The neon sign of the Blue Moon Speakeasy flickered, casting an eerie glow on the rain-slicked cobblestones of Bourbon Street. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of cheap perfume, bootleg whiskey, and something else… something darker.
Jack “Shadow” Malone nursed his drink in the corner booth, the shadows clinging to him like a second skin. They always did. Ever since the accident that had claimed his family and left him with a strange connection to the darkness. It was a gift and a curse.
A woman slid into the booth, her scarlet lips curving into a seductive smile. “Mr. Malone,” she purred, “I hear you’re the man to see if you have a problem.”
Her name was Countess Vivienne DuSang, the “Voodoo Queen” of the underworld. But Jack knew the truth. She wasn’t just a crime boss; she was something far more sinister. A vampire, and a powerful one at that.
The Countess leaned closer, her eyes glinting in the dim light. “An artifact has been stolen from me. A relic of immense power. I want it back.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “And what makes you think I can find it?”
“Your reputation, Mr. Malone. Your… unique abilities.”
He chuckled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “My abilities come with a price, Countess. A steep one.”
She placed a velvet pouch on the table, the clinking of coins unmistakable. “Name your price, detective.”
It was more money than he’d seen in a year, but the thought of working for a creature of the night made his skin crawl. Yet, something about this job intrigued him. A challenge. A way to prove to himself that he was still more than just a shadow.
Jack picked up the pouch. “Consider it done, Countess.”
As he left the Blue Moon, the shadows danced around him, whispering promises of danger and excitement. He didn’t know what he was getting himself into, but one thing was for sure: this was going to be one hell of a night.
