Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(32)

He didn’t notice the way Shaz’s gaze dropped to the floor. Yeah, one could say bystanders could easily get swept up in the rush of what Arys and I commanded. Shaz knew it very well.

I expected Arys to protest, but instead he shrugged, bored. “Let’s just get this over with. Then we’re even, and we’re done. Is that clear, Jenner?”

“Crystal.”

We were far from done with Jenner. Of that, I was certain.

“I’m not an exhibitionist,” I protested. “There’s no way I’m putting my private life on display so you and your audience can get off on it. You’re disgusting, Jenner.”

Shaz’s scoffing laughter caused my eyebrows to shoot straight up in disbelief. Sucking back the Scotch, he winced as his sore face reminded him that laughing was a privilege. “It won’t be so bad, Lex,” he offered. “Just take one for the team. The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we can enjoy the rest of the city.”

“Take one for the team?” I repeated, searching Shaz for any sign of the wolf I thought I knew. “Who are you?”

Before I could lay into Shaz for his rash and absurd behavior, Arys caught my arm and steered me away. When we were a safe distance away, I opened my mouth to let him have it. He clapped a hand over my lips to muffle my bitching.

“It’s just another vampire power trip, ok? Remember that. Everything that’s happened tonight, it’s all about power. Because we’ve got it, and he’s desperate to hang on to it.” Arys paused, waiting until I nodded in understanding. “Jenner thinks by coming on strong he can intimidate us. So we play his game. But we play it our way.”

Chewing my lower lip in frustration, I turned the possible outcomes of this scenario over in my head. There was no way through without stepping miles out of my comfort zone.

I groaned and might have even pouted a bit. “Why did Shaz automatically get the cage fight? Because he’s a man? I’m sensing a bit of a double standard here.”

“There isn’t a man in this room who has the power you have. Succubus and wolf. Do what you do best. Let’s teach Jenner to be careful what he wishes for.”

My head swam as the crash from the blood high began. Human blood might sate one hunger, but it was just the beginning. Power was more addictive than blood. An essential life force like blood, power begged to be tasted.

“Do you trust me?” With a gentle hand on my cheek, Arys locked eyes with me, searching for assurance.

Talk about a loaded question. Too many times, he’d made choices that I didn’t agree with, choices that significantly increased the danger in our lives. Yet, so had I.

“Yes,” I said, leaning into his caress. “I trust you.”

* * * *

I watched from backstage as the theatre filled with people. It was a relatively small theatre compared to most, but still a crowd of people waited to watch some authentic vampire activity. My stomach dropped to my knees.

“I change my mind. I can’t do this.”

“Sure you can. It will be fun.” Arys lounged on the sofa, exuding a calm that I did not share. He’d taken off his jacket and opened his shirt to reveal more of his hairless chest. His gaze followed me as I flitted anxiously about the room. “Relax, Alexa. I’ll guide you. It’ll be fine. You might even like it.” With a wink and a sexy snicker, he beckoned me over.

I shook my head, unable to sit down. Pacing a hole in the carpet and wringing my hands wasn’t getting me anywhere, but it gave me something to do while I waited for Jenner to turn me into a carnival act. Step right up and watch the werewolf get f**ked and bled by the vampire destined to love and kill her. There’s a crowd drawing tagline if I ever heard one.

The door opened, and Jenner stood in its frame with his arms crossed. “Remember, I’ve got your wolf out there. So don’t try anything stupid.”

“Like what?” I challenged, swallowing my fear despite how it choked me. When he shot me a dark glare, I added, “Hey, my definition of stupid is likely much different from yours.”

“Just get your ass in gear. I got the crowd warmed up for you. They’re eager to see such a unique pairing. As am I.”

My main motivation to walk out of that room and on to the stage to be part of this wackjob show was Shaz. He was in rough shape, pouring liquor on the pain and feeding his new bad attitude. Jenner’s security guys surrounded him and promised that they would add to his injuries if I gave them a reason to.

“What exactly are you expecting to see?” I followed Jenner down the hall while furiously rubbing my moist palms on my skirt. Calm and cool, I had this. That’s one of the lies I told myself to combat my nerves.

“I expect to see something that makes me want to touch myself while watching you. Along with everyone else in the room. That’s what they’re here for.”

Finding me so close, he fell back to walk beside me. Smart vampire. It was in his best interest to avoid having me at his back. I wasn’t above a cheap, come from behind kind of shot. We stopped at the rear entry to the stage. I was doing a pretty good job of keeping it together. I hadn’t run shrieking from the theatre yet, although my confidence would have fared better if my knees weren’t quivering.

Arys took my hand, sliding his fingers between mine. A spark of blue and gold flashed like lightning between us. Calm flowed through me, and our contact strengthened me.