Page 33 of Heresy

I stare in shock, the thought that he’s dead crossing my mind before he’s grabbed by another man and pulled into a seated position.

He shakes his head, pats his hands over his body assessing the damage, then pushes to his feet.

I assume he’s fine, but blood runs down the front of his shirt, his nose busted and face swollen.

By the time he’s pulled to the side, another man falls down the steps, except this one catches himself by the handrail before taking the full tumble. He starts back up the stairs at the same time the front door bangs open behind me, more frenetic energy filling the space as police come rushing in.

Their presence should be a relief, but when I snap my attention left to see them get sucked into the chaotic crowd, I lose hope that anybody can clean up this mess.

The absolute lack of control is staggering.

How in the hell is any of this happening?

Just as fast as they disappeared, the police reappear. They’re strong-arming the crowd to get through, most of the drunk patrons finally stumbling their way to the front door to escape arrest.

Warnings are being called out for everyone to move, and the energy calms down as the crowd slowly clears. Not enough to make me comfortable, mind you, but at least I’m not packed in like a frightened sardine anymore.

The cops run upstairs, and I thank the universe that this shitshow is about to end.

Except it doesn’t.

If anything, their presence only ratchets the tension higher, more yelling and laughter erupting upstairs to a point I wonder if the entire club has gone mental.

Thankfully, Ames appears at the top of the stairs, her black wings bouncing behind her as Granger escorts her down. Relief floods me when it appears that she’s in one piece, unaffected by the violence that surrounded her.

But then I remember Everly in that moment, panic recapturing me as my gaze scans the crowd, unable to find her. Before I can push forward to look around, Granger shouts in my ear.

“Keep her here with you. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

Ames is shoved to stand next to me, Granger looking at me like I’m a damn bodyguard despite my legs shaking and the drink still clutched tight to my chest. He rushes back toward the stairs before I can protest.

Hate to tell the guy, but there is no chance in hell I can prevent damage to Ames or myself if it starts heading our direction.

Ames’s voice filters through the continued shouting, her warm lips pressing to my ear.

“Can you believe this? You should see it upstairs. I have never witnessed anything so fucking crazy in my life, and I’ve seen some shit.”

That she has, but with a life like Ames’s, you get used to the danger. It’s probably why she’s able to smile a megawatt grin, excitement visibly thrumming through her as she watches the top of the stairs.

Meanwhile, I’m about to pass out from the adrenaline rush.

I’m the type to avoid danger.

And if Myth is going to be like this more often, Ames is just going to have to find a new job if she wants me anywhere near it.

“Man, I love this job,” she says to herself more than me, her attention completely stolen by the continued activity upstairs.

Of course, she would love this.

I open my mouth to tell just how fucking insane she is, but my words are cut off when she motions to the second floor, her purple gaze locked to a man being led down by the cops.

“It’s one of the twins from that party you took me to. I would recognize him anywhere.”

She nudges me with her elbow, her wide eyes catching mine.

“I’m serious. We should hang out with your kind of people more often. They’re a hell of a lot of fun.”

She can’t be serious.

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