Page 1 of Forever Touched

PROLOGUE

EVERETT

Blood and lust saturated the air.

The heady concoction pulled at my senses, urging me to indulge in my baser instincts. To join the sway of sweaty bodies undulating on the dance floor and select an eager partner.

Only here could predator and prey so freely mingle. Although our DNA was vastly different, we looked the same on the outside, which was the only reason why humans didn’t run screaming from the establishment. Yet an instinctual part of them knew that they were surrounded by danger, a feeling too powerful to resist. The thrill of it kept them here—and kept them coming back.

The allure of the forbidden was a seductive song, eclipsing the beat of the sensual music pulsing through their bones.

It was the same with every vampire-owned nightclub.

The promise of pleasure drew humans and vampires alike. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, one I’d partaken in countless times myself.

Blood and sex with no strings attached was an offering few vampires could turn down. As long as the humans were willing and left with no memory of being fed on, these nightclubs were allowed to legally operate without fear of being shut down.

This one was different, though—or so my father suspected.

Sighing impatiently, I checked the time on my phone again. Not even ten o’clock. This was going to be a long night. From my spot at a velvet-cushioned booth tucked in the darkest corner of the club, I heard a human female giggle. I glanced up, my dark mask hiding the slight movement.

Not a day over twenty, the girl being led off the dance floor wore a skimpy black dress that barely covered her breasts and backside. Even through the shadows, fog, and red pulsating lights, I could make out her eager expression. She’d done this before. Probably many times. That dreamy, somewhat glazed look in her eyes told me everything.

She giggled again, teetering forward with her mask knocked askew. The male holding her hand tugged her past a dark screen and into a private alcove—or not so private. My night vision easily cut through the gloom and penetrated the thin screen, revealing the pair. They were already entwined, kissing and pawing at each other. Despite the sensual music pulsing through the air, I could even hear their feverish moans and sighs of pleasure.

Instead of looking away in embarrassment, I openly watched the display, waiting for the male to make his move. I didn’t have to wait long. The greedy bastard only lasted seconds before tugging the girl’s head back and plunging his fangs into her neck.

Her startled cry quickly morphed into one of ecstasy. At the sound, a burning need seared my throat, making my mouth water. There was a bar in the opposite corner of the club, but I’d chosen not to indulge tonight. One drink would quickly turn into several, and if I went down that road, I too would be pulling a girl behind a screen.

Impatient once more—this time with myself—I swallowed the hunger and refocused on the entwined pair. The male was taking full advantage of the girl’s eagerness, hiking her short dress up to her waist. When he slipped his hand between her thighs, she gasped and arched against him. I continued to watch the erotic display, not surprised when the vampire fumbled to undo his pants seconds later.

Stifling an eye roll, I kept my gaze trained on the pair as the male whipped out his dick and frantically thrust inside the girl. I flicked a glance at my phone on the black cushion beside me, then sneered when the male orgasmed less than a minute later.

“Overeager whelp,” I muttered. He hadn’t even let the girl finish.

The couple parted soon after that, the male hastily slipping out to no doubt pursue another partner. The girl stumbled out more slowly, looking unfocused and high as a kite.

Dismissing them both, I leaned back against the booth cushion with another impatient sigh. This was a waste of my time. I had better things to do than watch vampires and humans barely past the age of maturity hump each other. Besides the required masks to gain entrance, this club was no different than the others. Sure, it was more exclusive, strictly catering to Venturi and their drothen—who seemed drawn to this place simply for that fact. The anonymity and exorbitant entry fee were also a bit strange, but I’d seen no evidence of foul play.

Everyone here was rich, horny, and looking for a good time. Despite the masks, I even recognized a few of the males. They were indulging in their baser instincts, nothing more. That wasn’t a crime, so long as the rules were being followed.

My phone buzzed, and I reached for it.

Anything?the text from my brother said.

Dead end, I quickly typed in reply, then rose from my seat.Tell Father that I’m headed back.

I was about to hit send and leave as quietly as I’d arrived when the music suddenly stopped. I looked toward the dance floor just as a bright beam of light illuminated a masked figure dangling high above the ground. Decidedly female, she sat on a large silver hoop that was attached to the ceiling via a chain.

At the sight, the crowd below looked up and froze.Everythingfroze. No one moved, barely even breathed, as the female hung suspended in the air. The fog billowing around her started to thin, and when I saw that her graceful legs were bare, I lifted my eyes, curious to see the rest of her.

She wore a two-piece sequined outfit, one that left little to the imagination. I couldn’t help but notice her body, lithe but shapely in all the areas I enjoyed looking at. Her top openly displayed a generous amount of cleavage, and I paused to appreciate the view. My gaze dipped to her taut stomach next, to a glittering diamond pierced in her navel. Further intrigued, I sought out her face.

What I saw stole the breath from my lungs.

Her features were ethereal. There was no other word to describe such otherworldly beauty. Flawless olive skin. Full red lips. Thick black lashes that not even a mask could hide. High cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes spoke of partial Asian descent, possibly Japanese. Her hair was her most striking feature, though. Dark at the roots, the sleek strands lightened to a silver gray, cascading like a shimmering waterfall to her petite waist.

A slight smirk drew my gaze to her lips once more. Even from across the room, I could see the amusement dancing there. The confidence. Her audience was captivated, and she knew it.

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