Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(12)

She shoved the phone back into his hand and motioned for us to follow her. The skirt of her thigh length white dress hugged her behind as she walked. I couldn’t figure out how it stayed in place without flashing a glimpse of her ass.

Jez’s small gasp echoed my own. It was bigger inside than it had appeared. The luxurious quality of it smacked of cheap illusion yet remained stunning. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling in the center of the room. The carpet was a deep, luscious red, and so firm that, as we walked, our heels did not sink in. A bar lined the full length of the wall to the right. Waitresses in skimpy outfits hurried back and forth with trays laden with drinks.

A stage at the back immediately drew my attention. Half a dozen showgirls danced in lingerie, feathered fans and headpieces popping with bright colors. Vampires, every single one of them. Several male vampires worked the room, dressed to the nines, seducing human women while the ladies on stage brought the men to their knees.

The red carpet wound its way through the casino and past small round tables and a series of private booths in the corners that were not tables at all but small sofa-like beds instead. The essence of sex hung on the air like the place had been built upon it. It rolled over me, a dizzying fog of erotic energy that stole my breath.

“What the hell are you doing here, Arys?” Sloane demanded, her eyes flashing angrily. “You just can’t leave things alone, can you?”

“No, he can’t,” Shaz quipped, though his attention had been captured by our surroundings. “Heaven forbid his manhood be somehow threatened.”

Arys scowled but ignored Shaz’s comment, addressing Sloane instead. “Well, you know me. Naturally, I was curious. I had to see for myself why Jenner is so desperate to get rid of me.”

“No, you can’t be here. Just go.” Placing her hands on Arys’s chest, Sloane gave him a shove. “Hurry up, before he finds out.”

He caught her wrists and pushed her back. “Where is Jenner, Sloane?”

“He’s busy getting ready for a performance. Which is why you should leave now while you still can.” She made as if to grab him again, and he warded her off with a raised hand that crackled with blue sparks.

“Take us to him, or I’ll find him myself.” Arys exuded a deadly calm. He was taking this all the way.

“Alright, alright!” she shouted, then glanced around frantically to make sure nobody was listening. “I’ll take you to him. Just please settle the hell down. He really is busy at the moment. That’s not a lie.”

“That’s fine.” Arys surveyed the club, a mischievous grin adorning his handsome face. “I have plenty of time. Why don’t you give us the grand tour? I’m sure Alexa would love to see it.”

Sloane pouted as if we were crashing her party. Her extreme unease mirrored my own. Accepting defeat, she turned to lead us through the maze of tables. “As you can see,” she said between gritted teeth. “This is the main floor where our guests enjoy entertainment, gamble and meet with their prospective dates for the evening. I’ll show you the second floor.”

We followed her through the crowded room, to the grand spiral staircase in the back left corner. Pale pink lights adorned each stair, lighting the way up. We passed a couple coming down, a female vampire and her male human toy. Bites covered his neck, and he wore an expression of confused joy.

I couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Shaz. Not so long ago, he had been one of those lost in the pleasure of the vampire’s bite. I hoped he was strong enough to resist this place. I hoped that I was too.

“As I’m sure you can see, the second floor is where our private rooms are. The club operates twenty-four hours so this floor is always busy.” Sloane sauntered down the hall like the proud madam she was.

There was vampire security at each end of the hall. My skin prickled as the atmospheric energy marched over and through me. The scent of blood and sex tainted the air. It caused something low in me to tighten with arousal. I sent a panicked glance Arys’s way, finding him watching me intently.

The doors had little gold name plaques stating such things as “Lady Angelina” or “Sir Antonio.” And there were so many of them. I was willing to bet the inside of each room was far more lavish than at my own club. My club was beginning to look like a real dump compared to this place.

Returning to the main floor, Sloane led us to a well-concealed elevator hidden beneath the staircase. To access it, she produced a swipe card from within the bosom of her dress. The door opened, and we all stepped into the small metal container.

“Last chance to change your mind,” Sloane offered, holding a finger over the elevator buttons. When Arys stubbornly shook his head, she gave an exasperated sigh and punched the down button. “Oh Arys, you will never change. You’re still a conceited ass.”

His laughter filled the small space. “Guilty.”

For the first time since we arrived, I began to feel the telltale signs of trepidation. Arys was unmoved, showing no concern for whatever we were descending into. Jez and I exchanged a look and a shrug. I grasped my power, my fingers humming with readiness. I didn’t give a damn who felt it.

The elevator stopped, and we entered an entirely different kind of party. The heavy vampire and werewolf energy overwhelmed me. The place reeked of it. The supernatural made up a lot of the crowd, though there was a heavy human presence as well.