Standing Before Monsters (Vorans and Vampires) by Donald Wigboldy

whom began to protest. The fact that he was part owner of the place made him ignore those waiting behind the ropes and their complaints.
    “Evening, Brad, Hawk,” he greeted the two large men with a wave as they approached the base of the stairway standing free of the rope. The second man’s real name was Brian, when Nick was of a mind to joke with him he ignored the persona he adopted for work known as Hawk. This night wasn’t likely to be quite as fun as some, but both men noted the beautiful brunette on his arm. As a werewolf, she had always been leery of going to the home of the coven of vampires even if they were considered allies and long standing friends of the voran.
    Both of the bouncers’ eyes were wider than normal viewing Charlotte. She was an above average beauty, especially when she tried with her makeup and hair.
    “Evenin’, Mr. Steel,” the smaller of the two men, Brad said first eyeing the werewolf jealously. “Who’s your friend?”
    “I’m Charlotte,” she replied placing an award winning smile on her face. “I’m his roommate.”
    Both men cursed envious of such luck, but the second larger, black bouncer called Hawk quickly reverted to business as usual even as he couldn’t help staring at the woman. Unhooking the rope, they watched as the two walked up the four stairs. “You should have brought her sooner,” the man nodded appreciatively.
    Charlotte continued to smile though her fingers tightened slightly on his arm and not in fear of stumbling with her heels on the stairs. Her pheromones kicked out an extra whiff to Nick’s nose in response and he had to assume it was her instinct to make their bond stronger while driving off other potential males. Still she managed to say politely, “I may have to come more often, if people are going to be so nice.”
    “Definitely,” the first man replied with a grin plastered onto his face that revealed her looks amazed him completely.
    As they passed through the door opened by the larger, Hawk; Nick leaned a little closer cautioning, “Nails.” Her grip had become quite uncomfortable as her tension rose.
    “Sorry,” she apologized softening her grip and the pressure exerted by her nails. Sliding her fingers over the marks, Charlotte rubbed his arm while taking in the surrounding space.
    Two bars flanked either side of a large room. Having been a warehouse in a former life, the ceilings were high and looked industrial though painted black including the metal braces holding it securely aloft. Moving lighting dangled panning across the floor or were turned on and off in response to the music by the DJ. Just past the entry, a dance floor took up the first area. A half dozen stairs on either side led to the main sitting space and dozens of tables already filled with patrons.
    If they were there to dance, it would have been hard to find an open place on the floor. Skirting the wood creating the dance area, he followed the carpet around to the bar on the left. It was also the gateway to the kitchen.
    “Do you want anything?”
    “Whiskey and coke,” she stated giving him a look that said she needed the whiskey more than the coke.
    Ordering for Charlotte and a beer for himself, Nick led the werewolf to a more secluded part of the club. A simple set of red drapes were protected by a pair of bouncers, both of whom knew of his status in the club. Though his part ownership was less known, the voran was a regular visitor with the vampires. Entering the secluded room, he noticed a handful of tables were already occupied. It was a bit unusual, since this room was the final buffer between the club and their true lair and home.
    He gestured to a table and sat with Charlotte who looked askance of the man.
    “They know we’re here,” Nick concluded and took a swig of the beer. It was an opened bottle, since he hadn’t bothered with the tap tonight. Charlotte joined him taking out half her drink in an instant. He had a feeling she could have polished all