Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(14)

“Oh, Shaz…” Arys forced an exasperated sigh. “It is so good to have you back.”

Despite my nerves, I had to smile. The two of them had been so over the top polite to one another since Shaz’s return, I’d begun to get suspicious. This was more like it. Oddly enough, I found their banter comforting.

Jez added, “I don’t think we have anything to worry about. If anything happens to either of you, Shya will be here in a flash kicking some ass.” Clinking her glass against mine, she gulped down the wine and deposited her empty glasses on the floor.

I peered into my glass. It was warm but cooling quickly. Did they have some human cattle they bled for this? Ugh.

The lights went out, and the chatter of voices immediately hushed. The audience of two hundred or so fell silent. Their excitement created a buzz that made my skin crawl.

“Here we go,” Jez whispered at the same time Shaz muttered, “This should be painfully interesting.”

A spotlight lit up center stage. A vampire stood there, staring out at the audience. It was Jenner. I felt it, an echo of a memory that wasn’t mine.

In dark pants and a black V-neck t-shirt that revealed his tattooed arms, Jenner’s pale blue eyes stood out with an eerie glow. They fell upon me, and I froze, afraid even to breathe while he watched me. His gaze lingered for only a second before passing over Arys and, finally, the rest of the audience.

His dark hair was short and trendy, slightly longer in front and gelled as if he’d merely pushed it around on his head and left it. Average height and build, he had a bit of facial scruff that gave him a rugged attractiveness.

“Good evening,” he addressed the crowd. “It’s a pleasure to have you all here tonight. What a fine looking group of people.”

A few women at the other end of our row giggled when he flashed them a brilliant, fang-revealing smile. He was smooth, making eye contact with several audience members.

“Tonight is ladies night.” He paused when a small cheer went up from the women gathered. “For those of you who have been here before, you know what that means. For the newcomers, let me welcome you to The Wicked Kiss. This is the place to make your darkest fantasies come true.”

“I thought that’s what upstairs was for,” I whispered to Arys, knowing Jenner’s sensitive ears would hear me.

“Let me make it clear. This is not an experience for the timid. What you see here may shock you. It may also excite you. It’s up to you to decide if it’s real or not.” Jenner’s smile grew impossibly wide. “Now, which of you ladies would like to make your vampire fantasy come true tonight?”

Ah, it was starting to make sense. I could see where this was going, and I didn’t like it. This wasn’t like the blood and sex fest going on upstairs because this was a performance. I sat stiffly, nervous about what was to come.

Jenner descended the steps at the front of the stage. Several women raised their hands and shouted their willingness to be his victim. He ambled up and down the aisles, pausing here and there to take a closer look at the volunteers. He passed before our seats and paused. Arys stared daggers at him, a challenge on his face.

Jenner leaned in, breathing deeply of my scent. “How about you, darlin’? Interested?”

I smirked, feeling unbearably uncomfortable. The sensual touch of his power sent a tickle down my spine, but I sat stiffly, refusing to show it. “Thanks anyway, but my vampire fantasy has already come true.”

“Fair enough.” With a nod, he moved on, but his unreadable gaze stayed locked on mine until he disappeared high in the crowd.

A high-pitched squeal rang out as Jenner made his selection. He led the excited brunette back to the stage. She pressed a hand to her mouth, glancing around nervously. The tense energy oozing from the audience thickened as they waited in restless anticipation.

In various colors and strengths, several spotlights blinked on at the same time, bathing the stage in a warm glow. The light chased the dark back, revealing a chaise lounge. Black velvet with silver trim, it was a pricey piece of furniture. Also on the stage stood a table with a bottle of champagne.

Jenner pressed a glass into her hand, encouraging her to drink. I could see her hand shaking from where I sat. Her energy was frantic and jumpy. It drew me the way wounded prey draws a predator. Everything about her screamed “easy target.”

“Are you afraid, my dear?” Jenner asked, capturing her hand as it fluttered. He raised it to his lips, kissing her upturned wrist.

She nodded, her eyes darting around the room. She was like a deer in the headlights up there. “A little bit. I’m not changing my mind though.”

“It’s too late for that.” Jenner’s wicked chuckle rubbed me the wrong way. It grated on my nerves. I gritted my teeth and tried not to squirm in my seat. He sniffed her wrist, inhaling the aroma of her blood. “You’re mine now. That’s why you came here, isn’t it?”

“Oh, yes.” She giggled when he kissed her wrist.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Jenner cast a smirk our way, ensuring we were watching every move he made.

“Layna.” The one word was a sigh. It didn’t take much for a vampire of Harley’s bloodline to seduce a woman. I knew firsthand.

Again, she peered out anxiously at the crowd. Jenner took her face in his hands and kissed her, a deep exploration of her mouth that was a hot display of passion and hunger. “They aren’t here,” he murmured against her lips. “They see you, but you no longer see them. All you see is me.”