Page 7 of Reign

“Trust Balthazar to be the one we need to ask for help,” muttered Owen, guiding the subject away from Som.

I met his gaze. “Indeed. That bloodsucker has to be the one person I don’t want to owe anything to.”

“Yeah.”

“Although…” I stood up. I could maybe swing this situation so that he also owed me. “Get cleaned up, brothers. The demons can wait. Tonight we’re going clubbing.”

“What club?” asked Stone.

Owen chuckled. “The Gambit. It’s the most popular underground club for supernaturals in London. Count Balthazar Rossi owns it, along with other top-notch nightclubs worldwide, but the Gambit is his most successful—and oldest club. It’s dark, sexy, violent and bloodthirsty. And only for those tough enough to not get eaten alive. You play by his rules and survive your night, or you end up at the very least broken, if not dead. Whether or not you agree with what goes on there, you don’t interfere.”

Stone crossed his arms over his chest, the leather of his jacket creaking. “Can we fight?”

Owen grinned at the same time I did. “Oh yeah. Fight, fuck, kill, whatever you like.”

“Good. Ready when you are then.”

Shannon wandered in, shaking out her wet hair, and stopped short at the sight of us all gathered around the meeting table. She inhaled and cocked a brow. “What’s going on? You all stink of excitement.”

“Shannon.” I'd gotten over my anger at her being with my mate when she’d been kidnapped. Apparently, Jed had distracted them both. His men had attacked from behind with an injection into Ember’s neck before she could call Fire or Mea to her aid. Shannon had fought for Ember against all of Jed’s men, but in the end, she had been one against five big male shifters. Ember had regained some consciousness as Shannon fought, but one of Jed’s men had hit my Firecracker over the head with a gun butt. According to Shannon, Ember had not woken after that, even when Jed had flung her over his shoulder and carried her off. I curled my fingers into fists, resisting the urge to let my claws push through. My anger surfaced every time I saw Shannon, but she had fought hard, even with all of her injuries, and it had taken a bullet to bring her down.

“Yeah, it’s me. Now tell me what’s going on. Why does the air stink of male hormones and anticipation?” Her eyes flicked to Stone. “Are you going hunting?”

I smirked, slapping my hands together. “If I have anything to do with it, we are, but not demons. Right now, I need to get showered. Stone, fill Shannon in.” I looked at the others. “Be ready in an hour.” I grinned and cracked my neck, actually looking forward to a night out with my brothers in such a violent atmosphere. We all needed to let our wild sides out to play.

Chapter 3

Connor

My brothersand I prowled towards the doors to the Gambit. They were open, music and fluorescent purple light oozing out into the night. To either side of the doors stood a tall, heavily muscled man. Each wore a long, dark jacket and had a yellow security identification armband visible. Yeah, they were human. They didn’t have a hope in Hell of stopping a supernatural being of any kind, but that wasn’t why they were there. No supernatural who wanted to live would mess with Balthazar or his club. No, these guys were there to take care of any human problems. Humans knew the supernatural community existed, but most trusted the SBI to protect them from its ever-present threat—like the bloody fools they were.

To humans, the Gambit was an upper class, gothic nightclub, a plush place that was reached by a curved glass stairway lined with mirrors. Dark glass chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a soft glow which mixed with the purple neon light that oozed from the edge of each step. Inside, the nightclub was decorated in purple and black velvets and silks, which adorned the false grand windows, giving the appearance of being inside of a huge mansion-like space. We’d cased out the Count’s club a few weeks ago while I was still trying to get a feel for the London I used to know so well. Balthazar had definitely upped his game. The club had been redecorated, and for those rich enough, it now offered private booths that could have their glass walls darkened with the flip of a switch. It was pretty damned obvious what went on in those booths. I smirked. Those rich humans might think they were being so dirty, fucking in a private room, but they had no idea what really went on in the other parts of this club. Dance music filtered down the stairs to the entrance—but we weren’t headed up there. Nope, we were going to the Count’s ‘real’ club.

The doormen watched with blank faces as we headed in through the doorway and walked right past them, then headed down another set of stairs and into the darkness. They didn't bother stopping us. It was obvious we weren't human, none of us. All males, all huge, and all-powerful. I smiled. No doubt they were already letting the staff and the club owner know we were heading their way. Good. I wanted an audience with Balthazar. And I wanted the word to get out that there was now a shifter king. I was in the mood for taking down threats to my power and rule and hoped there would be many, both tonight and in the weeks to come. I flexed my fingers. Violence was in my blood, my killer instinct only amplified by the loss of my mate. And Prime's anger and grief only intensified mine.

I led my pack down the dark stairwell, leaving the neon lights of the entrance behind. Cameras followed our progress. Four large males stepped from the shadows when we reached the bottom of the stairs.

Vampires.

I grinned and cracked my neck, reining in my power.

“Who are you?" said one, stepping close but not so close I could reach him. He studied me coldly. He wasn't the biggest bloodsucker there, but he was definitely the most dangerous. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice.

“King of the Shifters. I’m here to see your boss.”

The vampire chuckled showing his fangs. "There is no King of Shifters; not even a Prime has been seen in years."

“Really?” I kept the wild grin on my face and shifted enough I was taller than the vampire by a foot, then let Prime's presence surface. Yeah, he saw me now. Part human, wolf, Hell-beast and fae, all wrapped up in one bad-tempered and muscled body. No one was fucking with me tonight, especially not this vampire. My vision was swamped with red, and I knew my eyes glowed as I looked at the vampire. "I am the King. And you test my patience."

To his credit, the vampire appeared only a little surprised. "Indeed, it seems you are," he said, lifting a brow.

Let him and his pack enter.

I heard the voice crackle in his ear, my hearing as acute as a vampire's, but they didn't need to know that. With an elegant gesture, he indicated that we should follow him. Two vampires walked with him in front of us, two at the back. I didn't bother tracking the ones behind me. My brothers would deal with them if necessary.

We walked towards a thick metal door that swung open as we approached. More vampires and two demons guarded the entrance to the true Gambit.

We were led down more stairs. Booming music and the sound of the club filled my ears. Energy and the scent of supernaturals, blood and sex hit my nostrils. I inhaled and grinned; I couldn't help it. Tonight I would release some of the anger and anxiety for my mate that churned in my belly.

---