Page 77 of Halfblood Deceived

Zeydan huffed. “I can live with that.”

He still felt guilty for enjoying himself while Aella was recovering, and Kamilla and Mari worked hard. He’d mentioned that to Kerian while he dithered, first taking the longest shower ever, and then roaming around Aella’s room until Kamilla had all but kicked him downstairs. Kerian had assured him it would be Kam and the others’ turn to burn some steam soon enough. That they needed to clear their heads, and Zeydan had agreed, reluctantly at first, but now he was glad he had listened to Kerian.

Weeks, possibly months of serious work, were coming ahead. He needed to find a home for his family and get ready to welcome a new member. He had to help Aella somehow.

But not tonight.

Tonight, Zeydan would get drunk and pretend to be the irresponsible idiot he’d never been before.

* * *

There was a line of people waiting to be let into Hecate, Kamilla’s club.

Zeydan, Kerian, and Sebastian didn’t have to wait, of course.

The bouncer, a werewolf a couple of inches taller and at least twenty pounds heavier than any of them, let them in with a half smile and a bow to Kerian.

Zeydan breathed in the mix of expensive perfume, fresh sweat, and supernatural light musk as he took in the massive modern club. With red and white walls, a crystal bar full to bursting, and an equally busy dance floor where couples, groups of friends, and throuples moved at the beat of a sensual song.

Kerian drew most of the looks of humans and supernaturals alike, something he was more than fully aware of. The vampire prince flipped his hair and granted males and females alike teasing smiles that nearly made some faint.

Sebastian dodged a stunning vampiress’ attempt to take his hand with a firm shake of the head. She was gorgeous. Tall, lean but curvy, with brown skin and curly hair, wearing two scraps of fabric that barely qualified as a dress.

Her friend, an equally stunning brunette, pulled her aside and whispered something in her ear. The vampiress’ eyes went wide. She gave a speculative, strangely mournful look at Sebastian.

Kerian led them to the VIP area, where he and Sebastian were received with polite nods and greetings. Then steered them to a private corner with a white sofa and an armchair facing the dance floor. Kerian took the armchair. Zeydan and Sebastian shared the sofa. Zeydan sensed a layer of magic wrapping around them, coming from a crystal placed in the center of their small, low glass table. He looked around and realized every table in the VIP area had the same privacy wards. He could hear everything except for the other conversations in the VIP area.

A pretty human woman that smelled like strawberries and fresh sweat brought them a bottle of fey-made rum and tumblers. Her eyes lingered on Zeydan the most. Her smile was obviously inviting as she sauntered off, swaying her denim-covered hips.

Sebastian poured too much booze into each glass, and they all downed it at once.

It burned Zeydan’s throat, but he relished the heat and almost immediate loosening of his tension.

“So, is Evan not fond of clubbing?” Sebastian asked Zeydan.

Zeydan huffed. “Evan is the most outgoing person I’ve ever met. That’s not why he rejected our invitation. He’s Luce’s favorite uncle. And even though Luce hides it well, she feels a bit intimidated by new places and people. So Evan won’t leave her side for a while.”

Kerian nodded. “Evan is a good male. So are Lex and Andreas. You’ve made a great family for yourself, Zeydan.”

Zeydan nodded. “Thank you. I know.”

Sebastian refilled their glasses. “To the families that we make along the way.”

They all toasted to that.

“Now, ready to play my favorite game?” Kerian asked with a conspiratorial grin.

“And what game is that?” Zeydan asked, kicking the part of himself that was apprehensive to hear the answer. His cousin wouldn’t force humans to fill a bottle with their own blood or make them perform carnal, perverse acts on each other. He knew this and yet—

“It’s called, ‘Who’s not getting laid tonight,’” Kerian said, interrupting Zeydan’s dark thoughts.

Sebastian hummed. “The game where we use our supernatural senses to listen in on the awkward conversations of mildly drunk people—usually male—who are definitely not getting laid.”

“Soap operas exist for a reason, you snoopy buggers,” Zeydan pointed out.

“So, you’re not playing?” Kerian challenged, brow raised.

Zeydan scoffed. “Of course I am. I just felt the need to point out that it is very rude.”

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