After finding a place to rest for the day, I quickly freshened up and went in search of this mystery spa. The address on the brochure led to a vacant block. I scanned the area and saw nothing notable. Businesses that were only just opening for the evening, others were locked up tight.

This was one of those mixed towns where humans were brave enough to live among the vampires. Either that or they couldn't afford to move. They did what they could to survive, and we did what we could to lure them out.

Turning away from the vacant block, I watched as the vampires began to emerge. I'd been given the wrong information intentionally. Silas did not want to be found, but that didn't bother me at all. I faced this kind of nonsense with most assignments. Of course, I rarely came across several vampires trying to help out. Usually, it was just one.

Conspiracy thoughts floated through my mind as I crossed the road. I looked at my reflection in the window and thought that a little alteration was necessary. It was possible that Blyth lied about not mentioning my gender, it was likely that he'd described me as well.

Pushing open the door to the salon, I hoped they could accommodate my needs.

"Good evening."

"Hi, can you fit me in for a color removal and returning me to a shade close to my natural blonde?"

"Sure, take a seat."

It was a deviation from the path, but if it helped me locate the man that was determined to hide from me, then it would be worth it.

Two hours later, I was back to being blonde, and my cash supply was down a whole lot of money. I didn't want to use my card here; I had to presume that I was being watched and tracked from all places. Did I have trust issues? You bet your ass I did.

Walking along the sidewalk, I stopped at the corner store. On one wall of the alcove entrance was an information rack that was filled with things to do in this town. Thumbing through them, I pulled a few interesting ones out and pretended that I was just a tourist. Glancing at the leaflets, I pushed open the door and went straight to the counter.

"Good evening miss,"

I looked up at the young man and smiled sweetly at him.

"Hi, I was looking for somewhere to relax. You know, blow off a little steam."

His eyes darted around, giving me a hesitant laugh.

"Sure. There's a great tavern at the end of the street."

"No, honey," I purred, leaning on the counter to give him a jaw-dropping view. "I mean to really blow off a little steam. Maybe a massage to relieve the stress and a little fun to relieve the tension."

He gulped hard, weakly smiling at me.

"We don't have any of those sorts in this town, miss." He whispered.

"Sure you do. Every town has them. I just want a pretty little lady to make me forget about everything that troubles me."

It looked like that the only bulb in the house that was his mind was just blown. The poor lad stared at me as if I were a rare commodity. I smiled, making it worse — one pout with a sultry gaze.

"Come on, where can I find the pleasure girls?"

"Building," He stammered, gesturing to the wall behind him, still staring at me. "Red door. Ain't no signs on it."

I smiled sweetly at him, giving him a wink as I turned.

"Maybe I might see you there tonight."

The enraptured lad offered a hesitant laugh as he watched me walk away.

Making my way down the street, I continued to pretend that I was the tourist as I read the brochures. All the while I was watching the land and searching for the red door.

It didn't take me long. I stopped and tucked the brochures into my bag, glanced around the street and opened the door.

Inside was not what I expected. Knowing that it was a house of ill repute, I thought that I'd be faced with scantily clad women in some distant room, barely seen but enough for a tempting view of what could be.

Instead, it was a small room with a desk that sat between two walls, one lonely door to the side. A woman looked up at me from behind the desk. Dressed in a professional way in a smart suit, I wondered if I'd been given wrong information.

"Good evening. How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for a place that can help relieve a lot of stress."

She smiled at me, standing from her seat.

"Perhaps you're in the wrong place."

"Could be." I hummed. "Do you relieve stress here?"

"We do."

"Is this a massage parlor that ventures beyond the towel?"

Again, she smiled at me. This time a little deeper.

"It is."

"Then I am in the right place."

"Of course."

"Why don't you have a sign out front?"

"We are a word of mouth business, and it is not necessary to advertise what we do here. Those who want us will find us. Through the door, one of our greeters will help you find what you are looking for."

I nodded, murmuring my gratitude as I opened the door. The expectation for anything and everything was my life. A goon with heavy fists, waiting for me? Yep, that was possible. A room full of naked women? Another interesting option. A saloon style area with dancing girls on a stage doing the can-can? Not what I thought I'd see but hells bells, it was what I was faced with.

The music was loud; all eyes were directed to the stage. Girls danced, kicking up their legs while twirling and lifting the skirts of their dresses. It was mesmerizing. Darting my gaze through the crowd that were seated at the small wooden tables, I searched for Silas. At least, I tried. It wasn't easy when the room was dark.

Women in skimpy tops and shorts moved through the tables as they served drinks to the patrons, cleaned up the empty glasses and giggled when their asses got slapped. I rolled my eyes with pure distaste and turned to the woman that was approaching.

"Good evening and welcome to Oasis."

Well, hallelujah.

"What can I delight you with tonight?"

"A table thanks."

"Of course, this way."

She guided me down the wide staircase, moving to the left. I was given a booth seat which suited me just perfectly. No one moving in behind me, no one sneaking up on me. To my surprise, another woman sat down beside me. She was less dressed than most. Knowing the kind of establishment I was in, it didn't surprise me, but her presence here certainly did.

"A drinks menu," The hostess said as she put the book in front of me. "And of course, Shelly will tell you of our other menu. I will return in a few minutes to take your order."

The hostess turned away, and Shelly moved closer, her hand finding my leg.

"We don't usually get women in here, but I'd be happy to help you."

"Great. You can start by telling me if you've seen this man."

Shelly frowned as she looked down at the picture.

"Aren't you here for a little relief?"

The thought was tempting. Even a massage to lift the strain in my shoulders would be alright. I was a pent-up ball of stress and frustration. When her hand tightened on my leg and shifted higher, I suddenly wished that I was wearing a skirt rather than pants. I'd happily let her stick her hand in there if she gave me the right answer to my question.

"No. This man?"

Shelly huffed, taking the picture from me.

"Yeah, he was here last night. Said he was leaving town because there was an eagle or something hanging around."

"An eagle?" I said dryly.

I knew that she'd misheard him. Nighthawk. The man knew that the Nighthawk was coming for him.

"Yeah, some kind of predatory bird," Shelly said with a shrug. "He had a few drinks, left with one of the girls and I didn't see him after that."

"Take me to the girl that serviced him."

Shelly frowned for a moment and then shifted over the seat.

"Come on, before Hilda returns."

I took the photo back and followed Shelly through an archway beneath the tallest part of the staircase. It was dark, but one turn of a corner and I was faced with a vastly different area. Now it was what I expected here. It was a show of flesh, tiny panties and a lot of hungry smiles.