Page 12 of East

The revolving doors lead to a small atrium. An old man with a long white beard sits at a booth lined with colorful balloons.

“This is our greeter, Gregory Wiske,” Aus explains. “Mr. Wiske, this is Thea Storm.”

Mr. Wiske bounces his eyebrows. “Privilege to meet you, ma’am. Will it be cash or card today for the cover?”

“She won’t be paying,” Aus retorts.

I snap my gaze to his. “That’s not necessary, Aus. I’m happy to⁠—”

He holds up a hand. “I’m sure you are. But it’s the least I can do for bumping into you.”

“That’s very generous.”

“I just hope you enjoy the club.” He offers his arm. “May I take you on a tour?”

I check my watch. My date isn’t scheduled to arrive for a bit longer. “Sure. Lead the way.”

“Gladly.” Aus parts a velvet green curtain with his free hand and escorts me inside.

I can’t stop my jaw from dropping. The Jade Sanctum is glorious, exceeding my expectations in every way. It’s a Technicolor wonderland, almost too much to take in at once.

I blink several times until my eyes adjust to the vivid hues. Four sections outline the club, each lit in a different color. The area where we came in is washed in gorgeous sky blues, and golden lamps throw deep yellows in the section across from us. To our right is an area dominated by royal purples, and to our left everything glows in a burgundy red. But these colors, magnificent as they are, pale in comparison to the club’s pièce de résistance, a large block of jade—the venue’s namesake, I assume—anchoring the center and serving as a DJ booth. Carved into the side in silver cursive lettering are the words “The Whiz.”

I point. “I assume that’s where you work, then? As the DJ?”

Aus shrugs nonchalantly. “I mean, I also have an office where I do the white-collar stuff. But the jade block is where I do my finest work.” He grins. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Beautiful doesn’t do it justice.” I approach the booth, run my hand up its stony surface. “Is this all pure jade?”

“As far as I can tell, yeah. No shitty silicone base underneath it or anything.”

“It must cost a fortune.”

“No kidding. Whoever opened the club must have been friends with someone with more money than brains, because the block of jade was donated and then carved to fit the DJ set.” Aus’s smile vanishes. “But that was before my time, so the details are a little hazy.”

“How do you even get up into the—” I notice a small curtain blending into the jade which cleverly disguises a small set of stairs leading to the interior of the booth. “Oh! Never mind. I see it.”

“Yeah, it’s a cool little detail.” Aus gives the curtain a shake, making it look as if the jade is shivering. “No stone unturned in our theming here. Speaking of which, let me show you around.” He offers his arm again and I take it.

How I wish Aus were the man I’m meeting tonight. But at least I’ll enjoy the sinewy feel of his corded biceps for a moment.

“Like in most clubs, patrons of the Jade Sanctum can enjoy two separate activities. Dancing and drinking.” He bobs his head toward the block of jade. “Obviously the dancing takes place here. Once the night gets moving, the tiles underneath us will start to glow in all sorts of colors. They cycle through five colors. Green, then blue, then yellow, then red, then purple, then back to green again.”

“So one color for each of the club’s sections.”

He nods. “You’re observant. Seems like you hardly need a tour at all.”

“I’d like one just the same.” I squeeze his bicep gently.

He grins. “Say no more.” He leads me back toward where we entered. “The club entrance leads to the East section. Here we serve a collection of fine vodkas, gins, tequilas, and other clear spirits. All made in house in our underground distillery.” He walks us up to the azure bar, manned by a weaselly-looking man with uneven stubble wearing crooked glasses over wide eyes. “This is Kinsey Blackwood, barkeep of the East. Kin for short. Purveyor of the finest martini this side of paradise.”

I offer Kin a smile. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Thea Storm.”

He blinks several times, swallows once. “H-H-Hello, Miss.”

Aus leans into my ear. “He’s a little fidgety with newcomers. Don’t be offended.”

I laugh at that. “You’ll find it takes a lot to offend me.”