Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) by Tom Keller

all
watching the stage, or to put it another way, they were all watching Trixie,
enthralled. I could see the girls eyeing each other, some of them shrugging,
one rolling her eyes. They did not look happy. I had no idea what this girl had
that they didn't, but Alicia was right. She did have something.
    "You see it too," she declared. It wasn't a
question.
    "Yeah, I'm guessing she isn't so popular with the
other girls."
    "No, she isn't. But management fired a few that said
something a while back and nowadays everyone keeps their mouth shut," she
said, as she turned and walked back down the hallway.
    With a last look, I let go of the curtain and followed her
into her office. "What do you know about her?" I asked, as I parked
myself back in the chair in front of her desk.
    "Oh, Honey. She is so outta your league," she
replied with a shrug.
    I might have blushed. "No. Sorry. I didn't mean it
that way."
    She laughed, and then continued. "Not much. She comes
in, does her sets and then she leaves. Never says too much. Only thing she's
ever asked for is some special bottled water, so I keep that in stock. As a
matter of fact, there she goes now." Alicia tilted her head up as if
pointing out the door.
    I turned to look, but she had already gone. "Well,
that's my cue," I said. "Thanks Alicia, I appreciate your help
today."
    As she stood, I extended my hand to shake hers, but she
came around the desk instead. She reached for me and gave me a hug.
    "Don't be a stranger, baby," she whispered in my
ear. She took my hand, led me out of her office and back to the exit, which she
opened. "And tell Hailey hi for me."
    I went through the door, waved goodbye, then headed back
into the dimly lit alley. As the door closed, I looked around, wondering where
the girl had gone. Except for the cars, there was nothing visible. I shook my
head as I walked to the car. First it was talking dogs. Now there were Faeries.
Or was it Elves? Hell, did it really matter?
    I sat in my car with the engine running for a minute or
two, just watching the lot. I couldn't figure it out. It had looked so real. I
knew she couldn't really have had wings, but, damn. I saw them. What was
happening to me? But I had seen the audience's reaction as well. She had done
something to them and it was clear the other girls saw it, too.
    So I was seeing and hearing things, but for the girls at Darlings ?
Ouch! That had to hurt. Imagine what has to be going through their minds as
they do a seductive lap dance, when suddenly their customer forgets they exist.
Talk about a blow to your self-esteem. Not to mention the bottom line if he
doesn't tip her. To hell with it. I gave up trying to figure any of it out.
This wasn't the place.
    I put my car in gear and made my way out on to Highland.
Making a left at the light, I headed toward Las Vegas Boulevard and the
freeway. Eyeing a 7-11, I changed my mind, cut across several lanes of traffic
and pulled into a parking space. I needed coffee.

Chapter 5
     
    It must be my night for pretty women. As I went through
the door, I saw the clerk ringing up something for a nice looking gal. She was
in her mid to late 30's, with light brown hair to the middle of her back. Not
magazine pretty, more a wholesome-type look. The kind of girl your mother would
probably like. But there was also a subtle hint of sexy about her, just barely
peeking out. She was well-dressed, casual style, in pressed black jeans with a
black shirt that sparkled when she moved and showed just a hint of bosom. But
it was her eyes that grabbed me, and they grabbed my soul. They were as green
as emeralds.
    At first glance, I thought she might be wearing contacts,
but when I took a second look, they were all hers. I was a sucker for green
eyes. I gave a smile and a hello as I walked by. She just nodded and continued
toward the exit, barely noticing me. Oh well. What did I expect? This was 7-11
for God's sake, not a pick up joint.
    I grabbed a coffee, paid the clerk, and went back to