Loyalty by Charles E. Yallowitz

Author:Charles E. Yallowitz [Yallowitz, Charles E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-05T22:00:00+00:00

10

The Scrumptious Siren sits on a flat top hill covered by a birch tree forest. The black and white trees are dotted with purple flowers that attract palm-sized hummingbirds that are every color of the rainbow. Flitting around the cupcake-shaped building, the tiny animals show no fear around strangers and bravely hover near the road until the unfamiliar faces walk out of sight. The curved top of the ebony roof holds an orb that shines like a star whenever it is covered in shadows and emits an enticing mist when touched by sunlight. A vent releases smoke that is sucked into the absorbent shingles, which have been merged to create the odd building’s frosting-like top. Darkened windows surround the circular outer wall, which is made from a pure white wood that cannot be scratched. Half of the sills have pies cooling on them and a fearsome goblin sits behind each one, the dark red creatures waving their tridents at anything that dares to come too close. A cobblestone walkway leads to an arched door with a heart emblazoned on the front, the simple image repeatedly shifting from whole to jaggedly split in half. Flanking the entrance are a pair of wind chimes that remain silent until guests arrive. One goes off to notify those inside if the person is mortal while the other sings in the presence of a vampire. To Clyde and Mab’s relief, only the crimson one on the right rings and the brown chimes remain perfectly still.

The inside of the tavern and bakery is a bizarre combination of styles that still manages to work together. Running to the left and right is a circular balcony where ivory-horned goblins tend to the ovens. Shelves of cookies, cakes, and other desserts surround each window and spectral servants wander about to retrieve anything that has been purchased. The menu is written on the ceiling, but an enchantment reads the viewer’s desires and swiftly draws their eyes to the proper food before they suffer a neck cramp. A few polished steps take the guests to the bar and dining area, which has a dance floor that looks too big to exist in such a small building. Instead of stairs, two metal poles give access to the lower levels where a wide variety of private rooms are maintained by those who have fallen under the thrall of the beloved owner. Throughout the establishment, mortals sit with vampires, but they are trapped in a spell that prevents them from recognizing the undead. Surrounded by blinking lights, a sign warns all patrons that they are not to eat each other or the punishment will only be pleasurable for the hostess.

Standing on top of the bar, Chastity Sullivan whistles while pouring a bottle of whiskey into the mouth of a slender half-elf. The attractive mortal eventually starts to choke and spits out the drink, which causes him to lose a bet. Instead of handing over money, the man drunkenly heads for a doorway off to the side and takes the stairs to one of the curvaceous vampire’s private quarters.

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