Could the Fisherman with the tentacled arm be the reincarnation of Cetus, the God of Beasts and Sea Life?
Finn studied me with dark, unreadable eyes before pulling a silver cigarette case from his pocket. He slipped one between his lips, smirking. “Let’s just focus on the task at hand.”
I tucked my hair behind my ears, biting my lip as I willed my expression into one of impassiveness. “So... tell me more about the nightclub and its owner.”
“Aqua Inferno sits on Perivolos Beach, right next to my mother’s club, The Aegean. Stavros, the owner, is an ancient Siren with a penchant for rare and priceless items, which makes this job challenging. He keeps his treasures locked away in a private suite above the nightclub, accessible only to high rollers—celebrities, tycoons... You get the picture?” Finn’s cheeks caved as he drew on his cigarette.
“So, how are we going to get in there? Don’t tell me you’re a celebrity here in Greece?”
“No.” Smoke plumed from Finn’s nostrils. “But I thought we could go there tonight and see if we could scope out a way in.” His dark eyes twinkled as they raked over my tight leather dress.
My lip curled, but I composed myself, batting my lashes and givinghim my sweetest smile. The way Finn had been looking at me had given me an idea about how I could get the item without him.
Night had well and truly fallen as we strode up Perivolos Beach. Thatched umbrellas dotted the sand in front of Aqua Inferno, the music pumping from inside wrapping around us as we made our way between them to the indoor area.
I peeked at Finn from the corner of my eye. He had changed into a dress shirt and pants, his dark hair immaculately gelled, but a strand had fallen out in the sea breeze. He looked good.Damn it.
The bouncers nodded admission, and as we stepped inside, we were immediately enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere. Aquariums lined the walls, casting a shimmering glow throughout the venue. The sleek modern tanks stretched from floor to ceiling, housing exotic fish that moved through the water.
Aqua Inferno, indeed.
Music thudded through the space, blending with the hum of the tanks, making it feel like we were submerged in a dreamlike aquatic world. Finn took my hand and guided me through the throng of bodies, the beat of the DJ’s rhythm pounding in the air. My skimpy dress blended in perfectly here.
“We’ll have two of your best whiskies,” Finn said to the bartender, then he leaned both his elbows on the bar to survey the partygoers.
I mustered a casual tone as I dragged my eyes across the space. “So, where is this room where he keeps his collection?”
“Stavros’s high rollers’ area is up there.” Finn jerked his chin at the glass area above the aquariums. “We need to sneak in without him noticing.”
I spun around, searching the venue. It was time to set my plan to get the artifact on my own into motion. I just needed to find Stavros.
“Don’t make it obvious,” Finn snapped, the muscle in his jaw flickering as my gaze lingered on the windows high above.
I sipped my drink and pretended to appreciate the fish tanks, tracking the space until I spotted him. Stavros. He was sitting on a gilded velvet chair in a shaded VIP area cordoned off by black ropes with two surly-looking henchmen at the entrance. The area lay directly beneath the tanks and the high rollers’ room, so the entrance had to be somewhere behind him.
The eerie light reflecting off the aquariums illuminated Stavros’s striking Siren features. He exuded a magnetic presence, effortlessly capturing the attention of everyone nearby, though his gaze remained aloof. Draped in a tailored black shirt that hugged his sculpted frame, he leaned back in the plush seat.
Behind him, a group of pretty girls sat on couches, laughing and drinking champagne. He cradled a glass, the amber liquid swirling as he sipped. His sea-green eyes swept over the room, taking in the revelry until they landed on me.
It was time to implement my plan.
With a slow breath, I closed my eyes, letting the world fade into the background. My body relaxed, sinking into the moment as I opened my heart to my power and cleared my thoughts, focusing only on the energy within.
I reached for the silver orb to activate my Selkie’s allure as Aranare had taught me. Grasping that ancient, shimmering power, I concentrated on letting it radiate outward.
When I opened my eyes, the transformation was subtle. A faint glow had settled over my skin, like moonlight twinkling on a calm sea.I allowed myself to meet Stavros’s eyes. If my plan worked, he would sense that the allure I radiated wasn’t that of the Mers or Sirens. It was something else, something extinct—and that meant something worth collecting.
Stavros’s lips parted as he took me in, and for the first time since I’d laid eyes on him, he seemed alive, his expression shifting from indifferent to fascinated. The club’s noise faded into the background as his gaze locked onto me. His eyes darkened, and the hint of a smirk curled the edges of his mouth.
“What are you doing?” Finn hissed, and the allure I had conjured disintegrated.
“Improvising,” I bit back.
He gripped my arm, but I shook him off.
Across the club, I watched Stavros nod to his bouncer, who unhooked the rope, and he began prowling through the crowd toward me. I became hyper-aware of my limbs, unsure how to position them. As Stavros approached, I settled a hand on my hip but instantly regretted it; the faux leather made my palm sweat. The Siren was tall—my gaze barely reached his chest.
“Care to join me in the VIP area?” he purred, his green eyes glowing gold.
