Flying low over a corner of the city of Las Vegas, John took one last look at the location on the map in his phone before putting it back in his pocket. He looked around and nodded to himself when he once again confirmed the place he was looking for was near when he compared the references.
It must be there. He thought when his eyes fell in a certain direction, an area which was even further away from the city.
Still, despite being away from the center locations like the Strip Street, it didn't mean the area was completely quiet. There was a nearby road leading to the heart of the city, with cars going in and out of there at every moment.
Also, many residential buildings were scattered around, with many people there enjoying their night in their mansion instead of doing it in the heart of the city. They were living in a more peaceful frequency than the lively and frenzy that was Las Vegas. At least, that was the vibe John got from the city just by flying nearby to it.
It's like the place smells like euphoria. John thought when landing in a hidden alley, having made sure no one had seen him before walking out and continuing on his path on foot.
From where he landed, John just needed to walk to the end of the street and he would reach his destination. It would still take some time, but he would make use of the time to have a better look at this part of the city.
The street was lengthy, but there weren't many houses. Or better said, there weren't many mansions. The region seemed to be a place where the rich and wealthy lived, the smallest house John had seen around was almost comparable to the main wing of the Salvatore School, a building which houses halls and classrooms, enough to accommodate dozens of people at the same time. And this was just the most basic of them all.
When walking by the front of a mansion, John casually lifted his head to look at a group of young adults having fun on the open space of the second floor.
Smoke rose from the grill and the sweet smell of seasons and meat spread around. Loud music was played, but the distance between each house was enough for it to not bother any of the neighbors.
Looking at these people, the boy noticed many of them weren't much older than himself. They all probably were university students enjoying themselves.
But as he was about to face forward and continue on his path, John noticed someone from the group–a blond woman, probably in her early 20s–looked back at him. She strangely waved at him with a very happy smile, her expression too radiant as she did it.
Seeing this, John softly chuckled before raising his hand and waving back. Not common to see someone so friendly around here. He thought, not used to strangers in America greeting him without initiative from his part.
After walking for a few more minutes and passing by half a dozen mansions, the end of the street appeared in his sight. Only one building stood there, with all the others being left behind.
When compared to the others, the mansion ahead wasn't much more luxurious or bigger. It was a "casual" mansion. Still, it was a three-floors building with a large garden in front of it.
Stopping before the building, analyzing it for some time, John slowly furrowed his brow. I can't hear anything. He thought, finding the situation strange since the place ahead was obviously his destination.
Looking around, he found an interphone by the side of the large iron gates. Without much thought from his side, he pressed a button on it.
Ding-Dong!
The sound similar to that of a doorbell echoed from it.
Still, the boy still frowned when his enhanced hearing tried to pick anything from the house, but not even the sound of an interphone ringing could be heard.
This is getting strange. Getting curious by the situation, John stopped trying to deduce things normally and simply narrowed his eyes at the building.
Everything about the structure ahead was revealed to him, and John found himself with a growing surprised expression as his eyes slowly moved down.
That's… impressive. He muttered inwardly, the sight of what was hidden beneath the ground he stood on bringing some awe.
But before he could fully inspect the layers hidden beneath the pavement and dirt, a voice coming from the interphone stole John's attention.
"Good evening. May I help you, Sir?" The voice speaking was distinctively old, deep and a bit slow. Also, it carried a strong accent from southeast Europe.
Turning his eyes away from the ground, John walked closer to the device. "Yes. I have an invitation which pointed me to this address."
"Please, position the invitation before the lens so we can verify that."
Zi…
Following the instruction, a small lid on the interphone rolled down, revealing a small camera of impressive quality hidden behind it.
Fetching his phone out, John calmly opened the file which was the invitation and positioned it before the camera.
He could see that the camera was also a scanner, and a screen on the interphone quickly changed to show the verification was complete and the invitation was legit.
Without any announcement, the iron gates opened sideways, allowing the entrance of the young man.
"Follow the pavement, Sir. I will greet you by the entrance." The voice ceased as the previous words echoed.
Standing before the opened gates, John traced the path ahead with his eyes before taking a step forward.
He took two long minutes to cross the distance between the mansion's entrance from the gates, an excellent way to describe how big the front yard was.
The statues are beautiful details to the garden. Also, they match with the trees. John carefully observed the green foliage of the trees which shook with the cold wind, the color of the leaves adding an impeccable contrast to the whiteness of the marble. Also, they smell good.
When standing on the front porch, appreciating the sight of the garden, John listened to the door behind opening.
He turned around before the door could even open fully, and this action allowed the young man to notice one thing about the person behind the door before he could even learn anything other bodily characteristics from the person.
A vampire. John wasn't surprised, considering one ruled the location he would visit. And a very old one as well. The magic coursing through him is many times stronger than any of the vampires back in the school. When the door opened, John kept an even expression when he stopped from analyzing his magic to his characteristics.
He was an old man, probably in his late 60s from appearance. He was slightly taller than the average man, kept a straight posture and wore a black suit with a red-wine necktie and a golden pocket watch shoved in his right pocket. His gray hair, along with his beard, were neatly combed and his dark brown eyes were quietly studying the boy before him, but in a way much more subtly than the young man studying the old man.
Also, the old man did have a very distinct scar across his face. It surged from the right side of his neck and crawled to his right cheek, in a straight line like a blade had cut it.
From before he became a vampire, I assume. Taking advantage of the fact he didn't take long studying the old man, John greeted him first.
"Good evening, Mister."
Lifting his eyes due to the difference in height, the person John thought to be the butler or governor of the house bowed his head in a slow manner.
"Good evening, Dear Guest." He said, his voice the same one John had just listened to a few moments ago at the gate.
Before any more words were said, the old man stepped aside. "Please, come in, dear guest. I must prepare you for your entrance." He gestured his hand, welcoming John in.
Not delaying it, John stepped forward right away, entering the house and taking the interior into his sight.
Luxurious, as expected. A quick look around at what he assumed to be the main room of the mansion was enough for John to have a better idea of how wealthy was the owner. The chandelier up above made of gold and what he was almost certain to be diamond encrusted on the branches and edges was one of the best indicators.
If not, the handmade long curtains of silk–dyed in a deep purple paint–and gold embroidered in it along the edges was also another thing that caught the attention of the young man.
"Beautiful house." John muttered.
"My Mistress has an impeccable taste." He turned around after closing the door, walking ahead. "Follow me, please. I will guide you to where your possessions must be left and where we will provide you the artifacts as requested by Lady Mikaelson."
"So you know I am here due to her." John followed the old man, going deeper into the mansion.
"Yes, Sir." The old man curtly nodded. "As a servant of My Mistress, I am aware of why you came to our door instead of other ways to enjoy our services."
There are other entrances, that makes sense. I just didn't expect I would be enjoying the unusual one just because Rebekah sent me here. I guess that's the kind of benefits you get from having a connection with an Original. John was slightly surprised by the revelation, smiling in content.
"May I know your name, Mister?" John asked when taking a turn, still looking at all sides when roaming the place.
The man didn't stop his feet when responding. "It's Nikos, Sir."
"John Neo."
"Pardon me for not sharing my surname, Sir. I haven't been given one upon my growth." Nikos calmly said.
"I see." John said. "Have you ever thought of acquiring one?"
Despite Nikos not turning his head, John could feel the older man was trying to look back at him.
Sensing it, John thinned his lips. "Sorry if my question was too invasive. Forget I just asked."
"I would be satisfied with that." Nikos said, continuing to walk forward without saying any other word before John.
As for the boy, he inwardly took a deep breath at the old man's reaction, an idea surging in his mind. But besides that, he just continued to silently follow the servant, studying the vampire and the surroundings to satisfy his curiosity.
…
"The artifacts you must use for the night are here." Nikos said while opening the door to a small hut in the backyard of the mansion. It was a place to store garden tools and such.
Even this place is extremely clean and expensive. John thought. However, he didn't keep this random thought for long when his eyes focused on Nikos again. Or more specifically, on the wooden chest he carried in his hands.
Putting over a surface, Nikos opened the lid of the chest, revealing two items that were retrieved by the servant.
"These are the items requested by Lady Mikaelson to you." Of the two items in his hands, Nikos first handed out a mask.
It was black, flat and with only two circles for the eyes for the user to see. But beyond that, when holding it in his hands, John felt magic flowing through it.
This is a beautiful craftsmanship of magic. What is this made of? The magic seems so perfectly retained in it, way better than the plastic in Penelope's pen or the school's structure. A look of wonder took over his eyes while studying the artifact. This is an interesting topic to study later. Materials that have resistance against magic or are compatible with it. As his thoughts roamed, John slowly put the mask on his face.
Without any prompt from him, the mask stuck to his face and started to morph to fully cover it. And besides to hide his features, it also changed to grant him comfort while wearing it.
"Neat." John commented, a smile surging when the voice he listened to wasn't also his own. "I just have a doubt."
"I may already guess what it is, Sir John. Fret not, it opens a small space for passage of food and drinks. You just have to think of it."
Perfect! John celebrated inwardly, his eyes darting to the last item. "Is that a bank card?"
"Yes, Lady Rebekah asked us to give it to you." Nikos then passed him the card. "She said you should use the money in it to 'have fun'."
"But I brought my own money."
"Which is?"
Staring down at the butler, the young man felt resistant to say anything. I feel like saying I have only a few hundred bucks with me will only make him look at me with contempt. "First of all, how much is in here?" John raised the card to his eyesight.
"According to Lady Rebekah, there are one hundred thousand American dollars in it."
One hundred grand?! John's mind almost went blank for a second out of pure shock and surprise. However, that wasn't the end of it since Nikos continued his words.
"Also, she asked us to inform you that any profit you earn is yours solely. But she requests the amount she has put in the card back." Nikos interlocked his arms behind his back at the end of his words.
Listening to that, John inwardly nodded. That makes sense. If she could just give me a hundred grand without care, half of the reason I came here would be pointless. Slowly, he put the card in his pocket. "Thank you, Nikos."
"Be thankful to Lady Mikaelson." The man promptly said. He then turned around and went deeper into the hut, stopping before the wall over the other side.
Looking at the old man moving, John had a thought. I think I saw something around here when I was by the gate. Maybe… Squinting his eyes momentarily, John nodded inwardly. Yeah, as I imagined. He thought when looking at the location where the vampire stood.
Vsh…
Nikos pressed a small button blending in the wall, the metallic surface holding up the hut retreated one centimeter into itself before sliding to the side. In a blink, an entrance leading to a secret elevator was revealed to the two men.
Keeping his location, Nikos gestured his hand towards the elevator. "Please, Sir John. This elevator will take us to your destination."
Giving a brief nod, John went ahead and entered the elevator, with Nikos going in right after. The butler then clicked on one of the two buttons in the control panel, making the doors shut close.
A slight tremor was felt when the elevator started to move down, but just once. The rest of the descent was smooth and tranquil while a cozy music played in the background.
The situation earned a smirk from the boy. What a cliché situation.
Ping!
Followed by a sharp ring, the elevator shook once again before coming to a stop. The doors then slowly opened, revealing a long corridor with white walls and dark red carpet.
And just as the scenario took over his sight, many sounds and smells also bombarded John's senses.
Hmph, it is starting to sound like the rest of the city. John thought, lifting his head while walking out of the elevator. We are at least twenty meters underground, no wonder no sound or smell could get to the surface.
As they went deeper into the corridor, Nikos spoke up again. "Before I lead you to where you will enjoy the rest of your night, I will first reinforce a few rules I am sure Lady Mikaelson has talked with you about, but it's always good to remind them."
"I'm listening."
"First, any kind of cheating is forbidden. If any of our workers catch sight of you utilizing forbidden ways–such as magic–to get the upper hand during any game, we will kindly escort you out of our establishment; even if you are a guest recommended by the Mikaelsons." Nikos sternly said.
"I imagine my own abilities aren't part of the 'forbidden' category, right?"
"Everyone here has a quick and sharp mind, Sir John. We are an inclusive group, we won't restrain what is innately yours by birth or acquired." Nikos replied, his tone a little more neutral. "That said, another reminder: Since everyone here is like us, obviously my Mistress made sure the games went through a few changes for them to be kept interesting. So, if you plan to count cards, I recall you will find yourself slightly disappointed, or at least bored."
The vampire's words brought new knowledge to John, with him not having discussed such matters with Rebekah since the idea of the games adapting for vampires haven't crossed his mind.
However, beyond that information, Nikos' words also revealed another knowledge for John.
He is assuming I am a vampire? John almost laughed at the thought, but he restrained himself. Right, obviously they would think of that since this is a casino for vampires and an Original recommended this place to me. Also, I have enough faith in Rebekah to not go slipping my secrets. So it's very unlikely of them to think of me as anything else.
Unaware of the boy's thoughts, the old vampire continues his words. "And last but not least, if you come to create or have any disaffection with any of the other guests and wish to deal with it, please guide yourself to our arena. There, you can kill yourselves without quarrying the anger of anyone else and also bringing no damage to my mistress's property." Slowly, Nikos turned his head and looked over his shoulder. "Do you have any doubt about my words?"
"None." John shook his head. "And I shall keep them in mind, Mr. Nikos."
Listening to this response, the old vampire just quietly nodded before looking ahead again. He kept walking without a break, taking turns left and right.
As they walked deeper into the underground building they were in, John started to notice the sounds and smells were getting closer and in no time the two men were surrounded by different people.
Men and women wearing fancy formal clothes walked to diverse directions, all of them formally greeting the old vampire when facing him. They bowed their heads briefly before continuing on their way, not even waiting for a response from him.
That was most probably what Nikos expected as well, since he not once stopped to greet the individuals–who John assumed to be the staff of this place, since they held trays of what he assumed to be purely made of silver. The old man just barely glanced at them, as if to give them permission to follow with their lives.
In contradiction, when laying their eyes on the towering figure behind the old vampire, the waiters looked for longer in an attempt to see anything beyond the mask. But all they were able to discern about the young man's appearance was nothing beyond the color of his hair and the tone of his skin. Even the color of his eyes was momentarily hidden behind a faint veil of darkness, an illusion created by the mask.
But behind that darkness, a golden light of curiosity looked deeply into these individuals.
They are compelled. With his eyes piercing right into their heads, John could see the faint color of magic attached to their brains. I guess that's a must for a human to work here. If that can even be called work. I just hope I didn't come to a place which promotes slavery. But considering some facts… Moving his eyes to the vampire ahead of him, John furrowed his brow in suspicion. I guess the chances for that aren't low.
Taking a couple more turns and walking for what he assumed to be a little more than a hundred meters, the waiters disappeared from his sight. But after walking for so long, approaching the center of the place, John's senses started to be able to discern with more precision. And among the many things he sensed in this place, one specifically caught his attention.
Clicking his tongue, John narrowed his eyes. It's to the point I am feeling a metallic taste in my mouth.
After this thought, John halted on his tracks when Nikos did the same. The old vampire stopped before a couple of metal doors, laying his thumb on a scanner by the side that was followed by a click, indicating the door was now unlocked and just needed a push to open.
Putting both his hands on the handlers of the doors, Nikos gave a brief look over his shoulder at the young man.
"Are you ready?"
"I guess I am." John nodded.
Nodding, Nikos looked ahead again. "Mr. Guest, it is with utmost pleasure that I present to you one of my mistress' greatest achievements – our beloved Blood Rose."
Nikos pushed the doors open and what was hidden before them was revealed to the young man, making him stand still on where he was.
A strong, sweet wave of blood scent hit him and ascended into his nostrils, the metallic taste in his tongue reinforcing.
The atmosphere was extremely lively, with loud voices echoing in many different languages and figures blurring as they moved from one game to the other. Cards flew and dice rolled alongside laughter and flattering. All of that while a low voice singing the classics of Blues softly permeated the back of everything, just high enough for those who enjoyed listening to it, but not loud enough to disturb the talk of others.
Everyone wore clothes of silk, cashmere and textures people who hadn't ventured much in the world properly hadn't seen. Pearls, ruby, gold and diamonds were on their ears, around their necks and wrists and even on their fingers.
Among the hundreds of individuals in his sight–all of them of the most variety of ethnicities–none of them wore what could be said to be casual clothes.
So, for probably this reason and many others he still had to think of, many of the eyes present fell on the boy.
And for the first time since this new chapter of his life began, John felt a bit of what could be called stage fright.
Standing there, with his arms resting by his sides and his shoulders rolled back, John's eyes naturally looked back at every single vampire who sent a glare his way. He did that knowing very well that everyone here probably outlives him by at least ten times. Their eyes, that probably were the last thing many creatures saw before passing away were all over him, put a weight on him that he wasn't used to.
Shit. It's been some time since I've been this nervous. John thought, his worries not shown thanks to the mask. Still, he didn't doubt others could assume this much by how his body behaved.
Taking a deep quick breath, John felt his right foot rise and move forward, stepping into the casino that had the mixed smell of alcohol and blood in the air. And as he did so, the confidence–that had been built these past few days ever since his perspective of the world and himself changed–naturally came back to him as his steps led him towards the vampires that surrounded him.
And when their eyes continued on him, wary of the strange factor he posed as no one else had their identity hidden, a wide enthusiastic smile started to bloom on John's lips.
I hope this will be a fun night. John thought, each of his steps echoing in the room.
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A/N
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