My hands shake from the unease thrumming in my body. I make a conscious effort to hold my death sword away from my leg.
“Creed, what did she mean?”
He tightens his lips, refusing to answer.
That makes it ten times worse, and I pull my arm out of his grasp. He tries to grab me once again, although my feet keep pace with his.
“Don’t. I’m not saying that to give you attitude, but I’m about to lose control. You’re just going to have to hold on to my soul. I don’t want whatever’s about to come out to distract you.”
Or Valories forbid hurt him. I could turn some shit to ash right now.
“You’ve got to hold it in until we find him.”
“I know that, asshole. I’m trying to focus.”
His nosy little soul goes to work feeling mine up, and I know by the grunt that comes out of him, he’s realizing how truly close to the edge I am.
It’s no longer just my Seduction vying for my attention.
It’s my Chaos and at least two other powers as well, fighting to seep from my skin. I was trying as hard as I could to blame the tingling and vibration on my anger, but I can’t be ignorant or naïve right now.
Especially as we turn another corner, and instead of a door or even a staircase looming in front of us, it’s a silk black curtain.
My fingers tighten on the handle of my sword as the sultry music and array of noises drifting from behind that thin sheet tease my power.
Fuck.
The curtains flow gently, and beneath them, the lights strobe in multiple colors and unpredictable patterns. My breath falls fast, uneven, as I watch that wall of black make waves.
I can’t tear my eyes away from it.
“Thayla.”
“What?” I jerk my head toward Creed’s bark.
“Stay behind me. We’re going to stay in the shadows until one of us spots him. Hold back until we figure out how to get to him.”
I nod.
Bile races up my throat as we slip through the curtain and he pulls me to the side to give Yemi and Sevryn room.
A slip of noise comes out of her, and Sevryn curses beneath his breath. I can’t spin to check on her, though.
My eyes can’t tear away from the sights I’m witnessing.
I don’t know where or what to focus on.
There isn’t a shred of clothing to be found in this room. Even the people walking around serving drinks and whatever else are naked from head to toe.
There are both women and men spread out in positions I’ve never even thought of being put in before.
I…I don’t know who’s really enjoying what’s happening to them and who isn’t.
Sighs, soft chuckles, and low—well, also loud—hums of pleasure are the only kinds of conversations being held.
Some bodies move with such urgency, it feels like someone is punching me in the chest each time their flesh slams together. They’re frantic as they pounce from one being to the next like they won’t stop until they’re satisfied.
Others move with an intentional slowness. Their touches linger, and their mouths brush skin like it’s a delicacy.
