Page 1 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

Chapter 1

Livana

Desire has a thousand different flavors, just like blood, and I need both of them to survive.

Which makesThe Red Lionthe perfect place to stock up.

Riverthorne sits in the southern, almost desolate landlocked portion of the continent, but its lone tavern is one of the nicer establishments I’ve worked at over the past few years.

The Red Lionis discreet, organized, and has a no-discrimination policy—any being can work or partake here, as long as they don’t draw attention to themselves. The last thing businesses across the continent need is the Collector’s attention, but that doesn’t mean they’ll turn away good workers or paying customers, even though royal decree demands it.

The owner, Aruk, hired me three weeks ago. I usually don’t stay anywhere longer than two weeks, but against my better judgment, I’ve gotten comfortable here. He’s stern—I’m pretty sure he’s at least a quarter goblin thanks to the obsessive way he counts the tills every night—but he runs a clean place.

I mean, as clean as a pleasure taverncanbe run, and I’ve worked at more than my fair share of shitholes. But he employsa healthy amount of half-bloods as bodyguards, centaurs and phoenixes alike, and their inherent strength goes a long way when mortals get in over their heads and cross lines that are in place for everyone’s safety.

“You better get up on that stage, girl,” Aruk calls to me from his position behind the wide, worn ebony bar.

He pours a few drinks for the smattering of patrons crowding the space—most are mortals, already half-drunk and ogling the other dancers on the stage.

“It’s good to draw out the anticipation,” I say, squeezing through a couple males until I can lean over the bar and grab a shot of whiskey that Aruk has ready for me. I throw back the amber liquid, licking a few stray drops off my red-painted lips. “Or do you like to just dive right in and get to the good stuff?” I tease Aruk, who’s gotten used to my antics, but that doesn’t mean he likes them.

“Money is what I like to dive right into,” he says. “Get a move on.”

I wink at him as I shift to the right, my body grazing the shoulder of one of the males I’d squeezed through. At the contact, a powerful shot of spice blooms on the back of my tongue—a mixture of nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon. His desire pulses in flavorful light waves as our eyes meet.

He’s gorgeous, with rich black skin stretched over tons of perfectly sculpted muscles, all visible beneath the tight black shirt he wears, a distressed leather vest over it. His eyes are a dark teal with a touch of pure mischief that matches the taste of his desire, and there’s real power in them…he’s not mortal after all.

“Excuse me,” I say, a fake apology as I bat my eyelashes at him. Normally I’d press on and hop on stage like Aruk told me to, but this one tastes too damn good.

“You’re excused,” he says, his voice a mix of confidence and jest. It’s like liquid velvet, and I eye the guitar strapped to his back before glancing over his full lips, which are turned up in a smirk.

“A bard?” I ask, wondering if Aruk hired him to play. I wouldn’t mind bumping into him after tonight’s shift. I bet his blood tastes just as good as the lust pouring off of him. His pulse spikes when I bite my lip while I wait for his answer. Goddess, this one looks like a good time if I’ve ever seen one.

And it’s beenagessince I’ve had a good time.

Feeding off the desire of those who watch me dance is one thing, butactuallyfeeding off of it while having sex is a whole other thing entirely.

A dangerous one.

So why am I still standing here?

“Why?” he replies to my forgotten question. He leans forward a bit, the leather of his vest brushing against my bare arm. “You want me to sing for you?”

I almost say yes.

I can picture it now—a private room, his instrument in hand and that liquid voice humming out a melody I wouldn’t be able to let him finish before straddling him, tilting his neck to the side and sinking my teeth into his flesh. I’d make it good for him, make it worth his time. I bet he tastes?—

“Girl!” Aruk’s voice snaps me out of the fantasy, his questioning glance grounding me in the present.

I blink out of the haze the male put me under, and wink at him. “Maybe next time,” I say before forcing myself to walk away.

It’s easier after a few steps, almost like something external held me close to him, but I don’t sense any magic, just pure intrigue.

I’m hungry.

It’s been too long since my last proper feed. That’s all.

I weave through the packed crowd, skirting past mortals and non-mortals alike while making my way to the stage. The walls are covered in rich red brocade with gold details. The amber lights hanging from sconces all along the walls cast flickering shadows, as if the flames are dancing to the music too. The sweet smell of burning incense barely reaches my nose thanks to all the lust emanating from the patrons eying the stage.

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