Page 97 of Of Mercury and Mist

The mention of Micha’s name sent my heart rate soaring. I’d been so angry with him; I’d stabbed him straight through his heart. Had I been a bit hasty? Perhaps.

The blade in my fist had sunk into his chest before I had time to fully consider what I was doing. I didn’t doubt he deserved it, though maybe not from me. He hadn’t truly had a chance to explain himself, explain his actions toward me. I’d been judge, jury, and executioner. With one rash act, I’d sealed my fate and cut myself off from him forever.

I took a moment to consider Samuel’s words. I knew what an enforcer did, I’d seen enough throughout my younger years and watched enough television to understand the ramifications of the title. I’d heard the rumors about Josiah and Micha and even witnessed a death. For the two of them to work here, in that capacity, among demons and other, presumably supernatural creatures, how was I able to stab Micha?

A hand was placed on my shoulder. “Relax, you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I glanced up at my companion. “Your panic is delicious, of course, but I want you to be comfortable. We’ll get you a drink in a moment.”

The thought rolled over and over in my head. Micha let me stab him. He let me kill him. There was no way it was anything other than that. He’d been sincere and let his guard down, and I’d done the worst possible thing with his vulnerability.

Oh my God what have I done.

“What are we doing?” I turned back to Samuel after frantically searching for an exit.

My mind kept clouding, my senses overloaded with the sights, smells, and alien energy of the foreign environment. The scent of rich flowers and succulent meats were all-consuming. The gleam of marble dazzled my eyes, and the vision of the different textures messed with my brain to the point I thought I was touching them. It was almost as if I’d ingested multiple ecstasy pills and the music in the background felt as if I’d mainlined it directly into my bloodstream.

It’d been years since I experimented with any drugs, and I’d never really gotten into them in the first place, but I remembered that alcohol helped temper the effects.

“May I please have that drink? I feel weird.”

“Of course, love, come,” Samuel said, taking my hand. “I think you’ll enjoy the evening. This is typical of life here and I want you to get used to it.”

I’d already forgotten I'd asked him what we were doing. “Okay,” I said, letting him lead me to the table. “Why do you keep calling me love? You already told me you don’t have that emotion.”

He pulled out a chair. “Why does it matter? Your heart is with someone else.” I lowered myself to the seat. “I’ll be right back.”

Samuel left and I sat stiffly in my chair, unsure what to do until I spotted a carafe of water and poured myself a drink. Several people began to gather around, choosing a spot to settle in, talking among themselves. It was like I was at a fashion show, all the women looked like models, their features perfect, and their bodies flawless. I’d already known the men were highly attractive, but these women were a far cry from what I’d seen in the street and the bar.

My hair had been nicely styled by Mandy, but I smoothed my hand over it, arranging my curls as one guest planted herself on a man’s lap, her curtain of golden tresses spilling over her shoulder in a sheet of gold.

Her arm wrapped around the man's neck as she glanced at me. “You’re Lord Samuel’s woman?” she asked.

Nodding, I lifted my drink and took a sip. The cool water was the most refreshing thing I’d ever drunk, and I gulped the contents greedily. “I suppose I am,” I replied, giving her a small smile.

The man tucked a hand down the front of her dress and pulled the fabric away revealing two perfectly formed globes before he tweaked her nipple. She gasped and leaned into his touch just as Samuel returned.

“Here you go,” he said, placing a full glass of white wine in front of me.

He sat down while I stared at the couple beside us. The woman began grinding against the man and his arm ducked under her dress. “Thank you," I said, and moved to take a sip.

Samuel tapped the edge of my beverage lightly. “Take it slow, it's not like the alcohol you’re used to,” he warned.

The woman was moaning as the man brought his hand back and unbuckled his belt. He unfastened the button of his pants and lowered his zipper before taking out his cock and rubbing the long length. Quickly, the girl pushed his hands down and replaced them with her own.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Would Micha have done this with me, here? Taken me in front of everybody, in a room full of people? The idea wasn’t nearly as abhorrent as it should’ve been. Instead, a small thrill climbed up my spine.

A palm met my thigh before Samuel leaned in. “You like that,” he purred in my ear. “I can smell your panties getting wet and I can see the lust floating around you.”

I heard his sharp intake of breath before he inhaled deeply. His warm chest was pressed to my shoulder, and tempting me to slide closer, removing the gap of space between us.

What harm would it have done, to come to terms with what he offered? Did I really need love, when it’d gotten me nothing but heartache in the past?

“Ethan,” Samuel backed off when the man strolled up to the table. “There you are.”

Ethan sat beside him and the two began talking.

“Are you sure about her?” Ethan asked, as if I weren’t sitting right there. “These human women; she doesn’t have an ounce of magic. That I can detect.”

“I like her,” Samuel said.

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