Page 54 of Expose Me

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the music changed. Everyone turned to look at the wall of French doors as performers streamed in. There were angels flying over everyone’s heads, their iridescent wings catching the light from the chandeliers; mermaids waded into the decorative pool in the center of the room and started synchronized swimming; a water fae manipulated the water, sending it flying about the room and dancing with the angels above, tying everything together into one cohesive performance.

The crowd pressed closer as the performers started to spread through the room, incorporating the guests in their display.

Zey and I didn’t even need to talk telepathically or share a look. We knew this was a perfect opportunity to sneak off. Hand-in-hand, we drifted to the back of the room and slipped into the foyer.

There were two Sea and Serpentine guys at the front doors, chatting and standing around with nothing to do now that all the guests were inside. The front doors were wide open though, so Zey and I crossed the space as silently as we could and climbed the grand staircase.

Hallways branched off the first landing in both directions. They were dark and empty, the doors to offices and other rooms shut. But we needed to get to the third floor. I’d made Zey memorize the route to the Onuei—just in case things fell apart.

A light, female laugh drifted down the stairs, followed by the sound of footsteps. Two mermaids were descending the steps, their gowns floating behind them. I yanked Zey into a doorway and pulled him down into a kiss.

He pressed in closer, bracketing me in against the door with his body and his wings.

“Is this really the best time for sexual gratification, Sky?” he said in my mind, his voice teasing. He knew very well what I was doing and was playing along more than willingly, judging by the hardness nudging against my hip.

Unable to respond, I sucked his bottom lip into my mouth and bit down just a little too hard.

He grunted, the sound something between surprise and pleasure.

“Seriously?” one of the women said. “Get a room.”

“So juvenile,” the other one added.

I glanced over Zey’s shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief to see their backs to us. They’d made their judgy comments and were rushing away.

As soon as they were out of sight, we broke apart and rushed up the stairs, all the way to the top floor.

The landing was clear. It was quiet up here, the sounds of music muffled and barely audible.

I checked one corridor—empty. By the time I turned to look down the opposite one, it was already too late.

“Hey! You can’t be up here!” A guard was marching towards us. He was a shifter, probably an aquatic animal judging by his House choice. His purposeful steps ate up the distance.

The “we snuck away from the party to hook up” ruse was not going to work with this dude. I really didn’t want to fight a dolphin or whatever he was. Shifters of all kinds were stupid strong. Even if we won the fight, it would certainly draw the attention of others.

Sighing, I summoned a gun.

Before I could raise it, Zey stepped around me and took several leisurely steps towards the guard. He’d shifted, no longer resembling the Black angel whose image he’d copied at Abraxos’s house.

“Did you hear me? You need to—” The guard came to an abrupt stop a few feet away, standing taller.

“Need to ...” Zey tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. He’d shifted into Philatanus—a demon and Asbesta’s second in command. He had a solid, almost stocky build and a strong brow.

“Apologies, sir. I didn’t realize it was you,” the guard said in a much lower tone.

Zey just grunted, adjusted his leathery wings, and looked at me over his shoulder, effectively dismissing the guy.

“This way.” He held his hand out, ushering me down the corridor. I kept the gun tucked into the folds of my dress and moved to his side at a measured pace. He placed a hand on my lower back, and we wandered away from the guard without incident.

I’d spotted Philatanus downstairs at the party, but I hadn’t said anything to Zey. I had no idea how he knew to shift into him, but I was glad he did.

When we rounded the corner, we sped up, and Zey shifted into his chosen human form. I smiled despite myself. I’d missed his stupid face.

We went right to the door we knew the Onuei was behind.

I reached for the handle.

A whoosh of wind hit my bare shoulder, the sound of wings filling the empty space as a hand clamped around my wrist.

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