Page 83 of Lessons with the Mothman

"Gladly, my lovely little cock toy," Elias murmured in my ear.

My body throbbed eagerly, but I took one of his hands in mine and turned back to follow Lyle. My incubus friend glanced over his shoulder at us with a knowing curve to his lips but said nothing.

CHAPTER 27

Elias

The bar was morecrowded than ever, and it was only ten. By midnight we might actually have to either create a line outside, or simply refuse anyone else entry for the night. The noise was almost unbearable to me, but we were too busy to retreat and leave Lulu and Nora on their own.

It was Halloween, and there was an uncommon number of humans in attendance. For the most part, they were fairly easy to spot at a glance—sexy little angels and men in cowboy hats—but a few had creative enough costumes to give me pause, wondering for a moment what unfamiliar species I was staring at until the light hit a smear in their face paint.

I noted, with a little bit of triumph, the way the humans mingled and flirted with monsters and vice versa. I was maintaining my theory that there was a genuine interspecies sexual lure, some evolutionary call to mix genes for best results, perhaps. The fae would be appalled by the notion.

I glanced to the corner of the bar where Victoria sat with her laptop, seemingly impervious to the roar of sound, the jostle of bodies at her back, the way strangers craned around her to try and catch the attention of my bartenders. She had ahalf finished drink and a basket of fries at hand, and she was chewing on her lip as she worked. She was dressed in a loose blouse, belted trousers, and a tweed jacket thrown over the back of her barstool, and she claimed her costume was Katharine Hepburn. I suspected this was a convenient, no effort costume, but considering I had told a young woman that my costume was an imperial moth, I had no room to judge.

Perhaps next year I would wear a vintage suit and hat and be her Spencer Tracy.

A sudden collection of cheers and groans rose up from one of the pool tables, and I stretched, staring over the crowd to where Rafe pumped his arms in the air, his slutty Little Red Riding Hood costume coming dangerously close to exposing him, if not for the tiny white bloomers. His Big Bad Wolf, Hannah, laughed from the side. Jessica Rabbit, or Natalie, struck a pouting pose that caught the attention of a few strangers nearby, and Theo's good humor grew far too narrow-eyed and predatory to be a convincing Roger Rabbit. Sunny and Khell, one pair of several Barbie and Kens in the bar, hurried out of the bathroom hallway, adjusting their clothes.

I mixed a few more of our specialty menu drinks, silently sympathizing with myself that I wasn't getting frisky in a supply closet as well for the evening. I had a significant consolation waiting for myself later tonight though, one I'd been keeping a secret from Victoria for a few days now.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and opened my string of texts with her. It was an amusing mix of filthy demands and everyday messages.

You're still leaking out of me.

How is Rafe's menu changing?

I can barely sit with how sore I am.

I typed out a new message.

We have the opportunity for another demonstration tonight.

Out of the corner of my eye, Victoria straightened, picking up her phone. I spared myself the time for a glance, just long enough to catch her smile.

Tonight? You won't be too tired?

I met her gaze and shook my head, then typed once more.

However, they do need a volunteer. Or two.

I held my breath. Her eyes widened, met mine, and then flashed down to her phone once more, her thumbs moving quickly.

You can't just say that and not give me any clues.

I grinned and searched for an appropriately illustrative gif. It was more than a hint, really.

Victoria's jaw dropped, then snapped shut. She went pale, and then flushed. A moment later, her tongue flicked out to wet her lips.

Lulu nudged me in the side, shooting me a glare and rattling off a list of drinks for me to prepare. I worked as quickly as I could, my phone buzzing once in my pocket, almost burning there with my anticipation.

Finally, a good ten minutes later, I could spare a moment. I looked at Victoria first, but she was focused on her laptoponce more, hurriedly working, her expression placid except for a slight furrow of attention between her brows. My phone held the answer I sought.

I'm in if you are.

I grinned. It was precisely the answer I was hoping for.

Garden apartments were covetedreal estate for the Chicago monster species. Vampires appreciated the secure rooms without windows or ones that were easily shrouded. Orcs liked a deeply grounded space for their den. But a garden apartment with a saltwater pool? That was reserved especially for those aquatic beings who needed such a luxury for their survival.

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