Page 9 of Pride: Kneel Before None

“My gods! You are positively stunning!” The elevated tone of his voice gave me the impression that he had an appreciation for beauty in all its forms, regardless of paranormal breed.

Given that no one else around me damn near compared to the level I was on, I wasn’t surprised when he made a beeline in my direction.

Foregoing modesty, I smiled knowingly before acknowledging the compliment, “I know. Thank you.”

I made the attempt to sidestep him, but he mirrored my movements, blocking my path.

Trying again, he did the same.

Fed up with the childish game, I huffed. “I’m trying to get by.”

“Oh honey, not yet. I have so many things I want to do here.” His hands made some bizarrely wild gesture in front of me that I could only describe as jazz hands having seizures.

He plucked the garment bag out of my possession before linking his other arm through mine. “I’m Ignatius, and I am responsible for enhancing the natural beauty of all those who seek my services. My studio is all set up for you. Waxing, a mani-pedi, hair, makeup—the works. Do you prefer your rosé flat or sparkling? I personally prefer the tickle of a good bottle of bubbly, but today isn’t about me.”

This chatterbox had my head spinning to keep up with him. Before I knew it, I was being guided further into the depths of Sevenfold. Several turns and two sets of doors later, I found myself seated in a salon chair inside a swanky private studio.

Before me was a large mirror with bright fluorescents around it, allowing me to watch the reflection of the eccentric man behind me zipping back and forth, gathering armfuls of beauty supplies.

“I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when it’s well deserved, but what am I doing here?” I asked warily.

He abruptly stopped, placing a hand on his chest in shock that I didn’t know. “Didn’t Monica tell you? My gods, that woman some days. She gives you the outfit of a lifetime and doesn’t mention all the goodies that come with it?” Exasperated, he shook his head.

Setting down a palette of shadows on a nearby cart, he stepped up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “Mr. Reynard insisted that you get the crème de la crème royal treatment while you are here.”

“Mr. Reynard?” This was the second time today I had heard his name.

“Yes, as in Ace Reynard.” He stared at me, expecting recognition to flit across my face. When it didn’t, he continued to clue me in. “As in the owner of Sevenfold Casino.”

All the pieces connected with startling clarity thanks to Ignatius. “Sounds like he’s creepy as fuck if he’s coordinated all this and hasn’t even introduced himself. Probably ancient and covered in boils or something.” It would be just my luck that I’d have to fend off some obscenely rich and ancient puss demon looking for a sugar baby.

Once again, my track record with men had always been lackluster.

A hearty laugh bubbled up Ignatius’s throat as he tipped his head back. Genuine amusement lit up his eyes, one lavender and the other a burnt orange color. “Oh dear, he is something, but I wouldn’t go that far.”

He glanced to each side before he lowered his voice in a stage whisper. “Between you and me, I would be the first in line if he showed any interest in some double twig and berries action. You get what I mean?” Ignatius waggled his eyebrows.

Double twig?

That was some very personal information that I wasn’t sure I needed to know.

The next hour and a half was spent with Iggy—as I had dubbed him—primping this or styling that. I’d be lying if I said I minded the pampering after a hard day’s work. It wasn’t easy being me.

During my time in the stylist chair, I had learned that Iggy had been Mr. Reynard’s personal stylist for the past thirty years. While I didn’t learn much about the mysterious owner of this establishment, I did learn far too much about the man giving me the goddess treatment I deserved.

Apparently, Ignatius was a glamor demon. He had a penchant for all things divinely beautiful and could either enhance them or lessen them. He had a poodle-hellhound mix puppy named Adonis and a sister who cheated him out of his life savings to fund her revenge plot involving hiring some guy who was an envy broker.

He spun my chair around in a grand reveal so I could evaluate all his efforts. Styled into loose waves past my shoulders, the warm golden tones in my hair blended perfectly with my lighter copper hues. The application of makeup didn’t overshadow my natural beauty but rather gave it an enhanced and seductive element, appropriate for tonight’s occasion.

Fuck, you may as well crown me Miss Superbia right now.

After taking several moments for my marine blue eyes to appreciate what I saw in the mirror, Iggy came up behind me with a hand on his hip and a larger-than-life smile.

“Perfection, if I do say so myself. An echo of seduction, power, and quite the vision.”

I looked over my shoulder at him and grinned. “I can’t argue with you there.”

Noting the time on the clock mounted on the wall, I needed to get dressed if I was going to show up on time for this tournament. And by showing up on time, what I really meant was being fashionably late. I wanted everyone’s eyes on me when I stepped into that ballroom, so they knew who was walking away the grand winner tonight.