Sinful

Trading Places

              Trading Places

  Fear gnawed in Harper, settling in the pit of her belly like a heavy ball with every step she took further into the dark hall loitered with people. A few small light bulbs hung from the ceiling, giving a dim glow in the long and narrow hall, barely enough to see three feet ahead. Glancing at a young man with too many piercings on his face to count, his small, beady eyes followed Harper as she made her way further and further into the underground nightclub -not one she would likely enter willingly. She preferred the loud clubs with humans dancing with no care in the world, not supernatural beings looking for their next prey. Harper liked to dance and she wasn't a stranger when it came to drinking but coming to one of these low key clubs would be like a fly laying on a spider's web -plain old stupid.

That was her half sister though. Olivia loved to spend her free time in these clubs, her fascination with the darker side of the supernatural world dragging her to trouble usually ends with Harper having to bail her out of a sticky situation. That being said, Harper was here now to do just that.

  Earlier this hour Olivia called her older sister drunk and sounding panicky. Due to her incoherent slurs and the loud music ahead Harper could barely understand her but she did catch a few words that caused for concern. Olivia mentioned something about a new man along with the name of the club. Harper recognized the name immediately and jumped into her car angry beyond belief at her half sister's carelessness. Searching for over a half an hour she discovered Olivia wasn't on the lower level nor in any of the restrooms, asking around she was told Olivia went upstairs to the VIP section.

Upon arriving at the end of the hall, Harper scanned the area surprised to see no security standing guard in front of the large velvety curtain that separated the VIPs from wandering club goers. A soft, sensual beat sounded from behind the thick curtain, it was all that could be heard. A sliver of fear wiggled its way into her over the lack of security, shaking it off Harper grabbed a fistful of the heavy fabric and pulled it aside ready to deal with anything -or anyone- behind the curtain. What she found before her set her blood cold, her grip on the curtain dropped allowing it to fall back in place. The warm room smelled like smoke, it's velvety walls shimmering in the soft lights shining in each corner of the small room. One table stood in the middle of the room with a red booth at its side and that's when she saw a sight that had her blood freezing. She didn't bother scanning the room for others, not with what she witnessed before her.

Pressed against the wall with a large hand wrapped around her throat was none other than Olivia. Her short silver dress rode up nearly exposing her bottom, legs hung mid air with a shoe missing, her short hair stood on all ends, her mascara ran down her cheeks as the tears continued to flow. Her eyes found Harper, a small wheeze passed her busted lip in what Harper assumed was a plea for help.

The momentarily shock wore off, anger filling it's place. Flowing through her veins like hot lava at the image of her sister being strangled in mid air. Her eyes narrowed the large back facing her and without reconsidering her approach Harper grabbed the nearest object, her body burning with rage toward the stranger. It didn't matter that she didn't know who her opponent was or know her surroundings, none of those details mattered to Harper. All that mattered was hurting him.

Rushing forward with the champagne bottle in hand she swung the bottle hitting her target directing between his shoulder blades. He stumbled and released his grip on Olivia, like a rag doll she dropped to her knees with a soft whimper as her head hit the wall behind her. Harper didn't give the man much time to recover before she thrust the broken bottle into his back, pulling it out just as swiftly and plunged the blood stained glass back into the open wound. Years of skills and training came in handy as she jumped back as he swung his arm back, nearly catching her in the face. Gritting her teeth, Harper snatched a drinking glass from the table nearest her and tossed it with enough force that it shattered over the back of his head. The stranger dropped to one knee giving her an opportunity to finish him. Charging forward with speed, she knew one kick to the back of his head would have him down for the count but as she approached the stranger took her by surprise.