Page 20 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

Seeing them together had thrown me, and all decorumwent out the window. After years of planning how I’d talk to her if we ever met—I couldn’t think past the roaring in my head.

Then she ran, and what’s more, she took Damon with her.

I’d feel jealous if I thought for a moment it was for her benefit, but the vibe in the room didn’t suggest she was interested in him. Her gaze was too cunning, too calculating.

I exited through the portal inside The Witching Hour. It was hidden in a back room where the fae could come and go as they pleased, shielded from the eyes of those that didn’t know we existed. It allowed us to travel with ease, not needing potions or cloaking spells, though a small fee was paid to the bar for its use.

It had been a while since my last visit. I generally came on official business, and my arrival was pre-planned and announced ahead of time. Today, I was alone, and I was on the hunt. The thumping of the music vibrated from the main club. The faint trace of my dream girl’s aroma reached me, and my heartbeat picked up in speed.

She was here.

Leaving the portal room, I walked through the club swiftly, following hints of her distinct scent. It led to the bar, but as I searched the crowd, I couldn’t find her or Damon.

The dark-haired barkeep looked at me in surprise when I approached, inclining her chin. “K-king Vareck. To what do we owe the pleasure?” Her voice wavered slightly. The customers tensed, grabbing the drinks she’d made for them and shuffling away.

“I need to find a woman. Red hair, black and red dress. She came through the portal, likely with Prince Damon. . . accompanying her.”Accompanying, my ass. Being compelled by her impressive magic is more like it.

“I’m sorry, my king, but I haven’t seen anyone matching that description. They might have left before I started my shift. I’ve only just arrived.”

“Any rooms?” I asked, while I looked around, searching for other doors and hallways.

She pointed to the back of the club, near the stage . “Just our storage closet and inventory rooms. You’re welcome to check them.”

“I’ve seen your lady,” a patron slurred into his glass. He jutted his thumb toward the exit. “Walked out not three minutes ago. Got into a car.”

I tossed a coin to him with my thanks, then rushed outside, but the moment the door closed behind me, the crisp, cold night air lacked familiarity. Her scent, so fresh and bright, slipped away completely.

There was no way she’d left the bar through here. Even with the light misting of rain in the air, some of her scent would still be present.

The drunkard had lied, or perhaps feared me and just wanted me to leave. I was tempted to return to the bar and teach him what happened when people lied to me, but he’d technically done me a favor. She would exit eventually, whether it was the front door, or the back door that led into the alleyway, and I would be right here waiting when she did.

Slipping into the shadows, I stayed in the darkness until my senses were once again filled with the enticing perfume I’d come to recognize as uniquelyher. I’d know it anywhere, and I’d follow it to the ends of the earth.

Chapter 8

Meera

I pushed through the portal, my fingers reaching for the other side. The vile ensured our arrival would be untraceable, sending us to a location other than the public exit. What would normally be a smooth transition was now a chaotic mess. Darkness welcomed us, followed by pain—the first sign that the prince and I were back in the human world. We crashed into the walls of a utility closet, tripping over buckets, mops, and cleaning chemicals.

A groan escaped my lips, frustration building as I knocked my shoulder against a shelf in the dark space. With a quick flick of my wrist, I yanked the chain hanging from the ceiling.

Exhausted didn’t even begin to cover how I felt. My body ached, and I was glad for the brief moment of respite. Damon was sprawled on the floor, covered in dust and debris. A bucket had landed on his head, making me snort in amusement as he lifted it off. The prince didn’t see the humor in it like I did. I suppose I could understand. If I’d been kidnapped, I’d be pissed off too.

“I see I’m working with a real professional,” Damon complained.

I couldn’t help but grin sheepishly and shrug. Yeah, we were both soaked in sweat and clearly out of our element.

“All right, pretty boy,” I sighed, tapping into my persuasion again, a wave of mild vertigo hitting me as I fought to stay focused. I was going to crash for a solid day after this much power usage. Maybe longer. “Follow me.”

Damon kicked aside a bottle of bleach, dusting off his shoulder with a charming smile. “You think I’m pretty?”

I rolled my eyes. “Desperate much? You know you are, otherwise you wouldn’t ask.”

A smirk pulled at his full lips. “Pretty enough to let go?”

“Nope, not happenin’.” His smirk fell away, expression turning to something almost . . . dark? I wondered if this was the real Damon, beneath the charm and seduction.

“Are you going to elaborate on why you fucked up?” His voice was light, but it felt forced.

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