ClubNexusByE.J.Stevens

ClubNexusE.J.Stevens

PublishedbySacredOaks

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Copyright2013E.J.StevensAllrightsreserved

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TableofContentsIntroductionICEDDUSTEDJINXEDDEMONIZED

Author’sNote

ClubNexusis

comprisedoffourshortstories—Iced,Dusted,Jinxed,andDemonized.Ihighlyrecommendreadingthesestoriesinorderforthemostpowerful,andpleasurable,readingexperience.

But,ofcourse,youcanandwillreadthesestoriesanywhichwayyoulike.NomatterhowyoureadClubNexus—backtofront,upsidedown,orinatutu—IhopeyouenjoytheseglimpsesintotheparanormalnightlifeofHarborsmouth.

xx,E.J.

“ButIdon’twanttogo

amongmadpeople,”Aliceremarked.

“Oh,youcan’thelpthat,”saidtheCat:“we’reallmad

here.”--LewisCarroll,Alice’s

AdventuresinWonderland

IntroductionWelcometoClub

Nexus,asingularentertainmentexperiencedeepintheheartofHarborsmouth.

Ifyouhavediscoveredourexclusiveclub,thenit’slikelyyoubelongtoourspecializedclientele.Wecatertotheneedsanddesiresofvampires,demons,faeries,

bothSeelieandUnseelie,andtheirhumanservants.

Toensuretheprivacyofourpatrons,aglamourhasbeencasttowardourclubfromdetectionbynon-paranormals.Wealsoprovideclubsecurity,bothatthedoorandwithinourfineestablishment.

Ourwelltrainedsecuritystaffdomorethankeepoutunwelcomehumanriffraff.Duetoourunique

locationatopcrisscrossinglaylines,ClubNexushasbeendeclaredneutralground.Assuch,weatClubNexushavestrictrulesofconduct.Bloodshedmustbeconsensualortheguiltypartiesriskpunishment—death,maiming,orbanishmentfromourclub—atoursecuritystaff’sdiscretion.

Ifyoudohungertosatisfyunorthodoxtastesandwishtowalkthetightropeof

ourrules,youmaybeinterestedintheservicesofMr.Goodfellow.Puckisaresourcefulcreaturewhowilllikelybeabletoprovidewhatyoudesire—foraprice.

WedohopeyouenjoyyourvisittoClubNexus.Whetheryouareinneedofadrink,aspecialsomeone,oraspecialsomeonetodrink,weatClubNexusareatyourservice.

ICEDIblewastraylockof

hairfrommyeyeswhilerunningadampclothoverthebar.Theravenblackcurlfrozeattheedgeofmyvision,icecrystalsfrommybreathcoatingitlikethedustoffractureddiamonds.Butwithinsecondsthedampchunkofbangsthawedfromtheperpetualheatoftheclub.

TheheatwasoneofthemanythingsthatIdespisedaboutbartendingatClubNexus.TherewereplaceswithintheclubthatwereascoldastheUnseeliecourtI’doncecalledhome—theyhadsomethingheretopleaseanyfaeintheupperechelonsofpower—butthoseareaswereofflimitstoallbutroyaltyandtheirtrustedstaff.Lowlyclubemployees,suchasmyself,didn’tmakeitpast

thevelvetrope.Notthatasillyrope

barrierwouldhavekeptmefromthesweetembraceofoneoftheWinterCourt’sicy,privatebooths.No,thetruedeterrentsweretheheavilyarmedguards—agriffinwitharazorsharpbeakandaboggartwithaparticularlynastydisposition,evenforoneofmydarkfaebrethren.Isighedandpushedthelockofhairfrommyface,tucking

itbehindoneofmypointy,blueears.

Iwasproudofmypointyears,slenderfigure,andunusualsevenfootheight,forthesethingsmarkedmeashighbornfae.WhatIwasn’tsokeenonwasmycurrentlivingsituation.Onceuponatime,I’dgracedthehallsoftheWinterCourtinfineryspunfromspidersilk,myhairpinnedupwithlatebloomingroses,strands

oficecrystalsaroundmyneck.NowIwasbedeckedinanunflatteringuniform,andhadtobeardrunkenpickuplinesfromlowlylightfaewhileservingmyenemiesdrinksandcleaninguptheirmesses.Oh,howthemightyhadfallen.

I’dbeentrickedintoanunfavorablebargainthatleftmewithnoalternativebuttoworkoffmydebthereatClubNexusaslittlemore

thanaslave.Themanwho’dtricked

me,anotoriousSeeliefaenamedPuck,waslittlemorethanapimp.Heusedanumberofunderhandedmethodstoholdswayoveravarietyofraces:vamps,demons,humans,andfae.Puckrangirlsthroughthisclubforsex,blood,andsport.IsupposeIshouldcountmyselfluckythathe’dbeenenamoredbytheideaof

havinganUnseeliebartenderwhocouldchilldrinkswithherverybreath,butmypositionasaservantstillrankled.

Itwasapredicamentthatshouldnothavebefallenoneofthehighborn.Igrippedthedishragtight,thedirtyremainsofspilleddrinksdribblingdownmywrist.Igrimacedatthefoulliquidandtossedtheragintoabucketofsoapywater.

Sulkingwouldn’tfreemefromthisfouljob,butanearintherightplacejustmight.

IturnedmyattentiontoPuck,whohadwalkedinmomentsbeforeandnowhadhisheadtiltedclosetotheearofavampire.Theymadeanunlikelypair,thetowheadedfaeriewithhissmilingcherubicfaceandthefangedvampirecoatedinthedustofthegrave.Withthefangsofavampiremereinchesfrom

hisjugularonemightworryforPuck’ssafety,ifyoudidn’tknowwhohereallywas.

Nomatterhisappearance,Puckwasnoangel;hiskindwasworsethananydemon.Hewasatricksterwhothrivedonchaosandthethrillofcheatingothersoutofalltheyhad,whetherthatmeantpartingthemfromtheirmoney,theirblood,ortheir

souls.Imovedtowardthetwo

onthepretenseoffeedingthesmallfaeriewhoprovidedilluminationfromwithinaglasslanternfurtherdownthebar.Iplacedascoopofhoneyinsideatroughcutintothebaseofthelanternandlistened.

“Inthemarketforashortortalltenpints?”Puckasked.“HadanewshipmentofIceinthisweek,soyour

drinkcancomefeistyorsedate.Takeyourpick.”

MyearsprickedatthementionofIce—intheWinterCourtwehadoverthreethousandwordsforice—butIrealizedthatPuckwasonlydiscussingthedrughedealttohisspecialclientele.Thedrugwasusedtosubduehumans,andwasespeciallyusefultovampireswhowantednewbloodslaveswithoutthebotherof

convincingthemortalsfairly.Notthatseducinghumanswhileusingglamourtomakethemselvesirresistiblewouldbeconsideredfairtomostmortals,butitwasagamewefaecouldunderstand.Buttheactofdruggingtheirvictimssenselessseemedlikecheating.

Iwrinkledmynoseandturnedaway.IdislikedvampiresandthestreetnamesforwhatPuckwasselling.

“Tenpints”wasslangforhumans,sincethatwasthequantityofbloodinanaverageadultand“Ice”wastheblackmarketdrugthatnumbedthemindsofitsusers.ThediscussionofPuck’ssidebusinessletmeknowthatI’dlearnnothingmoreofinteresthere.Puckwasbargaining,notsharingdamningsecrets.

IneededtolearnsomethingIcouldusetogain

myfreedom,preferablyasecretsodarkthatIcouldthrowoffmybondsandseethetricksterboundintoeternalsuffering.PerhapsI’dfindawaytomakehimmyslaveandlethimlickmybootsafteragoodwallowthroughyetidroppings.Informationaboutdrugsandbloodslaveswasn’tenough;Irequiredsomethingtrulydamning.

Armshangingatmy

sides,Imovedbacktomypostandsaggedagainstthebar.Caughtupinmyownselfpity,Inearlymissedtheappearanceofawomanwhoseemedtomanifestonthestoolinfrontofme.Ireachedforoneofthepressedleavesweusedforcoastersandsliditontothebar.

“WhatcanIgetyou?”Iasked.

Ikeptmyeyesaverted,studiouslyexaminingmy

cuticles.I’dfoundthatitwaseasiertoservedrinkswhenIdidn’tpaytoomuchattentiontothecustomers.Youneverknowwhomightstrollthroughourdoors.Iwoulddieofshameifoneofmyfellowhighbornrecognizedmehereinmyservitude.

Iwaitedforthewoman’sreply,buttherewasnoanswer.WithaheavysighIglanceduptoseethefacethatlayinshadowbeneath

thehoodofacloakofdeepbluelikethenightsky.Thecloakwasbeautiful,butthewomanembracedwithinitsfoldswasmoreremarkablestill.

Ebonyeyesstaredfromafaceofpale,crystallineskinwithlipsthecolorofbruisedinkberries.Iknewthatakissfromthoselipswasjustaspoisonousasthebitterfruittheyresembled.

“Myl-l-l,”Istuttered.

Myliege,I’dmeanttosay,butthewordswerefrozenonmytongue—literally.ThewomanseatedbeforemewasnoneotherthanQueenMab,ruleroftheUnseeliecourt.MyqueenhadbeenabsentthesepasthundredyearsandnowhereshewasinClubNexus,andshe’dfrozenmylipsshuttight.

“Hush,mychild,”Mabsaid.“Iamnotyetreadyfor

mywhereaboutstobecomecommonknowledge.OurpeoplehavegrownweakinmyabsenceandIrequireyourservicestorestoreourcourttoitsformerglory.Willyouassistyourqueen?”

Inodded,icytearsfallingfrommyeyestoshatteronthehardsurfaceofthebar.

“Good,”shesaid.“IdobelieveyouwillenjoythetaskInowsetbeforeyou.

Puck,Oberon’sformerlapdog,hasbeenacquiringtoomuchpowerinthiscity.Killhimquicklyandquietly.Iamgrantingyouyourfreedom,Beryl.Donotwastethisgift.”

Myheartswelled.Freedomatlast!ItwastruethatI’dsoughtalong,painfultormentforthetrickster,butiftheQueenofAirandDarknesswilledit,thenIwouldkillPuckquickly.

“Youwillnotrememberourconversation,ofcourse,”shesaid.“Mypresencehereinthemortalrealmsmustnotyetberevealed.Butyouareboundbyourbargainallthesame.PutdownOberon’spetandgainyourfreedom.”

Iblinkedandrubbedmyeyes,wonderingwhytheyweremistedoverandmycheekswerewet.HadIfallenasleeponthejob?I

glancedaroundquickly,hopingPuckhadn’tnoticed.ThelasttimeIdozedoffwhileworking,he’dheldmyhandoveranopenflame.Thebastardknewofmyaversiontofireandtauntedmewithitceaselessly.Thankfully,Puckwastoobusywithhisdiversionstonoticemylapse.Hewasonlynowleavingthedancefloorwithacurvaceoushumanonhisarm.

Iwipedabsentlyatthecounterinfrontofme,tryingtolookbusyasIstudiedthetrickster’snewconquest.Sheboremultipletattoosonherbarearms,buttheydidn’tlooklikebrandingsorothermarksoffaeownership.Examiningherface,Icouldseethatshewaswearingheavymakeup,buthereyeswerestillbrightandalert.Thehumanwasn’tonIce,yet,butitwouldn’ttakePuck

longifhewantedherdosed.Allitwouldtakewasaquicksleightofhandwhileorderingheradrinkandshe’dbeanotherslavetoaddtohislarder.

Icouldhavewarnedher.I’ddoneitmorethanoncetothwartPuck’slittlegames,butnottonight.Ididn’tcareaboutthefateofthisweakhuman.Ihadmoreimportantthingstotakecareof,thoughIwasn’tatallsure

whatthosethingswere.Foramoment,theroomseemedtotiltonitsaxisandcoolairwhisperedalongmyskin.Ishookmyheadandcontinuedwipingatthecounter.

MyhandhitahardobjectandIlookeddowntoseeanornatedaggerinfrontofme.Thatwasodd.Ididn’trememberanycustomerssittingherewhomayhaveleftthisbehind.Myeyesslidfromthe

weapontoPuckstridingthisway.Igrinnedwide,seeingthechanceI’dbeenlookingfor.I’dalwaysdreamedofalong,slowrevenge,butatthemomentthethoughtofkillingthetricksterquicklyandcleanlyfilledmewithjoy.Yes,heneededtobeputdown.Tonight.

AsPuckwalkedpast,Itossedmydishragoverthedaggerandpulleditacrossthebar.Oncehewasgone,I

slippedthebladeintothepocketofmyapron,theicecoldhandleacomfortinmysweatinghand.Theweapon’ssuddenappearancemustbeasign.Igrippedthedaggertightlyandslidintoanearbyshadow.

Mycaptorhadgonethroughthedoortotheleftofthebarandintothebackstorerooms.Iknewwhathediddownbelowintheoldwinecellars,andhadlearned

tokeepmydistancefromhisspecialcustomersandtheirdepravity.

ButnowIeyedthedoorwithlonging,wishingIhadawayinside.Normally,Icouldmakeanexcusetorunbackforsupplies,butitwasa“special”nightaccordingtoPuckandhe’dlockedthedoorstoallexceptpayingguests.

Onebyone,vampireshadbeenlettingthemselves

inwithnewlycraftedkeysmadeofiron.Idon’tknowhowPuckmanagedtoconveythekeystothevampireswithoutsufferingtheeffectsofironpoisoning,buthissecuritypaidoff.Therewasnowayafaeriecouldstealoneofthosekeysandgainadmittancetohisspecialbloodsuckerparty.

Iwasstillgloweringatthedoorwhenthesouthernvampire,who’dbeensitting

atthebar,stoodandmadehiswaytowardthebackroom.Asheslidakeyfromthepocketofhisleatherjacket,anideasprungintomymindandIsmiled.Heartracing,Igrabbedastackofbartowels,upendedthevampire’sunfinisheddrinkonthem,andhurriedtohisside.

“Excuseme,”Isaid.“Canyouholdthedoor?IneedtoswaptheseforcleanlinensorPuckwillhavemy

head.”Alookofdistaste

crossedthevampire’sface,eitheratsuchpushybehaviorbyaservantorthementionofPuck,Iwasn’tsurewhich.MaybehewasjustannoyedthatI’ddelayedhisdinnerplans.Whateverthereasonforhispinchedexpression,thevampireheldthedoorwhileIscurriedpast,hurryingononcehe’dfollowedmeinside.

Thevampirerushedpastinablurofmovement,notwillingtowasteanymoretimebeforegoingbelowstairs.Ishuddered,grippingthelinenstighttomychest.Themanprobablyalreadyhadhisfangsinsomepoorschmuck’sneckbynow.

ThedoorclickedshutandIreleasedashakybreath,settingthesoiledtowelsontopofalowstackofcardboardboxes.The

vampirehadn’tbotheredtoswitchonthelightsinhishurrieddescenttothecryptsbelow,andIcertainlywasn’tgoingtoturnthemon.Theroomwasdark,butmyUnseelieeyesweresuitedtolurkinginshadowsandIdidn’twanttoalertPuck,oranyofthevampiresbeingentertainedwithbloodandvice,tomypresence.

Itiptoedtothedoorwe’djustcomethroughand,

afterplacingmyeartothewoodtolistenforanyoneapproaching,bentlowandblewanicymistintothelock.Whenthekeyholewasfilledwithice,Iturnedtowardthestairsatthebackoftheroom.

Silently,Idodgedcratesandboxes,makingmywayacrosstheroomanddownaflightofstairs.Atthebottom,Icouldhearmovementandthedry,

hackingsoundofalaughingvampire.Beneathitallranasoundtrackofagony:moans,cries,andshrieksofpainorterror.Iswallowedhardandpulledmyselfuptomyfullsevenfootheight.

SoonIwouldbefreeofthisprisonandthoughtheroadstotheWinterCourtweresealed,I’dfindanewplacetolivewheretheonescryingoutinagonywereSeeliefae,asitshouldbe.I

imaginedPuckchainedinironandstrungfromoneofthecourt’selaboratelycarvedbalconies.HowMabwouldhavelaughedatsuchasight.Shealwaysdidlovethesweettasteofrevenge.

Iblinkedbackicytearsatthememoryofmylostqueen—ifonlyshe’dreturntous!—andpulledthedaggerfrommyapron.Strangely,theweaponmademefeelclosertomyliege.

Imovedforward,butasIwasabouttoturnthecornerintothewinecellar,Iheardthefaintscuffofabootonthestairs.Iduckedintodeeperdarknessbehindarackofwinebottles,embracingtheshadowsasIheldmybreath.

Secondslater,amaninanold-fashionedwaistcoatcameintoview.Ifrowned,studyingthemanashedescendedthestairs.Howhadheopenedthelocked

doorabove?TheiceI’dfrozenthelockshutwithshouldn’thavemeltedsoquickly.

Flameflickeredintheman’seyes,providingmyanswer.Thedappergentlemanwasademon.

Aftersurveyingtheroomandtuggingathisgloves,thedemoncontinuedon.Ilistened,wonderingifIshouldmakemyescapebeforemorepartygoersmade

theirwaythroughthedooranddownthestairs.Idugmyfingernailsintomypalm,tryingtostemthewaveofdizzinessthatthreatenedtooverwhelmme.IfIwasdiscovered,Puckwouldtakegreatpleasureinmypunishment.

ThesoundofanargumentandPuck’sstrainedvoiceconvincedmetostay.Foronce,thetrickstersoundedworried.Plus,I

couldn’tshakethefeelingthatIhadadutytofulfill.

Ipressedmylipstogetherandcreptoutfrombehindtheracksofwine,inchingmywayalongthedemon’strail.Atthefirstopendoorway,IcouldhearthedemonandPuckarguing.Istoleaglanceintotheroom,andjerkedmyheadback.

Aslowsmilespreadacrossmyface,theupturnedcurveofmylipsfeelingodd

aftersomanyyearsofenslavement.ThedemonwascirclingPuck,keepinghimdistractedandoffbalance.Ihadnoideawhattheirargumentwasabout—money,agirl,adrugdealgonewrong—andIdidn’tcare.WhatIsawinthatroomwasanopportunity.

Islippedahandintomyapron,grippingthejeweleddagger.Thiswasmychance.

Withawildyelland

barkoflaughter,Irushedintotheroom.Iraisedmyarm,thrustingthedaggertowardPuck’sheart—ifthebastardevenhadone—butwaswrenchedtothesideasavampireappearedbeforeme.

Thesouthernvampfromthebar,Ithoughtasmyvisiontunneled,shadowsracinginfromtheperiphery.ItriedtomoveagaintowardPuck,butpainslammedintome.Igaggedandslidtomy

knees.Thevampiresnarled,

holdingabloody,lifelessarminhisgrasp.Confused,Ilookeddowntoseemyownarmmissing,bloodoozingfrommyshoulder.UnderstandingdawnedandIsmiled.I’dbeoutfromunderPuck’sthumbnomatterwhathappenednow.

Ifumbledatmyapronwiththefingersofmyremaininghand,muscles

alreadygrowingslowandweak.ThedemoncontinuedhisargumentwithPuckandthevampirewasbabblingabouttheneedtoprotectBiteCluborsomesuchnonsense.Myheadbuzzedandmyvisionblurred.

Ididn’thavemuchtime.

IextractedtheicepickfromthetornseamwhereI’dkeptit,longingforthedayI’dwinmyfreedom.Itwasn’tas

elegantasthejeweleddagger,butitwouldhavetodo.

Imanagedtogetafootundermeandlunged,jammingtheicepickupward.IfeltthesilverpunchthroughmuscleandslipbeneaththeribsandintoPuck’sheart.HiseyeswidenedinsurpriseandIlaughed.

Adrenalinefading,Ihunglimplyinthearmsofthevampirewho’dgrabbed

holdofme.Lickingmylips,Ilookedupintothefrenziedfaceofthevampire.Thecreaturelatchedontomyneck,sinkinghisfangsintomyjugular,butInolongercared.

“Ididasyouasked,myqueen,”Irasped.

Myvisiondimmedtoatinypointoflightandmybodyfeltpleasantlycold.Irelaxed,asmilestillonmylips.I’dservedmyqueenand

beengrantedmyownwish.Nomoretendingbarinasweatynightclub.NofurtherdecadesofservitudetothealmightyPuck,whowasnowdyingalongsidemeinthismoldering,oldwinecellar.

Iwasfree.

DUSTEDThefirstruleofBite

Clubistherearenorules.Thelackofrestrictionsiswhatmakesoursoireessodangirresistible.BiteClubisanallyoucaneatbuffetofbloodandwontonpleasure.Butlikeallgoodthings,BiteClubcomesinsmalldoses.

Ifvampiresbitanddrainedeverythinginsighton

aregularbasis,we’dbehunted,staked,andburnedtoashnevertoriseagain.Ituggedatthebrimofmyhat,whichsatcatawampusfromaburstofspeed,andmademywaydownthespiralstaircasetowardthebar.

I’mnotarogue—Icanplaybytherules—butimmortalityisalong,longlifetimeandI’dfoundthatBiteClubhelpeditsmemberscopewiththeboredomand

frustrationsofeternallifebeneathVampireLaw.

Thevampirecouncilmandatesthatallnewfledglingsadheretotheirlaws,orperish.Whatourmastersdon’tbothertotellusisthatevenafterdecadesoffollowingtherulestotheletter,therestrictionsdonotlift.Andafterhalfacentury,thelawsregardinghowonemustconductahunthadbeguntochafe.

VampireLawstatesthatfeedingmustbedonediscreetly.Bloodslaves,humanswhogivetheirbloodwillingly,areencouraged—solongasweonlymakeslavesofthoseunfortunatesoulswhomhumansocietyhasalreadyforsaken.Wefeedoffthefringeofhumanity—thehomeless,addicts,runaways—thosewhoareunlikelytobemissedorwhosedisappearancecan

easilybeexplainedaway.Butthisforceddiscretionscrapedagainstmytruenaturelikeawoodenstakeagainstmyheart.Vampiresarepredators,notscavengingbirdsmeanttoswoopinandpickatthegarbagethathumanscastaside.

Iamnotrashpickin’gull.Iamavampire.

WhenIwasfirstturned,Ileftthefamiliarbayousofmyhometownseeking

freedom.Ihadhopedthatachangeofsceneryandputtingdistancebetweenmeandmymasterwouldalleviatethefeelingofsuffocationthatplaguedmynewexistence.Whowouldhaveknowntheundeadledsucharepressedlifeafterdeath?

Inchingmywaynorth,I’dfoundmysalvationinadocksidetavernoutsideBoston.I’dmetaman,muchlikethisPuckIwastomeet

withtonight,whoorganizedaspecialclubforvampireswhowantedatasteofexcitement—andblood.

IwasindoctrinatedintoBiteClub,anofangsbarredgatheringofvampireswho,likeme,chafedattherulesthatboundourdailylives.Atoneofourmeetings,humanscouldbepurchasedand,solongaswewerewithintheconfinesofthedesignatedlocation,wecoulddowhat

wewantedwiththem.Somemeetingswereinplacessuitableforhuntinggameswhileotherswereinmorecomfortablesettingsforsatinghungerforsomethingotherthanblood.

Butnomatterwhat,thevenuehadalwayschanged.ThatwaswhyIgotsoexcitedwhenIlearnedofthisplace.Followingrumorsfromothermembers,IwasledtoacitywhereBiteClubwashosted

notonce,butmanytimesataplacecalledClubNexus.Themeetingswerebehindcloseddoors,downintheclub’swinecellars,butIdidn’tmindthecrypt-likesettingifitmeantIcouldhavemyfunwithoutinterruption.Puckmadesurethatonlywellvettedmemberswereallowedadmittance,sotherewasnoriskofpunishmentfromtheVampireCouncil.

Ismiled,theskin

stretchingtightacrossthebonesofmyface.Itwasn’tbreakingthelawiftheuppitycouncildidn’tknowaboutit.

Isidleduptothebar,awedonceagainbytheshelvesofglowingliquidsencasedinglassbottles.Noneofthesevictualswouldsustainme,therewasonlyonesubstancenowthatcouldaccomplishthat,butIorderedashotofbourbonanyway.Istaredintomyglass,

watchingtheblue,green,andpinkreflectionssparkleacrossthesurface,whileIwaitedformycontacttoarrive.

Ibreatheddeeplyastwowomen,onefaeandonehuman,crossedtheroomheadingtowardtheotherendofthebar.Inolongerhadtobreathetosurvive,butIscentedtheirbloodlikeasommelierrunningwinealongthetongue.Thefaerie

smelledliketoastedpainandsimmeringhope,asifshewasacreatureoffirewho’dlongbeenbrokenandwasonlynowbeginningtoputthepiecesofherlifebacktogether.Thehumanlackedthesubtletiesoffaescent,butherbloodpoundedtantalizinglybeneaththeskinandherhairsmelledlikecherryblossoms.

Asafoolboy,I’dpickedbushelsofcherries

fromanearbyorchardandateuntilIthoughtIwouldburst.Groaningwithanupsetstomachfromovereating,I’dfeltdumberthanastump,thatwascertain,butnowI’dgiveanythingforthatsatedfeeling.Ineededanabundanceofbloodandpaintofeelcontentthesedays,bothofwhichwereinshortsupplywhilefollowingtherulesofVampireLaw.

Iflickedmyeyestothe

shiftingpurplesandinthehourglasssuspendedabovethebar.Puckwaslate.

Ididn’tcareforPuck’scompany;hewasslickerthanabullfroginarainstorm.ButIhadtoadmit,forafaerie,hewassensible.He’dhadthehorsesensetomakearegularbusinessoftheBiteClubclienteleandoursundryneeds.DevianceisnothingifnotfullofvarietyandPuckhaddiscoveredhowto

capitalizeoneachandeveryoneofourdesires.Infact,Iwouldn’tbesurprisediftheimpwaspurposelylatetoourmeetingstobuildthesuspense,andemptymywallet.

Iscowledatthetimeandmassagedmytemples.Wherethedevilwashe?Beneathmyglamour,myfangslengthened.Ineededtofeed,now.PerhapsifIboughttheladiesattheother

endofthebaradrink,Icouldlurethemintoashadowycorner.Thecouncilbedamned.

IwassocaughtupintheduststormofmythoughtsthatIjumpedwhenahandslappedmyback.Iturnedtoseethebodyofayoungmanattachedtotheoffendinghand.Puckappearedtobeaboutseventeen,nomorethanthreeyearsyoungerthanI’dbeenwhenIwasturned,

buthisdimplesandmopofcurly,blondhairgavehisfaceachildishinnocence.Asmymawouldhavesaid,hewascuterthanaboxofpuppies.

Andlikeapuppy,he’dbehappytotakeallIhadtogiveandthenshitinmyboots.Toobadhewastheonlypurveyorofvice—truevice,thekindwithoutlimits—inthisgodforsakentown.

“You’relate,”Isaid.I

tossedbackthebourbonandupendedtheemptyglass,slammingitonthebarwithawallop.

“Sorry,Cyrus,”Pucksaid.Thecurlofhislipwasenoughtoknowthefaerie’sapologywasn’tgenuine,butIheldmyselfrigid.Tearingoffthisone’sheadwoulddomenogood.More’sthepity.

“Iain’tseenhidenorhairofyouallevenin’,”Isaid.Ifrownedaroundmy

fangs,tryingtoignoretheacheinmyjaw.

“Busynight,”Pucksaidwithashrug.

PucklookedaroundthebarandsmiledatoneofthewomenI’dbeenstalking.Myprey.Thepredatorinmewantedtolashoutandtearhisspinethroughhiseyesocket,butIpressedmylipstogetherandremainedseatedonthebarstool.Thefaeriemaybetoobigforhis

britches,buthe’dprovidemewithadinnerdatesoonenough.

“GotwhatIcamefor?”Iasked.NosenseinwaitingwhilePuckmadeeyesatthehumanwoman.Iwaspastwaitingontheman.Itwastimetogetdowntobusiness.

“Inthemarketforashortortalltenpints?”heasked.“HadanewshipmentofIceinthisweek,soyourdrinkcancomefeistyor

sedate.Takeyourpick.”IcewasthedrugPuck

waspedalinglately.Ireckoneditwassomemagicconcoctionthatgaveparanormalsaeuphorichighandlefthumansstonedoutoftheirrightminds.

“Iprefermymealkickin’andscreamin’,”Isaid.

Icouldn’tabidemypreydruggedsixwaystoSunday.Wherewasthefun

inthat?“Feistyitisthen,”he

said.“WhencanIeat?”I

asked.“Ingoodtime,”he

said.“LikeIsaid,it’sbeenabusynightandyou’renottheonlyvampireinthiscitywithneeds.”

“Ishouldn’toughtahavetowait,”Isaid.

“Don’tworry,myfriend,”hesaid.“Youwon’t

havetowaitmuchlonger.Customerinfrontofyouisaquickfeeder.Manwillbedoneinfifteenminutestops.Givehimtimetofinishup.”

“Fine,”Isaid,holdingoutmyhand.

Puckupendedavelvetbagembroideredwitharcanesymbolsandhandedoveranironkey.

“Atmysignal,enterthebasement—nosooner,”hesaid.“Usetheroomonthe

right,sameaslasttime.Yourtoysarealreadylaidoutforyou.”

Ifidgetedonmystoolandtriednottogazelonginglyatthebasementdoor.Assoonasthevampireaheadofmewasdonefeeding,it’djustbeme,myprey,andaroomfullofchains.I’dbehappierthanapiginpoop.

Puckstoodandslappedmeontheback.

“Gottarun,Cyrus,”hesaid.“Havefun.”

“Alwaysdo,”Isaid.Ispokeintoempty

space.Thefaeriewasalreadystruttingdownthebartowardthehumanwomanandherfriend.Iturnedbacktothehourglassandclickedmyfingernailsagainstthebartop.Itseemedlikeagesfortheothervampiretoclearoutofthebasement,butfinallyavampirewholookedlike

someYankeeWallStreetstockbrokercameoutofthedoorinablur.

It’shardtokeepourothernessincheckimmediatelyafterafeed.Thebloodgamesprovideaeuphoricrushthatpushesourbodiestogloryinourvampiricspeedandstrength.TheYankeevampireheldhisbodyatoddangles,crackedthebackofachairhetouchedinpassing,andmovedtoo

quickly.Evidently,he’ddrunkhisfill.

SowhereintheHellwasPuck?

Ifocusedonthefaerie’svoiceandsoonpinpointedhislocation.Hehadn’tgonefar.Hewaswiththehumanwomanandherintoxicatedfriend.JudgingfromPuck’sface,hisattemptstowinoverthetwowomenhadn’tgonewell.IfIwasn’tsohungry,thethoughtwouldhavemade

mesmile.Instead,Igrimaced,waitingforPucktogetonwithit.

Finally,afteraneternityspentspyingonPuck’sflirtationswiththehumanwoman,hecamewalkingmyway.Ashepassedthebar,Puckreacheduptoscratchathischeekwithtwofingers.Thatwasthesignal;twominutes.

Fromthecornerofmyeye,IwatchedPucksaunter

overtowardatableofvampiresattheedgeofthedancefloor.Hepassedsomethingtooneofthemenandcontinuedontowardthebasementdoorattheendofthebar.

Apulseofpleasureracedupmyspineandmyfangstingledwithanticipation.I’dexercisedenoughpatienceandrestraintforonenight.I’dsatlikeabumponalogwhilethat

othervampiredrankhisfill.Nowitwasmyturn.Islidliquidlyfromthe

barstoolandturnedawayfromthecrowd.Pattingthekeyinmyfrontpocket,Iwalkeddownthebartowardthebasementdoor.

Awomanbrushedby,theedgesofhermidnightbluecloaktwiningaroundmyankleslikecoldbloodedserpents.Ishivered,whichwassomethingIhadn’tdone

sincemyhumandays.Thecolddoesn’tgenerallyaffectyouonceyou’vefeltthechillofthegrave.Myreactionwasoddenoughtomakemeturnaround,seekingthemysteriouswoman.Butthecloakedfigurewasgone.

Iclenchedmyjawinfrustration,andmythirstreturned.Awomanthatbeautifulwasasscarceashen’steeth,butIwasn’tinterestedenoughtoattempt

pursuit.Therewasn’tmuchthatcoulddistractmewhenI’dsetmymindtothepleasuresofabloodhunt.Thecreatureswhofrequentedthisclubmayallowataste,butoftenforaheftyprice,andthey’dneverletmeplaythegamesItrulydesired.

Myheadsnappedbacktofocusonthedoorjusttotheleftofthebar.BehindthatdoorlaywhatIsought.Yourtoysarealreadylaidout

foryou.Ifeltaslowsmileskitteracrossmyface.Ihadagoodfeelingabouttonight.

Bootswhisperingalongthefloor,Ipulledthekeyfrommypocketandforcedmyselftowalk,notrun,tothedoor.Desirestirredwithinmelikecreaminabutterchurn.Beyondthatunassumingportallayaworldofpleasures.

“Excuseme,”saidavoiceatmyshoulder.I

scowledandpulledmygazefromthedoor.I’dbeenwaylaidbytheblue-skinnedbartender.Irecognizedherastheonewho’dpouredmyglassofbourbon.“Canyouholdthedoor?IneedtoswaptheseforcleanlinensorPuckwillhavemyhead.”

Puckmight“haveherhead”forslackinginherduties,butthewomanhadnoideahowcloseIwastoliterallytearingherheadfrom

herbodyandtossingitacrosstheroomlikeahottater.Toobadthatkindofruckuswoulddrawtheattentionofclubsecurity,andputakinkinmyplans.

“Fine,”Isaid,openingthedoor.“Nowgoonandquitpiddlin’,orI’llleaveyououthere.”

Thefaeriewomanscurriedinside,armsladenwithsoiledlinens.Onceinside,forjustamoment,I

consideredtakingthebartenderasanappetizer,butthenIheardacryfrombelow.Puckwastenderizingmymeal.Timetogetamoveon.

CasksofwinemovedbyinablurofmotionasInearlyflewthroughthestoreroomanddownaflightofstairs,leavingthefaeriewomanbehind.Icontinuedon,slippingthroughtheshadowswithouttheneedof

alight,followingthesoundofsomeonepitchin’ahissyfit.

TheyalwaysdidthatwhentheIceworeoff.Don’tknowhowPuckmanagedtotimeitsoperfectly.Ireckonhedruggedthemataspecifiedtime,makingourmealssuggestibleandeasytotransportintothebasementroomswherewehadourfun.Ofcourse,wepredatorspreferourmealsfeisty.It

wouldn’tdotohaveourpreyruffiedtoHellandgone.What’dbethefuninthat?

IpulledupshorttoseePuckinthedoorwaytomyusualroom.

“I’veoutdonemyselfwiththisone,Cyrus,”Pucksaid,gesturingformetolookinsidetheroom.

Foronce,thefaeriewasgivingittomestraight.Thewomanshackledtothewallwasfinerthanfrog’shair.

Likeahuman’spalate,vampireshavepreferencesforwhat’sonthemenu,andthiswomanwasjustmytype.

“She’saspittin’image,”Isaid.

I’dgivenPuckafadedphotographtogobyandtonighthe’dcomethroughinspades.Theauburnhairedbeautywasstrugglingagainstthemanaclesandnekkedasajaybird.Myfangslengthenedandanachecoursedthrough

mybody.Ireachedintomycoat

andtossedanenvelopeofcashtowardtheretreatingfaerie.Iclosedthedoor,knowingPuckwouldn’tgofar.Nomatterwhatthemanclaimedaboutrunningthisbusinessforprofit,hewasinitformorethanthemoney.

OnmorethanoneoccasionthefaeriehadlingeredoutsidethedoorofmyroomwhileIfed.

Judgingfromthepheromonescomingofftheguy,Pucklikedtolisten.Wellgoodyforhim,tonighthewasinforatreat.

Isettoworkonthewoman,callingherbythenameofsomeonelongdeadandgone.Itriedtomakeitlast,savorthearomaofherfear,butsheremindedmesomuchofanirretrievablepast.Withinsecondsshewasbleedinglikeastuckpig.I

fedquicklyanddeeply,pausingonlywhenIheardaruckusoutsidethedoor.

SomeonehadenteredthebasementandwasarguingwithPuck.Bestseewhatallthefusswasabout.Imaynotliketheman,butPuckprovidedmewithwarmmealslikethisone.Ipulledanarmacrossmymouthandwenttolistenatthedoor.

“Playingatjudge,jury,andexecutioner?”Puck

asked.“That’snotlikeyou,Forneus.Heck,Ididn’tthinkyouhadtheballs.Goodforyou.”

Iswungthedooropen,nearlytakingitfromitshinges,andrantodefendPuck.AdemonstoodfacingPuckfromacrosstheroomandtheblue-skinnedbartenderwasrushingtowardPuckwithherarmraised,ajeweleddaggerinherhand.

“NoonethreatensBite

Club,”Isnarled.IslidinfrontofPuck

andhissed,spittleandbloodfleckingthewide-eyedfaeriewoman.Inthesamemotion,Iplantedmyfeetwide,grabbedthewoman’sarmandwrencheditfreefromherbody.Thejeweleddaggerthat’dbeenplungingtowardPuck’schestwasnolongerathreat.

Iflungthearmacrosstheroom,nostrilsflaringand

fangsaching.Evenfullasatickfrommypreviousmeal,thebloodsprayingfromthefaerie’sshoulderheldmyraptattention.Acoilofneedgrewinsidemygut.

Onceagain,itwastimetofeed.

ThefaerielungedtowardPuck,andIstruck.Ilatchedontoherneck,sinkingmyfangsindeepandlettingtherapidpulseofthearterycarrymeaway.

Lostinaseaofblooddreams,Ilosttrackofevents.Butasthefaerie’sheartfaltered,Icametomysensesandscannedtheroomforadditionalthreats.

Flameflickeredalongthedemon’sfingers,makingmeflinch,andahumanwomancamerushingintotheroom,crossbowattheready.Atfirst,thehumanaimedthebowatthedemonandIthoughtshe’dtakecareofthe

manforme.Butshespunandtrainedherbowonme,demandingIreleasethefaeriegirl.

Itossedthecorpsetotheground.Inolongerneededthefaeriewoman;shewasdrierthanabaronSunday.Butthehumanwasanotherstory.

Irushedforward,thestingofacrossbowboltnotevenmakingmepause.Theboltwasn’twood,soit

couldn’tstopme,butI’dstillmakethewomanpayfortheminorwound.MyfingernailslengthenedasIextendedmyhandstowardthewoman—allthebettertoflaythefleshfromherbones.

Ireachedout,closingthedistance,butsuddenlythewomanwasgoneandthedemonwasstandinginfrontofme.BeforeIhadtimetowonderwheremypreyhadgone,ablindingpainshot

throughmychest.ThenallIcouldseewastheceiling.

I’dbeenstaked.Itriedtomove,butI

wasweakasalamb.Icouldn’tsomuchasflexmyfingers.Istrainedtohearpasttheringinginmyears,wonderingwhatthedemonhadplannedforthelikesofme.Probablynothinggood.

IreckonedIwaspastredemptionnow.I’dbrokenVampireLawandwas

beyondreceivinghelpfromthecouncil.Pucklaybleedingcloseby,notthathewasevenafriend.Forthefirsttimeindecades,Ifeltremorse.HowlonghaditbeensinceI’dhadfaithfulfriendsoralliestowatchmyback?

Mypastwassteepedinblood.Aftermyrising,I’dkilledeveryonewho’devermatteredtomeasahuman.I’dmurderedmyfriendsand

familyandreveledintheirpain.

Eventually,thedemoncametostandoverme,flameflickeringinhiseyes.Iknewthenwhathemeanttodoand,surprisingly,apartofmewelcomedthisfinaljudgment.Allthingshaveanending,andI’dhadalongunlife.

I’dcheateddeathandcausedaspeedbumpinthecycleoflife.Ishouldhave

diedlongago.Whentheflamescame,Ismiled.Itwastimetocompletethecycle.

Itwastimetoreturntodust.

JINXEDOfallthenightclubs,in

allthecities,inalltheworld,thefreakin’demonhadtowalkintoClubNexus.Mynickname,Jinx,hadneverseemedmoreappropriate.Ireallywasoneoftheunluckiestpeopleontheplanet.

ThesightofForneusstridingpurposefullyacross

theclubtowardmemademybreathquickenandskintingle.Itriedtolookaway,oratleaststammerawarningtoIvywhowasorderingourdrinks,butmybodyhadgoneonstrike,completelydisconnectingfrommybrain.AngeranddesirestolethewordsfrommylipsandIcontinuedtofacethedemonheadon.

WhenitcametoForneus,Iadmit,Ihave

issues.Idesperatelywantedto

kissthemanandshoothiminequalparts.That’stheproblemwiththedemonlawyer.HeissofrustratinglyattractiveandyeteverytimeheopenshismouthIfeeltheurgetowipethatsmugsmileoffhisface—withasledgehammer.Everymoveofhispowerfulbody,everygestureofhisslenderhands,andeveryleerdownhis

aquilinenosesentwavesofheatdownintomybellyandmademybloodboil.

Yes,Ishoulddefinitelyshoothim.

SinceForneuswasademon,he’dprobablysurvivetheshooting,mightevenenjoyitifIhadn’tdippedmycrossbowboltsinholywaterbeforeleavingtheloft.Islippedmyhandfromthebarandreachedovermyshouldertowheremycrossbowwas

slung,keepingmyeyesonthedemon.MyfingerstracedthehandleoftheweaponandIlickedmylipsinanticipation.

ForneusapproachedfromthesideoppositeIvyandslidanarmaroundmywaist.Warmthspreadthroughmeandneedspiraledlowinmybelly.Asifsensingmydesire,aknowingsmileliftedhislipsandheatsimmeredinhiseyes.

Ishiftedinmyseat,givingForneusaleerofmyown,andfroze.Ivy,glowingwildlylikeafourthofJulysparkler,wasthereinaflash,holdingaknifetoForneus’throat.Damn,shewasfast—andpissed.

Evenifherglowingskinhadn’tgivenawaymyfriend’sagitation,thenthesheenofsweatonherupperlipandherrapidbreathingwouldhavebeenaclear

indicationofjusthowmuchIvyloathedtheideaofcomingthisclosetotouchinganimmortaldemon.Well,whenitcametothisparticulardemonthatwassomethingwebothhadincommon.

Anditwasn’tdemoncootiesshewasworriedabout.IfsomuchasaninchofherskinbrushedagainstForneus,Ivywouldbetrappedinmillenniaof

nightmarevisions,directfromHell.AndthatwasonestationI’msureshedidn’twanttotuneinto,ever.Buthereshewas,holdingoneofherbladestohisthroat.Herglovedhandbarelyshookasshestareddownthedemon.

ItwasthenthatIrealizedthemusichadstopped.Infact,theentireclubhadgonesilentasagrave,everysinglebreathingpatronholdingtheircollective

breath.Iflickedmyeyesaroundtoseehundredsoffaeries,andevenafewvamps,staringatIvy’sbladewhereitdugintoForneus’throat.Theonlymovementwasfromahalfdozenlargeogresastheypushedtheirwaythroughthecrowd.

Heartracinglikethedancemusicthatshouldhavebeenplaying,myhandtightenedonthecrossbow,andIthumbedoffthesafety.

Haditbeenfoolishtocockandloadthebowbeforeenteringtheclub?Probably,butIwasnowhappythatIhad.Iftheclub’sbouncersturnedonmeandIvy,we’dgodownfighting.

Agrowlingvoice,precededbyaquickpuffofair,warnedmeofanewcomertothefight.IsuckedinashakybreathandturnedtoseeagriffinalightontopofthebarstoolIvyhad

vacated.“Iwouldn’tdothatifI

wereyou,human,”hesaid.Thedog-sizedcreature

hadarrivedbeforetheotherbouncersbyusingitswingstoflyoverthecrowdedroom.Thoughsmallerthanthefastapproachingogres,thegriffinlookedjustasdeadly.Aneagleheadsportingahookedbeakrestedatopthebodyofalion,clawsandall.

“Whynot?”Iasked,keepingmyvoicelow.“What’sgoingon?”

“You’vethreatenedviolencewithintheclub’swalls,”thegriffinsaid.“Therewillbenobloodshedhere.ClubNexusisneutralground.Ifyouwishtokilleachother,takeitoutside.”

“Thisisallamisunderstanding,”Forneussaid,spreadinghishandswide.“Theselovelyladies

weren’tthreateningmeGregor,notagainstmywill.Thiswasjustalittlegameweconcocted.Tokeepthings…interesting.”

“Demons,”thegriffinspatunderhisbreath.

“What?”Forneusasked,eyeswide.“Eternityisalongtime,asyouwellknow.Amanmustdosomethingtospicethingsupabitnowandagain.”

Thegriffin,Gregor,

frowned,butnoddedtotheogreswhonowstoodatIvy’sback.Oneoftheogrescrackedhisknuckles,butnoneofthemreachedformyfriend.Itookthatasagoodsign.EspeciallysinceoneofthosehandscouldpalmIvy’sheadlikeasoftball.

“Youknowtherules,Forneus,”Gregorsaid.“Ifyourgamesinvolveconsensualviolence,youmustsubmittheappropriate

paperworktoclubsecurity.Nearlyanybehaviorisallowedwithaproperpermit,butwedonotallowanarchywithinthesewalls.”

“Paperwork,”Forneusmuttered,rollinghiseyes.“You’reallnearlyasbadasHell.”

“Inthemeantime,”Gregorsaid,turningtoIvy.“Sheathyourweapons.Therewillbenobloodshedwithoutfilingthenecessary

paperwork.”Thedemonsighedand

foldedhisarmsacrosshischest.

“Mightaswelldoastheysay,darling,”hesaid.“Youcan’tcutthroughthisredtapewithweapons.Butifyoudodecidetofight,I’mhappytoprovideyouwithlegalservices…foranominalfee.”

Ishookmyheadatthedemonlawyer’soffer.Pay

Forneustogetusoutofthisjam?Overmydeadbody.AsIsawit,itwashisfaultwewereintroublewithclubsecurityinthefirstplace.Isnortedandinchedawayfromthedemon.Atleasthisarmwasnolongerwrappedaroundmywaist.

IvylookedatmeandInodded,slippinganemptyhandintomylap.CuttingForneus’throatandimpalinghimwithacrossbowbolt

werethingsthatwouldjusthavetowait.Ivyloweredherbladeandshoveditintoasheathconcealedbeneathherleatherjacket.Inonequickmovement,sheslidawayfromForneusandleanedagainstthebaratmyside.

“Arewegood,griffin?”sheasked,nevertakinghereyesoffForneus.

“Yes,Princess,”Gregorsaid.“Dotrytofollowtherulesinthefuture.”

Ivygruntedanaffirmativeandthegriffintookwing.Apparently,thatwasthesignalfortheclubtoreturntonormal.Musicpulsedthroughtheroomanddancersreturnedtotheirearlierswayingandgyrating.

Scowling,Ivyslidbackontoherbarstoolandturnedtowatchdemon.

“Ah,now,wherewerewe?”Forneusasked.Hemovedcloser,brushing

againstmyleg.“ShallIbuyyouthatdrink?”

Forneusperchedontheedgeofthebarstoolbesidemeandnowthatweweren’tbeingchewedoutbyclubsecurity,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethathesmelleddifferent.Wasthatcologne…andmouthwash?WasForneustryingtocoverupthestenchofbrimstonethatusuallyclungtohimlikeahellspawnfart?Whatever

he’ddone,itwasanimprovement.HeatflaredfromwhereourlegstouchedandIwonderedifhetastedasgoodashesmelled…

Forneusturnedaraisedeyebrowmyway,butIwassodistractedthatI’dforgottenthequestion.Iblushed,tryingtorememberwhathe’dasked.Ivybristledatmyside,herskinglowingsobrightlythatIhadtoblinkrapidlytokeepmyeyesfrom

tearingup.“Um…”Isaid.“No,”Ivysaid.Ishookmyhead,

clearingawaytheridiculousimpulsetocrawlintoForneus’lapandrunmyhandsthroughhisslickedbackhair.Right,thedemonhadofferedtobuymeadrink.Getagrip,Jinx.Geesh,IwasheretocelebratetheendofmyrelationshipwithHans.Iwasn’thereto

hookupwithsomenewguyworthyofastabbing.

“Nothanks,Forneus,”Isaid.“I’dratherchewonthumbtacks.”

“Really?”heasked,eyelidsathalfmast.Thosebedroomeyesnearlydidmein,butIvyslidoffherstool,handstwitchingathersides.Iknewthatwithhernewfaeriespeed,shecouldhaveabladeatForneus’throatagaininasecond,andtohellwith

theconsequences.“Fine,fine.Untillater,ladies.”

Withawinkandabow,Forneusturnedandslippedawayintothecrowd,leavinganemptyacheinmygut.Iputahandtomystomach,wishingmytraitorousfeelingswouldstopcomplicatingmylife.HavingthehotsforasexydemonwasnotaproblemIneededrightnow.

“Idon’tknowwhatyou

seeinhim,”Ivysaid.“Whatdoyoumean?”I

asked.“Areyoutellingme

youdidn’tjuststareathisbuttlikeitwasadouble-fudgebrownie?”sheasked,raisinghereyebrows.

Ishruggedandturnedbacktothebar.

“Youtwoneedtofigurethingsoutsoon,beforesomeonegetskilledinthecrossfire,”shesaid.

“Figurewhatout?”Iasked,staringatthecolorful,glowingbottlesthatlinedtheshelvesbehindthebar.

“Likeifyouwanttothrowtheguyintobedoranemptygrave,”shesaid.

Isighedandpickedatadrinkcoaster,crumplingbitsofconfettiontotheebonybar.Atleast,Ithoughtitwasacoaster.Upcloseitresembledadriedoutleaf.Weirdofaeries.

“IguessIwantabitofboth,”Isaid,turningtoIvy.Shegroanedandsqueezedhereyesshut.“What?”

“Justhadanimageofyouhumpingthedemonlawyerinagraveyard,”shesaid.

“Yeah,metoo,”Isaidwithasigh.Iletmyheaddropintomyhands,elbowsrestingontheleafstrewnbar.“Ican’tdecideifIneedbrainbleachoracrateof

condoms.Heck,dodemonshaveSTDs?”

“Mab’sbones,Idon’twanttoknow,”shesaid,wrinklinghernose.“Idon’tevenknowhowyoucanstandthestench.”

“Youmeanhiscologne?”Iasked.Ithoughthesmelled…yummy.

“Isthatwhatwe’recallingitnow?”sheasked.“Hesmellslikehellfireandbrimstone.Itmakesmy

sinusesburn.”“That’sweird,”Isaid.

“I’vesmelledthatonhiminthepast,buttonightIthoughthesmelledgood.Likehe’dputoncologneandswishedwithsomekindofcinnamonmouthwashorlikehe’dbeensuckingonhotballs.Nodemonstenchatall.”

“Youdidnotjustsayhisbreath,ademon’sbreath,smelledlikehotballs,”shesaid.Ivyslappedagloved

handoverhermouth,buthereyeswerelaughingatme.

“AndIcan’tbelieveyoujustwentthere,”Isaid,chuckling.“Whoareyouandwhathaveyoudonewithmyprudishfriend?Whichremindsme,westillhaven’ttalkedaboutyouandCeff.Iwanttohearallaboutthehotkelpiesex.”

Ivysighed.“Ithinkweneedthose

drinks,”shesaid.

OurdrinksstillsatonthebarwhereIvyhadleftthembeforetheForneusdrama.Sheslidapintglasstowardmeandraisedherowninmocksalute.InoticedthatIvy’shadafamiliarchipinthesideandwonderedhowshe’dtalkedthebartenderintoservingherinherownglass.Whoknows,maybeweirdrequestslikethatweren’tthatunusualaroundhere.Theydidusedeadtree

droppingsascoasters.“Togirls’nightout,”I

said,smiling.“Maywesurviveit,”

shereplied.Ivyknockedbackherdrinkandwipedhersleeveacrosshermouth.“So,canwegohomenow?”

“Noway,”Isaid.“I’mnotgoinganywhereuntilIdancewithatleastonedecentguy.”

“Iwasafraidofthat,”shesaid.

Ivy’seyescontinuedtoscantheroom,alwaysonthealertforthreats.Ifollowedhergaze,sizingupeacheligiblebachelorintheplace.Inaclubthishuge,you’dthinktherewouldbeplentyofavailablehotties,butaquicksurveyofthedanceflooronlymademewanttogohomeandhugmycrossbow.

“There’sgottobeonemanherewhodoesn’twanttoeatmyfaceorplantmutant

babiesinmyeyeballs,”Isaid.Ivychuckledandshook

herhead.Iwasexaggerating,abit,butthereweresomeprettyfreakyfaecreatureshere.Foreverybeautifulfaerie,therewassomethingthatlookedlikeamonsterfromSaturdaymorningcartoons.Andthoughvampslookedyummyenoughtomyeyes—thefaerieointmentIworedidn’tcutthroughundeadglamour—Ivyhad

assuredmethatIdidn’twanttodateone.Nomatterhowsexytheirglamourmadethemlook,embracingbones,fangs,andcorpsedustwasjustnotmything.

“Whatabouthim?”Ivyasked,studyingaguywhowasstandingfurtherdownthebar.“Helooksharmless,forafaerie,andhe’skindacute.”

Itookintheboyishfaceandshockofcurly,blondhair

andsighed.Hewascute,butnotreallymytype.Hewasaboveaverageheightandcoveredinleanmuscle,buthisgoldencurlswouldhavesuitedoneofthosecreepy,nakedbabiestheyputonValentine’sDaycardsandhisskinlookedsofterthanmine.

“Iprefermaturemen,”Isaid.“He’sprobablyjailbait.”

Ivylaughed.“Idoubtit,”shesaid.

“He’sprobablyhundredsofyearsolderthanyou.”

HeturnedourwayandsmiledandInearlyrolledmyeyes.Theguyevenhaddimples.IvywavedandIresistedtheurgetopunchher.Jailbaitwasnowwalkingourway.

“Great,lookwhatyou’vedone,”Iwhispered.“Sincehe’sonhiswayover,canyouatleasttellifhe’sSeelieorUnseeliefae?”

Notthatafaerie’scourtaffiliationmeanttheywerenecessarilygoodorevil.IvywashalfwispandCeffwasakelpie,bothoftheUnseeliecourt,andtheydidn’tactliketheyhadgoneovertothedarkside.ButIfigureditwasbesttobeforewarned.IjustwishedfaerieswalkedaroundwithdifferentcoloredlightsabersorsomethingsoIcouldtellwhichteamtheywereon.

“I’malightfae,”theguysaid,steppinguptomyside.“Andyoumustbethelovelyhumaneveryoneiswhisperingabouttonight.”

Crap.Peskyfaeriehearing.Ishouldhavelearnedbynowthatthetricksyimmortalscouldhearfromacrosstheroom,iftheywantedto.Leaveittometoopenmymouthandinsertapairofplatformsandals.

“Um,goodtoknow

you’reoneofthegoodguys,”Isaid.“I’mJinx.”

“Puck,”hesaid,reachingforandkissingthebackofmyhand.Hisgreeneyestwinkledandthatdimplewasback,butIvywasright.Therewassomethingabouthimthatseemedolderthanhisapparenteighteenorsoyears.

“AsinTHEPuck?”Ivyasked.

Ipulledmyhandback,

thankfulfortheinterruption.Foramoment,I’dfeltlikePuckandIwerestandingaloneinanancientforest.Iwipedmyhanddownmythigh,wonderingifthelingeringscentofpineandsoundofdead,rustlingleaveswasonlymyimagination.Hadthisinnocentlookingguyworkedsomekindoffaeriemagiconme?Andifkissingmyhandhadsentusintosomedreamyforest,

whatwouldarealkissdo?Ashiverranalongmyspine;Iwasn’tsureifIwantedtofindout.

“Theoneandonly,”hesaid.HeleanedinsoclosethatIcouldcountthefrecklesthatdottedhisnoseandcheeks.“Haveyouheardofme?”

HewaggledhiseyebrowsandIvylaughed,butIjustsatthere,wishingI’dorderedaseconddrink.I

knewmybrainwasscrambledaftertheencounterwithForneus,butIhadnoideawhattheyweretalkingabout.IwasprettysureI’dneverheardthenamePuckinmylife.

“No,areyoufamousorsomething?”Iasked.

“Morelikenotorious,”Ivysaid,smiling.“PuckheremadeitintoShakespeare’splayAMidsummerNight’sDream.IftheBardistobe

believed,he’ssomethingofatrickster.”

Ivy’smomhadbeenbigintoShakespeare,whichexplainedhowmyfriendhadheardofPuck.Ilikedoldbooks,music,andmovies,butmyideaofretrowastheearly1900’s,notthedinosaurage.

“Thouspeak'staright;Iamthatmerrywandererofthenight,”hesaidwithabow.

SothisguyPuckwassomekindofcelebrityfaerietrickster?What,exactly,didthatmean?

“So,um,whatkindoftricksarewetalkingabout?”Iasked.“Nairinshampoobottles?Stickingfirecrackersupafrog’sbutt?”

Oops.Ifeltheatrisetomyface,wishingagainforthatseconddrink.Iswearsometimesmymouthhasamindofitsown.Thankfully,

PucksmiledandlaughedlikewhatI’dsaidwasmeanttobefunny.

“Nothingthatbad,”hesaid.“Justkidstuff.Plus,thatwastheoldPuck.I’mareformedsinner.”

“Whatmadeyouchangeyourways?”Iasked.

Crap,itsoundedlikeIwasflirting,butIwasactuallycurious.Inmyexperience,guysdidn’tchangemuch,evenwhenthey

wantedyoutothinktheywould.HowmanytimeshadIheard,“I’llstopcheating,Ipromise”fromoneofmyexes?Butmaybewhenaguylivedforcenturiestherewasroomforchange—maybebeingtheoperativeword.

“EverythingchangedafterOberonleftcourt,”hesaid,facedarkening.Hisgazeseemedtoturninwardforamomentuntilheshookhisheadandshrugged.“But

that’sancienthistory.”IhadheardofOberon,

thekingoftheSeeliecourt,andhowthekingandqueensofFaeriehaddisappearedfromtheircourtshundredsofyearsago,butIdidn’thavetimetoconsiderPuck’scomment.AnewsongstartedandIvygavemeanencouragingthumbs-upsignfromoverPuck’sshoulder.IrolledmyeyesandlookedaroundforForneus.Notthat

Ireallycaredwhathewasdoingoranything.Iwasjustcurious,that’sall.

“Oh,wow,Jinxlovesthissong,”shesaid.“Don’tyouJinx?”

InoddedwonderingwhatIvywasplayingat,sinceI’dneverheardmusiclikethisinmyentirelife.Puckscrapedahandthroughhisflyawaycurlsandflashedasmilefrombeneathlonglashes.

“Caretodance?”heasked.

ThefaerieheldouthishandandIhesitated.I’dwantedtodance,butPuckwasn’treallymytype.Ilookedaround,tryingtothinkofanexcusetoputhimoff,whenmyeyesfellonForneus.Hehadn’tgonefarandwasnowwatchingmeandPuckwithafrownmarringhislips.Onimpulse,IgrabbedPuck’shandand

slidfromthebarstool.“I’dloveto,”Isaid.

“Ivy,you’llbeokayhere?”Idroppedmycrossbow

ontothebarstoolI’djustvacated,sinceIdidn’tplantoshootanyoneonthedancefloor.ImightaswellleaveIvywiththeextraarsenal,justincase.

“I’llbefine,”shesaid,wavingmeoff.“Go,havefun.”

IpulledPucktoward

thedancefloor,lettingmyhipsswayasIsashayedawayfromthebarandForneus,justincasethedemonwasstillwatching.IglancedovermyshouldertosmileatPuckandcouldhaveswornhisfaceheldthesly,hungrylookofafoxinahenhouse.ButstrobelightsflashedonandoffandthelookwasgoneasifI’dimaginedit.Iprobablyhad.ObsessingoverForneuswasmakingmecrazy.

Evenpreoccupiedwithdemonwatching,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethatPuckwasapopularguy.Maleandfemalefaeriesflirtedaswewadedthroughtheirintricatedancesandmorethanonevampwhisperedsomethingaboutice.MaybePuckworkedheretendingbarorwaitingtables?Ifso,hewasobviouslyoffdutyandgaveeachvampthebrushoff,mentioningsomethingabout

pleasurebeforebusiness.Itdidn’ttakehimlongtogetdowntohisideaofpleasureonthedancefloor.

“So,Jinx,”Pucksaid,pressingclose.“IsthatyourTrueName?”

HestrokedtheinsideofmypalminslowcircleswithhisthumbandIdroppedhishandtoadjustmydress—withoutmuchsuccess.Itwasliketryingtotossawayaboogertissue;thedamnthing

justwouldn’tletgo.Puckmashedhimself

betweenmyhips,swayingtothemusicandpullingmealongwithhim.Hecuppedmyasswithsweatyhandsandpulledmecloseenoughtoknowhewasinterestedinmorethandancing.IfiguredweweregivingForneusquitetheshow,whichhadbeenmyintent,butnowthatwewereonthedancefloor,Ifelttheurgetoflee.

Icouldn’tquiteputmyfingeronit,buttherewassomethingaboutPuckthatsetoffmyinternalbullshit-meter.Ijustwasn’tbuyinghisharmlesskidact,andIwasprettysurehisgropingwasn’tduetoinexperience.WiththebruisesfromHans’temperstillvisibleeverydamntimeIwashedoffmymakeup,Iwasonhighalertforabusiveassholewarningsigns.AndPucksqueezing

myass?Yeah,hewasmakingmewishI’dbroughtmycrossbowontothedancefloorafterall.

“No,butallmyfriendscallmeJinx,”Isaid.

Itriedtoforceasmileandbatmyeyelashes.LetthefaeriecreeperthinkIwasadull-wittedhuman.Iwasonlygoingtofinishoutthisonedanceandthentellhimtogetlost.Isureashellwasn’tgoingtotellhimmyreal

name;Iwasn’tstupid.There’spowerinaname,especiallyforstalkersandmagicwieldingfae.

“Well,youcancallmeRobby,”hesaid.

Puck,orRobby,orwhateverbentdownandIwatchedhislipsdescendtowardmeliketwobloatedworms.Ohhellno.Thishadgonewaytoofar.Iwasnotkissingthisguy.

Isuckedinrapidpuffs

ofairandbelched.PuckfrownedandIpulledaway,onehandflyingtomymouth.Iplacedmyotherhandonmystomachandblushed.

“Iamsosorry!”Isaid.“Wow,howembarrassing.Ishouldneverdrinkbeer.Doyouthinkwecouldgositdown?Idon’tfeelsogood.”

Actually,nowthatthefaeriecreeperwasn’ttryingtokissme,Ifeltjustfine.The

belchingwasachildhoodtrick.I’dbeenabletosuckinairandbelchtheABCsbetterthanalltheneighborhoodboys.Whoknewitwouldcomeinhandygettingridofafaerie?

“Sure,”hesaid,smilereturningtohisface.“Letmebuyyouaproperdrink.Nobeer.”

Heguidedmebacktothebar,hishandonmyass.Ididn’twantadrink,butifit

gotusoffthedancefloor,Icouldturnhimdownatthebar.

“Backsosoon?”Ivyasked.

“Yourfriendwasn’tfeelingwell,”Pucksaid,reachingoverthebarandgrabbingabottleofvodka.Icouldhearthesoundofliquidpouringintoaglassandheturnedaroundholdingadrinkouttowardme.“Here,thiswillhelpsettleyour

stomach.”I’dneverheardof

vodkasettlingaperson’sstomachandwastryingtocomeupwithawaytopolitelyturndownthedrinkwhenIvysolvedtheproblemforme.

“Cheers!”sheexclaimed.

ShecrashedherglassintotheoneinPuck’shand,knockingthecontentstothefloor.

“Oopsie,”shesaid,listingprecariouslyonherbarstool.

“Howmuchhaveyouhadtodrink?”Iasked,movingtowardmyfriend.Ivyhardlyeverdrank,shewastoomuchofacontrolfreaktogetsloppydrunk,butshecertainlylookedwastednow.

“Justafewdrinks,”shesaid,flashingasillygrin.“Iloveyouguys!”

Ivyopenedherarmswide—consideringhertouchphobia,ifshetriedtogiveusahug,shewasdrunkforsure—andfelloffherstoolontothevodkasoakedfloor.Puckglaredbackandforthbetweenme,Ivy,andthebrokenglass,hishandsclenchingfitfully.

“Um,sorry,Robby,”Isaid.“LookslikeIbettergetmyfriendhome.Thanksforthedance.”

“Wait,weneverhadthatdrink,”hesaid,hisfrownagaineclipsedbythatdimpledsmilemask.

“Raincheck,”Isaid,pastingonafalsesmileofmyown.

Heshrugged.“Sure,”hesaid.“Ihave

businesstoattendto.Someothertime.”

Heflappedhishandindismissalandwalkedaway,headingtowardoneofthe

vampireswho’dapproachedusonthedancefloor.

“Youokay?”Iasked,turningbacktomyvodkasoakedfriend.Ishookmyhead.Shewasamess.“Webettergetyououtofhere.Goodthingyouworepants,orKayewouldbepickingglassoutofyourbutttonight.”

Ivystayedonthefloor,watchingPuckthroughthecurtainofherhair.

“I’mnotdrunk,”shewhispered.

Puckhandedsomethingtothevampandmovedon,makinghiswaytoadoorattheendofthebar.Whenhewasoutofsight,Ivystoodandbrushedoffherjeans.Shegrimacedatthewetdenim,grabbedtwosmall,woodenstakesfromherbelt,pulledherhairupintoatighttwist,andusedthestakestosecureherhairatthebackof

herhead.Crap,Iknewthathabit.Itwaswhatshedidjustbeforeweaponstraining.Ihadafeelingwe’djuststumbledonacase.Ivywasgearingupforafight.

“What’sgoingon?”Iasked.

“IwatchedPuckdoseyourdrink,”shesaid.

NowIvy’sdrunkenactmadesense.Ifshehadn’tknockedtheglasstothefloor,Imighthavetakenasip.

“Whywouldafaeriewanttoruffieme?”Iasked.“Can’ttheyjustusetheirmagicpowers,orsomething?”

“Yes,butIimagineusingthatkindofmagicwouldn’tgounnoticedandisagainsttheclubrules,”shesaid.“He’dneedyoutowillinglygowithhimsomewhereawayfromthewatchfuleyesofclubsecurity.”

Ishuddered,rememberingthekeyinPuck’shandsashewentthroughthebackdoor.

“Somewherelikealockedstoreroom?”Iasked,notlikingwherethiswasgoing.

“Whoknowshowlonghe’sbeengoingarounddrugginggirls,”Ivysaidthroughclenchedteeth.“Ifthere’sachancehe’sdonethisbefore,therecouldbe

girlslikeuswhohe’sdruggedinthatbackroom.I’mnotleavingwithoutcheckingitout.”

“Whataboutclubsecurity?”Iasked.“Can’twejusttipthemoff?”

“Wehavenoproof,”Ivysaid.Ivypokedattheshardsofglasswithherboot,scowlingatthefloor.Thealcoholhadalreadyevaporated,probablytakinganyevidenceofdrugswith

it.“Andfaeriestakethingslikehonorandreputationveryseriously.IfwefalselyaccusePuckwithoutsolidevidence,wecouldbeuponchargesofslander.Idon’teventhinkourdemonattorneyfriendcouldhelpusthen.”

IlookedaroundforForneus,butthedemonwasnowhereinsight.Leaveittothejerktotakeoffrightwhenhemighthavebeenuseful.

“Okay,sowhatdoyousuggest?”Iasked,slingingmycrossbowovermyshoulder.

“Iwanttocheckoutthatbackroom,”shesaid.“Butifyoudon’twanttocomewithme,IcanaskTorntowalkyouout.He’saroundheresomewhere.Isawhimflirtingwithanymphnotlongago.”

“Noway,”Isaid,handsonmyhips.“I’mgoingwith

you.Itcouldhavebeenmeinthatbackroom.Iwanttohelp.But,youknow,Torn’syourally.Couldn’tyouaskhimtocomewithus?He’susefulinafightandwehavenoideawhattoexpectbehindthatdoor.”

Ivyranaglovedhandoverherfaceandsighed.

“You’reright,”shesaid.“He’llprobablyrefuse,butitwouldn’thurttoask.Waithere.I’llberightback.”

InoddedandIvytookoff,usingherfaeriequicknessandagilitytoflitthroughthethickeningcrowd.IsoonlostsightofmyfriendandturnedmyattentiontothedoorthatPuckhadgonethroughearlier.Iwatchedavampireleavethebarandswaggertowardthedoor.Hewaswearingsnakeskinboots,darkjeans,andablackfedora.Holdingmybreath,Imovedfurtherdownthebar,

hopingforaglimpseintotheroombeyond.

Abeautiful,blue-skinnedfaerieupendedashotglassofsomethingdarkamberontoanarmfuloflinensandracedovertothedoor.Thevampirescowled,butheldthedoorforthefaeriewhorushedinside.Thevampfollowedcloseatherheels,thedoorsnappingshutbehindhim.

Iwastryingtofigure

outhowtogetinsidethatlockeddoorwhenmyjawdroppedopen.Forneusstrodeforwardandtriedtopushakeyintothelock.Howtheheckdidthedemongetakey?Washepartofthiswholedaterapedrugthing?Ifhewas,Ihadaholywaterdippedcrossbowboltwithhisnameonit.

Heseemedtobehavingtroublewiththekey.Imovedevencloserashefocusedon

thelock.AtinyflamerosefromForneus’indexfingerandhetouchedittothelock.Thistimewhenhetriedthekey,thedooropened.Thedoorwasatthewrongangleformetoseeinside,butIfiguredthatmeantwhoeverwasbehindthedoorcouldn’tseemeeither.

Ileaptatthedoorasitswungshut,graspingthedoorknobjustbeforethelockcouldclick.Iletoutashaky

breath,wonderingwhatIshoulddonext.Ivywouldbeheresoon,hopefullywithTornintow,andIshouldprobablywait.ButthethoughtofForneustakingadvantageofsomepoor,druggedgirlcloudedmyvision.

Islippedthroughthedoorway,pulledastakefrommybag,andusedittokeepthedoorwedgedopen.Ivywouldrecognizetheweapon,

andwouldknowIwasinside.Atleast,thatwastheplan.Shecouldjustthinkitwasachunkofwood.

Ishookmyheadandpressedmylipstogether.No,Ivywasgoodatfindingpeople—it’swhatshedoes.She’dbeabletoreadthecluesandfigureoutwhereI’dgone.Iturnedawayfromthesliveroflightcomingfromthebarandblinkedintothedarkness.Islungmy

crossbowfrommyshoulder,pushedoffthesafety,andsteppedquietlyintotheroom.

Istubbedmytoeonametalrackandbangedmyshinonawoodencrate,butIstifledtheurgetocryout.Iwasusedtobumpsandbruises,butIhopedlikehellthatnoneofthecutshaddrawnblood.Iknewofatleastonevampwhohadcomethroughthisway,andtherecouldbemorebelow.Heck,

therecouldbeawholenestofbloodsuckersdownthere.

Iwipedclammyhandsdownthefrontofmydressandpickedmywaythroughthedarkness.IfocusedongettingtothestairwaythatI’dglimpsedwhenI’dfirstopenedthedoor.Toobadreachingthestairswasn’tmuchimprovement.Infact,itwasprettyfreakingterrifying.

Istareddownfromthe

landing,butitwasblackasbatwingsdownthereandsoundsechoedupthestairwaylikeitwasapipelinetoHell.Moans,cries,whimpers,andmaniclaughtermingledintoanightmarishchoirthatsetmyheartpoundinginmychest.

WhattheheckwasIdoinghere?I’dgottenmyselfintoalotofmesses,butthisonemightjusttakethecake,theicing,andthewholedamn

servingplate.Ihesitated,onefoot

hoveringoveremptyairasIconsideredretreatingbacktothestoreroom.WaitingforIvywouldbethesmartthing,whichwasprobablywhyFatepropelledmedownthestairsatthesoundofForneusspeakingtosomeonebelow.

Mynickname?Yeah,itwasmorethanjustacatchymoniker.MeandLadyLuckhaveneverbeenclose.In

fact,wewerefastbecomingfrenemies,whichwasthelikelycauseofmyattractiontothedemonspeakingbelow.

IrecognizedForneus’voice,butIwastoofarawaytomakeoutthewords.IfIcouldjustgetalittlecloser…Iteeteredononeplatformsandalandsighed.IfIwasgoingtogotiptoeingthroughthedark,Iprobablyshouldn’tbewearingtheseshoes.

Islippedoutofmy

platformsandalsandgrimacedassomethingcrunchedbeneathmyfeet.Butsteppingonspidersandcockroacheswastheleastofmyworries.IneededtofindoutwhatForneusandPuckwereupto,preferablywithouttwistingmyankleortakingatumbleintothebasementbelow.

Withmybadluck,I’dbreakmyankleandmyneck.

Igrabbedtheold,

splinteredrailingandbeganmyslowdescentdownthestairs.GoosebumpsdottedmyskinandIshiveredasaheavyquietseemedtoswallowthebasement.Thecriesandwhimpershadstopped.Thatshouldhavebeenanimprovement,butthedeadairwasevenworsethanthesoundsoftorment.

Forneus’voicebrokethesilence,followedbyPuck’slaughter.Ishuddered

attheghoulishimagesthatconjuredup.Weretheyhurtinginnocentpeopledownhere?Ididn’twanttobelieveit,butIvyhadseenPucktrytodosemydrinkandthoughForneuswassmokinghot,hewasstillafreakingdemon.Anddemonswereevil,right?

IpausedasIranoutofstairs.I’dreachedthelowerbasementlevel,andthoughafaintlightshonefromtheroombeyond,Icouldn’t

makeoutmuchofthechamberIwasin.Iinchedforward,keepingmyhandonthewall.Ididn’thavesupernaturaleyesightlikeForneusorPuck.IfIwantedtoseewhatwasreallygoingon,I’dhavetogetclosertothelight.

Istartedforward,butjumpedasashadowbrokeawayfromthewall.Enteringtheroombeyond,thedarkshapebecameatall,blue-

skinnedfaeriewoman.Huh,thatwasodd.Itwasthesamechickwho’dbeentendingbar.

I’dwonderedwherethefaerieandvampirehaddisappearedto,butI’dassumedthetwohadcomedownheretogether.Infact,IhadsomeprettyickyideaswhenI’dseenthemsneakoffintothebasement.Thankfully,whateverthefaeriewasupto,itdidn’t

includegettingnakedwithavampire.TherearesomethingsIjustdidn’tneedtosee.IfwhatIvyhadsaidaboutvampsbeingdriedoutcorpseswastrue,vampiresexwasdefinitelyonmylistofthingstoavoidatallcost.Agirlcanonlyhandlesomanynightmares.

Iwasstartledfrommymusingasthefaeriewomanleaptintotheroombeyond.Ihurriedtothecornershe’d

vacated,hopingforabetterlook.ThebartenderchargedtowardPuck,yellingandlaughingmaniacally,armraisedaboveherhead.Therewassomethingshinyclutchedinherfist,somekindofweapon,butsheneverhadachancetostabanyone.

Fasterthanmyhumaneyescouldfollow,avampirecamerushingoutofanadjacentroom.Adoorwhippedopenandsuddenly

hewasthere,standingbetweenthewomanandPuck—thewoman’sbleedingarmheldinthevampire’sfist.

Ileanedagainstthewall,kneesweak.Itookadeepbreath,tryingtoslowmyracingheart,andblinkedawaydarkspotsinmyvision.Therewasatleastonekillerinthenextroom.Icouldnotpassout.

Iplacedshakyhandsonmykneesandgulpedinair.

WhenIfinallytrustedmyselftostand,Iliftedmycrossbowtomyshoulderandpeeredaroundthecorner.AlothadhappenedwhileI’dstruggledtostayconscious.

Pucklaybleedingonthefloor,somethingmetallicjuttingfromhischest,andthevampirewasholdingthefaeriewomanuprightwhilehefeastedonherjugular.ItwasthesamevampI’dseenearlier,thoughhe’dlosthis

hatandthelookofcalm,southerncharm.

Ididn’tknowwhatkindofmessthefaeriehadgotherselfinto,butnoonedeservedtobecomesomevamp’schewtoy.Heck,he’dtornoffherarmandwassuckingonthefaeriebartender’snecklikeatoddlerwithagoddamnedsippycup.

Itunedouttheslurpingsoundsandranintothe

room.Forneus’eyeswidened,andIcouldn’thelpbutgrin.Foronce,I’dsurprisedtheunflappabledemon.ButIcouldn’trevelinthemoment;itdidn’tseemwisetokeepthesoundsoffeedingatmyback.

Iswungthecrossbowaroundtopointatthevampire.

“Moveawayfromthegirl,douchebag,”Isaid.

Theslurpingstopped

andthevamptossedthewomanasidelikeacrumpledupjuicebox.Iglaredatthevampire,carefultokeepfromlookinghimdirectlyintheeye,andmyfingertwitchedonthetriggermechanismofmybow.Whodiedandgavehimtherighttotreatpeopleasiftheyweredisposable?

Oh,right.Hedid,andthenheroseagain.Well,thebastardshouldhavestayeddead.Onedeadvamp,

comingrightup.Thevampirewas

rushingforwardbeforeIcouldfinishpullingthetrigger.Thatdoesn’tmeanIdidn’tgetoffashot.Ihithimsquareinthechest.ToobadI’dloadedfordemons.

Awoodenboltwouldhaveparalyzedthevampire,butthemetalIshothimwithdidn’tevenslowtheguydown.IwasgoingtodieandIwasn’tevenwearingshoes.

Therewassomethingtragicaboutfacingdeathinyourbarefeet.

Thankfully,itwasn’tmydaytodie.OnesecondIwasabouttohavemyheartrippedoutandthenextIwasshovedagainstthewall.Thevampire’sclawshadbeensoclosetomychest,Iwasscaredtolookdown.Itookabreathandfeltthefrontofmydress,surpriseditwasn’tcoveredinblood.My

shoulderhurtlikehell,butIwasalive.

IstaredacrosstheroomwhereForneusstoodoverthevampire—thevampirewhohadjusttriedtokillme—thedemon’swalkingstickthrustthroughthevamp’schest.

Forneushadsavedmylife.

I’dfinallygotmyanswer.Notalldemonsareevil.Whenitmattered,Forneushadriskedhislifeto

savemyown.AsI’doftenfantasized,therewasthetraceofagoodmanunderthatbadboyexterior.ThedemonwasnoBoyScout,butthen,whatwouldbethefuninthat?

IgazedintoForneus’worriedstareandwarmthspreadthroughmybody.Ashecamecloser,myhandstwitched,achingtograbholdofhispowerfularms,andthenrunthemalonghischest,hisback,…

“Areyoualright?”heasked.

Inodded,blushingpainfully,andpushedawayfromthewall.

“Yes,I’mfine,”Isaid.Ipointedatthefaeriewoman’scorpsecrumpledontheground,likeafallenragdoll,justafewfeetaway.“ButIcan’tsaythesameforher.Weneedtogethertoahospital.”

Forneuswincedand

lookedaway.“I’msorry,mydear,”

hesaid.“She’sdead.”“Um,okay,andhim?”

Iasked,pointingtowardthevampire.

Forneushadcreativelyusedhiswoodenwalkingsticktostakethevampthroughtheheart,butIwasprettysurethatdidn’tmeanthebloodsuckerwasdead.Ittakesalottokillavamp.ButIsupposeifparanormalswere

easytokill,thenJennaandherHunterfriendswouldbeoutofajob.

“Oh,heisstillverymuchalive…asaliveasanyundeadcreatureeverreallyis,”hesaid,walkingoverwithmeasuredstepstostandoverthevampire.

“You’vebeenaverynaughtyboy,”hesaid,glaringdownatthevampire.“I’msuretheVampireCouncilwillbeinterestedtolearnof

yourarrogantdisregardforthelaw.”

Thevamp’seyesflickedtowhatI’dcometothinkofas“thetortureroom.”I’donlycaughtaglimpseoftheroomasIchasedafterthefaeriewoman,lookingforpotentialthreats.Forneuswalkedovertoinvestigate,butIstayedput.Oneglimpseintothatroomwasmorethanenough.

Forneus’shoulders

tightenedandhepulledthedoorclosed.

“Yes,theCouncilwillbeveryinterestedindeed,”hesaid.“Toobadtheywon’thaveachancetopunishyouforyourcrimes.”

Hespunonhisheel,flamedancingalonghisfingers,andreturnedtoloomoverthevamp.

“SayhellotoLuciferforme,”hesaidtothevamp.“I’msurethetwoofyouwill

soonbewellacquainted.”Hepulledthewalking

stickfromthevamp’sheartandplacedafieryhandonhischest.Withinsecondsthevampwasreplacedbyflamesand,finally,ash.

Forneuslookedaway,brushingvampashfromhishandsandtuggingonaglovehepulledfromhiscoatpocket.Iwantedhimtolookatme,togivemethechancetoshowhimhowIfelt.He’d

savedmylifeandgivenmehopethatmyfeelingsforhimweremorethanmisdirectedrebellion.

“Thankyou,”Isaid.Isteppedintohisarms,

handsslidingacrosshischest.Ilickedmylips,tiltedmyheadback,andlookedhimintheeye.

“Forwhat?”heasked,voiceuncertain.

“Forkillingthatcreature,forlookingoutfor

me,forsavingmylife,”Isaid.

Ireacheduptotouchhisface,lettingmyfingerslingerasIslowlytracedhislips,jaw,andneck.HewaslikeapuzzleI’donlyjuststartedtofigureout—theseparate,distinctpartsofhimcomingtogetherforacompletepicturethatoverwhelmedthesenses.

ForneussuckedinabreathandIhesitated,pulling

backslightly.HadIsomehowoffendedhim?HadIgonetoofar?DidhethinkIwasonlydoingthisoutofsomesenseofduty,tothankhimforsavingmylife?

“Iamalwaysatyourservice,”hesaidsoftly,leaningcloser.“Ifyouwillhaveme.”

Icouldfeelaslowsmiletouchmylipsasmybreathquickened.Ipulledhimcloserandroseontiptoes

tomeethisscorchinggaze.“Yes,Forneus,Iwill,”

Isaid,lettingmylipsbrushagainsthis.

ForneusgroanedasIslantedmymouthacrosshis,heatflowingbetweenus.Hishandsmovedinslowcirclesdownmyback,pullingmecloser.Mylipspartedandourkissdeepened.

ItwasagoodthingForneuswasimmortal,becauseIcouldkisstheman

forever.Butallgoodthings

cometoanend.IheardIvybustintotheroom,swearing,“Ohhell,no.”ForneusandIbrokeaparttoseeIvyandTornbothrushintotheroomandtakeinthegrislyscene.IreluctantlysteppedawayfromForneus.

Ivynarrowedhereyesandfocusedherattentiononme.

“Areyouokay?”she

asked.Inodded,pausingto

catchmybreath.Thathadbeenoneamazingkiss.

“Yes,I’mfine,”Isaid.“ThankstoForneus.YouwererightaboutPuck.Theguywasanasshat.Ididn’tcatchallthedetails,butI’mprettysurehewasdruggingandsellinggirlstosickovampswhogotoffontorture.”IbitmylipandstoleaglanceatForneus.“I

sawthatgirl…hangingintheotherroom,butIappreciatewhatyoutriedtodo.”

“IonlywishI’darrivedsooner,”hesaid.Hereachedoutandtookmyhand.“Iwouldhavepreferredtohavesavedthegirlandtohavekeptyoufromseeingthedepthsofsuchdepravity.”

Igavehishandasqueezeandlookedsearchinglyintohiseyes.HowcouldIhavebeenso

blindastothinkthismanwasamonster?

Iwantedtopullhimcloseandforgetaboutmyfriend’sstaresandthecorpseslitteringthefloor,butsomethinglatchedontomyhair.PainsearedthroughmyscalpandIgasped.Atruemonsterhadmeinhisgraspandmycrossbowwasoutofreach.

Ifeltthebiteofabladeagainstmyneck,andthen

everythingwentblack.

DEMONIZEDTheogreglaredatme

frombeneathhisunfortunatesimianbrow,waitingformyresponse.HisconsiderablebulkblockedtheentrancetoClubNexusandonesizablehandtwitchedoverthegunstrappedtohisbarrel-likechest.Subtletywasnotanogre’sstrongsuit.Speakingofsuits,thiscreature’staste

rantowardpimpchic.Thefabricwascheapandshiny,reflectinglightfromthesingleworkingbulbonthisstreet.

“Forneus,GreatMarquisofHell,”Isaid,focusingonthebouncer’sbeadyeyesandavoidingbeingblindedbyhishideoustasteinfashion.

Theogreleanedforward,sniffedattheairwithanosethesizeofa

VolkswagenBeetle,andgrimaced.Unpleasantoaf.Apparently,hedidn’tcareforthearomaoffreshbrimstone.Ofcourse,IcouldmaskthesulfurousscentofHell,butwherewouldbethefuninthat?Theogreexaminedmefromheadtoimpeccablydressedtoe.

“Don’tgetmanydemonlordshere,”hesaid,furrowinghissubstantialbrow.

“No,Idaresayyouwouldn’t,”Isaid.“NotwiththatwitchworkingwiththeHunters’Guildtomaintaintheirso-calledpeaceovertheentirecityofHarborsmouth.”

Theogrespat,narrowlymissingmyshoes.Nowitwasmyturntogrimace.Thecretinhadutterlyappallingmanners.Dressinganogreinacut-ratesuitdoesnotagentlemanmake.Beforethevilecreaturecouldcoughup

anymoredistressingsubstances,Iwavedtowardthedoorandforcedasmile.

“MayIenter?”Iasked.Aclipboard

materializedfromthinair,butIwasunimpressed.I’dbeenusingthesametrickwithclientsforeons.Itappedmyfoot,carefultoavoidthepileofphlegmthatrivaledthesizeofmostcats—perhapsitactuallywasacat?—astheogreconsultedhismagical

guestlist.Finally,thehulking

faeriesteppedasideandmuttered,“Youmayenter.”

Ismoothedthefrontofmywaistcoat,tuggedatmygloves,andtookupmyebonywalkingstick.Theogredidn’tcheckthepolishedwoodandthereforedidnotdiscovertheswordhiddenwithinitsshaft,whichwasforthebest.Weaponswerenotentirelyforbiddeninside

theclub,justunauthorizedbloodshed,butIpreferredtokeepmysecrets.Youneverknowwhenyou’llneedalittlesurpriseupyoursleeveor,asinthiscase,insideyourperambulatoryaccessory.

Plus,thehiddenbladewasmadeofcoldiron.Ironwastheoneweaknessofallfaecreatures,avulnerabilitythatwouldleaveanyfaeriewhotoucheditpowerless.Iftheogretriedtohandlemy

sword,he’dgetatrulyunpleasantsurprise.

Hellhelpanyfaerierunthroughwithcoldiron.TheFairFolkmaybeimmortal,buttheyarenotimmunetoapainfuldeath.Igrinnedandwalkedjauntilypasttheogre,intoadarkpassageandontoanextravagantlywroughtspiralstaircasewhereIbeganmydescentintotheabyssofotherworldlydelights.

Frommyaerial

vantage,Itookintheappallingnumberoffaehousedbeneathonecavernousroof.ThoughIrarelygracetheestablishmentwithmypresence—mylasttripbelowmusthavebeenyearsago—notmuchhadchangedsincemyearliervisittotheraucousnightclub.Immortalsarenotfondofchange.

Unnaturalmusicwovethroughtheairlikedancing

phantasms,reachingitsspectralfingersintodarkplacesbetterleftuntouched.Igrittedmyteethandstifledtheurgetotapmybootstothediscordantrhythm.IsearchedtheroomforthewomanI’dfollowedhere,anunfamiliarsenseofforebodingfillingmychest.

Ithadbeencenturiessinceahumanhadpiquedmyinterest,longerstillsinceanyonehadstirredfeelingsof

lustandlonging,buttherewassomethingunquestionablymagneticaboutthewomanmyeyesnowfranticallysought.

JinxhadenteredClubNexuswithherfriend,andbusinesspartner,IvyGranger.Grangerwasadangerousenoughcompanion,butJinx’sdecisiontoenterthefaenightclubwasnearlysuicidal.Faeriesand

vampiresbothenjoythediversionofawinsomehumanandJinxwasanabsolutevisionofbeauty.

Lucifer’spointypitchfork,whatiswrongwiththewoman?

IgrippedmywalkingstickinastrangleholduntilmyeyesfellonJinxandherpsychicdetectivefriendseatedatthebar.Ihurriedlymademywaydownthestairs,slowingonlyasI

crossedthedancefloor.Ilickedmylips,shiveringinanticipation.

I’dcomeheretoensurethewoman’ssafety,butnowthatshewaswithinreach,Iwasovercomewiththeneedtofeelhertouch—evenifI’dhavetosettleforacrossbowboltthroughthechest.OneglovedhanddriftedtomysidewhereI’drecentlyreceivedthesharpendofaletteropener.Jinxwas

nothingifnotfeisty.Isaunteredtothebar,

smilingwhenJinxcaughtmyhungrygaze.Forastartledmomentherfacewasanopenbookandherexpressionmirroredmyown.Desiresmolderedinhereyesassheabsentlystrokedthecrossbowathershoulder.

“Hello,sweetheart,”Isaid,slippinganarmaroundhershoulders.“Buyyouadrink?”

Mywordswerecutoffabruptlybyaknifeatmythroat.Ivyhadgonefromorderingdrinkstothreateningviolence.FromJinxitwouldhavebeenenticing,butcomingfromherglowingfriend,thegesturewasmaddeninglyannoying.

Therewasaminoraltercationwithclubsecurityforengaginginviolentbehavior—behaviorthatthreatenedbloodshedwithout

havingfirstfiledtheappropriatepaperwork(yawn)—buteventuallyIextricatedmyselffromIvy’sblade,slippingmyarmfromJinx’sshoulderswithalookthatpromisedarematchlaterintheevening.Ourbusinesswasnotcomplete,but,fornow,Iwascontenttowatchfromthesidelines.TheprudentcourseofactionwastowaitforIvytocalmdownandforclubsecuritytolose

interest.Notaproblem.Icould

bevery,verypatient.Isaunteredawayfrom

thebarandsettledintowait.Unfortunately,mypatiencewasrewardedbytheappearanceofPuck.Icursedundermybreath,handstwitchingalongthecatchthatwouldreleasemyswordfromitswoodensheath.WhateverthattricksterwantedwithJinx,itcouldn’tbegood.I

pushedmywaythroughthecrowd,hopingtocatchtheirconversation.

Istoppedmid-stride,headsnappingbackasifslappedbyaninvisiblehand,asJinxledtheangeliclookingfaerieontothedancefloor.Ifthereversehadbeentrue,I’dhaveslicedPuck’shandoff—andtoHellwiththeconsequences—butJinxwasactingastheaggressor.Ihopedshelivedlongenough

toregretthedubiousdecision.Ibrieflyclosedmyeyes

andhadtolookawaywhenPuck’shandssettledonJinx’sfullhips.IneverthoughtI’denvythetrickster,butatthemomentI’dpayhandsomelytotradeplaceswiththepredatoryscoundrel.Ipacedrestlessly,gatheringthecouragetocontinuemyobservations.

WhenIlookedback,JinxandPuckwereleaving

thedancefloor,headingbacktowardthebar.Ifollowedatacarefuldistance,notwantingtoalertPucktomypresence.

ItriednottofocusonPuck’shandrestingpossessivelyaroundJinx’swaist.Ididn’twishtoseeanyadditionaldisplaysofaffectionfrommyrival,butIhadcometoensureJinx’ssafetyandthatwasadutyIwouldcarryout,nomatter

howvexingthetask.Atthebar,Puck

proceededtofixadrinkforJinxandIexpelledapainedbreathasIwatchedthewhitepowderdissolveinherglass.Thiswastoomuchtobear.ThetricksterwastryingtodrugthewomanI’dcomeheretoprotect.Ilaunchedmyselfforward,readytoknocktheglassfromJinx’shand,butIneverhadthechance.

BeforeIcouldreachthebar,IvytoastedJinxandPuck,knockingthedruggedbeveragetothefloor.Momentslater,Ivyswayeddrunkenlyonherstoolandtumbledtojointhepuddleofalcoholandshatteredglass.

WhattheHellfirewasgoingon?

Iwasn’tsurewhatIvywasupto—hadshealsocaughtaglimpseofPuck’sattempttodrugJinx?—butI

knewthedetectivewellenoughtoguessthatherdrunkennesswasaruse.Jinx’sfriendwasmoreuptightthanaPuritaninabordello.She’dneverwillinglydrinkenoughalcoholtolosecontrol,certainlynothereinaclubfilledwithimmortalscarryingmillenniaofpotentialnightmarevisions.

Ituggedatmygloves,aslowsmilereplacingmy

earlierscowl.ImaynotknowwhatgameIvywasplayingat,butIdidenjoythetemporaryresult.Puckwasfrowning,hishandsopeningandclosingathissidesasifhe’dliketowringthewispprincess’neck.Well,we’veallfeltthatwayatsometimeorother,butatthemomentIwasquitepleasedwiththewoman’sperformance.Anythingthatangeredthetricksterwassplendidinmy

book.AsIwatched,Puckleft

Jinx’sside,stalkingawayfromthebarandtowardavampirewhostoodwaitingattheedgeofthedancefloor.Ifollowedatadiscreetdistance,hummingandtwirlingmywalkingsticktothemusic,theveryimageofblitheignorance.Hepassedakeyandasmallbagcontainingawhite,powderysubstancetothevampireand

keptmoving.Puckcontinuedon

towardadooratthebackofthebar.Helookedfurtivelytohisleftandright,slidakeyofhisownfromhispants’pocket,andunlockedthedoor.Withonelastglancearoundtheroom,thefaerieslippedinside.

Mycuriositywaspiqued.Thetrickster’sbehaviorwasinteresting,indeed.Puckmayhave

pulledthewooloverJinx’seyes,butIknewwhathewascapableof.Ifhewassneakingoffintothebackroomsinsteadoffawningoveraprettywoman,nomatterhowannoyingherfriend,hemustbeuptosomethingparticularlydespicable.PerhapsifIcouldcatchhiminanactofheinoustrickery,IcouldconvinceJinxtokeepherdistancefromthecretin.

Attheedgeofthedancefloor,mywalkingstickcaughtonanimaginarybumpinthefloorandIstumbledforwardintothearmsofthevampireI’dwitnessedmaketherecenttransactionwithPuck.Ibrushedoffthevampireasifriddinghimofdemongerms,pattinghimdownandretrievinghiskeyintheprocess,andmutteredaneffusiveapology.

Themanraisedahand

asiftopushmeaway,butfrozewhenIallowedaflickerofflameintomyeyes.Therewasonethingthatallvampiresfearandthatisfire,immolationbeingaveryrealthreattotheperpetuallydehydratedundead.Satisfactorilyhumbled,thevampireacceptedmyapologyandIcontinuedonmyway,nonchalantlyfollowingPuck’strailacrosstheroom.

Iapproachedthedoor

he’dentered,awarethatJinxremainedwithIvyattheoppositeendofthebar.WithherbestfriendwatchingherbackandSirTorn,oneofIvy’snewallies,nearby,IfeltconfidentleavingJinxintheclubwhileIpursuedGoodfellow.

DistractedbythoughtsofJinx,Inearlydidn’tnoticethatIwasnottheonlyoneinpursuitofPuck.Ipulledupshortjustintime,slipping

betweenapairofloungingsuccubisecondsbeforeavampireincowboybootsstrodetothedoorwithhisownkey.Asthevampireunlockedthedoor,atall,beautifulfaeriewho’dbeentendingbarrushedtohisside.Herarmswereladenwithsoiledtowelsandshekepthereyesdowncast,butIcouldtellshewashighbornfae.

IwonderedhowPuck

hadmanagedtoensnaretheroyalfaerieintothelowlypositionofbartender.KnowingPuck,itinvolvedfoultrickery.Evenknowingthetrickster’sabilities,itwasstillsurprisingthathe’dmaneuveredhimselfintothepositionofrunningtheclub’sbar.Itwas,judgingfromthetransactionsI’dwitnessedsofar,aprofitabledealforPuck.Ifhedidn’thavedesignsonJinx,Imighteven

haveadmiredthefaerie’senterprisingtenacity.

IwaitedpatientlyforthevampireandUnseeliefaerietodisappearintothebackroomsbeforeextricatingmyselffromthesuccubi.

“Ladies,”Isaidwithanod.

Thesuccubi,oneravenhaired,theotherblonde,poutedandstretchedcatlike,showingofftheirvariousassets,butIwasn’t

interested.SuccubiareadimeadozeninHell,butastubborn,beautiful,kind-hearted,yetsomewhatviolenthumanwomanlikeJinx?Shewasararegemindeed.

Leavingtwosetsofpoutylipsbehind,Istalkedtowardtheendofthebar.Reachingthedoortothebackrooms,Islippedtheburgledkeyfrommypocketandattemptedtofititintothelock.HadIbeenmistaken

aboutthekey?Iraisedmybrowatthedifficultlockandleanedclosertoseewhatcouldbethetrouble.Atcloserinspection,Icouldseethatthedoorknobwasfrostedoverandthelockwasfilledwithice.

Damnandblast,thatUnseeliebartendermusthaveusedhericemagictosealthedoor.Igrittedmyteethatthedelayandtuggedtheglovefrommyrighthand.Usinga

minisculeamountofmagic,asmallflameformedfrommyindexfinger.I’dusedthetechniquepreviouslyasaparlortrick,buttheflamewasjustaseffectiveatmeltingtheicewithinthelockasithadbeenlightingcigars.Ituckedthegloveintothepocketofmywaistcoatandletmyselfinside.

Imovedquicklythroughthestoreroomlocatedimmediatelybehindthe

lockeddoorandmovedstealthilydownaflightofstairstoaseriesofchambersbelow.Cratesandracksofwineweresoonreplacedbybeveragesofaverydifferentvintage.

ThelowerlevelreekedofdeathandIreachedoutwithmymagic,scouringthecellarsforanysignofPuck.Thetricksterwasn’thardtofind.Indeed,mysearchwasmorefruitfulthanI’dhoped.

I’dfoundtheleverageIneededtokeepJinxfromthefaerie.Ishouldhavebeendelighted,butinsteadIfoundmyselfflushinghotwithunspentanger.

I’dwitnessedmanyhorrorsinflictedwithinthevariouslevelsofHell.Infact,therewasatimethatI’dparticipatedwholeheartedly.Butmypassionforinflictingpainandfearhadburnedoutmanycenturiesago.Now,as

Isensedthesufferingperpetratedintheadjoiningrooms,Ihadtheurgetobesick.Ibroughtahandkerchieftomyface,recoilingatthestenchofblood,excrement,andoffal.

Withthedetailspluckedfrommymagicalsurveillance,andmyobservationsfromtheadjoiningclub,Puck’snewestbusinessenterprisebecameimmediatelyclear.He’dused

hispositionrunningthenightclubtogainaccesstothestorageroomsandcellarsandhadconvertedthisspaceintoaviledenofiniquity.He’dcreatedabordelloforvampiresandotherdepravedcreatureswhosetastesrantowardtormentingtheirpreybeforetheyfeasted.

IwassomewhatsurprisedtofindthatIwasappalledbytheveryidea.Perhapsitwastheknowledge

thatJinxwasnotsoverydifferentfromthehumanswholaydrugged,tortured,bleeding,ordeadintheroomsbeyond.

Infact,PuckhadtriedtodrugJinxthisverynight.

Thatmistakewouldleadtothetrickster’sdownfall;Puckwasgoingtopaydearly.Igrippedmywalkingstickinawhiteknuckledfist,myunglovedhandleavingscorchmarkson

thepolishedwood.Iclosedmyeyesand

breatheddeeply,inhalingthescentofburntwoodandblood,andturnedmyattentiontotheenergyoftheleylinesthatconvergedallaroundme.ClubNexuswaslocatedatamagicalnexuspointwherepowerfulleylinesintersected,afactInowfoundfortuitous.

Ireachedoutandpluckedatthehumming

threadsclose-at-handandsmiled.Thesewoulddonicely.Ilatchedontotwoleylineswithmywillandgaspedastheenergyjoltedintomybody.Theexperiencewasakintobitingdownonalivewirewhileclimaxing;itwasnotsomethingacorporealbody,eventhatofademon,wasmeanttowithstandforanylengthoftime.Idrewinaconsiderabledoseofpowerand,withapantingsigh,let

gooftheline.Iopenedmyeyes,

unsurprisedtoseeflickersofcrimsonflamedancealongmyfingersandupanddownmyswordcane.I’ddrawnheavilyontheleylines,becomingaconduitofimmensepower.Nowthatpowerneededaplacetogo.

MyhandtightenedonthecaneandIwelcomedtheheatrisingwithinme.Puckhadchosenthewrongmortal

womantosnareinhistangledweb.Iliftedmychinhigh,thrustoutmychest,andstrodeintotheroombeyond.

Theroomwasdimlylit,butIcouldseethatthevampirehadcontinuedonintoanadjoiningroomwhere,judgingbythescreamsandwhimpering,hewasenjoyinghimselfimmensely.Ishiftedmyfocustotheonemanwhoremainedintheroom.Thevampire,andthoselikehim,

wouldbedealtwith,butfirst,IwoulddevotemyselftoprotectingJinxbylearningthecompletenatureofPuck’sfilthygame.Igrinned,andalickoffireandthehumofbarelycontainedenergydancedalongmylips.

Thesourceofmyfurywasstandingdeadahead.

“Ah,Puck,”Isaid,raisinganeyebrowasImadeashowoftakinginmysurroundings.“Ithoughtyou

mightbeuptoyouroldtricks.Cateringtothebloodsuckersnow,Isee.”

“Everyonehasneeds,”Pucksaidwithashrug.Thefaeriesmiledwide,butnosignoflevityreachedhiscalculatingeyes.“Andtheundeadhavedeeppockets.Youcan’tblameaguyfortryingtomakealiving.”

Iliftedahandkerchieftomynoseandgrimaced,maintainingmygriponthe

swordcanewithmyrighthand.Aweak,rattling,whimperrosefromanearbyroomandIhurriedon.VampirescouldmovequicklyanditsoundedasiftheSouthernvampwasnotamanofrestraint.

IfIdidn’tfinishmybusinesswithPuckswiftly,thehumansourceofthosecrieswouldbebeyondmyabilitytorenderassistance.Mymindconjuredtheimage

ofavampiresinkinghisfangsintopaleskindecoratedbyafamiliarrosetattoo,thephantomlikenessjuxtaposedwiththesoundtrackofpainedwhimpers,andheatracedthroughmyveins.

“ButIdoblameyou,indubitably,”Isaid.“YouhaveplacedsomeoneIcareforinharm’swayandIintendtoseeksuitableretribution.”

“Comenow,Forneus,”

Pucksaid,spreadinghishandswide.“I’msurewecancometoafriendlyarrangement.”

Ishookmyhead.“Idobelieveweare

beyondnegotiating,”Isaid,tossingthehandkerchiefovermyshoulder.Ishiftedmycaneintomylefthandandliftedmyright,allowingflametodancealongmyfingers.“Yousee,Puck,thereisanaggravatingfactor,

adetailwhichmakesyouractionparticularlyinjurioustome,personally.Butperhapsyoucouldswaymyverdictwithapleabargain.”

Imightbesatisfiedifthetricksterprovidedenoughinformation,andbeggedsufficiently.

“Playingatjudge,jury,andexecutioner?”heasked.“That’snotlikeyou,Forneus.Heck,Ididn’tthinkyouhadtheballs.Goodfor

you.”AsPucksaidthelast,

hiseyesheldmyown,buthishandslidtowardhispocket.Whetherhewasgoingforaweapon,orattemptingtocallforbackup,ourdiscussionwasevidentlyover.Istartedtoflickmywrist,intendingtosendanonslaughtofflameatthetrickster’swanderinghand,buthaltedthemotionassomethingflewpastmyshoulder.

I’dbeensofocusedonthoseIpursuedaheadofmethatIhadn’tbotheredtoturnmyattentiontowhatmightapproachfrombehind.

Ispunonmyheelintimetoseeanenraged,blue-skinnedfaeriehurlherselftowardPuck.Thetrickster’sheadsnappedup,eyeswidening,asajeweleddaggerdescendedtowardhischest.Thisfaeriewoman,thebartenderfromtheclubifI

wasn’tmistaken,obviouslyintendedtokillthetrickster.Ican’tsayIcouldblameher.Theboyishlookingmanhadanappallinghabitofscrewingovereveryoneheencountered.

Inarainbowarcofshiningjewelstheweaponplungeddownward,butthemotionwasarrestedwhenadusty,fangedblurinterceded.Withasnarl,thesouthernvampiregrabbedthe

bartender’sarmandrippeditoffattheshoulder.Bloodsprayedfromtheraggedwound,makinganunseemlymess,butthevampire’sinterventionwaseffective.Puckwasunharmed,thoughIcouldn’tsaythesameforhisclothing.

Unfortunately,thesightofsomuchbloodpushedthevampireintoafeedingfrenzy.Thevampire’sfangselongatedfurtherand,witha

growl,helatchedhimselfontothewoman’sneck.

“Stopthisatonce!”Idemanded.“Puck,thishasgonetoofar.She’safaerie,oneofyourownkind.”

Puckrockedhisheadbackandlaughed.

“Oneofmykind?”heasked.Hesteppedclosertowherethevampirefeastedontheinjuredfaeriewoman.“She’sanUnseelie,oneofMab’sbrood.Theirkind

aren’tworthsaving.”“Thisisagainstclub

rulesandVampireLaw,”Isaid,attemptingonelasttimetoappealtoreason.“Stopthisandgiveupthiswretchedgameofyours.”

“No,Forneus,I’mhavingtoomuchfuntoclosedownmylittleBiteClub,”Pucksaid.“Ouractivitiesareprofitable,andIprovideamuchneededservicetothevampirecommunity.Isn’t

thatright,Cyrus?”Thevampirepausedat

hisname,butsooncontinuedtosuckleatthefaerie’sneck,holdingheruprightinaparodyofalover’sembrace.Thewinterfaerie’sblueskinmadeitdifficulttotellifshewasstillalive,butthelossofbloodfromthemissinglimb,andthevampirelatchedontohernecklikeanengorgedtick,wouldkillhersoonifithadn’talready.Thishadto

bestopped.OnceagainIbeganto

flickmywristandonceagainthefaeriewomaninterceded.Silverflashedinthedimlightandabluehandthrustupward,strikingPuckinthechest.Themakeshiftweapon,anicepickifIwasn’tmistaken,wasdrivendeeplyasthefaeriesmiled.

Apparently,thewomanwasalive,afterall.

“Ididasyouasked,my

queen,”sherasped.Ididn’thavetimeto

ponderthosewords,thoughIplannedtoinvestigatethematterfurtherassoonastheopportunityarose.WhetherMabwalkedthemortalworldwasadetailworthknowing.

Puckfelltothefloor,theicepickstandingfromhischestlikeaflagpole.AtPuck’sapparentdemise,thevampireshriekedandtoreatthefaeriewoman’sclothing.

Ishookmyheadandgrimacedasskinandfabricbegantoshredintostreamersofbloodyconfetti.

“Youreallyshouldn’tplaywithyourfood,”Isaid.“It’sghastlymanners.”

FlamedancedalongmyfingersandIraisedmyarmtowardthevampire.Firewasoneofthefewwaystodealwiththeundead,anditwassomethingIhadinabundance.

ThesoundofheavybreathingregisteredjustasIsmelledJinx’suniquescent.Sheranintotheroom,aloadedcrossbowheldattheready.Sheaimedthebowatme,butwaveredasshetookinthegrislyscene.

Whatthedevil?“Moveawayfromthe

girl,douchebag,”shesaid,shiftingheraimtothevampire.

Cyrusletthedrained

faerie’scorpsedroptothefloor,tossingitasidelikeasackofrubbish.Jinxblanchedatthesightofthevampire’sblood-smearedface,butkepthereyesfocusedsteadilyonhisgore-coveredchin—clevergirl.Shemaybeimpetuous,butatleastshehadthewherewithaltoavoidthevampire’smesmericgaze.

Imighthavebeenpleasedbyhersudden

appearanceifshehadn’tplacedherselfunmistakablyinharm’sway.Aimingone’sweapon,especiallyonefilledwithpointyobjects,atablood-crazedpredatorwasnotgenerallylookeduponasawisecourseofaction.Notunlessyoustruckwithouthesitation.

“MightIsuggeststeppingaside?”Iasked,hopingshe’dtakemyadvice.Jinxstoodsquarelyinmy

way.Icouldn’tunleashtheflamesinmygraspwithoutriskinghersafety.

Thevampire,Cyrus,heldhimselfcompletelystill,headtiltedashesizedupthesituation.UnlessJinxhadbroughtanarmyofHuntersasbackup,wewererunningoutoftime.Soonthevampirewoulddiscernthat,exceptforabasementfullofcorpses,wewerequitealone.Icouldnotusefireasa

weaponwithoutstrikingJinxandshestoodtooclosetothevampiretogetoffmorethanoneshotwithhercrossbow.

ThatmadeJinxeasyprey.

Inablurofmovement,thevampiresnarledandrushedtowardJinx,razortippedfingersextendedlikeclaws.Ispuntotherightandpropelledmyselfforward,hopingtoclosethedistanceandintercedebeforethe

vampirereachedhistarget.Iheardthetwangofa

bowstringameresecondbeforeastainblossomedonthevampire’schest.Itwasanadmirableshot,thecrossbowboltgoingstraightthroughtheheart,buttheboltmustnothavebeenmadeofwood.Thevampirecontinuedmovingforward.

Heartpounding,Ilunged,pushedJinxaside,andrammedtheshaftofmy

walkingstickthroughthevampire’schest.Inthiscase,thewalkingstickwasmoreeffectivethanthesworditencased.Awoodenstake,orrathermywoodenwalkingstick,causesparalysiswhendriventhroughtheheartofavampire.Myswordwouldhavedonenothingmorethanangerthecreature.

Nowthevampirewaspinnedtothefloorlikeaghoulishspecimen.Ihadno

ideawhattodowiththeman,butsuchdecisionscouldwait.Cyruswouldn’tbegoinganywheresoon.Thevampirewouldkeep.

Instead,IrushedtowhereJinxleanedagainstanearbywall.I’dpushedherawayfromthevampireasgentlyasIcould,butIwasademonfilledwiththehumofimmenseleylinepower.Jinxwasstrong,butshewashuman.Ihopedshehadn’t

sustainedanyseriousinjurieswhileI’ddispatchedheropponent.

“Areyoualright?”Iasked.

Jinxshookherhead,smiledruefully,andpushedherselfawayfromthewall.

“Yes,I’mfine,”shesaid.Shegesturedtowardthefaeriewoman’scorpseatourfeet.“ButIcan’tsaythesameforher.Weneedtogethertoahospital.”

Thefaeriewomanwasbeyondtheservicesofanymedicalinstitution,I’dnotedthemomentwhenherhearthadceasedtobeat,butImadeashowofcheckingherpulse.NosenseremindingJinxofhowverydifferentwewerefromeachother.Icouldsharemyabilitytofeelthetranscendenceofasoulfromthefleshinalaterconversation—iftherewasalater.Ijusthopedthatshe

hadcometotherealizationthatI’dhadnopartinPuck’sbloodsport.

“I’msorry,mydear,”Isaid.“She’sdead.”

Jinxflashedapainedlook,butcovereditquickly.Shenoddedandcontinuedtotakeinthegrislyscene.

“Andhim?”sheasked,pointingtowardthevampire,mywalkingstickholdinghimimmobile.

“Oh,heisstillvery

muchalive…asaliveasanyundeadcreatureeverreallyis,”Isaid,movingtowardthevampire.

Ismeltthelayersofdeathonhim.Thisonehadtakenhundredsoflives,andreveledinit.

“You’vebeenaverynaughtyboy,”Isaid,staringdownatthevampire.“I’msuretheVampireCouncilwillbeinterestedtolearnofyourarrogantdisregardfor

thelaw.”Hiseyesflickedtoward

anopendoorandIturnedtoseeayounggirlhangingfromthewall,herwristsshackledtothestone.Ribbonsoffleshdangledfromhernakedbodywhereithungbesideatableofsharpinstruments.Thegirlhadbeentorturedandthendrainedofblood.

Igrimaced,walkedstifflytotheroom,andclosedthedoor.Thegirlwas

beyondsaving,herlifealreadyexpired,butperhapsIcouldshieldJinxfromwitnessingsuchhorror.

“Yes,thecouncilwillbeveryinterestedindeed,”Isaid.“Toobadtheywon’thaveachancetopunishyouforyourcrimes.”

FlamedancedalongmyfingersasIwalkedbacktowherethevampirelayimpaledbymywalkingstick.

“SayhellotoLucifer

forme,”Isaid,lettingmylipscurlinagrin.“I’msurethetwoofyouwillsoonbewellacquainted.”

Ipulledmywalkingstickfromhisheartandplacedafieryhandonhischest.Thevampireimmediatelycaughtfire,burningtoashwithinseconds.

Istoodandbrusheddustandashfrommyhand,slippedtheglovefrommy

waistcoatpocket,andtuggediton.Itookmytime,afraidtoseethejudgmentwaitinginJinx’seyes.I’dmademydecisiontoterminatethevampirewhenIsmelthisecstasyintheroomwherethetorturedgirlstillhung.Aroguevampirewouldneverchange,onlybecomingmoretwistedovertime,butJinxmaynotknowthat.Allshe’dseenwasademonburnamanalive.

Howcouldshepossiblyacceptmeafterwitnessingsuchagruesomesight?

Isighed,rakingahandthroughmyhair.Mightaswellgetonwithit,Inotedgrimly.Ipastedasmileonmyfaceandspunaround,hopingtomakelightofthesituation,butJinxwasn’tscowlingindisgustorwringingherhands.Irelaxedasaslowsmilespreadacrossherface.

“Thankyou,”shesaid.Jinxsteppedintomy

armsandtiltedherheadbacktolookmeintheeye.

“Forwhat?”Iasked,dumbfounded.Foronce,I,thegreatForneus,GreatMarquisofHell,wasatalossforwords.

“Forkillingthatcreature,forlookingoutforme,forsavingmylife,”shesaid.

Jinxreachedupto

touchmyface,herfingerstracingmylips,myjaw,anddownmyneck.Herlingeringtouchwasexcruciatinglytender.Isuckedinabreath,afraidtomoveforfearofbreakingthespellthatgrantedmemyinnermostdesire.

SheraisedaneyebrowandIstruggledtothinkofanappropriateresponse.Butmybodydidn’twanttoreplywithwords.

“Iamalwaysatyourservice,”Isaidsoftly,leaningcloser.“Ifyouwillhaveme.”

Jinxliftedherselfontotiptoe,closingthedistancebetweenus.

“Yes,Forneus,Iwill,”shesaid,lipsbrushingmine.

Igroanedasshetiltedherhead,slantinghermouthacrossmyown.Iranmyhandsoverherbareshoulders,fingerstracingthe

tattooedskin.Theycontinuedtheirdescentdownherback,pullinghercloser.Herlipsparted,andourkissdeepened.Oh,greatLucifer,yes!IcouldspendeternitykissingJinx.

Toobadherfriendschosethatmomenttointerrupt.

IvyandTornrushedintotheroom,yellingforJinxandbrandishingweapons.AsJinxandIparted—eyes

glassyandskinflushed,Idaresay—herfriendstookinthecrumpledbodiesofPuck,theUnseeliebartender,andthevampire-shapedpileofash.

Ivy’seyesdartedaroundtheroom,finallylandingonherfriend.

“Areyouokay?”Ivyasked.

Jinxblinkedandslowlynodded.

“Yes,I’mfine,”she

said.“ThankstoForneus.YouwererightaboutPuck.Theguywasanasshat.Ididn’tcatchallthedetails,butI’mprettysurehewasdruggingandsellinggirlstosickovampswhogotoffontorture.”Shebitherlipandflickedhereyesmyway.“Isawthatgirl…hangingintheotherroom,butIappreciatewhatyoutriedtodo.”

Ah,soIhadn’tbeenquickenoughinmyattempt

tohidetheterrorsofthetorturedgirlbehindthecloseddoor.Jinxwastough—itwasoneofthemanyqualitiesIadored—butI’dhopedtospareherthatparticularnightmare.

“IonlywishI’darrivedsooner,”Isaid,reachingforherhand.“Iwouldhavepreferredtohavesavedthegirlandtohavekeptyoufromseeingthedepthsofsuchdepravity.”

Shegavemyhandalightsqueeze,faceupturned.Iwantedtopullhertome,butIneverhadthechance.

Puck,likeacatwithninelives,sprungtohisfeetandpouncedonJinxfrombehind.We’dmadeaterriblemistake;thetricksterwasnotdead,onlywounded.Ishouldhavereachedoutwithmydemonmagicandsearchedhisbodyforasoul,butIhadn’tbeenpayingattention

—andnowthetricksterwasarmed.

He’dpulledtheicepickfromhischestandhadretrievedthejeweleddaggerfromtheUnseeliefaerie’slifelesshand.TheamputatedarmcarryingthebladehadbeentossedasidebythevampireandIhadn’tspareditasecondthought.

IfharmcametoJinx,itwouldbemyfaultfornotbeingmorethorough.Lucifer

knows,IshouldhavecheckedPuck’sbodyforsignsoflife,butI’dbeentoodistractedbymyowndesire.I’dgiventhetrickstertheperfectopportunityforrevenge.

IvyandTornhadapparentlycometothesameconclusion.

WithpainfulclarityItookinthedetailsofthesituation.Ivy’sfacepaledandherskinbegantoglow.Herhairliftedtodance

aroundherheadwithunspentmagicalenergy,butthewispprincesshadn’tyetlearnedhowtodirectthepowersshe’dinheritedfromherfaeriefather.

Shewas,however,skilledatslicing,dicing,andbashingthingsoverthehead.

Throwingknivesslidfromwristsheathstohitherpalms,butatthatangle,she’dbemorelikelytohitJinxthanPuck.Shestartedtostrafeto

theside,butshe’dneverbefastenough,wisppowersorno.

Torntwistedinaflankingmaneuver—afierceshadowwithspeedtorivalacheetah—buthetoohadbeenfaracrosstheroom.Thecatsidhe’sattackwouldneverlandintime.TherewasonlyonepersonwhocouldpossiblysaveJinx,andthatpersonwasme.

Jinx’seyeswentwide

asPuckgrabbedatherhairandyankedherheadback,baringherthroat.ThejeweledhiltofadaggerflashedinthewisplightandIknewwithcertaintythatPuckintendedtoslitherthroat.Mymouthwentdry,butIpushedawayphysiologicaldistractions.Fearhadnoclaimonme.

Iwasademon.Fireburnedwithinmy

veins,buildingtoafever

pitch,butIhelditfirmlywithmywill.IcouldnotriskharmingJinxwithjetsofflame.No,Iwouldhavetobeprecise,methodicalintheexecutionofmyattack.

Inamicrosecond,Ideterminedthemostsalientcourseofaction.AsPuck’sbladecamearcingtowardJinx’sneck,myfingersstillentwinedwithhers,IyankedherforwardoutofPuck’sgrasp.Iwincedatthesound

ofhairtearingfromfleshandhopedthatJinxwouldforgivemelater—iftherewasalater.

NeverinallthecenturiesofmyexistencehaveIworriedsoforwhatthefuturemaybring.Funnyhowonepersoncouldturneverythingonitshead.

PuckwasstillholdingachunkofJinx’shairandswunghisbladedownwardasIflungJinxtowardTornwithaflickofmywrist.Thetwo

wentdownwithasickeningthud.Whenthiswasallover,Jinxwouldlikelyhavebruisesandapossibleconcussiontoaddtothebloodypatchonherscalp,butmyprioritywassavingherlife.Ihadtohopethatherfriendswouldhavethewherewithaltoadministerfirstaid.Icouldn’tyetriskaglancetocheckonherhealth.

Ihadafaerietokill.WithJinxoutofharm’s

reach,IletdowntherigidmentalbarriersIkeptbetweenmyselfandHell.Thistimeleylinepowerwasnotenough.IhadtoinsurethatPuckwouldnotlivethroughthisnight.Iwouldnotmakethemistakeofunderestimatingthetricksteragain.Asthementalfortificationscrumbled,thescreamsofthedamnedfloodedmymind.Ipushedasidetheechoesoftorment

andreachedforthepowerthatwasmybirthright.

Tappingintosuchpowerwasnotwithoutconsequence.Hornseruptedfrommyhead,rippingpainfullythroughmyscalp,andleatherywingstorethroughmybackandclothing,ruiningaperfectlygoodwaistcoat.Myclovenhoovessentupsparkswheretheymetthebasement’sstonefloorandIlookeddownat

Puckwithglowingeyes.Thisallhappenedin

lessthanasecond,butthesmirkhadfallenfromPuck’sfaceandfearwasgrowingbehindhiswideningeyes.Ididn’tdareglanceattheothersintheroom.IhopedthatJinxwouldnotjudgemebasedonmyunfortunatephysicaltransformation.ThiswasnotatallwhatI’dhadinmindwhenI’dpicturedourfirstdate.

Andhopefully,herfriendswouldn’ttakeituponthemselvestodoalittledemonhunting.ThepsychicdetectiveandIhadanarrangementthatbenefitedusboth,butshe’dneverbeenconfrontedwiththisform.Ivyhadbeenraisedasahuman,andhadhumanbloodinherveins,andhumanshaveaninstinctualdislikeforHellspawn.

Iwasfilledwithan

immeasurableamountofrawpower,butthisformwasvulnerableonthemortalplane.IfIvystabbedmeinthebacknow,Iwoulddieatruedeath.

AtleastI’dhadthatkiss.Ademoncoulddiehappywiththememoryofthatkissfreshonhislips.

Speakingofdying,Puckwasstillalive.I’dreachedoutabsentlyandheldhiminmygrasp.NowIheld

hisgazeandshookmyhead.“Iwarnedyoubefore,

trickster,”Isaid.“ItoldyounottomesswiththosewhomIcareabout.Youwereafoolnottoheedmywarning.”

ThesoulsofthedamnedfilledmyheadandIpushedtheiranguishedcriesdownthroughmyveinsandoutthroughmyhands—andintoPuck.Thefaeriescreamed,hisfacecontorted,mouthopenwideasthe

damneddevouredhimfromwithin.Flamesdottedhisskin,charredholesformingblackenedcraters.Inamatterofseconds,thehungrysoulshadaddedonemoretotheirnumber.ThephysicalbodyofPuckcrumbledtoashandthesoulsofthedamneddisappearedintothestonefloor,returningtoHell.

Istumbledandgrippedmyhead,closingmyeyesagainstthespinningroom.

Myfingersmetthewarm,smoothsurfaceofmyhornsandIsighed.ItwastimetoresumewhatI’dcometothinkofasmyproperform—theformJinxmightsomedaycometolove.

Therehadbeenthatkiss,afterall.

Jinxhadfinallyshownherfeelingsforme,butIwasn’tdoingournewfoundrelationshipanygoodbyremainingwinged,horned,

andclovenhoofed.Withadeepbreath,IfocusedmywillandbegantorebuildthewallsaroundtheemberofHellthatresidedineverydemon.Afterafewminutes,butwhatfeltlikeaneternity,Iopenedmyeyes.

Myclothingwastorn,andI’dlostashoe,butmybodyhadreturnedtonormal.IwasJinx’sdashingsuitoronceagain,anditwastimeforourheartfeltreunion.I

turnedtowardIvyandTornwheretheyhoveredaroundJinx’sbodycrumpledbody.

“Isshe…?”Iasked.Ireachedoutwithmy

magicandcouldfeelthewarmthofJinx’ssoul.Shehadnotleftus,notyet.

“She’salive,”Tornsaid,brushingastrayhairfromJinx’spaleface.“She’ssurprisinglyfeistyforahuman.”

Thecatsidhelord

lookeddownonJinxwithsuchopencuriositythatIhadtostuffmyhandsinsidemypocketstokeepfromstranglinghim.IfTornhadanysenseofselfpreservation,he’dkeephisdistancefromJinx.Curiositykilledthecat,andallthat.

“Headwound,”Ivysaid.“We’retakinghertoTheEmporium.IwantKayetohavealookatherinjuries.”

MadameKayewasnot

afanofdemons,andshewasapowerfulwitch.Heroccultshopwouldbeheavilywarded.TheyweretakingJinxsomewherethatIcouldn’tfollow.ThatleftmewithahollowfeelinginthepitofmystomachthatIwasn’tquitereadytodefine.

“Thenletmebeofassistance,”Isaid,movingforward.“Allowme…”

Ivyheldupaglovedhandandshookherhead.

“Idon’tthinkthat’ssuchagoodidea,”shesaid.“TornandIcantakeitfromhere.Plus,Kayewouldsoonertrapyouinacircle,orblastyoubacktoHell,thanletyoucrossherthreshold.”

“Yes,ofcourse,”Isaid,lettingmyarmshangatmysides.“Youseemtohavethematterwellinhand.”

IbittheinsideofmycheekasTornliftedJinxintohisarms.ItwasallIcoulddo

nottothrottletheman.ItshouldhavebeenmychestthatJinxslumberedagainst,nottheboneandfurlacedleathervestoftheunscrupulouscatsidhe.

“Wedo,”shesaid,gesturingatthecorpselitteredfloor.“Whydon’tyoutakecareofthismessandhelpdeliverthehumanbodiessomewheretheauthoritiescanfindthem.Wemaynotbeabletoexplainwhatreally

happenedhere,butthefamiliesofthedeaddeservetoknowthattheirlovedonesaregone.”

I’djustbeenrelegatedtothecleanupcrew.Howveryunnerving.

“MissGranger?”Iasked.Ivylookedoverhershoulder,browraised.“Takegoodcareofher.”

“That’stheidea,”shesaid.

Ivywalkedoutofthe

basement,leavingmetotheunpleasanttaskofinformingclubsecurityaboutPuck’snefariouslittlesidebusiness.

Threedayslater,IenteredtheofficesofPrivateEye.I’dkeptbusyafterthatnightatClubNexus.Idevotedmyselftomywork,closingacomplexlegalcaseandreapingenoughsoulstofillmyannualquota,butworryoverJinxconsumedme.I’dtriedtobepatient,to

waitforhertocallforme,butafterthethirddayofpacingthestreetsofHarborsmouth,I’dhadenough.Ihadtoseeherwithmyowneyes.

Ihadtoknowthatshewasalright.

IsteppedthroughthedoorandfeltmyheartlightenwhenIsawJinxstandingbesideherdesk.ShewasbusytalkingwithIvyandaclient,herbacktome,butIcouldseethatshewas

standingeasilyandwithoutassistance.Iobservedherforaminutelongerthannecessary,savoringthemomentwhenshe’dturnandseemewaitingforher.

Wouldshecomerushingintomyarms?Iimaginedthesmellofherhairandthefeelofherskinbeneathmyfingers,andsmiled.Ishookmyheadatmyflightsoffancy.Thewomanwasdrivingmemad.

Withapurposefuljingleofthedoor,Istrodeintotheoffice.IwassurprisedtoseethattheirguestwasTorn,thecatsidhelord,butIhardlypaiditathought.Ivycouldkeephernewallybusy.MyattentionwasrivetedonJinx.

Jinxturned,andwithahaughtytossofherhead,demanded,“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Itwasnottheromantic

welcomeIwasexpecting.“Comenow,darling,”I

said,spreadingmyhandswide.“Aren’twebeyondthischarade?Iknowyourtruefeelingsforme,asdoyourfriends.Theywitnessedthekissweshared.There’snosensepretendingwedonotcareforeachother.”

Jinxrolledhereyesandwalkedtoherdesk.Sheopenedthetopdrawerofherdesk,liftedhercrossbowto

hershoulder,andshotmeinthestomach.

“Demons,”shespat,turningtoIvy.“Iwarnedhimnevertocallmedarling.”

IfeltlikeI’dbeenpunchedinthegut,which,infact,Ihad.Thecrossbowboltburned,evidentlyhavingbeendousedinholywater,butI’dsurvivethewound.Iwasnot,however,surehowIcouldendureJinx’sdisdain.

Shedidn’tremember

ourkiss.Istoodtherepole-axed.

She’dsufferedablowtotheheadandnolongerrememberedourkiss,thatpreciousmomentthathadfilledthelastthreedayswithsuchmeaning.Jinx’slossofmemoryhitmewithacrushingmightworsethanthemomentPuck’sbladeflashedintheclub’sbasement.AnarmedopponentwassomethingI’d

preparedforoverthecourseofmylonglife.Buthowdoesonetakeupthegauntletagainstsomethingthatisalreadylost?

HavingJinx’sfeelingsformerippedawaywaslikeundergoingsurgerywithouttheanesthesia.ButIheldontothepain,becauseitwasallthatwasleftofthemomentwe’dshared.Iwasn’twillingtolethergo.

IturnedtoIvy,who

grimaced,butmetmygaze.“Whydidyoukeepthe

truthfromher?”Iasked.Mybodyfeltcold,butIresistedashiver.“Howcouldyou?”

“HowcouldInot?”shewhispered.She’dspokentoosoftlyforhumanears,butnowraisedhervoiceforJinx’sbenefit.“Itoldherallsheneededtoknowofthatnight.ShewasattackedbyPuck,butTornandIgotthereintimetosaveherlife.”

Ivyhadseenmetransforminthebasementintosomethingoutofnightmare.FueledbyHellfire,I’dgrownhorns,wings,andclovenhoofs.Itshouldnothavechangedanything.JinxhadknownIwasademonwhenshe’dkissedme.ButIvyapparentlythoughtshewasprotectingherfriendbyconcealingthetruth.

“Iwillnotgiveherup,”

Iwhispered.“AndIwillneverforgetthis.”

Ispunonmyheel,handclutchedtothecrossbowboltprotrudingfrommystomach,andlimpedasgracefullyasIcouldfromtheofficeandoutontothestreetsofHarborsmouth.

AlsobyE.J.Stevens

SpiritGuide

YoungAdultSeries

SheSmellstheDeadSpiritStorm

LegendofWitchtrotRoadBrushwithDeathThePirateCurse

IvyGrangerUrbanFantasySeries

ShadowSight

BloodandMistletoeGhostLightClubNexus

BurningBright(2014)

Hunters’GuildUrbanFantasySeries

HuntinginBruges(2014)

DarkPoetryCollections

FromtheShadowsShadowsofMythandLegend

E.J.StevensistheauthoroftheSpiritGuideyoungadultseriesandthebestsellingIvyGrangerurbanfantasyseries.WhenE.J.isn'tatherwritingdesksheenjoysdancing

alongseasidecliffs,singingingraveyards,andsleepinginfaeriecircles.E.J.currentlyresidesinamagicalforestonthecoastofMainewhereshefindsdailyinspirationforher

writing.

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E.J.athttp://about.me/EJStevens

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