Working Class Vegas Vamp is a free urban fantasy serial, usually publishing on Tuesdays. It is unedited and subject to change. If published later, it may differ significantly, and will probably include additional material. Typos and English errors are likely; feel free to leave a comment or write me at am {AT} amscottwrites.com (revised as a standard email address. Pesky bots!) Available for a limited time only!

Haven’t started yet? Chapter 1: https://www.amscottwrites.com/2024/10/29/working-class-vegas-vamp-chapter-1/ ‎

Chapter 8

I screamed, clutching his neck.

He jerked his head away from me. “Stop screeching. You could break glass. Hang on tight for a second.” He let go, and I clamped my wrists tight, scrabbling for a grip with my toes on the glass. Miraculously, there was a tiny ledge. The man reached around my waist, and a click sounded. “Now, I need to turn you around.”

“Turn? Are you kidding me?” I’d have to let go of my death grip around his neck.

“I got you. There’s a belt around your waist.” He clamped his hands on my hips and twisted me. “Let go.”

I blew out a breath and released my grip on my wrists. I’d have bruises tomorrow. “Okay.”

“Got to toss you a little. Don’t flail your hands around. When I’ve got you, find that ledge with your heels.”

“Toss me?” I rose and spun in the air and couldn’t hold back a squeal. Then his big, strong hands gripped my hips again. The lights of Vegas highlighted the scene of my  death, far below. I scrabbled against the smooth glass with my feet, then improbably, found that tiny perch. “Okay, my heels are on the ledge, but…” I reached back and grabbed the railing on either side of the man. If he let me go, I wouldn’t be able to hang on long, but at least I had a chance.

Straps flopped over my shoulders. “Gonna get a little familiar now, sorry.” He bent slightly and reached between my legs.

I almost jumped, but didn’t want to lose my tenuous perch. Latches snicked and the straps tightened. I assumed I was harnessed to the man. “Yikes.” That was a lot of pressure in a sensitive spot.

“Good thing you’re short.” The man said in my ear. “I’m bringing you back to this side. Then I’m going to unlatch you for a minute. Stay here.”

He gripped my hips again, pulling me up and sliding me over the railing. A quiet snick-snick, and I was on my feet again. He strode to the doorway, where the iron torches were still holding the shutter open, ducked inside and whistled.

He could have put my harness on while I was standing on the balcony. Dropping me over the side was cruel. I’d take his offer of a way out because I had no alternatives, but I wasn’t sticking around. People who enjoyed terrorizing others were dangerous.

Rustling and clicking of talons on marble signaled the badgers return. Clanging sounded, the torches bouncing on the balcony and the shutter slammed down. The badgers rushed to the railing, grasping the top rail with their long, deadly front claws.

I knew they were strong, but could they really boost their massive bodies over the railing? And if they did, what then? Badgers couldn’t fly.

The man joined them, pulling a tether from the first badger’s back. The badger’s teeth clamped on it, then it hurtled its body up and over the railing, falling like a rock. I ran to the edge and peered over. A parachute deployed, and the badger sailed away.

“Hey, come help. You slowed me down. Pull the red tether and hold it out so the badger can bite down.”

I turned and reached for the harness on the badger next to me. It turned and bared its teeth at me. I recoiled, then realized it was waiting, not threatening. I grabbed the only red cord I saw, sticking out from a bulging backpack, and held the end out to the badger. Long, thick, sharp teeth clamped down, then the badger launched over the railing and was gone. I moved to the next, and the next, then only the man and I were left.

“Turn your back, darling, and let’s blow this popsicle stand.” He made a spinning motion with one finger.

I snorted and spun, and barely kept from jumping when his firm hands clamped on my waist. A latch clicked, and I rose into the air, the straps between my legs pressing hard. I was trying hard not to think about how we were getting down. No matter what, it wasn’t going to be a comfortable ride.

“This could get a little dicey. His hands fastened on my hips again. “Legs up and over.”

I lifted my legs, thankful for my strong stomach muscles, and let them slide over the railing. The lights of Vegas sparkled and dazzled my eyes, and my heart pounded at a rate it hadn’t since I was alive. I’d been afraid since I was turned, but not completely terrified. Still, the man had gotten here somehow, and probably had a parachute like the badgers.

“Don’t scream.” Soft lips brushed my ear, then his hands released me.

I fell. The ground rushed up to meet me and I clamped my lips together, but I’m sure whimpers broke loose. After what seemed like forever, I jolted upward.

”Oof. You’re different than carrying a badger.” I twisted, trying to see above me. “Stay still. I know it’s scary, but it’s hard enough to steer a double load. Don’t make it harder.” He laughed. “Just lay back and enjoy the ride.”

Typical guy—making bad innuendo-filled jokes. “Right. Because that line has always worked.”

“Hey, just trying to reassure you. We’ll be fine, gliding gracefully all the way to the scene of the crash.” His voice was velvet; low, soft and strong and his body was cool behind mine in the hot desert air. With all his muscles and the way he held that security shutter up, I was fairly certain he was a gargoyle. But he could be some other kind of supernatural. I’d never researched the whole range of possibilities; I had enough to deal with those who came my way through my job. Or threatened me.

“I thought we’d coast farther, but I underestimated the load. And no, I’m not calling you fat.” He chuckled. “A badger would have been just as bad. Or maybe worse.” He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “We’re at a steeper slope than I’d like, so I’m going to jettison you early.”

“What?” He’d better not drop me. We were still at least a hundred feet in the air!

“Don’t worry. You’ll have a safe landing. Just gonna get a little wet.”

I looked ahead. Plumes of water blasted into the air—the Bellagio Fountains. They were playing “Fly Me to the Moon,” and I barked a laugh at the irony.

“Sorry I can’t actually fly you anywhere. The best I can do is glide. But despite the fact that I’ll be getting a beautiful woman soaking wet, I’m happy it’s you. If I dropped one of the badgers in the water, they’d come up swinging with those nasty claws. Can’t do much damage, but it still doesn’t feel good.” His low voice was rich with laughter. “You’re not gonna claw me, are you?”

I ignored the beautiful woman comment. I wasn’t a beauty. And if I had been, no one was beautiful wearing an old-lady mumu, no makeup and hair that had been squished under a wig for more than twenty-four hours. He was a flirt; the habit was undoubtedly helpful, especially for a guy with muscles like his. I couldn’t remember his face, but gargoyles had glamor; he must have precise control I hadn’t seen before. “No. Not much point.” I held up my right hand. “My nails are short and round. Besides, you got me out of there. You could dump me in the nastiest golf course pond around and I’d be thrilled.”

“Fair warning. I’ll release you first, then I’ll keep gliding. I’m hoping my glamor holds so no one spots me. But they’ll see you. Get out of there and get moving. Do you have somewhere to hide?”

I hadn’t planned on returning to Vegas, so I hadn’t made any arrangements. I had plenty of emergency bolt-holes around the city, but no way of knowing which were still safe. And half of them had relied on my access to the Stardust. But that wasn’t the gargoyle’s problem; it was mine. “Sure. I’ll be fine. Thanks for the save. I owe you one.” I hated saying it, but it was true.

“You helped me and I’m pretty sure losing you will annoy Theoden. And might please the wolf Alpha. So we’re even. Especially after the lousy landing coming up.”

Please the wolf? He was part of the problem, not the solution. We spiraled down over the water. The song and show had ended, and the crowd dispersed. I scanned the mass of people, searching for large groups I could blend in with. Although blending in when you’re dripping wet isn’t easy. A crowd of young women wearing tiaras and sashes and drinking huge frozen drinks remained near the south side of the fountain railing, dancing to the music. I pointed. “There. Near the bridal shower.”

“Good choice. One more drunk girl. Although, you won’t exactly blend in. That dress is hideous.” We glided lower, the spiral tighter.

“I know.” But wet, it would cling. And I had an hourglass body, so all I had to do was tie a knot at my waist, and the dress would look okay, if not exactly like a sparkly bridesmaid outfit.

“Well, Char Flammen, it was a pleasure flying with you. I hope you get away clean.” He laughed. “Keep your eyes on the horizon, don’t anticipate the landing, and raise your legs, because I’m not sure how deep this thing is. Better to break your tailbone than your ankles.”

He knew my name, but I didn’t know his. We dropped suddenly, my stomach rising, then I rose for a split second.

Gravity took hold, and I fell like a rock.

 

***To be continued***

 Working Class Vegas Vamp Copyright © 2024 by AM Scott. All Rights Reserved.

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs