Page 23 of Cruelly Fated
“I’m gonna get ready for the shift,” I called over my shoulder, vanishing into the back room. I changed quickly as if I could strip away the memory along with the outfit. Hair braided, lips bare, I stared at my reflection. Maybe this new club gig was a bad idea after all. I could pawn Mom’s necklace and scrape together enough for a lawyer that way. My mind firming around the decision, I slipped out of the bathroom and pushed through the swinging door—then froze.
A lone customer sat at the bar, Larry nowhere in sight.
The man’s glacial blue eyes pinned me in place, not just looking at me, but through me—like he saw too much. I hovered just inside the entrance behind the bar.
He wore a crisp charcoal suit, tailored within an inch of its life, and a gleaming silver watch peeked out from beneath the cuff. He didn’t belong here. Definitely not some casual patron. He had to be here for Larry…but then why sit out here instead of in the manager’s office?
A slow, predatory smile curved his lips. The tips of his fangs glinted under the low light.
Vampire. We didn’t get their type here, unless they came out for a rogue hunt.
I pressed myself back against the liquor shelf, every muscle coiled tight.
“Where’s Larry?” I asked, my pulse hammering in my ears.
The vampire’s gaze slid to the throbbing vein in my neck.
Fae gods… Had he drained Larry? Was I next?
His brow furrowed as his eyes lifted to meet mine—and that was all I needed. Panic flooded my veins, and my mind threw an illusion like a net. While his attention locked on the projection, I bolted into the back room, feet flying toward the exit.
I sauntered toward him, bracing my palms on the counter and leaning in close enough for him to wrap his fingers around my throat if he wanted to. A coy smile touched my lips. “Would you like a taste?”
He swiped at my illusion andBAM!
I blinked, disoriented, sprawled on the floor in front of the back door I’d just run into. Stars burst behind my eyes. I’d never tried holding an illusion and moving my physical body before.
A pair of polished dress shoes approached. He stuffed his hands casually in his pockets, his glacial stare drilling into me. I shrieked and scrambled back on all fours, pressing myself against the wall.
“Get away from me!” I shouted.
The swinging door burst open behind the vampire. Larry waddled into the back room, not a single hair out of place in his over-gelled helmet of a hairstyle. His brows shot up, eyes sweeping over the scene.
“Allie, what are you doing?” he asked, voice pitched somewhere between scold and scoff. “This gentleman asked about you. Is that how you greet our visitors?” He gave a too-wide smile to the vampire, then flicked a pinched expression back to me. His pudgy fingers fluttered in a silent command for me to stand up, his eyes narrowing in warning.
“I think there’s been a small misunderstanding,” the vampire said, his voice smooth, dangerous but enchanting. I slid upright along the wall, my spine scraping against brick. My legs locked beneath me, bracing in case I’d knocked myself hard enough to wobble.
“Valor, Kyon’s acquaintance.” He extended a hand, palm open and casual.
Kyon’s partner? Why would the dragon prince send his terrifying vampire companion to find me?
“Allie,” I whispered, hesitantly placing my hand in his.
Larry let out a dry chuckle, clearly back in his comfort zone.
“Marvelous. I’ll leave you two to chat, then, yeah?” He turned and waddled off without waiting for my answer.
Valor lifted both hands in mock surrender. “I’m not here to harm you.”
I nodded numbly, then bent over, hands braced on my knees. My brain throbbed like a caged animal slamming against the bars of my skull.
An upturned crate appeared in front of me.
“Would you like to sit?” Valor asked.
I dropped onto it without replying, pressing my palms into my temples. “Why did he send you?” I managed. At least my thoughts were still functional, even if the rest of me was a trembling wreck.
Something warm splattered against my thigh. I blinked my eyes open. Blood? Panic jolted me upright. I swiped beneath mynose and pulled back a crimson smear. Wonderful. A nosebleed in front of a vampire.
