Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower #1)(52)

Jemima was the first to appear, followed by Herman. The pygmy goat bleated and charged out of the circle.

I apologized profusely and made them each a huge bowl of food. Only then did I cook something for myself. I was ravenous.

As I finished eating, my phone buzzed. I didn’t even get a chance to speak before Kami’s voice burst through the speaker. “Come out with us tonight.”

“You can’t be serious. I’m exhausted.”

“You’re always exhausted.”

“It’s been quite a week, Kami. Can you blame me?”

“Everyone needs R&R. There’s a new club I want to try. Neera’s coming too.”

Inwardly I groaned. “I’ve been all over the city today.”

“Then you need a drink. I’m buying.”

I rolled my eyes.

“If I can’t twist your arm over the phone, I’ll come over there and do it in person.”

“Please don’t.”

“Then meet us at Holborn in an hour.”

“I want to be asleep in an hour.”

“Nope. You want to be dancing with a drink in each hand.”

I could tell this was one battle I’d lose. “Fine, but I’m only staying for an hour max.”

“Wear something sparkly to offset your dull attitude.” She hung up.

I dragged myself into the bathroom to freshen up. It wasn’t every day I put on lipstick—and today wouldn’t be one of them either. I washed my face, ran a brush through my tangles, and changed my outfit. I chose a purple jumpsuit that was tight enough to be flattering but stretchy enough to move comfortably. I left Babe behind, but I tucked Bert and Ernie in discreet places. One could never be too careful.

Thanks to a row of broken streetlights, the night seemed even darker than usual as I made my way to Holborn. It would’ve been a short bus ride, so I saved the money and walked. One drink from Kami and all I’d have to spend money on was the admission fee.

Two recognizable silhouettes awaited me outside Holborn Station. Kami was decked out in a yellow dress and heels and Neera took a more modest approach to clubbing in a tight white pants and a green top with sleeves that resembled wings. With light brown hair and exquisite bone structure, Neera was basically a slightly older version of Ione.

Kami clucked her tongue at the sight of me. “No sparkles? London, you disappoint me.”

“Where is this new club?”

She poked her head down a nearby alleyway. “I think it’s down this way.”

I peered into the darkness and saw absolutely nothing. “It can’t be.”

“It’s like a speakeasy. You give them a code word and they let you in.”

Only Kami. “What’s the code word? Sucker?”

She squinted her disapproval. “If you must know, it’s tequila.”

“Seems a little on the nose.”

Neera nodded. “That’s what I said.”

The air stirred and a light breeze caressed my skin. Tiny bumps bubbled on my arms and I instinctively rubbed them for warmth.

“Do you feel that?” I asked.

Hair tickled the back of my neck. The pleasantness evaporated. We weren’t alone.

For a fleeting second, I thought His Royal Stalker had decided to crash our party, but the sensation was different. Unidentifiable.

I turned to start down the alleyway when two heads appeared to my right.

Nope. Make that four.

What on earth?

“We’ve got company,” Kami said under her breath.

No kidding. I turned around to see two more.

“Three on your left,” Neera said.

Nine in total.

Shit.

They were short in stature, with curtains of long hair that looked like they hadn’t been washed since prehistoric times. They wouldn’t be winning any beauty contests.

“Hey, I guess you ladies heard about the new club,” I said. “That’s where we’re headed.”

Two swooped toward me. A blast of air blew past us, stretching and widening the duo’s forms. It was as though the wind itself was reshaping them. They were still ugly. Only bigger.

From the end of the pavement, Kami waved. “Yoo-hoo! Free butt kickings. Step right up. First come, first kicked.”

One of the bigger spirits peeled away from its partner and moved toward Kami, leaving me with its twin. The spirit moved toward me with a gaping mouth and a stench filled the air between us.

I drew my dagger. “Woof. Somebody needs a mint.”

Another spirit launched itself at Neera and she ducked. The creature sailed over her head. “What are they?”

Kami spun around and tried to kick one, but her heel caught only air. She nearly lost her balance but managed to stay upright.

“Who cares? How do we kill them before they kill us?”

Neera climbed onto the canopy of a nearby shop. “If we know what they are, we can figure out how to kill them.”

“You’re the expert, London,” Kami called.

We didn’t have our usual weapons, although I wasn’t sure what good they would be.

The element of surprise had us at a disadvantage. What was under two feet, changed shape, and could kill you with their bad breath? It sounded like a joke except it wasn’t very funny, especially when a memory snapped into place and I realized exactly what they were.