felt…ashamed that I was complaining to him about this.

“I have a good life, Master Wade, and I should not have burdened you with such petty complaints-”

“You do not have a good life, Valene. That much has been made clear many times before.” he looked at me. “Yet when I ask for your honesty, you switch up so completely. Why?”

“Because, in this world…the world that I live in, it is not my right to speak so freely, Master Wade. You…and-and Harlyn telling me to speak plainly only serves to confuse things even further for me. I don’t know whether to respect you as my Keeper or speak to you as the father that you were to me for the first twelve years of my life.” I was suddenly so desperate for him to see why living this life was so hard for me. “Then I…see these vassals…fellow humans who-who are so afraid of their Keepers. They walk on eggshells around them, fearing making one small misstep because they know that it could easily cost them their life and no one would fight for them! No one would care about them. I look at them, and it…I suddenly feel so ashamed that I do have that in my life.” Where my eyes were once glued to my feet, I faced my Keeper once more. “It’s in those moments…that I am so…utterly disgusted with myself,” before I could restrain the tears, they started to come because I realized how much self-loathing I carried just for simply being. “It is in those moments that I wish to choose to be a vassal.” A harsh cackle left my lips as I thought about the reality of it all. “When at the end of the day, the fact that I get to choose when I can be anything defines my entitlement…my privilege.” I settled my chin atop my balled-up hand, my tear-stained eyes staring out of the window. After my confession, I simply could not even face the man who adopted me.

“Valene…” his voice was hushed and gentle as addressed me this time around.

I could tell that he didn’t know what to say but that he wanted to say something to soothe my upset. “I should go…quit,” I chuckled lightly. I started to get out of the car when he grabbed my hand.

I didn’t look his way, but I glanced to the side. I wanted to show some semblance of acknowledgment. He was still trying to find some kind of reassuring words for me. This moment of silence meant more to me than most moments in my life because I knew what Master Wade’s silence meant.

“I should go,” I said, and got out of the car, but before I took a step toward the building, I paused. “Thank you, Master Wade.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he said.

I finally looked at him, wiping the remnants of my tears from my eyes. “You did a lot.” I smiled and headed into the building to get this over with.

As soon as I walked into the bar, I could tell that the atmosphere wasn’t meant to be as lively as it was on a normal night. Big shots were in attendance on that night, and so the air was meant to be sophisticated.

There were men in suits and ties sitting in the darkest corners of Bone’s bar, all having what seemed to be important conversations about who knows what.

“Hey, Val!” a coworker, caught me by surprise.

Carrie was her name, and big tipping was her game. Carrie garnered far more traffic than I did when bartending. Carrie was a very beautiful young woman-though older than me. Her hair was short, blonde, and bouncy, and her eyes an innocent blue. She had a bubbly personality and was far more sociable and tolerant of men like the one that I had to deal with the last time I worked at Bones.

“Hey!” I greeted in return with feigned delight. In truth, it was hard to feel anything positive after my conversation with Master Wade.

“Did Bone’s call you in? We could use the help!” she looked around. “The big wigs are in town tonight.”

“I see.”

She sighed. “I’ve never known a local bar to garner such a variety of customers,” Carrie chuckled. “And somehow, the boss man always properly accommodates them all.”

“He does,” I agreed. “He seems to know when they’re coming.”

“Of course, he does. I certainly wouldn’t be dressed like this if he didn’t know.” she rolled her eyes. “The only time we seem to have to be uniform.”

Carrie referred to the black pleated short skirt, along with a white collared shirt and small black tie to match. She along with all of Bone’s workers were dressed in their black and white; a norm when these sophisticated men paid a visit to his establishment.

I chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll be getting big tips tonight.”

“One can hope.” she shimmied with a grin on her face and immediately I laughed. For a moment, I had forgotten that I was at the bar with intentions of never dotting its doors again.

“So!” She smiled after we shared our moment of mirth. “You staying! Bones just got all of the uniforms dry cleaned so they actually don’t reek of cigar smoke and old vodka,” she said, referring to Herry by the nickname that most of his employees called him.

“Oh, um, no, no I actually didn’t come here for that at all,” as soon as I said this, her chipper countenance faded. “Oh? What’s wrong? Is everything alright?”

I was reluctant at first when she inquired, but then I decided that I could confide in her. “Well, actually-”

“Val! Boy, am I glad you’re here!”

I looked past Carrie to see my soon-to-be former boss approaching swiftly. “H-hey!” I anxiously replied. I knew before he could even approach that he too wanted me to stay.

“Val, I need you to-”

“Wait, wait, before you say anything further, Herry, I didn’t come here to pick up an extra shift. I-”

“Valene, I really need you tonight.” He said with desperation. “You see that we have special guests. And I don’t have entertainment! I need entertainment! They-”

“Who are these men, Herry?” I asked. Sure, it wasn’t any of my business, but what did it hurt to ask?

There was something about these men that seemed to hold significance to Herry. It was only during such times when these men were present that he paid close attention to detail. Suddenly, I was concerned.

Impatiently, he rubbed his face and exhaled. “Normally, I’d tell you that it isn’t any of your concern, but…well now I’m starting to wonder if maybe your knowing will make you more inclined to help me.”

Reflex made me glance back at the door to see if Master Wade’s impatience had reached its peak yet. Fortunately, he wasn’t after me yet, so I regarded Herry again.

“These men, they keep my doors open.”

“Oh!” Carrie chimed in. “So they’re investors?”

I could tell by Herry’s reluctance to readily answer that it was a little more to it than that. Of course, he wouldn’t confess this, however.

“You could say that.” he simply stated instead.

“Ah,” I stated as I watched these men closer. I wasn’t fully knowledgeable of the goings on in the world of humans, but my good sense told me that there was something unsavory about the men sitting in this bar.

“I need your help, Valene.” Herry grabbed my hand. “I need to impress tonight, and the only thing that could remotely impress these guys…is you.”

“But Herry, I-I didn’t come here for that. I came here because I can no longer work here. I just can’t-”

“Valene, I don’t want you to leave but I will let you walk away without a fight if you do this one last favor for me. Please!”

“Herry, I-” Again, I looked behind me to see whether Master Wade was suddenly standing in the doorway of the small club lounge frustratingly waiting for me. “I’ve never performed for these men before! You’ve never needed me before now-what’s changed?” Yet again, he was hesitant. “Herry?”

“No-nothing…nothing’s necessarily changed.”

“But?”

“But…I promised them something new. They’ve been wondering lately if the place is worth their investment.”

“Anyone with two eyes and half a brain could see that, Herry!” I hissed. “I can’t help but think that these men are forcing you to chase your tail simply because they can!”

“Shh-Valene, please!” Shiftily, Herry looked around, anxious about the sudden rise in my voice. “I can’t-I can’t afford not to impress these men. This is my lively hood and I just…I cannot afford to take a risk in displeasing them.” I could tell that whatever these men had over Herry’s head was weighing heavily on him.

So please…please help me.”

“Herry, say that I could help you…what makes you think that I of all people could change anything?” I asked.

“I’m willing to bet that you could.”

When I heard Master Wade’s voice from behind, I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Mas-” I stopped myself and quickly looked away. Clearing my throat, I instead said. “D-dad…I’m sorry that I kept you waiting. I’ll be out in a minute-”

“Nonsense, sweetheart,” Master Wade walked past and approached Herry. “You must be the owner of this establishment,” he said. “My daughter speaks very highly of you, Mr. Bones.” Master Wade said.

“Ah-I-thank you! I-I appreciate that, sir!”

“You-you’re, Alastair Wade!” Carrie squealed with delight. “Oh wow! Your dad’s Alastair Wade, Val? You freaking own this town! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!”

Master Wade took her hand and into his. “A pleasure, dear.”

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Wade.” She swooned.

“Carrie,” Herry interjected, a smile still on his face as he kept eye contact with Master Wade. “Get back to work please.”

“Oh! Yeah, sure! Bar’s not going to tend itself!” She said excitedly. “Nice to meet you, Master Wade!” she said, unable to take her eyes off of my Keeper as she headed back to the bar.

“Sorry about that, sir. Carrie can be a little incorrigible.”

“I find her quite delightful, Mr. Bones.” Master Wade said with charm. “Now, I don’t mean to intrude but I couldn't help overhearing your proposition to my daughter.”

“Oh! Oh, it’s no bother. I apologize, Mr. Wade. I shouldn’t have wasted her time! And I-”

“On the contrary,” My Keeper barely gave Herry space to finish his sentence before he interjected. “The truth is, I’d love to see what you find so captivating about her music.”

I was so surprised by his encouragement of the conversation, I quickly shot a confused glare at him. “Dad, we don’t have to do this-” I tried to say between gritted teeth when he spoke again.

“Nonsense, Val.”

“You’ve never heard her play?” he asked Master Wade. In truth, it’d been years since I touched an instrument in front of him. Even before Mistress Caris had died. To be honest, I don’t even remember why I stopped playing at home so long ago. I could only hazard a guess and at this point, it wasn’t the most important concern on my mind.

“It’s been years,” he said. “Sadly, she does not play at home because of the sensitive ears of her sister and myself.”

“You wouldn’t care,” Herry said without hesitation.

“Beg pardon?” Master replied. He as well as I had suddenly gotten lost in translation.

“You wouldn’t care,” Herry reiterated. “Your daughter’s Cello is…like the most haunting and beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. If I could, she’d play every night at the lounge.”

“Is that so?” Master Wade asked.

“Surely, it’s not that good.” I was quick to downplay my work. Herry’s accolades were embarrassing, to say the least. I never knew that he felt so deeply about my playing.

“Apparently, it is.” Master Wade countered. “And now, I don’t think that I could leave this club without hearing it.”

“Dad?” I clenched my jaw, wondering what he was playing at.

“Daughter?” He countered with a smile.

“I don’t have my Cello,” I quipped after I realized that Master Wade would gladly continue the charade of being the devoted father who was all too curious to witness his daughter’s talents.

I had made a promise to myself that I’d quit this job and here he was making sure that I instead further indulged the life that I desired. There was no winning this. “I don’t have my Cello. So-”

“That’s quite alright!” Herry quickly interjected. “I have a spare in the back!”

This was a surprise. I looked at him with pure disbelief and of course, Herry returned with sheepishness.

“You’re not serious!” I let slip. He mouthed one last time. ‘Please’ before I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I finally resigned.

“Great!” Master Wade stated.

It was when I glared up at him again that I realized, he had suddenly started paying more attention to his surroundings than before. Hm…curious.

“Are…you alright?” I asked.

His reaction to my question was delayed. When he finally regarded me again, I noticed that his expression was a little more…stern than before. Something had caught his attention. He quickly put on a short smile.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. I’ll be even better once I hear your tune.”

I didn’t know how to take his sudden shift in demeanor but I knew better than to question him further. So, I did the only thing that I could do. “Okay…well then…I guess I’ll go and change then.”

Master Wade smile. “Great. I’m going to go grab a seat-”

“Mr. Wade!” Herry quipped. “Please allow me to find you the best seat in the house.”

Master Wade seemed to find his use of words amusing. “Much appreciated, thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome, sir!” He led Master Wade away and as he did, he turned around, staring at me one more time before mouthing an excited ‘thank you’ and then continuing off with Master Wade.

“So you’re staying?” Carrie approached again before I made my way to the back room.

“Seems so.”

“Your dad is the sexiest man that I have ever seen in my entire life and I cannot stop looking at him. Inappropriate, I know. But I thought you oughta know.”

I laughed. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”

“Okay, great. Well, go break a leg!” She exclaimed and headed back to the bar. “I’ll be back here…finding the perfect seat for daddy eye candy over there!”

Shaking my head, I headed to the back to go get myself prepared for whatever it was I’d be playing for these strange men that seemed to have Herry by his bones. Before I headed to the back, I noticed the eyes of one of them; he was staring at me and there was an expression on his face that spoke of trouble. Were these men always so…suspicious?

Bearing this concern in mind, I couldn’t help but think that this night would probably end with trouble.