“It’s this place. You almost fell victim to it.”
The magic in here was overwhelming. A human like Deborah, one with no training against mental based spells and enchantments, stood no chance. Just like the rest of these poor souls.
Halfway across the dance floor, something shifted. The dancers taking notice of us for the first time.
“Help me. Please.”
Their pained cries followed the three of us as we continued making our way toward the opposite side of the room. Nathan was no longer gentle as he elbowed people out of our way.
A human lurched into our path, his mouth stretched open in a silent cry. He nearly toppled me over, threatening my grip on Nathan.
Demonstrating a cat-like agility, the enforcer managed to twirl me and Deborah out of reach while shoving the assailant into the couple behind him. The trio fell to the ground, their bodies still moving with the rhythm of the music.
Ecstasy replaced the agony on their faces as they began to writhe against each other.
“They’ve been here a long time if pain now gives them pleasure,” Nathan said grimly.
“This is so wrong,” Deborah whispered, looking around us with a haunted expression.
Nathan scrubbed a hand over his face. “I hate this. Fae and their fucking mind games.”
“How much further?” I asked, swallowing hard.
This place made me feel dirty. Its grime threatening to stain me forever. I wanted out of here as soon as possible. From Nathan and Deborah’s faces, I knew they agreed.
“Not far,” Nathan said.
He waited until I had a good grip on his belt again before plunging back into the fray, this time moving as quickly as possible without losing contact with Deborah and me.
Before I knew it, we broke through the edge of the crowd. Between one step and the next, the din of the club muted. As if a soundproof door had slammed shut behind us.
Startled, I glanced over my shoulder. The surreal sight of the humans dancing to silence greeted me.
“That’s so creepy,” Deborah said.
I nodded. “Agreed.”
Nathan kept moving forward. “Let’s find Liam and the others.”
We ventured down a short hall. At the end of which was a door guarded by a Red Cap. A species of Fae that often served as guards and soldiers to their ruling class. Supposedly, they had a thirst for blood that was not unlike a vampire’s. Only instead of drinking from a vein, they preferred to drench their heads and bodies in the blood of their enemies after having ripped them limb from limb.
The abhorrent practice was what made them so feared.
It was strange to see one acting as a bouncer. Usually, they served in more important capacities. Those that required a high level of violence.
I guessed this was a night of firsts.
Like the others I’d met, the Red Cap was the size of a small giant. Thickset with limbs that looked like he could pick up and throw an SUV at any moment.
He’d also killed someone fairly recently. Likely human given the supply of potential victims just feet away. Blood matted his hair, seeping down his forehead to drip onto the floor.
“Open it,” Nathan ordered.
“The way is closed, blood bag. Move along.”
To drive home the insult, the Red Cap poked Nathan with one oversized sausage of a finger.
“Oh boy,” I muttered.
