Page 129 of Vicious Princess
Roman’s excitement turns into worry when I barely respond to whatever he’s saying to me. I blink at him, trying to get my bearings.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I manage.
Two tall, broad bouncers approach us, their naked chests, arms, and necks tattooed so heavily that I can’t see a single patch of skin through the ink. Roman flashes them a smile without missing a beat.
He opens his mouth to say something, but doesn’t get a chance. Two hands clasp my arms, locking me in an iron grip, and they say, “You’re to go with us. Now.”
Roman tries to go with me, but one of the bouncers elbows him in the nose.
“Roman!” I scream, trying to tear away from their grip.
He’s cradling his nose, blood pouring down his face. The bouncers don’t stop, and soon the crowd hides Roman from me. I twist forwards, my heart racing.
This can’t be good.
We’re compromised.
The crowd parts for the bouncers and me in the middle, curious glances clinging to me like wet cloth. I try to keep my face neutral and my breathing under control. The two Caligos lead me deeper into the warehouse through a wide double door. Once it shuts behind us and a long dark corridor opens up in front of us, all the noise from the crowd fades away.
So they’re not worried I’ll see where they’re taking me. That either means they’re about to kill me, or there’s simply no way out from where they’re taking me.
Despite that, I inspect every inch of the corridor as we walk, noticing every door, nook, and cranny. It’s quiet, cold, and dark here.
Finally, we reach the end of the corridor, where the bouncers take metal stairs up into the second floor. When we reach a narrow landing, there’s only one door in front of us.
The room we enter is empty.
There’s a large desk in the middle covered with papers and random knickknacks, but the large leather chair behind it is unoccupied. The bouncers seat me at one of the two empty chairs in front of the desk and finally let go of my arms.
The fingerprints they left will turn into nasty bruises in no time. I open up my senses and reach for them.
Nothing. Vast emptiness.
I close my senses off and sink into my chair. Fucking fae Decarios. Can I fight them by myself to escape?
Before I can decide, the door opens, and an elderly fae with salt-and-pepper hair and a long, flowy purple dress enters. Frowning, I watch her smile and then take a seat in the leather chair across from me.
We sit in silence while she appraises me with a raised eyebrow. Finally, she says, “You’ve put on quite a show there tonight, youngling.”
I blink at her.Youngling?
This fae looks faintly amused. I don’t think I’m in any immediate danger, so I play the part.
I settle more comfortably in my seat, then say, “You’re welcome. Is that how you treat those who have the potential to make you a lot of money around here?”
She laughs, the sound like wind chimes tinkling. “We don’t often extend an invitation to a private meeting for those who compete, but your performance was captivating, Miss?—”
“Calia.” The first fake name that popped into my mind.
“I’m Gloria Esclar,” the fae says.
I don’t recognize it. “Your name says very little to me,” I say. I want to see how much she’s willing to give. “But nice to meet you, Gloria. I hope you’re the one who’s gonna make sure I get paid for the performance you were so impressed by.”
Gloria smiles. “I see you’re new around here, Calia. I’m the head of the Esclar family. The family who not only runs this wonderful establishment, but also owns it.”
Quickly, I open up my senses and find nothing. Gloria’s a Decarios, too. I make a mental note to find out if Esclars are one of the Ezkai families once I’m out of here.
“Then you’re definitely the person who’s gonna pay me,” I tell her. “And once you do, you’ll be myfavoriteperson.”
