I smiled as the bartender pointed toward my shadowed corner. All five heads swivelled in unison, their gazes locking onto me like moths spotting a flame.
Pathetic and predictable human behaviour.
My eyes stayed fixed on the red-headed one. Ivy’s fingers tightened around her glass. Her friends erupted in whispers, loud enough for even human ears to catch.
“Oh my God.”
“I’d let him ruin my life.”
“Fuck that. I’d let him ruin my vagina.”
“Ladies, hold my bag. This one’s mine.”
My smile widened. Not at their slurred words because I’d heard variations of them for centuries, but at the way Ivy’s pulse jumped in her throat. Fear? Excitement? It didn’t matter. Both were intoxicating.
Her friend elbowed her hard enough to slosh vodka onto the table.“For fuck’s sake, Ivy. He is perfect.”
Ivy finally spoke, her voice low, just for them.“Yeah. A little too perfect.”
Oh. Now, that was interesting.
I let my grin turn razor-sharp as I approached, my steps slow and deliberate. The women stiffened, and their bravado began to wane. They didn’t realise it yet, but their instincts were screaming.
Predator. Run.
Too bad humans never listened.
I reached their table, and the loud one, Sadie, introduced everyone with a flourish.
When she said Ivy's name, the redhead lifted her hand in an awkward little wave, her fingers trembling just enough for me to notice.
“Thanks for the drinks,” she mumbled, her voice sweetly strained.
I nodded politely, but my eyes never left hers. Not when Sadie prattled on, not when the other women peeled away one by one, giggling their goodbyes. Only Ivy and Sadie remained by the last call, their cheeks flushed with liquor and the thrill of danger they didn't yet understand.
I made a show of glancing at my Rolex.
“Why don't I give you ladies a lift home?” I asked, pausing a beat. “Unless you'd like another drink?”
“No, no, no.” Ivy wagged a finger at me like I was a misbehaving child. “We're done.”
“We wouldn't mind a lift,” Sadie cut in, shooting Ivy a glare when her friend's elbow jabbed her ribs. “What?”
“Nothing,” Ivy muttered before turning back to me, her smile tight. “You've been very kind, but we don't want to trouble you.”
“No trouble at all.” I pulled out my phone, texting Daniel, my driver, not my thrall, though the distinction hardly mattered. “I've already got a car waiting.”
“Oh.” Her resolve wavered. “Excuse us for a moment.”
I watched her drag Sadie away, their heels clicking on the sticky floor. They stopped near the restrooms, far enough that a human wouldn't overhear.
But I wasn't human.
I focused on my phone, letting them think they were safe.
“I can't do this,” Ivy hissed.
“Why the hell not?”
