Page 18 of Feral

“I have no doubt.”

Chapter 7

Hale

The handsome man with his hand on my thigh is pure temptation. I could compel him, draw him into my thrall and wrap us both in pleasure, but using my power that way doesn’t excite me at all and never has. Not sexually. I’ve learned there’s something far too alluring about gaining consent.

He told me he’s straight, a fact I’m not entirely sure is accurate, but which only proves to me that patience is required if I want to keep him around, and I do. For what reason, I can’t be sure.

He didn’t ask about my own nature, and I didn’t offer. Something held me back. Maybe I’m not sure he’d allow his curiosity and interest in me to bloom if he knew I’m not as human as he is. Or possibly, I fear his reaction if he finds out I’m a monster at my core. Either way, I remain silent on the topic.

“When can I start?” Yannis asks after clearing his throat and, sadly, removing his hand from my thigh.

“You could come tomorrow before we open. It’ll be far easier to train you without the distraction of customers.”

He nods, biting his bottom lip as he looks around. “And the donation program? What’s that about?”

I immediately tense. “I’d prefer you don’t start there.”

He gets a defiant gleam in his eyes. Ah, a bit of fire. I like it. “Why? You think I can’t handle myself?”

“Dear man, there isn’t a mortal alive who can fend off a hungry vampire. My advice has nothing to do with your abilities and everything to do with the nature of vampires. You could be seduced beyond your will, for example.”

“Seduced? Like sex?”

I nod. “Indeed. Many vampires enjoy feasting on the flesh while having a meal. There’s something called compulsion, a trait most vampires have. Consider it like… hypnotism.”

“Oh. Okay. It’s just that Hemsley said you can make a lot of money.”

“It’s true, but there are other ways. We pay generously and our patrons tip well.” I brush my hand against his. “I realize you don’t know me well, but on this topic, I’d ask you to trust me. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt.”

“Physically?”

“It’s happened. Working here requires you to release some of your mortal ethics. The supernatural world doesn’t abide by those rules. Things happen that would be considered immoral or even illegal in the human world. There are no police, no mortal laws, only the etiquette governed by Yves Orpheus.”

“Orpheus…” Yannis repeats. “I think I saw a building with that name on it. House of Orpheus?”

“Yes. I live there. They’re apartments. Yves owns the building and much of the city, including this club.”

Yannis nods, still biting his bottom lip, tempting me to tug it free and kiss the bruise he must be making. Leave it to me to become enraptured by someone who claims to have no romantic interest in men.

“I think being a server is a good entry point. You’ll get to know the atmosphere and learn what you like most.”

“Yeah, okay. I agree.”

“Good. Would you like to dance or have another drink?”

“That sounds?—”

A loud crash reverberates through the club, rattling me out of my seat. I hesitate, concerned about Yannis, but he’s right beside me, tense and alert.

Tiago passes me and I join him, both of us moving swiftly to the front while Yannis jogs behind me. I find Rhett with his talon-tipped fingers clenched around the neck of a mortal, his eyes glowing bright green and his fangs out. Hemsley is holding a gun.

“What the fuck is this about?” Tiago demands, glaring at the man in Rhett’s clutches.

“Fucker thought he could come into this club with a firearm,” Rhett growls, his voice gravelly and almost inhuman. “I want to hear what he planned to do with it.”

“Fuck you,” the man says through gritted teeth before coughing when Rhett tightens his grip. “Do you know who I am?”

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