Page 51 of Of Mercury and Mist

There were other times, as well, if a shared meal wasn’t up to par or something else happened that caused one or both of us to lose interest and we needed release.

Right now, I desperately needed a release.

Thinking of and wishing my dick were being sucked spurred me to action. There was more to be explored in the building.

I’d never been farther than the main room and I strolled down a hallway uncertain as to what I was searching for. A distraction, a soul to inhale, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I restrained my urges and this wasn’t the ideal place with all the temptations. The only woman who would satisfy my carnal urges was an off-limits curly-haired thief until I could convince Josiah otherwise.

Retrieving his permission was likely an impossible task, with how regimented he operated but I had to try not to dwell on it because the alternative was unacceptable. Some way, somehow, no matter how long it took—she’d be mine.

Glass windows lined the corridor, separating me from me from scenes reminiscent of home. The finery the dancers wore were designed to showcase exquisite figures, with the men and women in peak physical condition while indulging all their senses. I hadn’t been back to the Second Realm since I went with Kiam and Josiah, to rescue Della. The scene before me was the closest I would come, and the familiarity was a needed comfort.

Annoyingly, the glass was spelled with magic prohibiting contact with the emotions flowing from the gyrating bodies, designed to keep the auras trapped. I was tempted to see if I could break through it, mildly drunk on a large quantity of alcohol plus the ether I’d been nonchalantly inhaling throughout my wandering.

As if I’d summoned the devil, Matthew walked into my line of view. “Do you find everything satisfactory? If you’d like a private showing, we have accommodations.”

He was holding his arm toward the end of the hall, pointing me in the direction he suggested. I’d never met the man but the stink that oozed off the creature told me all I needed to know to identify him. An icy vibration surrounded him, cool and chilling, with a sharp, ascetic flavor.

I’d heard tales of angels’ benevolence and public service, a charitable front under which they indulged in depravity, weaving spells over women and men alike to further their goals. The cover of respectability and resulting positive actions ensured their success and hid the dark underbelly lying below. They’d mastered the art of manipulation eons ago.

To me, it seemed like too much trouble, to go to such lengths for accolades. Josiah and I simply took what we wanted without the shiny fanfare, though some games were most certainly played when necessary.

Despite my irritation at the rude interference, I politely replied, “Just observing, thank you.”

As I moved past him, he placed a hand on my shoulder. “Please let me know if you need anything. I’m at your service.”

Nodding at him and wishing his meaty appendage would turn to ash, I continued on my way.

When I entered a large space, there was a sleek bar across the room and a group of booths and tables in the center. Female dancers wearing flowing paneled gowns spun in circles, dripping with gold and diamonds, dancing for patrons.

Delicate golden chains adorned their faces, designed to highlight the eyes and mouth. The pieces were weaved through their hair before gathering around their necks, dipping down, and sloping between their breasts.

The men wore similar jewelry, only it twisted around perfectly chiseled chests and abdomens, giving my own physique a run for its money. I was by no means insecure, but I would admire perfection wherever and whenever I could.

Not that I had to work at it very hard, being naturally blessed, but the vision reminded me I should probably utilize Ipomoea’s gym more often than I had been as of late.

The bartender handed me a tumbler full of whiskey and I wandered the floor, eyeing the shut doors. Out of curiosity, I paused in front of one and glanced at the keypad. A multitude of buttons lay before me and after perusing the options, I pressed one that lit up a screen.

A picture sparked to life on my right, showing the interior of the room I stood before. A luxury bedroom, with low lighting, a bed, a couch, and a pole for dancing glowed on the display.

A man was reclining on the mattress, dick in hand while he stroked it up and down, taking a moment to moisten it with spit. His shirt was unbuttoned and his pants unfastened, already lowered on his hips. He alerted to something just outside the frame while I watched, transfixed. He licked his lips with hooded eyes as his cock lengthened and hardened to steel.

With bated breath, I waited to see what had the man so enchanted. His hand picked up speed as a figure sauntered into view, a vision with long curly brown hair blocking her face and tumbling around her chest. She rolled her shoulders and dipped her legs, her hips and ass showcased in a tiny G-string, as she undulated across the room.

When she reached the pole, she gripped it and whipped her head around, her chestnut tresses fluttering about before she lifted her face to peer at the man.

Ashley.

SEVENTEEN

Ashley

Angels had turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. I’d even finally warmed up to Lily. Turned out, the ridiculous act she put on was only for the benefit of our patrons and Matthew, she wasn’t nearly as insufferable as I’d first thought.

She’d continued to show me the ropes at work, and all the various opportunities. She absolutely was not kidding about the amount of money to be made. Already I was bringing home more than I’d ever made at Ipomoea and I could easily see how Kayla survived only working per diem.

It was a great gig.

That being said, it didn’t take me long to realize that at least half of our clients weren’t human. I was having a short mental breakdown in the employee bathroom when Lily found me after I’d witnessed what Matthew termed an “incident” that ended with a demon being decapitated. While that was bad, what was even worse was the head stayedspeakingafter being separated. Brief chaos had descended, along with many pairs of fangs and suddenly glowing eyes.

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