Two shots in, I'm almost annoyed at how much fun I'm having. Annoyed that for years, I've missed out on all of this—an exhilarating experience that most girls at university are used to having all semester long. For the first time in months, I think of Iseman. Of all the ridiculous parties I could've gone to, the wild boys I could've sloppily made out with. Gods, I haven’t kissed anyone in years. Haven’t slept with anyone since . . . the night Mom died. And even that was shit.
Cora’s arms hang loosely over my shoulders, her head whipping back and forth to the hammering beat of the electric music. “None of us blame you for leaving, you know,” she slurs. “I probably would feel the same if overnight I suddenly became the center of attention. Becoming Luna Superior . . . it’s not a role anyone should consider lightly. You’re so young.”
“Thanks, Cora,” I say. And gods, do I mean it.
When the song ends and fades into the next, she slips out of the crowd to get us another round of drinks. The upbeat temporelents, paving the way for something more seductive. This new song has me running my hands along my body, swaying and rolling my hips more aggressively than I have all night. The harder I dance, the more I sweat, insecurities shaking loose.
Dancing opposite of me, Gemma looks up to the balcony, stiffening. Before I can ask her what’s wrong, she and her friend trudge off. I trace the line of sight, landing on a pair of glowing green eyes that belong to none other than Dominik. My heartbeat accelerates as he studies me like a viper. But my body refuses to stop dancing. I am devoted to the music, hips rocking in time to the tantalizing pulse of the synthesizers.
In a sober state I would never admit this, but I love that he watches me move. That he can't take his eyes off me. This dance floor is my stage to command. It’s addicting, the satisfaction of watching audiences eat out of the palm of your hand. For once, it isn’t an act. I’m free to be whoever the music entices me to be. Yes.Free. . .
Dominik bites his bottom lip. Others too are taking notice, including a broad male with icy blond hair. I grab his hand and pull the stranger close. He spins me around and grips my waist, encouraging me to grind into him. I look back up at Dominik as we move our hips together, stoking the desire in his carnal gaze. But my thoughts wander to Axe. Surely, he doesn't frequent provocative places like this. No, he would prefer to run his hands over my body in private, far away from any potential voyeurs. If it were up to me, I’d have him touch me right here. Right now.
Hot breaths tickle my neck. As the stranger’s groin stiffens from the friction of my movements, I wonder if the Alpha would tear out his spine for it. I wonder what level of possessiveness he’s capable of. I lick my lips at the thought, grinding harder.
The stranger leans down. Asks for my name. I whisper it to him and glance back up to the balcony. Dominik has vanished from his post. The male hums in response, a deep vibration thatripples through his chest. At that, I realize this stranger is no man at all, but a lycan.
"Vessa," he whispers, nipping at my earlobe. The sensation is delicious. "Can I take you somewhere where there's a little more privacy?"
I feign a giggle, telling him I should probably go find the group I came with. The stranger pouts, pleading for one more dance.
The next song that cues up is by one of my favorite artists. Alas, I cave. My eyes scan the crowd again for Cora and the girls, but from the dead center, my short height is a disadvantage. My partner drops his head and leans in to kiss me, but I playfully deny him by spinning away, catching a glimpse of a scorpion tattooed along his neck. He growls, snatching my elbow.
That's when I feel it: a kernel of fear. Without a real plan to ditch him, I whirl around to scold the stranger. He crushes me into his torso with a thick forearm, pulling us deeper into the crowd. Shit—where are the girls?
Rolling my silver bracelets between my fingers, I finally get a good look at him. And it paralyzes me. Neon eyes gaze back, along with a pair of sharp canines. As if I’ve been caught in a scorpion’s snare, he strikes, blowing a cloud of yellow powder in my face. I fall to my knees instantly, gasping.
What the hell was that?
All at once, my perception is destabilized by an oscillating blur. The entire room quakes, swallowed by a cacophony of vibrations. When I manage to catch my breath, I stagger to my feet. The music is swelling around me, the dark melody materialized.Alive. I watch as the notes float overhead, disappearing in the fluorescent lights, their intensity like the aurora on steroids. All around, the bass pounds in my head and chest, reverberations syncopating with my heartbeat.
As I flitter away from the dance floor, someone taps my shoulder and offers me a drink. I clink my glass against his and ask if he's seen either of my friends. He shakes his head, and I disappear through a wave of sweaty bodies, dancing with a few of them as I weave in and out of the crowd. Everyone around me is smiling, laughing, carefree and buzzing with euphoric energy. Even my skin is shimmering.
Behind the next bar is a stairway which leads to the observation level. Several people stand around privately conversing or exchanging passionate kisses. In the furthest, darkest corner I spot the lycan with the scorpion tattoo looming over another woman. As she holds out her arm to him, he drags his nose along her forearm, taking every ounce of the magical yellow powder into his system.
More, I decide. I want more of that heavenly concoction.
Stepping into the dark, I place my hand on his shoulder. Smiling, he peers up at me. The female he's holding cackles, a pair of her own fangs emerging. I stumble backwards when I finally get a good look at her, equally as unsettling.
“My, my," she coos. "Don’t you smell delicious.”
Scorpion captures my wrist, ignoring the singe of silver as he licks a heated stripe along my skin. I gasp, snatching my arm back.
“Join us,” he purrs. “One more hit and I guarantee I’ll have you coming for hours. I’ll bet you taste like the sweetest dreams, don’t you?”
The overhead lights saturate the floor a murky red. Once thumping enticingly, the bass now moans. Heart pounding, I grab an empty drink and shatter the glass against his forehead. Blood trickles down my hand. The female reprimands me with an ominous growl.
Oh gods, what have I done?
Terror sends me skittering back onto the dance floor. Half blinded by tears, I try to think; there must be another staircase somewhere nearby that could lead to Dominik's office.
But I only find strangers with blank faces—Holy shit, where are their eyes?
I stumble into another, his long, serpentine tongue priming mangled teeth. The pair of lycan bouncers by the back exit snarl at me, bound in silver chains. Stone walls behind them are splattered in crimson sludge. The same substance coats both my hands, flowing down my arms.
What the hell is happening?
I'm abruptly shoved by sweaty bodies. Pounding music overtakes all my senses, making it impossible to see even two feet in front of me. Only strobe lights and the bloody sludge that collects on the slick tiles. Hundreds of hungry demons are starting to circle. It's only a matter of time before they tear into me.
