Aspen Country Club was an elite, exclusive club that was members invite only. The employees of the country club had seen every sight possible from fancy cars to jets or teleportation circles, but this was the first time they had ever seen a yellow taxi pulling up to the entrance.

 “Please wait for me, I shan’t be long,” a figure said from the open taxi door. Tall and thin, an all too slender woman emerges from the depths. The guards at the entrance instantly stiffen and reach for their weapons. That woman had the sort of face that awakened all of their fight or flight instincts.

 The concierge at the entrance gazes arrogantly down his nose at the woman. He has seen all sorts of types, drunks, drug dealers, monsters and the likes, a cold faced woman held no fear for him. “Welcome to Aspen Country Club, can I help you with anything. If you are lost and looking for the Marina Spa, that is the next hill over,” the concierge arrogantly said, barely keeping a sneer from appearing on his face.

 “I was invited for dinner,” the woman solemnly said.

The concierge snorted and said, “Aspen Country Club, does no such thing. I’m afraid I’ll have you leave the premises immediately or I will have you forcibly removed.” The guards a bit too eagerly take a threating step forward.

The woman’s lips twitch into a thin frigid smile. The concierge’s pulse sky rockets as the guards slowly ease their weapons out of their holsters. “Please check again. I can assure you, I am on the list,” the woman coolly declared.

“As I was saying, Ma’am, there is no such list!” The concierge firmly exclaimed. The guards take that as a signal to remove the woman off and from the private property. Before they can do so, Concierge Romano, the head of concierges hastily emerges from within.

“Miss Reed, my most sincere apologies, the staff was not informed of your eminent visit. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you to make amends,” the suave Concierge Romano firmly said, while the guards hastily removed their hands off their weapons. In turn, the front entrance concierge paled at having insulted an important guest.

 “The cab driver has been told to wait,” Miss Reed stated, rather than asked.

 “That will not be a problem, Miss Reed. Now please come this way, the signore’s are expecting you,” Concierge Romano politely said as he paused only to give pointed glances that promised a frim reckoning later. The three men’s faces turn ghastly as Concierge Romano leads the way inside. If the owner of the country club was informed, not only would be they be fired, but no other establishment would hire them for causing such an incident.

 The entrance of the Country Club is lavish from the carpets to ceiling with an exquisitely painted mural by a famous artist. The staff is impeccably dressed and appearance wise, pleasing to the eye as well. Concierge Romano nods to several important looking men, who nod back and gaze with curious eyes at the woman being led inside.

There were only two female club members and any other women were free hospitality on behalf of the country club. Paying no further mind to the situation, the men return to their conversations easily forgetting the incident. With interest, they move on to discuss the current politics and socialites vying for power.

 The dining table is situated on the tallest point of the hill, overlooking the golfing acres, but most importantly giving a beautiful view of the sunset in the distance. The glowing array of pinks, orange, red, and purples could instantly take anyone’s breath away. The dining room that was usually full had been especially been reserved for the members of the informal auction house association.

The five owners of auction houses in Emerald City are all seated. Three of them are human males and the other two are non-humans. One is a male elf and the other is a female nymph, the only female member of the group. The five seated members glance up to see Concierge Romano leading a tall, too slender female. But what causes them all to pause are those eyes that are filled with murder and bloodlust.

That brief glimmer disappears, but nonetheless, the members are left aghast. Concierge Romano naïvely says, “Greetings everyone, dinner will be shortly served. And please, allow me to introduce, Miss Reed. Miss Reed, allow me to introduce everyone, the handsome fellow with cowboy boots is Mr. Moore. To his left in the tailored suit is Mr. Nazari and on Mr. Moore’s right is Mr. Jones. The lovely nymph is Wistari and our ever-wise elven member, Tassarion.”

The group rapidly reevaluates their opinion of Miss Reed after the unexpected release of bloodlust. The handsome, tan Arabic man in the tailored suit is the first recover. “Please have a seat Miss Reed, we have been expecting you,” Mr. Nazari cordially said. The rest of the members murmur a similar answer as Concierge Romano pulls out a seat for Miss Reed to sit in, once Miss Reed is seated, Concierge Romano excuses himself to see if dinner is ready.

The only sound is that of several members reaching for their glistening glasses, some water and other’s something stronger. A server silently pours wine for Miss Reed before tactfully retreating. “Thank you for inviting,” Miss Reed finally said breaking the silence.

Taking their cues, the other auction house owners relax or pretend to at least. Chatter begins amongst themselves as they allow for those seated closest to Miss Reed, Tassarion, and Wistari to gain the confidence of Miss Reed. Handsome beyond any human capacity, Tassarion the elf charmingly smiles at the human woman.

“Miss Reed, have you been in our fair Emerald City for long?” Tassarion gracefully inquired.

 “Yes.” Miss Reed simply stated.

Noticing the lack of response, the elegant nymph, Wistari moves in. “Miss Reed, in that case, you must accompany us to the annual Emerald City Masquerade Ball. It will be a wonderful time to be had by all,” Wistari persuasively said.

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 There is an awkward silence as Miss Reed takes a sip of her water glass in response. Changing tactics, Tassarion smoothly asks, “Miss Reed, I understand that you do not wish to be here, but try to make the best of it. Tonight’s dinner may very well determine the success of your auction house.”

A dark glint is seen in the depth of those shark-infested eyes. “Is that a warning or is that a threat?” Miss Reed crisply asked.

Wistari hastily jumps in to salvage the situation. “No, no, please don’t mistake poor Tassarion as a villain, he’s quite the charmer, though a tad of a black-hearted rogue,” Wistari teasingly said expecting a reaction, yet, Miss Reed tactfully remains silent and does not make a comment.

The conversation could not be forced any longer as Tassarion and Wisteria began to politely chat about nonsensical subjects. Concierge Romano appears leading a troop of servers. Proudly he declares, “Signore’s, dinner is served.”

  The first appetizer is placed before them a lobster tail elegantly prepared, still steaming hot. Mr. Moore, a salt peppered haired gentleman further down the table says, “Thank you, Romano.”

 Concierge Romano beams and drifts off to see to the next course. The auction house owners elegantly dig in except for the three individuals seated at the end of the tables. Elves didn’t eat meat if they could help it with that same logic being applied to nymphs as well. As for Miss Reed, it would appear she found the company distasteful putting off her appetite.

The three plates remain untouched when the servers returned. The servers are dismayed, whilst Concierge Romano and the chef are appalled. Chef Lanzo almost leaves the kitchen in frustration. Concierge Romano forcefully detains him explaining that two of the plates were for vegetarians and the third, must be because the new member is too nervous to eat. Somewhat appeased, Chef Lanzo returns to his cooking with even more ferocity vowing to make those three taste his dishes.

The second appetizer fish meat of sorts from a rare aquatic creature. The three usual plates remain untouched as the only sound heard is the sound of eating and that of silverware. Miss Reed glances at her watch, before saying, “My condolences for interrupting the meal, but I feel this has gone long enough. I was invited for a reason, I would like to hear what it is.”

The rest of the table stops or finishes eating before putting their silverware down. “It is distasteful to discuss business over a meal, young lady. You would be wise to remember that,” Mr. Jones said a sharply dressed grandfather.

Miss Reed doesn’t react as the Mr. Nazari hides an amused smile. “To business, very well,” Mr. Moore said the leader of the group. “We would like to know what is that you will be selling. We each have our own domains and stay out of each others as much as we can. It makes things easier that way,” Mr. Moore firmly said.

 “I see and if I choose to decline the offer?” Miss Reed lightly said. All pretense of courtesy disappear from the auction owners faces at those words.

 “If you choose to decline, Miss Reed, you will find that making a living from the auction house will become quite difficult. Employees can be bought, secrets can be sold, and suppliers stolen. However, that is all up to you, Miss Reed,” Mr. Moore softly mused out loud, before taking a sip of his red wine.

Miss Reed is still for a moment as a wolfish grin spreads across her face. The terrifying smile causes the hair on their necks to stand up. Her rising to her feet causes them to warily reach for their hidden weapons. “Thank you for inviting me, but I’m afraid I will have to decline your offer,” Miss Reed firmly said, before turning away.

 “Are you certain that is wise, Miss Reed? You won’t come to regret your decision, will you?” Mr. Moore said to the cold straight back of Miss Reed.

 Miss Reed halts and says over her shoulder, “I won’t. But a word of advice, Mr. Moore, I am not one to be trifled with.” Without further ado, Miss Reed walks out and disappears from their sight.

 Mr. Nazari snorts, “That went well.”

Mr. Jones wrinkles his nose and grumbles, “What do you expect? Youth’s these days have no respect for their elders.”

Wistari takes a sip of her water glass in response, while Tassarion reaches for his own wine glass. “We’ll have to take care of her,” Wistari softly said.

Tassarion wipes his mouth, before adding, “She will be trouble if we let her grow any further. We must take care of her, before the auction house opening.”

 Mr. Nazari narrows his eyes and says, “Do you mean killing Miss Reed or destroying her business, Tassarion? For worshipping a peace-loving goodness, you never cease to amaze me, Tassarion.”

  Tassarion immediately rises to his feet as Mr. Nazari does the same. Before the two men can fly at each other, Mr. Moore glares at both them. The two stiffly reseat themselves, smoothing their jackets or cuffs. “Mr. Nazari, that was uncalled for and Tassarion, Mr. Nazari is right. We will give a first warning, before moving on to harsher disciplines. Contact the suppliers, politely inform them, if they choose to ally with the new auction house, all standing supply contracts will be dropped,” Mr. Moore confidently said.

 “And if that doesn’t work?” Tassarion coldly asked.

Mr. Moore smiles faintly and answers, “Then we will do what we have always done.”The group’s faces turn pensive until the next dish arrives. Remembering their location, the group resumes their chatter and meal. The next dish is a type of salad to cleanse the pallet is happily sampled by the elf and nymph.

To the dismay of Chef Lanzo, an untouched dish was returned. Despite the server explaining that the sixth occupant had left, Chef Lanzo felt a loss at having failed to serve a chef. With clenched fists, Chef Lanzo vows to increase his culinary skills to the point where even an Elf couldn’t help but taste his meat dish. With that in mind, Chef Lanzo prepares himself for the challenge of his lifetime.

*

The taxi driver glances periodically at the woman in the back. A chilling smile has been on the woman’s face since she entered his taxi. Finally, at his wit’s end, the cabbie hesitantly says, “Miss, are you alright?”

The woman glances at him in the rearview mirror. “Yes, I am. I was just surprised at how well tonight’s evening went. A little too well, but suffice to say, I know what is in store,” The woman confidently answered.

The cabbie doesn’t dare reply, but rather turns on the radio, moving rapidly through the traffic. The female singer's voice has a haunting quality with the chorus being the most poignant of all.  “Maybe we'll meet again in another life, Maybe we're better in another paradise, Maybe we will meet again.”

  If the cabbie driver had glanced back into his rearview mirror, he would have seen a startling sight. Glimpses of moisture and melancholy would be seen in the depths of the woman’s eyes. With a tired expression, the woman blinks away the emotion in her eyes that remain as dry as ever.

With some relief, the cabbie arrives at the given address a bar. Before he can ask for payment, the woman hands over a large bill and says, “Keep the change.” The door slams shut behind her as the cabbie figure remains still. Wiping the light sweat off his brow, the cabbie driver shakily merges into the street. He had driven plenty of people including non-humans, but that woman was more frightening than the drug dealer, who had once hopped into the back of his cabbie. 

However, he is swiftly cheered up at seeing the large bonus he had been given. Quickly forgiving the woman, he cheerfully turns on the radio. A catchy song comes on the radio as he sings along to the chorus, “This time I might just disappear, Ah yeah, (Uh) (Woah Oooh oh oh).” A honk causes him to glance up and swear at rude driver. Ignoring the driver, the cabbie steps on the gas and continues to sing despite being deaf tone. Because tonight was going to be a good night.