Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(11)

An irrational urge to cry overcame me. I didn’t. I just wanted to. I also wanted to run across the room and fling myself into Shaz’s arms. It wasn’t that we didn’t touch. We did. It was that there was something missing. I wanted so desperately to rekindle our spark.

“Thank you, Shaz,” I said with a slight blush. “You both look pretty damn fine yourselves.”

They were each wearing a black suit, both of them slightly casual with no tie and an open collar. Shaz’s platinum hair lay neatly, falling over his forehead. Arys’s hair was tousled as always. I couldn’t help but eat up the eye candy. It was rare that I saw either of them break from their usual casual attire. My mind wandered down a naughty path as I remembered what it felt like to be naked and writhing between them.

“So this is a big deal, huh?” I asked, swirling the vodka in my glass.

Arys shrugged, unwilling to let on how serious he was taking Jenner’s threat. “Not so big. Just old friends reacquainting.”

“What about this?” I held up the arm bearing the black dragon. “Should I cover it somehow?”

“No, leave it. As shitty as that mark is, it does have its advantages.”

Unfortunately, that was true. Those who knew what it was were often reluctant to harm the one who bore it. They feared the wrath of the demon. Anyone who killed me would likely end up taking my debt as their own. Soon, however, this mark would become more of a hindrance than a help.

The worst part was that Arys had one too. Shya had put it on his back where Arys easily hid it from everyone but me. I had to see it in private moments, the one time we should be free of all that shit. But no, Shya had made sure he was never far from our thoughts.

Less than ten minutes later, Jez appeared, a golden vision in white leather. The halter-style dress clung to her like a second skin. It covered her behind but not much else, making her legs look longer than usual. Sky-high stilettos completed the look. Her curls bounced as she sashayed in.

“Can I be you?” I joked. “Just for a day. I want to know what it feels like to be that tall.”

“It’s the heels, baby,” she replied with a wink.

“You look runway fabulous.” I downed the rest of my drink and set the glass on the table.

Arys snickered, a low, evil sound. “Good enough to eat.”

“Watch it, vampire.” Jez wagged a finger at him in warning. “I’m flattered, really, but you’re just not pretty enough for me.”

Arys laughed but didn’t reply. Nobody could out-snark Jez. Not even him. He rose from his seat on the couch and motioned toward the door in a grand sweeping gesture. “Everybody ready?”

I met Shaz’s eyes across the room, and we shared a look. The two of us together had killed Harley. Two vampires had come after us, believing we were their ticket to claiming Harley’s power. They had failed. If there were to be backlash for any of that, it would be tonight.

“Sure.” I nodded. For the first time all evening a hint of apprehension crept in. “Walk into a place where we’re not welcome, and I may be wanted for the murder of the former owner…what are we waiting for?”

Chapter Four

No amount of pleading, arguing or threatening would sway Arys. I did everything short of throttling him. Jenner’s demand that we leave had only encouraged Arys. Wild horses couldn’t drag him away now.

We started at Caesars, deciding it was a good place to get warmed up. Blackjack barely held Arys’s interest. Neither the buffet of human treats nor the inviting poker tables caught his attention. Whatever had gone on between him and Jenner, it ran deep. I kept hoping for some clue or answer to pop up from the recesses of my subconscious, but my curiosity remained unsatisfied. I had a sneaking suspicion that would soon change.

The Wicked Kiss was closer than I expected. It was just off The Strip, down a side street. It was big, much bigger than my club back home. However, it was smaller than the other buildings in the area, which allowed it to blend in among them. The exterior of the building had a glassy appearance, reflecting back the street before it, ensuring nobody could see inside.

“Wow,” Jez gazed at the vampire club and casino with a mix of awe and intrigue. “This place has got to be at least six times the size of your club, Lex.”

“There’s more. Underground.” Arys led the way to the door. He reached to take my hand, pulling me into step beside him. A united front.

The door opened as we approached. A big, bald vampire who looked like he had never smiled a day in his life greeted us. He stopped us in the lobby, demanding our names. I was itching with curiosity, straining to see past him into the club beyond. The Vegas sounds of slot machines, music and voices spilled out toward us.

Sloane was visible, smiling like she was in a cosmetics commercial for youth serum. She was working the room, chatting up patrons and ensuring the blood and money kept flowing. What a good little hostess she was.

“You’re not on the list,” the doorman grunted. “Can’t let you in without verification from the boss.” He pulled a phone from his pocket and began dialing.

Maybe it was just me but having to phone in our arrival really stole the drama from this whole thing. It was hardly worth the risk. Sloane’s gaze landed on us, and her eyes widened in alarm. She cleared the distance with inhuman speed.

“Arys, Alexa, hello! I’m so glad you decided to grace us with your presence,” Sloane gushed with false enthusiasm that was so good an outsider would never have guessed she was faking it. Taking the phone from the doorman’s hand, she ended the call and shook her head. “No need to bother Jenner. These are my guests.”