Chapter One
Jienne finished herwork around the hostess stand, smiled at the remaining kitchen staff, and went to clock out.Klauz was clearing up when she passed the door, and he called out, “Jienne, are you meeting the crew for drinks tonight?”
“Um, no, chef.I have an appointment.”
He froze.“You?”
She sighed.“Yeah.It takes all kinds, I guess.Thanks for the boost.”
He frowned.“I am sorry.I didn’t mean—”
“I am sure you didn’t.Cutlery is prepped for tomorrow.Good night, chef.”She punched out and headed for the service elevator.
She checked her watch and knew that she had enough time to get to the BDC and morph into her alter ego.Aksalla Sixty-Six.
The Blind Date Corp headquarters was two blocks away, and there was nothing she loved more than walking after a nine-hour shift.
Once she had checked in and gotten to the changing area, she looked at her date requirements.“Right, so, black evening gown, shrug, heels, jewellery, and makeup.Hair down in a curl over one shoulder.”
She heard other dates getting dressed or undressed in the other rooms.She ordered her clothes and accessories from the massive robotic wardrobe while she went into the grooming unit, designed by a sadist.Her hair was cleaned of all restaurant scents, and a gentle laser got the oil from her skin.The stronger laser took out all of her hair below the neck.She hated that part.
She was cleaned up and sparkling by the time the clothing was delivered to her changing space.She put on a garter belt, stockings, and the black evening gown.She applied and set her makeup and put on the borrowed jewels.Her hair was easy, and the soft wave cascaded over her shoulder to just below her breast.The wrap went around her, and she checked herself out in the mirror.“Shit!Mask!”
Laughter came from the other cubicles.
She was glad that she hadn’t put her eyeshadow on out of reflex.When she looked at her appearance via the mask, she nodded and got a darker lip stain.It wouldn’t come off and went better with her outfit.
She checked her mask display, and it summoned her transport.
Jienne put her clothes and bag into her locker and sealed it with her com unit.
Her transport was nearly there, so she got into the elevator and left the building.Her transport flashed recognition when she arrived, and she slipped inside with her mask giving the address on her behalf.She wouldn’t need to say a word until she was standing in front of her patron.
When the transport pulled up at the front door of Hell,she took in a deep breath and looked for her patron.The mask gleamed and identified him, talking to the business owner.
She exhaled and got out of the transport, walking up to her patron, ignoring his companion.
“Patron.”
He smiled in the heat display and lifted her hand to his lips.“We will be spending the evening with my new business partner.”
“Of course, Patron.”
The master of Hell looked at her.“Which one are you?”
“Aksalla Sixty-Six.”
He frowned.“I don’t know that one.”
She didn’t say anything else.
He grinned.“But I will find out.”
She shrugged and turned back to her patron, curling her arm around his bicep and pressing against him.
He looked down at her and said, “If you find out, let me know.”
She shrugged and stood with her patron.It was just hitting midnight, and Hell was getting busy.They walked inside and climbed to one of the private levels.It was less private than Jienne hoped.Ekron, Klauz, Techor, and Remark.Jienne felt the press of the psychics a moment later.This was going to be a fun, fucking night.She tried to brace for what she was guessing at.
