Page 122 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella shook her head and stood. She didn’t want preferential treatment. “No, thanks. And yes, I want to start today.”

Kamilla waved a hand toward the bathroom. “Be my guest.”

Aella nodded and went inside the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

* * *

With a black tote bag containing two more sets of work clothes and her hoodie hanging from one shoulder, Aella made her way downstairs. Kamilla was right beside her. She nervously played with the key to her locker. It was standard procedure for the vampire princess to introduce the new employees to the rest of the staff, apparently.

Aella tried not to squirm as the two males leaning against the bar—Rod and someone she didn’t know—gave her a quick look. It wasn’t leering or lingering, but it still made her want to hide behind Kamilla. She didn’t. The uniform wasn’t revealing either—black jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt, and black canvas shoes. It was the right size, so she felt strangely light, and a bit uncomfortable, but also defiant. She had never worn jeans before. It was sinful. And a small, rebellious part of her wanted to be as sinful as possible.

They approached the two males.

“You know Rod already,” Kamilla said, nodding at the tall werewolf.

Rod smiled. “She does indeed, Lady Kamilla.”

Next to him, there was a black-haired, pale, handsome male of about six-foot-three with obsidian piercings in his ears, brow, and nose. He was leaner than Rod, but had that same lethal air about him. His dark eyes were razor-sharp with intelligence and accentuated by black eyeliner.

Aella tried to smile at him but faltered.

Rod pointed at the male. “Don’t let the scowl fool you. Vaz is a softie.”

Vaz arched his pierced brow at Rod, then reached out a hand to Aella. “Vazniroth. But everyone around here calls me Vaz.”

Aella grasped his large, warm hand. A flash of energy crawled up her arm, making her feel transparent and unnerved. He didn’t feel evil, but there was power in him that wasn’t from this world.

Aella’s stomach dropped.

Vazniroth was a demon.

She just knew it.

“Half demon, actually,” Vazniroth corrected.

Aella reclaimed her hand with a jolt, eyes wide as saucers. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kamilla watching her with interest. And she understood why the vampiress didn’t shelter her. Just as Kamilla protected Diana from those who judge her for her kin, so would she stand by her other employees.

So Aella squared her shoulders and met Vaz’s intense dark eyes head-on. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He tilted his head and smiled at her. “And you. Welcome.”

Aella’s smile was small but genuine this time. “Thank you.”

Kamilla placed a hand on Aella’s back and led her toward a short hall. At the end of it, was the door of the staff room. Kamilla opened the door for Aella. She took in the rectangular space. There were two rows of lockers with a bench in the middle, a bathroom, and an exit door to the left. A small kitchenette with a fridge, two microwave ovens, and two square metallic tables with six chairs each to the right.

And there were almost a dozen people there. They all stared at Aella.

She focused on Diana—sitting at one table next to a petite blonde—to quell the impulse to run for the hills. Diana gave her a reassuring smile.

“This is Aella,” Kamilla announced without preamble. “She will be joining us starting tonight.”

Everyone said hello, almost in a chorus.

“Hi,” Aella muttered.

“These are Tim, Alec, and Jordan,” Kamilla said, pointing in turn at the three tall males wearing the bouncers’ uniform—black jacket, t-shirt, and trousers—who were standing by their lockers.

Tim was a dark-haired vampire with bright blue eyes and an easy smile.

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