Page 15 of Chess

He circled her as though she were his prey before coming to a stop in front of her. “Say you’re sorry for kneeing me in the groin and stabbing me.”

What a spoiled prince he was. Did he think she would bow down and apologize after everything he’d done, especially in light of his own flimsy apology? “Are you serious? You’re insufferable. And I don’t accept your insincere apology.”

He didn’t deny he’d been false about the sentiment, yet the past was the past. That didn’t mean she trusted him though. He would betray her in an instant if a better opportunity arose—and vice versa—but for now, this was the best resource she had for taking down her brother.

Ever spotted a black taxi, waved her hand, and the car slowed to a stop in front of them. They were headed to the same club from a few days ago where she would meet up with March. Sometimes he was early and sometimes he was late, but he was always there.

Chess opened the door to the taxi and motioned her inside. “My lady.”

Ever released a very unladylike snort and slipped into the car, sliding over to the window. The taxi reeked of old food and possibly sex. Chess took a seat beside her, a little too close, and shut the door.

“To Serenity nightclub,” Ever said, using her influence on the young mortal driver. He barely looked old enough to drive, his head shaved and pale skin covered in acne. “First, put it on the classical station, please.”

“Of course,” the boy said, changing the radio station until violins and flutes filled the car before driving down the low-lit street.

“You’re really into this stuff, huh?” Chess asked. “At the ball, I thought the music was just for the occasion.”

“Well,” Ever said slowly, “if you had gotten to know me instead of trying tokillme, then maybe you would have learned some things.”

“You wound me with that response.” His fingers seductively tiptoed across the seat toward her but not daring to touch her. “So why the viola? Why not the violin?”

Ever thought back to when she was younger, when she’d still lived with her parents and brother. When Rav had simply been Ravon. Her twin who’d followed her everywhere, even fallen with her into Wonderland. In truth, she’d wanted to play the violin at first. The instruments hadn’t been around the mortal world that long, but when her uncle from Italy brought them as gifts for Ever and her brother, she’d laid eyes on Rav’s viola and had to have it once she’d heard its sounds. Rav wanted the violin just as much so they’d traded.

“I like the lower notes and its larger size,” Ever informed him.

“You like larger, huh?” Chess grinned, biting his lower lip.

“Verylarge,” Ever said slowly, “and I’m certain it’s not something you would know much about.”

Chess chuckled. “You can find out any time you like.” He then paused, locking his yellow gaze with hers. “You play well.” His voice seemed sincere for once.

“Do you play anything?” she asked, unable to stop herself. But she was always curious about those who could play music.

“No, my father left for Wonderland when I was a baby, and my mother was too busy trying to provide for us. Then she abandoned me, too, and I was left to myself at eight years old. Years later, my mother came back and turned me, then brought me to Scarlet. By that point, I didn’t care to learn about anything that didn’t involve my new world.”

Ever’s stomach sank at his words and she didn’t understand why. She shouldn’t have felt sorry for anything he’d said. But he’d raised himself, then his mother had shaped him into what he was today. “A pity Rav didn’t teach you,” Ever said, wondering if he had ever played again. Once they’d fallen into Wonderland, he’d stopped.

“Rav was preoccupied with fucking my mother and being an arse. So, I found my own entertainment.”

“By turning mortals unwillingly?” Her eyes narrowed.

Chess frowned for a minute, thinking. “Only in my younger years, when my mother wanted me to learn how the process worked.”

Ever didn’t understand how he could worship the ground his mother had walked on, especially knowing that she’d murdered his father even though he’d been a good male. But Ever wasn’t going to discuss more family matters with him now. He’d told her plenty of information about her brother, how he often slinked to the mortal world to bring a new human home to toy with, how he and Imogen fed from them, turned them, enslaved them. Then, most of the time, they killed them shortly after when they displeased Imogen in even the slightest way.

The car slowed to a stop, and Ever leaned forward. “Forget you drove us to the club and go where you were planning to before.” They then stepped out of the taxi and headed for their destination.

Outside the building, cars lined the street, more than the previous night. Mortals strutted toward the entrance, some with plenty of skin on display. One woman wore a long vinyl jacket over fishnets, while others had on black lingerie, miniskirts, tight leather trousers, and harness bondage.

“Seems we’re underdressed for the occasion.” Chess leaned in and whispered, “Or should I say,overdressed?”

Ever blew out a breath and rolled her eyes as he brushed his hands down the front of his button-up shirt and dark trousers. The line outside the club was much shorter than last time, and she assumed most of the people were already inside.

“What’s going on tonight?” Ever asked when they approached the bouncer. It was the same man as a few nights ago, his shirt tight across his bulging muscles.

“It’s Kinky Tuesday,” he answered, his expression serious.

“Let us in,” Chess said silkily. The bouncer’s eyes instantly glazed over, and the man gestured for them to go inside.

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