She shrugs her shoulders and tosses an apron in my direction.
So much for a welcoming committee.
We go back out into the chaos that is the club, and she points to the left. “That’s your section over there. Get to work.”
With that, she leaves me on my own to figure out everything else. It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m determined to do a good job.
There’s no time for me to catch my bearings. Instantly, a customer’s hand goes up, gesturing for me to come over.
From that moment on, I’m flying from table to table, taking orders and making sure everyone has the drinks that they need, including the synthetic blood I’m told was founded by the owner of this club.
Hopefully, that synthetic blood is enough to keep the vampires partying here in check.
“Bestie! I didn’t even see you over here,” Miriam squeals as she rushes over to me, nearly knocking a tray of empty bottles and glasses out of my hand.
“Yeah, I told you I was starting tonight.” I press a quick kiss to her cheek as we both make our way to the bar so I can pick up my next round of orders.
“Yeah, but you didn’t come find me.” Miriam gives me an exaggerated pout, which pushes her septum piercing up.
I shake my head at the expression. With her neon green braids and nearly drag queen level makeup, Miriam is the complete opposite of me. She walks into a room, and all eyes are on her. She loves it that way. I, on the other hand, would prefer to just fade away into the shadows.
“Sorry, it’s been nonstop since I hit the floor.” I sigh and look over my shoulder at the never-ending stream of customers and patrons.
“Wait, I thought you were going to be bartending,” Miriam says, seeming to realize that I’m serving instead of tending.
I shrug. “Meg said I needed to serve since they were short.”
Honestly, I didn’t mind. Not if it meant I’m working. I could tend bar or serve, it doesn’t matter.
It’s after midnight now, and instead of things dying down, it seems as if things are only getting more hectic. Standing here talking to Miriam is the first chance I’ve had at a break in the last few hours, and my feet are reminding me of it.
I lean against the bar, trying to take some of the pressure off my feet as Miriam goes on a tangent about what she did earlier in the day.
I do my best to pay attention to her, but I know the longer I stand here with her, the more I’m going to have to do when I get back on the floor.
I look over my shoulder again, but this time instead of seeing a huge crowd, my eyes lock onto one person in particular. He’s staring straight at me. Not like he’s waiting for me to come take his order, but as if he’s studying me.
He’s got long gray hair, but it doesn’t age him in the least. He’s wearing dark clothing. It’s not his appearance that has me stuck in his gaze, it’s the way he’s staring at me. The fact that he’s standing so still almost makes the people around him look like they are moving in super speed.
After a moment, or an hour, I can’t tell, the man smirks at me, baring his fangs. He licks the tip of one in a way that is both suggestive and terrifying.
The hair on the back of my neck prickles.
“Cassie? You okay?” Miriam shakes my shoulder, and I snap my eyes in her direction.
“Hmm? Yeah, I’m okay. I’m sorry, I need to get back on the floor.” I grab the tray, giving her a look I hope says I’m sorry.
“True, you don’t want to get on the King’s bad side,” she jokes before she turns and walks away as if what she’s said is as normal as saying the sky is blue.
The King?
I’ve heard several people mentioning the King in here and others who have talked about Dyrk as being owned by a king, but they can’t be serious . . . can they?
I push the thought out of my mind and get on with the night. An hour later, I’m making my way back to the kitchen to drop off a bucket of dirty dishes.
It’s on my way out the door that I’m faced with my first real problem.
The hall is dark, but I see the man standing there before I take my first step. The customers usually stay in the main area, but there are a few who linger along the sides, so I try to put aside the fact that this man is so close to my space.
