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ClubNexusByE.J.Stevens
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ClubNexusE.J.Stevens
PublishedbySacredOaks
Press
Copyright2013E.J.StevensAllrightsreserved
Publisher’sNote
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,
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andincidentseitheraretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,
events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
Thescanning,uploadinganddistributionofthisbookviatheInternetorviaanyothermeanswithoutthepermissionofthepublisherisillegaland
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punishablebylaw.Pleasepurchaseonlyauthorized
electroniceditions,anddonotparticipateinorencourage
electronicpiracyofcopyrightedmaterials.Yoursupportoftheauthor’srights
isappreciated.
KindleLicenseNotesThisebookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoyment
only.Thisebookmaynotbere-soldorgivenawaytoother
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people.Ifyouwouldliketosharethisbookwithanotherperson,pleasepurchaseanadditionalcopyforeach
person.Ifyou’rereadingthisbookanddidnotpurchaseit,oritwasnotpurchasedforyouruseonly,thenpleasepurchaseyourowncopy.
Thankyouforrespectingthehardworkofthisauthor.
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TableofContentsIntroductionICEDDUSTEDJINXEDDEMONIZED
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Author’sNote
ClubNexusis
comprisedoffourshortstories—Iced,Dusted,Jinxed,andDemonized.Ihighlyrecommendreadingthesestoriesinorderforthemostpowerful,andpleasurable,readingexperience.
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But,ofcourse,youcanandwillreadthesestoriesanywhichwayyoulike.NomatterhowyoureadClubNexus—backtofront,upsidedown,orinatutu—IhopeyouenjoytheseglimpsesintotheparanormalnightlifeofHarborsmouth.
xx,E.J.
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“ButIdon’twanttogo
amongmadpeople,”Aliceremarked.
“Oh,youcan’thelpthat,”saidtheCat:“we’reallmad
here.”--LewisCarroll,Alice’s
AdventuresinWonderland
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IntroductionWelcometoClub
Nexus,asingularentertainmentexperiencedeepintheheartofHarborsmouth.
Ifyouhavediscoveredourexclusiveclub,thenit’slikelyyoubelongtoourspecializedclientele.Wecatertotheneedsanddesiresofvampires,demons,faeries,
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bothSeelieandUnseelie,andtheirhumanservants.
Toensuretheprivacyofourpatrons,aglamourhasbeencasttowardourclubfromdetectionbynon-paranormals.Wealsoprovideclubsecurity,bothatthedoorandwithinourfineestablishment.
Ourwelltrainedsecuritystaffdomorethankeepoutunwelcomehumanriffraff.Duetoourunique
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locationatopcrisscrossinglaylines,ClubNexushasbeendeclaredneutralground.Assuch,weatClubNexushavestrictrulesofconduct.Bloodshedmustbeconsensualortheguiltypartiesriskpunishment—death,maiming,orbanishmentfromourclub—atoursecuritystaff’sdiscretion.
Ifyoudohungertosatisfyunorthodoxtastesandwishtowalkthetightropeof
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ourrules,youmaybeinterestedintheservicesofMr.Goodfellow.Puckisaresourcefulcreaturewhowilllikelybeabletoprovidewhatyoudesire—foraprice.
WedohopeyouenjoyyourvisittoClubNexus.Whetheryouareinneedofadrink,aspecialsomeone,oraspecialsomeonetodrink,weatClubNexusareatyourservice.
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ICEDIblewastraylockof
hairfrommyeyeswhilerunningadampclothoverthebar.Theravenblackcurlfrozeattheedgeofmyvision,icecrystalsfrommybreathcoatingitlikethedustoffractureddiamonds.Butwithinsecondsthedampchunkofbangsthawedfromtheperpetualheatoftheclub.
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TheheatwasoneofthemanythingsthatIdespisedaboutbartendingatClubNexus.TherewereplaceswithintheclubthatwereascoldastheUnseeliecourtI’doncecalledhome—theyhadsomethingheretopleaseanyfaeintheupperechelonsofpower—butthoseareaswereofflimitstoallbutroyaltyandtheirtrustedstaff.Lowlyclubemployees,suchasmyself,didn’tmakeitpast
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thevelvetrope.Notthatasillyrope
barrierwouldhavekeptmefromthesweetembraceofoneoftheWinterCourt’sicy,privatebooths.No,thetruedeterrentsweretheheavilyarmedguards—agriffinwitharazorsharpbeakandaboggartwithaparticularlynastydisposition,evenforoneofmydarkfaebrethren.Isighedandpushedthelockofhairfrommyface,tucking
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itbehindoneofmypointy,blueears.
Iwasproudofmypointyears,slenderfigure,andunusualsevenfootheight,forthesethingsmarkedmeashighbornfae.WhatIwasn’tsokeenonwasmycurrentlivingsituation.Onceuponatime,I’dgracedthehallsoftheWinterCourtinfineryspunfromspidersilk,myhairpinnedupwithlatebloomingroses,strands
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oficecrystalsaroundmyneck.NowIwasbedeckedinanunflatteringuniform,andhadtobeardrunkenpickuplinesfromlowlylightfaewhileservingmyenemiesdrinksandcleaninguptheirmesses.Oh,howthemightyhadfallen.
I’dbeentrickedintoanunfavorablebargainthatleftmewithnoalternativebuttoworkoffmydebthereatClubNexusaslittlemore
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thanaslave.Themanwho’dtricked
me,anotoriousSeeliefaenamedPuck,waslittlemorethanapimp.Heusedanumberofunderhandedmethodstoholdswayoveravarietyofraces:vamps,demons,humans,andfae.Puckrangirlsthroughthisclubforsex,blood,andsport.IsupposeIshouldcountmyselfluckythathe’dbeenenamoredbytheideaof
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havinganUnseeliebartenderwhocouldchilldrinkswithherverybreath,butmypositionasaservantstillrankled.
Itwasapredicamentthatshouldnothavebefallenoneofthehighborn.Igrippedthedishragtight,thedirtyremainsofspilleddrinksdribblingdownmywrist.Igrimacedatthefoulliquidandtossedtheragintoabucketofsoapywater.
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Sulkingwouldn’tfreemefromthisfouljob,butanearintherightplacejustmight.
IturnedmyattentiontoPuck,whohadwalkedinmomentsbeforeandnowhadhisheadtiltedclosetotheearofavampire.Theymadeanunlikelypair,thetowheadedfaeriewithhissmilingcherubicfaceandthefangedvampirecoatedinthedustofthegrave.Withthefangsofavampiremereinchesfrom
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hisjugularonemightworryforPuck’ssafety,ifyoudidn’tknowwhohereallywas.
Nomatterhisappearance,Puckwasnoangel;hiskindwasworsethananydemon.Hewasatricksterwhothrivedonchaosandthethrillofcheatingothersoutofalltheyhad,whetherthatmeantpartingthemfromtheirmoney,theirblood,ortheir
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souls.Imovedtowardthetwo
onthepretenseoffeedingthesmallfaeriewhoprovidedilluminationfromwithinaglasslanternfurtherdownthebar.Iplacedascoopofhoneyinsideatroughcutintothebaseofthelanternandlistened.
“Inthemarketforashortortalltenpints?”Puckasked.“HadanewshipmentofIceinthisweek,soyour
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drinkcancomefeistyorsedate.Takeyourpick.”
MyearsprickedatthementionofIce—intheWinterCourtwehadoverthreethousandwordsforice—butIrealizedthatPuckwasonlydiscussingthedrughedealttohisspecialclientele.Thedrugwasusedtosubduehumans,andwasespeciallyusefultovampireswhowantednewbloodslaveswithoutthebotherof
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convincingthemortalsfairly.Notthatseducinghumanswhileusingglamourtomakethemselvesirresistiblewouldbeconsideredfairtomostmortals,butitwasagamewefaecouldunderstand.Buttheactofdruggingtheirvictimssenselessseemedlikecheating.
Iwrinkledmynoseandturnedaway.IdislikedvampiresandthestreetnamesforwhatPuckwasselling.
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“Tenpints”wasslangforhumans,sincethatwasthequantityofbloodinanaverageadultand“Ice”wastheblackmarketdrugthatnumbedthemindsofitsusers.ThediscussionofPuck’ssidebusinessletmeknowthatI’dlearnnothingmoreofinteresthere.Puckwasbargaining,notsharingdamningsecrets.
IneededtolearnsomethingIcouldusetogain
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myfreedom,preferablyasecretsodarkthatIcouldthrowoffmybondsandseethetricksterboundintoeternalsuffering.PerhapsI’dfindawaytomakehimmyslaveandlethimlickmybootsafteragoodwallowthroughyetidroppings.Informationaboutdrugsandbloodslaveswasn’tenough;Irequiredsomethingtrulydamning.
Armshangingatmy
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sides,Imovedbacktomypostandsaggedagainstthebar.Caughtupinmyownselfpity,Inearlymissedtheappearanceofawomanwhoseemedtomanifestonthestoolinfrontofme.Ireachedforoneofthepressedleavesweusedforcoastersandsliditontothebar.
“WhatcanIgetyou?”Iasked.
Ikeptmyeyesaverted,studiouslyexaminingmy
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cuticles.I’dfoundthatitwaseasiertoservedrinkswhenIdidn’tpaytoomuchattentiontothecustomers.Youneverknowwhomightstrollthroughourdoors.Iwoulddieofshameifoneofmyfellowhighbornrecognizedmehereinmyservitude.
Iwaitedforthewoman’sreply,buttherewasnoanswer.WithaheavysighIglanceduptoseethefacethatlayinshadowbeneath
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thehoodofacloakofdeepbluelikethenightsky.Thecloakwasbeautiful,butthewomanembracedwithinitsfoldswasmoreremarkablestill.
Ebonyeyesstaredfromafaceofpale,crystallineskinwithlipsthecolorofbruisedinkberries.Iknewthatakissfromthoselipswasjustaspoisonousasthebitterfruittheyresembled.
“Myl-l-l,”Istuttered.
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Myliege,I’dmeanttosay,butthewordswerefrozenonmytongue—literally.ThewomanseatedbeforemewasnoneotherthanQueenMab,ruleroftheUnseeliecourt.MyqueenhadbeenabsentthesepasthundredyearsandnowhereshewasinClubNexus,andshe’dfrozenmylipsshuttight.
“Hush,mychild,”Mabsaid.“Iamnotyetreadyfor
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mywhereaboutstobecomecommonknowledge.OurpeoplehavegrownweakinmyabsenceandIrequireyourservicestorestoreourcourttoitsformerglory.Willyouassistyourqueen?”
Inodded,icytearsfallingfrommyeyestoshatteronthehardsurfaceofthebar.
“Good,”shesaid.“IdobelieveyouwillenjoythetaskInowsetbeforeyou.
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Puck,Oberon’sformerlapdog,hasbeenacquiringtoomuchpowerinthiscity.Killhimquicklyandquietly.Iamgrantingyouyourfreedom,Beryl.Donotwastethisgift.”
Myheartswelled.Freedomatlast!ItwastruethatI’dsoughtalong,painfultormentforthetrickster,butiftheQueenofAirandDarknesswilledit,thenIwouldkillPuckquickly.
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“Youwillnotrememberourconversation,ofcourse,”shesaid.“Mypresencehereinthemortalrealmsmustnotyetberevealed.Butyouareboundbyourbargainallthesame.PutdownOberon’spetandgainyourfreedom.”
Iblinkedandrubbedmyeyes,wonderingwhytheyweremistedoverandmycheekswerewet.HadIfallenasleeponthejob?I
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glancedaroundquickly,hopingPuckhadn’tnoticed.ThelasttimeIdozedoffwhileworking,he’dheldmyhandoveranopenflame.Thebastardknewofmyaversiontofireandtauntedmewithitceaselessly.Thankfully,Puckwastoobusywithhisdiversionstonoticemylapse.Hewasonlynowleavingthedancefloorwithacurvaceoushumanonhisarm.
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Iwipedabsentlyatthecounterinfrontofme,tryingtolookbusyasIstudiedthetrickster’snewconquest.Sheboremultipletattoosonherbarearms,buttheydidn’tlooklikebrandingsorothermarksoffaeownership.Examiningherface,Icouldseethatshewaswearingheavymakeup,buthereyeswerestillbrightandalert.Thehumanwasn’tonIce,yet,butitwouldn’ttakePuck
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longifhewantedherdosed.Allitwouldtakewasaquicksleightofhandwhileorderingheradrinkandshe’dbeanotherslavetoaddtohislarder.
Icouldhavewarnedher.I’ddoneitmorethanoncetothwartPuck’slittlegames,butnottonight.Ididn’tcareaboutthefateofthisweakhuman.Ihadmoreimportantthingstotakecareof,thoughIwasn’tatallsure
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whatthosethingswere.Foramoment,theroomseemedtotiltonitsaxisandcoolairwhisperedalongmyskin.Ishookmyheadandcontinuedwipingatthecounter.
MyhandhitahardobjectandIlookeddowntoseeanornatedaggerinfrontofme.Thatwasodd.Ididn’trememberanycustomerssittingherewhomayhaveleftthisbehind.Myeyesslidfromthe
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weapontoPuckstridingthisway.Igrinnedwide,seeingthechanceI’dbeenlookingfor.I’dalwaysdreamedofalong,slowrevenge,butatthemomentthethoughtofkillingthetricksterquicklyandcleanlyfilledmewithjoy.Yes,heneededtobeputdown.Tonight.
AsPuckwalkedpast,Itossedmydishragoverthedaggerandpulleditacrossthebar.Oncehewasgone,I
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slippedthebladeintothepocketofmyapron,theicecoldhandleacomfortinmysweatinghand.Theweapon’ssuddenappearancemustbeasign.Igrippedthedaggertightlyandslidintoanearbyshadow.
Mycaptorhadgonethroughthedoortotheleftofthebarandintothebackstorerooms.Iknewwhathediddownbelowintheoldwinecellars,andhadlearned
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tokeepmydistancefromhisspecialcustomersandtheirdepravity.
ButnowIeyedthedoorwithlonging,wishingIhadawayinside.Normally,Icouldmakeanexcusetorunbackforsupplies,butitwasa“special”nightaccordingtoPuckandhe’dlockedthedoorstoallexceptpayingguests.
Onebyone,vampireshadbeenlettingthemselves
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inwithnewlycraftedkeysmadeofiron.Idon’tknowhowPuckmanagedtoconveythekeystothevampireswithoutsufferingtheeffectsofironpoisoning,buthissecuritypaidoff.Therewasnowayafaeriecouldstealoneofthosekeysandgainadmittancetohisspecialbloodsuckerparty.
Iwasstillgloweringatthedoorwhenthesouthernvampire,who’dbeensitting
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atthebar,stoodandmadehiswaytowardthebackroom.Asheslidakeyfromthepocketofhisleatherjacket,anideasprungintomymindandIsmiled.Heartracing,Igrabbedastackofbartowels,upendedthevampire’sunfinisheddrinkonthem,andhurriedtohisside.
“Excuseme,”Isaid.“Canyouholdthedoor?IneedtoswaptheseforcleanlinensorPuckwillhavemy
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head.”Alookofdistaste
crossedthevampire’sface,eitheratsuchpushybehaviorbyaservantorthementionofPuck,Iwasn’tsurewhich.MaybehewasjustannoyedthatI’ddelayedhisdinnerplans.Whateverthereasonforhispinchedexpression,thevampireheldthedoorwhileIscurriedpast,hurryingononcehe’dfollowedmeinside.
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Thevampirerushedpastinablurofmovement,notwillingtowasteanymoretimebeforegoingbelowstairs.Ishuddered,grippingthelinenstighttomychest.Themanprobablyalreadyhadhisfangsinsomepoorschmuck’sneckbynow.
ThedoorclickedshutandIreleasedashakybreath,settingthesoiledtowelsontopofalowstackofcardboardboxes.The
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vampirehadn’tbotheredtoswitchonthelightsinhishurrieddescenttothecryptsbelow,andIcertainlywasn’tgoingtoturnthemon.Theroomwasdark,butmyUnseelieeyesweresuitedtolurkinginshadowsandIdidn’twanttoalertPuck,oranyofthevampiresbeingentertainedwithbloodandvice,tomypresence.
Itiptoedtothedoorwe’djustcomethroughand,
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afterplacingmyeartothewoodtolistenforanyoneapproaching,bentlowandblewanicymistintothelock.Whenthekeyholewasfilledwithice,Iturnedtowardthestairsatthebackoftheroom.
Silently,Idodgedcratesandboxes,makingmywayacrosstheroomanddownaflightofstairs.Atthebottom,Icouldhearmovementandthedry,
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hackingsoundofalaughingvampire.Beneathitallranasoundtrackofagony:moans,cries,andshrieksofpainorterror.Iswallowedhardandpulledmyselfuptomyfullsevenfootheight.
SoonIwouldbefreeofthisprisonandthoughtheroadstotheWinterCourtweresealed,I’dfindanewplacetolivewheretheonescryingoutinagonywereSeeliefae,asitshouldbe.I
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imaginedPuckchainedinironandstrungfromoneofthecourt’selaboratelycarvedbalconies.HowMabwouldhavelaughedatsuchasight.Shealwaysdidlovethesweettasteofrevenge.
Iblinkedbackicytearsatthememoryofmylostqueen—ifonlyshe’dreturntous!—andpulledthedaggerfrommyapron.Strangely,theweaponmademefeelclosertomyliege.
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Imovedforward,butasIwasabouttoturnthecornerintothewinecellar,Iheardthefaintscuffofabootonthestairs.Iduckedintodeeperdarknessbehindarackofwinebottles,embracingtheshadowsasIheldmybreath.
Secondslater,amaninanold-fashionedwaistcoatcameintoview.Ifrowned,studyingthemanashedescendedthestairs.Howhadheopenedthelocked
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doorabove?TheiceI’dfrozenthelockshutwithshouldn’thavemeltedsoquickly.
Flameflickeredintheman’seyes,providingmyanswer.Thedappergentlemanwasademon.
Aftersurveyingtheroomandtuggingathisgloves,thedemoncontinuedon.Ilistened,wonderingifIshouldmakemyescapebeforemorepartygoersmade
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theirwaythroughthedooranddownthestairs.Idugmyfingernailsintomypalm,tryingtostemthewaveofdizzinessthatthreatenedtooverwhelmme.IfIwasdiscovered,Puckwouldtakegreatpleasureinmypunishment.
ThesoundofanargumentandPuck’sstrainedvoiceconvincedmetostay.Foronce,thetrickstersoundedworried.Plus,I
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couldn’tshakethefeelingthatIhadadutytofulfill.
Ipressedmylipstogetherandcreptoutfrombehindtheracksofwine,inchingmywayalongthedemon’strail.Atthefirstopendoorway,IcouldhearthedemonandPuckarguing.Istoleaglanceintotheroom,andjerkedmyheadback.
Aslowsmilespreadacrossmyface,theupturnedcurveofmylipsfeelingodd
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aftersomanyyearsofenslavement.ThedemonwascirclingPuck,keepinghimdistractedandoffbalance.Ihadnoideawhattheirargumentwasabout—money,agirl,adrugdealgonewrong—andIdidn’tcare.WhatIsawinthatroomwasanopportunity.
Islippedahandintomyapron,grippingthejeweleddagger.Thiswasmychance.
Withawildyelland
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barkoflaughter,Irushedintotheroom.Iraisedmyarm,thrustingthedaggertowardPuck’sheart—ifthebastardevenhadone—butwaswrenchedtothesideasavampireappearedbeforeme.
Thesouthernvampfromthebar,Ithoughtasmyvisiontunneled,shadowsracinginfromtheperiphery.ItriedtomoveagaintowardPuck,butpainslammedintome.Igaggedandslidtomy
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knees.Thevampiresnarled,
holdingabloody,lifelessarminhisgrasp.Confused,Ilookeddowntoseemyownarmmissing,bloodoozingfrommyshoulder.UnderstandingdawnedandIsmiled.I’dbeoutfromunderPuck’sthumbnomatterwhathappenednow.
Ifumbledatmyapronwiththefingersofmyremaininghand,muscles
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alreadygrowingslowandweak.ThedemoncontinuedhisargumentwithPuckandthevampirewasbabblingabouttheneedtoprotectBiteCluborsomesuchnonsense.Myheadbuzzedandmyvisionblurred.
Ididn’thavemuchtime.
IextractedtheicepickfromthetornseamwhereI’dkeptit,longingforthedayI’dwinmyfreedom.Itwasn’tas
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elegantasthejeweleddagger,butitwouldhavetodo.
Imanagedtogetafootundermeandlunged,jammingtheicepickupward.IfeltthesilverpunchthroughmuscleandslipbeneaththeribsandintoPuck’sheart.HiseyeswidenedinsurpriseandIlaughed.
Adrenalinefading,Ihunglimplyinthearmsofthevampirewho’dgrabbed
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holdofme.Lickingmylips,Ilookedupintothefrenziedfaceofthevampire.Thecreaturelatchedontomyneck,sinkinghisfangsintomyjugular,butInolongercared.
“Ididasyouasked,myqueen,”Irasped.
Myvisiondimmedtoatinypointoflightandmybodyfeltpleasantlycold.Irelaxed,asmilestillonmylips.I’dservedmyqueenand
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beengrantedmyownwish.Nomoretendingbarinasweatynightclub.NofurtherdecadesofservitudetothealmightyPuck,whowasnowdyingalongsidemeinthismoldering,oldwinecellar.
Iwasfree.
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DUSTEDThefirstruleofBite
Clubistherearenorules.Thelackofrestrictionsiswhatmakesoursoireessodangirresistible.BiteClubisanallyoucaneatbuffetofbloodandwontonpleasure.Butlikeallgoodthings,BiteClubcomesinsmalldoses.
Ifvampiresbitanddrainedeverythinginsighton
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aregularbasis,we’dbehunted,staked,andburnedtoashnevertoriseagain.Ituggedatthebrimofmyhat,whichsatcatawampusfromaburstofspeed,andmademywaydownthespiralstaircasetowardthebar.
I’mnotarogue—Icanplaybytherules—butimmortalityisalong,longlifetimeandI’dfoundthatBiteClubhelpeditsmemberscopewiththeboredomand
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frustrationsofeternallifebeneathVampireLaw.
Thevampirecouncilmandatesthatallnewfledglingsadheretotheirlaws,orperish.Whatourmastersdon’tbothertotellusisthatevenafterdecadesoffollowingtherulestotheletter,therestrictionsdonotlift.Andafterhalfacentury,thelawsregardinghowonemustconductahunthadbeguntochafe.
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VampireLawstatesthatfeedingmustbedonediscreetly.Bloodslaves,humanswhogivetheirbloodwillingly,areencouraged—solongasweonlymakeslavesofthoseunfortunatesoulswhomhumansocietyhasalreadyforsaken.Wefeedoffthefringeofhumanity—thehomeless,addicts,runaways—thosewhoareunlikelytobemissedorwhosedisappearancecan
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easilybeexplainedaway.Butthisforceddiscretionscrapedagainstmytruenaturelikeawoodenstakeagainstmyheart.Vampiresarepredators,notscavengingbirdsmeanttoswoopinandpickatthegarbagethathumanscastaside.
Iamnotrashpickin’gull.Iamavampire.
WhenIwasfirstturned,Ileftthefamiliarbayousofmyhometownseeking
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freedom.Ihadhopedthatachangeofsceneryandputtingdistancebetweenmeandmymasterwouldalleviatethefeelingofsuffocationthatplaguedmynewexistence.Whowouldhaveknowntheundeadledsucharepressedlifeafterdeath?
Inchingmywaynorth,I’dfoundmysalvationinadocksidetavernoutsideBoston.I’dmetaman,muchlikethisPuckIwastomeet
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withtonight,whoorganizedaspecialclubforvampireswhowantedatasteofexcitement—andblood.
IwasindoctrinatedintoBiteClub,anofangsbarredgatheringofvampireswho,likeme,chafedattherulesthatboundourdailylives.Atoneofourmeetings,humanscouldbepurchasedand,solongaswewerewithintheconfinesofthedesignatedlocation,wecoulddowhat
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wewantedwiththem.Somemeetingswereinplacessuitableforhuntinggameswhileotherswereinmorecomfortablesettingsforsatinghungerforsomethingotherthanblood.
Butnomatterwhat,thevenuehadalwayschanged.ThatwaswhyIgotsoexcitedwhenIlearnedofthisplace.Followingrumorsfromothermembers,IwasledtoacitywhereBiteClubwashosted
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notonce,butmanytimesataplacecalledClubNexus.Themeetingswerebehindcloseddoors,downintheclub’swinecellars,butIdidn’tmindthecrypt-likesettingifitmeantIcouldhavemyfunwithoutinterruption.Puckmadesurethatonlywellvettedmemberswereallowedadmittance,sotherewasnoriskofpunishmentfromtheVampireCouncil.
Ismiled,theskin
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stretchingtightacrossthebonesofmyface.Itwasn’tbreakingthelawiftheuppitycouncildidn’tknowaboutit.
Isidleduptothebar,awedonceagainbytheshelvesofglowingliquidsencasedinglassbottles.Noneofthesevictualswouldsustainme,therewasonlyonesubstancenowthatcouldaccomplishthat,butIorderedashotofbourbonanyway.Istaredintomyglass,
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watchingtheblue,green,andpinkreflectionssparkleacrossthesurface,whileIwaitedformycontacttoarrive.
Ibreatheddeeplyastwowomen,onefaeandonehuman,crossedtheroomheadingtowardtheotherendofthebar.Inolongerhadtobreathetosurvive,butIscentedtheirbloodlikeasommelierrunningwinealongthetongue.Thefaerie
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smelledliketoastedpainandsimmeringhope,asifshewasacreatureoffirewho’dlongbeenbrokenandwasonlynowbeginningtoputthepiecesofherlifebacktogether.Thehumanlackedthesubtletiesoffaescent,butherbloodpoundedtantalizinglybeneaththeskinandherhairsmelledlikecherryblossoms.
Asafoolboy,I’dpickedbushelsofcherries
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fromanearbyorchardandateuntilIthoughtIwouldburst.Groaningwithanupsetstomachfromovereating,I’dfeltdumberthanastump,thatwascertain,butnowI’dgiveanythingforthatsatedfeeling.Ineededanabundanceofbloodandpaintofeelcontentthesedays,bothofwhichwereinshortsupplywhilefollowingtherulesofVampireLaw.
Iflickedmyeyestothe
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shiftingpurplesandinthehourglasssuspendedabovethebar.Puckwaslate.
Ididn’tcareforPuck’scompany;hewasslickerthanabullfroginarainstorm.ButIhadtoadmit,forafaerie,hewassensible.He’dhadthehorsesensetomakearegularbusinessoftheBiteClubclienteleandoursundryneeds.DevianceisnothingifnotfullofvarietyandPuckhaddiscoveredhowto
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capitalizeoneachandeveryoneofourdesires.Infact,Iwouldn’tbesurprisediftheimpwaspurposelylatetoourmeetingstobuildthesuspense,andemptymywallet.
Iscowledatthetimeandmassagedmytemples.Wherethedevilwashe?Beneathmyglamour,myfangslengthened.Ineededtofeed,now.PerhapsifIboughttheladiesattheother
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endofthebaradrink,Icouldlurethemintoashadowycorner.Thecouncilbedamned.
IwassocaughtupintheduststormofmythoughtsthatIjumpedwhenahandslappedmyback.Iturnedtoseethebodyofayoungmanattachedtotheoffendinghand.Puckappearedtobeaboutseventeen,nomorethanthreeyearsyoungerthanI’dbeenwhenIwasturned,
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buthisdimplesandmopofcurly,blondhairgavehisfaceachildishinnocence.Asmymawouldhavesaid,hewascuterthanaboxofpuppies.
Andlikeapuppy,he’dbehappytotakeallIhadtogiveandthenshitinmyboots.Toobadhewastheonlypurveyorofvice—truevice,thekindwithoutlimits—inthisgodforsakentown.
“You’relate,”Isaid.I
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tossedbackthebourbonandupendedtheemptyglass,slammingitonthebarwithawallop.
“Sorry,Cyrus,”Pucksaid.Thecurlofhislipwasenoughtoknowthefaerie’sapologywasn’tgenuine,butIheldmyselfrigid.Tearingoffthisone’sheadwoulddomenogood.More’sthepity.
“Iain’tseenhidenorhairofyouallevenin’,”Isaid.Ifrownedaroundmy
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fangs,tryingtoignoretheacheinmyjaw.
“Busynight,”Pucksaidwithashrug.
PucklookedaroundthebarandsmiledatoneofthewomenI’dbeenstalking.Myprey.Thepredatorinmewantedtolashoutandtearhisspinethroughhiseyesocket,butIpressedmylipstogetherandremainedseatedonthebarstool.Thefaeriemaybetoobigforhis
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britches,buthe’dprovidemewithadinnerdatesoonenough.
“GotwhatIcamefor?”Iasked.NosenseinwaitingwhilePuckmadeeyesatthehumanwoman.Iwaspastwaitingontheman.Itwastimetogetdowntobusiness.
“Inthemarketforashortortalltenpints?”heasked.“HadanewshipmentofIceinthisweek,soyourdrinkcancomefeistyor
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sedate.Takeyourpick.”IcewasthedrugPuck
waspedalinglately.Ireckoneditwassomemagicconcoctionthatgaveparanormalsaeuphorichighandlefthumansstonedoutoftheirrightminds.
“Iprefermymealkickin’andscreamin’,”Isaid.
Icouldn’tabidemypreydruggedsixwaystoSunday.Wherewasthefun
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inthat?“Feistyitisthen,”he
said.“WhencanIeat?”I
asked.“Ingoodtime,”he
said.“LikeIsaid,it’sbeenabusynightandyou’renottheonlyvampireinthiscitywithneeds.”
“Ishouldn’toughtahavetowait,”Isaid.
“Don’tworry,myfriend,”hesaid.“Youwon’t
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havetowaitmuchlonger.Customerinfrontofyouisaquickfeeder.Manwillbedoneinfifteenminutestops.Givehimtimetofinishup.”
“Fine,”Isaid,holdingoutmyhand.
Puckupendedavelvetbagembroideredwitharcanesymbolsandhandedoveranironkey.
“Atmysignal,enterthebasement—nosooner,”hesaid.“Usetheroomonthe
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right,sameaslasttime.Yourtoysarealreadylaidoutforyou.”
Ifidgetedonmystoolandtriednottogazelonginglyatthebasementdoor.Assoonasthevampireaheadofmewasdonefeeding,it’djustbeme,myprey,andaroomfullofchains.I’dbehappierthanapiginpoop.
Puckstoodandslappedmeontheback.
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“Gottarun,Cyrus,”hesaid.“Havefun.”
“Alwaysdo,”Isaid.Ispokeintoempty
space.Thefaeriewasalreadystruttingdownthebartowardthehumanwomanandherfriend.Iturnedbacktothehourglassandclickedmyfingernailsagainstthebartop.Itseemedlikeagesfortheothervampiretoclearoutofthebasement,butfinallyavampirewholookedlike
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someYankeeWallStreetstockbrokercameoutofthedoorinablur.
It’shardtokeepourothernessincheckimmediatelyafterafeed.Thebloodgamesprovideaeuphoricrushthatpushesourbodiestogloryinourvampiricspeedandstrength.TheYankeevampireheldhisbodyatoddangles,crackedthebackofachairhetouchedinpassing,andmovedtoo
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quickly.Evidently,he’ddrunkhisfill.
SowhereintheHellwasPuck?
Ifocusedonthefaerie’svoiceandsoonpinpointedhislocation.Hehadn’tgonefar.Hewaswiththehumanwomanandherintoxicatedfriend.JudgingfromPuck’sface,hisattemptstowinoverthetwowomenhadn’tgonewell.IfIwasn’tsohungry,thethoughtwouldhavemade
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mesmile.Instead,Igrimaced,waitingforPucktogetonwithit.
Finally,afteraneternityspentspyingonPuck’sflirtationswiththehumanwoman,hecamewalkingmyway.Ashepassedthebar,Puckreacheduptoscratchathischeekwithtwofingers.Thatwasthesignal;twominutes.
Fromthecornerofmyeye,IwatchedPucksaunter
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overtowardatableofvampiresattheedgeofthedancefloor.Hepassedsomethingtooneofthemenandcontinuedontowardthebasementdoorattheendofthebar.
Apulseofpleasureracedupmyspineandmyfangstingledwithanticipation.I’dexercisedenoughpatienceandrestraintforonenight.I’dsatlikeabumponalogwhilethat
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othervampiredrankhisfill.Nowitwasmyturn.Islidliquidlyfromthe
barstoolandturnedawayfromthecrowd.Pattingthekeyinmyfrontpocket,Iwalkeddownthebartowardthebasementdoor.
Awomanbrushedby,theedgesofhermidnightbluecloaktwiningaroundmyankleslikecoldbloodedserpents.Ishivered,whichwassomethingIhadn’tdone
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sincemyhumandays.Thecolddoesn’tgenerallyaffectyouonceyou’vefeltthechillofthegrave.Myreactionwasoddenoughtomakemeturnaround,seekingthemysteriouswoman.Butthecloakedfigurewasgone.
Iclenchedmyjawinfrustration,andmythirstreturned.Awomanthatbeautifulwasasscarceashen’steeth,butIwasn’tinterestedenoughtoattempt
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pursuit.Therewasn’tmuchthatcoulddistractmewhenI’dsetmymindtothepleasuresofabloodhunt.Thecreatureswhofrequentedthisclubmayallowataste,butoftenforaheftyprice,andthey’dneverletmeplaythegamesItrulydesired.
Myheadsnappedbacktofocusonthedoorjusttotheleftofthebar.BehindthatdoorlaywhatIsought.Yourtoysarealreadylaidout
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foryou.Ifeltaslowsmileskitteracrossmyface.Ihadagoodfeelingabouttonight.
Bootswhisperingalongthefloor,Ipulledthekeyfrommypocketandforcedmyselftowalk,notrun,tothedoor.Desirestirredwithinmelikecreaminabutterchurn.Beyondthatunassumingportallayaworldofpleasures.
“Excuseme,”saidavoiceatmyshoulder.I
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scowledandpulledmygazefromthedoor.I’dbeenwaylaidbytheblue-skinnedbartender.Irecognizedherastheonewho’dpouredmyglassofbourbon.“Canyouholdthedoor?IneedtoswaptheseforcleanlinensorPuckwillhavemyhead.”
Puckmight“haveherhead”forslackinginherduties,butthewomanhadnoideahowcloseIwastoliterallytearingherheadfrom
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herbodyandtossingitacrosstheroomlikeahottater.Toobadthatkindofruckuswoulddrawtheattentionofclubsecurity,andputakinkinmyplans.
“Fine,”Isaid,openingthedoor.“Nowgoonandquitpiddlin’,orI’llleaveyououthere.”
Thefaeriewomanscurriedinside,armsladenwithsoiledlinens.Onceinside,forjustamoment,I
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consideredtakingthebartenderasanappetizer,butthenIheardacryfrombelow.Puckwastenderizingmymeal.Timetogetamoveon.
CasksofwinemovedbyinablurofmotionasInearlyflewthroughthestoreroomanddownaflightofstairs,leavingthefaeriewomanbehind.Icontinuedon,slippingthroughtheshadowswithouttheneedof
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alight,followingthesoundofsomeonepitchin’ahissyfit.
TheyalwaysdidthatwhentheIceworeoff.Don’tknowhowPuckmanagedtotimeitsoperfectly.Ireckonhedruggedthemataspecifiedtime,makingourmealssuggestibleandeasytotransportintothebasementroomswherewehadourfun.Ofcourse,wepredatorspreferourmealsfeisty.It
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wouldn’tdotohaveourpreyruffiedtoHellandgone.What’dbethefuninthat?
IpulledupshorttoseePuckinthedoorwaytomyusualroom.
“I’veoutdonemyselfwiththisone,Cyrus,”Pucksaid,gesturingformetolookinsidetheroom.
Foronce,thefaeriewasgivingittomestraight.Thewomanshackledtothewallwasfinerthanfrog’shair.
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Likeahuman’spalate,vampireshavepreferencesforwhat’sonthemenu,andthiswomanwasjustmytype.
“She’saspittin’image,”Isaid.
I’dgivenPuckafadedphotographtogobyandtonighthe’dcomethroughinspades.Theauburnhairedbeautywasstrugglingagainstthemanaclesandnekkedasajaybird.Myfangslengthenedandanachecoursedthrough
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mybody.Ireachedintomycoat
andtossedanenvelopeofcashtowardtheretreatingfaerie.Iclosedthedoor,knowingPuckwouldn’tgofar.Nomatterwhatthemanclaimedaboutrunningthisbusinessforprofit,hewasinitformorethanthemoney.
OnmorethanoneoccasionthefaeriehadlingeredoutsidethedoorofmyroomwhileIfed.
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Judgingfromthepheromonescomingofftheguy,Pucklikedtolisten.Wellgoodyforhim,tonighthewasinforatreat.
Isettoworkonthewoman,callingherbythenameofsomeonelongdeadandgone.Itriedtomakeitlast,savorthearomaofherfear,butsheremindedmesomuchofanirretrievablepast.Withinsecondsshewasbleedinglikeastuckpig.I
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fedquicklyanddeeply,pausingonlywhenIheardaruckusoutsidethedoor.
SomeonehadenteredthebasementandwasarguingwithPuck.Bestseewhatallthefusswasabout.Imaynotliketheman,butPuckprovidedmewithwarmmealslikethisone.Ipulledanarmacrossmymouthandwenttolistenatthedoor.
“Playingatjudge,jury,andexecutioner?”Puck
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asked.“That’snotlikeyou,Forneus.Heck,Ididn’tthinkyouhadtheballs.Goodforyou.”
Iswungthedooropen,nearlytakingitfromitshinges,andrantodefendPuck.AdemonstoodfacingPuckfromacrosstheroomandtheblue-skinnedbartenderwasrushingtowardPuckwithherarmraised,ajeweleddaggerinherhand.
“NoonethreatensBite
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Club,”Isnarled.IslidinfrontofPuck
andhissed,spittleandbloodfleckingthewide-eyedfaeriewoman.Inthesamemotion,Iplantedmyfeetwide,grabbedthewoman’sarmandwrencheditfreefromherbody.Thejeweleddaggerthat’dbeenplungingtowardPuck’schestwasnolongerathreat.
Iflungthearmacrosstheroom,nostrilsflaringand
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fangsaching.Evenfullasatickfrommypreviousmeal,thebloodsprayingfromthefaerie’sshoulderheldmyraptattention.Acoilofneedgrewinsidemygut.
Onceagain,itwastimetofeed.
ThefaerielungedtowardPuck,andIstruck.Ilatchedontoherneck,sinkingmyfangsindeepandlettingtherapidpulseofthearterycarrymeaway.
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Lostinaseaofblooddreams,Ilosttrackofevents.Butasthefaerie’sheartfaltered,Icametomysensesandscannedtheroomforadditionalthreats.
Flameflickeredalongthedemon’sfingers,makingmeflinch,andahumanwomancamerushingintotheroom,crossbowattheready.Atfirst,thehumanaimedthebowatthedemonandIthoughtshe’dtakecareofthe
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manforme.Butshespunandtrainedherbowonme,demandingIreleasethefaeriegirl.
Itossedthecorpsetotheground.Inolongerneededthefaeriewoman;shewasdrierthanabaronSunday.Butthehumanwasanotherstory.
Irushedforward,thestingofacrossbowboltnotevenmakingmepause.Theboltwasn’twood,soit
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couldn’tstopme,butI’dstillmakethewomanpayfortheminorwound.MyfingernailslengthenedasIextendedmyhandstowardthewoman—allthebettertoflaythefleshfromherbones.
Ireachedout,closingthedistance,butsuddenlythewomanwasgoneandthedemonwasstandinginfrontofme.BeforeIhadtimetowonderwheremypreyhadgone,ablindingpainshot
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throughmychest.ThenallIcouldseewastheceiling.
I’dbeenstaked.Itriedtomove,butI
wasweakasalamb.Icouldn’tsomuchasflexmyfingers.Istrainedtohearpasttheringinginmyears,wonderingwhatthedemonhadplannedforthelikesofme.Probablynothinggood.
IreckonedIwaspastredemptionnow.I’dbrokenVampireLawandwas
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beyondreceivinghelpfromthecouncil.Pucklaybleedingcloseby,notthathewasevenafriend.Forthefirsttimeindecades,Ifeltremorse.HowlonghaditbeensinceI’dhadfaithfulfriendsoralliestowatchmyback?
Mypastwassteepedinblood.Aftermyrising,I’dkilledeveryonewho’devermatteredtomeasahuman.I’dmurderedmyfriendsand
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familyandreveledintheirpain.
Eventually,thedemoncametostandoverme,flameflickeringinhiseyes.Iknewthenwhathemeanttodoand,surprisingly,apartofmewelcomedthisfinaljudgment.Allthingshaveanending,andI’dhadalongunlife.
I’dcheateddeathandcausedaspeedbumpinthecycleoflife.Ishouldhave
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diedlongago.Whentheflamescame,Ismiled.Itwastimetocompletethecycle.
Itwastimetoreturntodust.
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JINXEDOfallthenightclubs,in
allthecities,inalltheworld,thefreakin’demonhadtowalkintoClubNexus.Mynickname,Jinx,hadneverseemedmoreappropriate.Ireallywasoneoftheunluckiestpeopleontheplanet.
ThesightofForneusstridingpurposefullyacross
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theclubtowardmemademybreathquickenandskintingle.Itriedtolookaway,oratleaststammerawarningtoIvywhowasorderingourdrinks,butmybodyhadgoneonstrike,completelydisconnectingfrommybrain.AngeranddesirestolethewordsfrommylipsandIcontinuedtofacethedemonheadon.
WhenitcametoForneus,Iadmit,Ihave
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issues.Idesperatelywantedto
kissthemanandshoothiminequalparts.That’stheproblemwiththedemonlawyer.HeissofrustratinglyattractiveandyeteverytimeheopenshismouthIfeeltheurgetowipethatsmugsmileoffhisface—withasledgehammer.Everymoveofhispowerfulbody,everygestureofhisslenderhands,andeveryleerdownhis
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aquilinenosesentwavesofheatdownintomybellyandmademybloodboil.
Yes,Ishoulddefinitelyshoothim.
SinceForneuswasademon,he’dprobablysurvivetheshooting,mightevenenjoyitifIhadn’tdippedmycrossbowboltsinholywaterbeforeleavingtheloft.Islippedmyhandfromthebarandreachedovermyshouldertowheremycrossbowwas
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slung,keepingmyeyesonthedemon.MyfingerstracedthehandleoftheweaponandIlickedmylipsinanticipation.
ForneusapproachedfromthesideoppositeIvyandslidanarmaroundmywaist.Warmthspreadthroughmeandneedspiraledlowinmybelly.Asifsensingmydesire,aknowingsmileliftedhislipsandheatsimmeredinhiseyes.
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Ishiftedinmyseat,givingForneusaleerofmyown,andfroze.Ivy,glowingwildlylikeafourthofJulysparkler,wasthereinaflash,holdingaknifetoForneus’throat.Damn,shewasfast—andpissed.
Evenifherglowingskinhadn’tgivenawaymyfriend’sagitation,thenthesheenofsweatonherupperlipandherrapidbreathingwouldhavebeenaclear
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indicationofjusthowmuchIvyloathedtheideaofcomingthisclosetotouchinganimmortaldemon.Well,whenitcametothisparticulardemonthatwassomethingwebothhadincommon.
Anditwasn’tdemoncootiesshewasworriedabout.IfsomuchasaninchofherskinbrushedagainstForneus,Ivywouldbetrappedinmillenniaof
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nightmarevisions,directfromHell.AndthatwasonestationI’msureshedidn’twanttotuneinto,ever.Buthereshewas,holdingoneofherbladestohisthroat.Herglovedhandbarelyshookasshestareddownthedemon.
ItwasthenthatIrealizedthemusichadstopped.Infact,theentireclubhadgonesilentasagrave,everysinglebreathingpatronholdingtheircollective
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breath.Iflickedmyeyesaroundtoseehundredsoffaeries,andevenafewvamps,staringatIvy’sbladewhereitdugintoForneus’throat.Theonlymovementwasfromahalfdozenlargeogresastheypushedtheirwaythroughthecrowd.
Heartracinglikethedancemusicthatshouldhavebeenplaying,myhandtightenedonthecrossbow,andIthumbedoffthesafety.
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Haditbeenfoolishtocockandloadthebowbeforeenteringtheclub?Probably,butIwasnowhappythatIhad.Iftheclub’sbouncersturnedonmeandIvy,we’dgodownfighting.
Agrowlingvoice,precededbyaquickpuffofair,warnedmeofanewcomertothefight.IsuckedinashakybreathandturnedtoseeagriffinalightontopofthebarstoolIvyhad
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vacated.“Iwouldn’tdothatifI
wereyou,human,”hesaid.Thedog-sizedcreature
hadarrivedbeforetheotherbouncersbyusingitswingstoflyoverthecrowdedroom.Thoughsmallerthanthefastapproachingogres,thegriffinlookedjustasdeadly.Aneagleheadsportingahookedbeakrestedatopthebodyofalion,clawsandall.
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“Whynot?”Iasked,keepingmyvoicelow.“What’sgoingon?”
“You’vethreatenedviolencewithintheclub’swalls,”thegriffinsaid.“Therewillbenobloodshedhere.ClubNexusisneutralground.Ifyouwishtokilleachother,takeitoutside.”
“Thisisallamisunderstanding,”Forneussaid,spreadinghishandswide.“Theselovelyladies
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weren’tthreateningmeGregor,notagainstmywill.Thiswasjustalittlegameweconcocted.Tokeepthings…interesting.”
“Demons,”thegriffinspatunderhisbreath.
“What?”Forneusasked,eyeswide.“Eternityisalongtime,asyouwellknow.Amanmustdosomethingtospicethingsupabitnowandagain.”
Thegriffin,Gregor,
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frowned,butnoddedtotheogreswhonowstoodatIvy’sback.Oneoftheogrescrackedhisknuckles,butnoneofthemreachedformyfriend.Itookthatasagoodsign.EspeciallysinceoneofthosehandscouldpalmIvy’sheadlikeasoftball.
“Youknowtherules,Forneus,”Gregorsaid.“Ifyourgamesinvolveconsensualviolence,youmustsubmittheappropriate
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paperworktoclubsecurity.Nearlyanybehaviorisallowedwithaproperpermit,butwedonotallowanarchywithinthesewalls.”
“Paperwork,”Forneusmuttered,rollinghiseyes.“You’reallnearlyasbadasHell.”
“Inthemeantime,”Gregorsaid,turningtoIvy.“Sheathyourweapons.Therewillbenobloodshedwithoutfilingthenecessary
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paperwork.”Thedemonsighedand
foldedhisarmsacrosshischest.
“Mightaswelldoastheysay,darling,”hesaid.“Youcan’tcutthroughthisredtapewithweapons.Butifyoudodecidetofight,I’mhappytoprovideyouwithlegalservices…foranominalfee.”
Ishookmyheadatthedemonlawyer’soffer.Pay
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Forneustogetusoutofthisjam?Overmydeadbody.AsIsawit,itwashisfaultwewereintroublewithclubsecurityinthefirstplace.Isnortedandinchedawayfromthedemon.Atleasthisarmwasnolongerwrappedaroundmywaist.
IvylookedatmeandInodded,slippinganemptyhandintomylap.CuttingForneus’throatandimpalinghimwithacrossbowbolt
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werethingsthatwouldjusthavetowait.Ivyloweredherbladeandshoveditintoasheathconcealedbeneathherleatherjacket.Inonequickmovement,sheslidawayfromForneusandleanedagainstthebaratmyside.
“Arewegood,griffin?”sheasked,nevertakinghereyesoffForneus.
“Yes,Princess,”Gregorsaid.“Dotrytofollowtherulesinthefuture.”
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Ivygruntedanaffirmativeandthegriffintookwing.Apparently,thatwasthesignalfortheclubtoreturntonormal.Musicpulsedthroughtheroomanddancersreturnedtotheirearlierswayingandgyrating.
Scowling,Ivyslidbackontoherbarstoolandturnedtowatchdemon.
“Ah,now,wherewerewe?”Forneusasked.Hemovedcloser,brushing
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againstmyleg.“ShallIbuyyouthatdrink?”
Forneusperchedontheedgeofthebarstoolbesidemeandnowthatweweren’tbeingchewedoutbyclubsecurity,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethathesmelleddifferent.Wasthatcologne…andmouthwash?WasForneustryingtocoverupthestenchofbrimstonethatusuallyclungtohimlikeahellspawnfart?Whatever
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he’ddone,itwasanimprovement.HeatflaredfromwhereourlegstouchedandIwonderedifhetastedasgoodashesmelled…
Forneusturnedaraisedeyebrowmyway,butIwassodistractedthatI’dforgottenthequestion.Iblushed,tryingtorememberwhathe’dasked.Ivybristledatmyside,herskinglowingsobrightlythatIhadtoblinkrapidlytokeepmyeyesfrom
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tearingup.“Um…”Isaid.“No,”Ivysaid.Ishookmyhead,
clearingawaytheridiculousimpulsetocrawlintoForneus’lapandrunmyhandsthroughhisslickedbackhair.Right,thedemonhadofferedtobuymeadrink.Getagrip,Jinx.Geesh,IwasheretocelebratetheendofmyrelationshipwithHans.Iwasn’thereto
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hookupwithsomenewguyworthyofastabbing.
“Nothanks,Forneus,”Isaid.“I’dratherchewonthumbtacks.”
“Really?”heasked,eyelidsathalfmast.Thosebedroomeyesnearlydidmein,butIvyslidoffherstool,handstwitchingathersides.Iknewthatwithhernewfaeriespeed,shecouldhaveabladeatForneus’throatagaininasecond,andtohellwith
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theconsequences.“Fine,fine.Untillater,ladies.”
Withawinkandabow,Forneusturnedandslippedawayintothecrowd,leavinganemptyacheinmygut.Iputahandtomystomach,wishingmytraitorousfeelingswouldstopcomplicatingmylife.HavingthehotsforasexydemonwasnotaproblemIneededrightnow.
“Idon’tknowwhatyou
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seeinhim,”Ivysaid.“Whatdoyoumean?”I
asked.“Areyoutellingme
youdidn’tjuststareathisbuttlikeitwasadouble-fudgebrownie?”sheasked,raisinghereyebrows.
Ishruggedandturnedbacktothebar.
“Youtwoneedtofigurethingsoutsoon,beforesomeonegetskilledinthecrossfire,”shesaid.
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“Figurewhatout?”Iasked,staringatthecolorful,glowingbottlesthatlinedtheshelvesbehindthebar.
“Likeifyouwanttothrowtheguyintobedoranemptygrave,”shesaid.
Isighedandpickedatadrinkcoaster,crumplingbitsofconfettiontotheebonybar.Atleast,Ithoughtitwasacoaster.Upcloseitresembledadriedoutleaf.Weirdofaeries.
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“IguessIwantabitofboth,”Isaid,turningtoIvy.Shegroanedandsqueezedhereyesshut.“What?”
“Justhadanimageofyouhumpingthedemonlawyerinagraveyard,”shesaid.
“Yeah,metoo,”Isaidwithasigh.Iletmyheaddropintomyhands,elbowsrestingontheleafstrewnbar.“Ican’tdecideifIneedbrainbleachoracrateof
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condoms.Heck,dodemonshaveSTDs?”
“Mab’sbones,Idon’twanttoknow,”shesaid,wrinklinghernose.“Idon’tevenknowhowyoucanstandthestench.”
“Youmeanhiscologne?”Iasked.Ithoughthesmelled…yummy.
“Isthatwhatwe’recallingitnow?”sheasked.“Hesmellslikehellfireandbrimstone.Itmakesmy
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sinusesburn.”“That’sweird,”Isaid.
“I’vesmelledthatonhiminthepast,buttonightIthoughthesmelledgood.Likehe’dputoncologneandswishedwithsomekindofcinnamonmouthwashorlikehe’dbeensuckingonhotballs.Nodemonstenchatall.”
“Youdidnotjustsayhisbreath,ademon’sbreath,smelledlikehotballs,”shesaid.Ivyslappedagloved
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handoverhermouth,buthereyeswerelaughingatme.
“AndIcan’tbelieveyoujustwentthere,”Isaid,chuckling.“Whoareyouandwhathaveyoudonewithmyprudishfriend?Whichremindsme,westillhaven’ttalkedaboutyouandCeff.Iwanttohearallaboutthehotkelpiesex.”
Ivysighed.“Ithinkweneedthose
drinks,”shesaid.
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OurdrinksstillsatonthebarwhereIvyhadleftthembeforetheForneusdrama.Sheslidapintglasstowardmeandraisedherowninmocksalute.InoticedthatIvy’shadafamiliarchipinthesideandwonderedhowshe’dtalkedthebartenderintoservingherinherownglass.Whoknows,maybeweirdrequestslikethatweren’tthatunusualaroundhere.Theydidusedeadtree
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droppingsascoasters.“Togirls’nightout,”I
said,smiling.“Maywesurviveit,”
shereplied.Ivyknockedbackherdrinkandwipedhersleeveacrosshermouth.“So,canwegohomenow?”
“Noway,”Isaid.“I’mnotgoinganywhereuntilIdancewithatleastonedecentguy.”
“Iwasafraidofthat,”shesaid.
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Ivy’seyescontinuedtoscantheroom,alwaysonthealertforthreats.Ifollowedhergaze,sizingupeacheligiblebachelorintheplace.Inaclubthishuge,you’dthinktherewouldbeplentyofavailablehotties,butaquicksurveyofthedanceflooronlymademewanttogohomeandhugmycrossbow.
“There’sgottobeonemanherewhodoesn’twanttoeatmyfaceorplantmutant
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babiesinmyeyeballs,”Isaid.Ivychuckledandshook
herhead.Iwasexaggerating,abit,butthereweresomeprettyfreakyfaecreatureshere.Foreverybeautifulfaerie,therewassomethingthatlookedlikeamonsterfromSaturdaymorningcartoons.Andthoughvampslookedyummyenoughtomyeyes—thefaerieointmentIworedidn’tcutthroughundeadglamour—Ivyhad
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assuredmethatIdidn’twanttodateone.Nomatterhowsexytheirglamourmadethemlook,embracingbones,fangs,andcorpsedustwasjustnotmything.
“Whatabouthim?”Ivyasked,studyingaguywhowasstandingfurtherdownthebar.“Helooksharmless,forafaerie,andhe’skindacute.”
Itookintheboyishfaceandshockofcurly,blondhair
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andsighed.Hewascute,butnotreallymytype.Hewasaboveaverageheightandcoveredinleanmuscle,buthisgoldencurlswouldhavesuitedoneofthosecreepy,nakedbabiestheyputonValentine’sDaycardsandhisskinlookedsofterthanmine.
“Iprefermaturemen,”Isaid.“He’sprobablyjailbait.”
Ivylaughed.“Idoubtit,”shesaid.
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“He’sprobablyhundredsofyearsolderthanyou.”
HeturnedourwayandsmiledandInearlyrolledmyeyes.Theguyevenhaddimples.IvywavedandIresistedtheurgetopunchher.Jailbaitwasnowwalkingourway.
“Great,lookwhatyou’vedone,”Iwhispered.“Sincehe’sonhiswayover,canyouatleasttellifhe’sSeelieorUnseeliefae?”
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Notthatafaerie’scourtaffiliationmeanttheywerenecessarilygoodorevil.IvywashalfwispandCeffwasakelpie,bothoftheUnseeliecourt,andtheydidn’tactliketheyhadgoneovertothedarkside.ButIfigureditwasbesttobeforewarned.IjustwishedfaerieswalkedaroundwithdifferentcoloredlightsabersorsomethingsoIcouldtellwhichteamtheywereon.
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“I’malightfae,”theguysaid,steppinguptomyside.“Andyoumustbethelovelyhumaneveryoneiswhisperingabouttonight.”
Crap.Peskyfaeriehearing.Ishouldhavelearnedbynowthatthetricksyimmortalscouldhearfromacrosstheroom,iftheywantedto.Leaveittometoopenmymouthandinsertapairofplatformsandals.
“Um,goodtoknow
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you’reoneofthegoodguys,”Isaid.“I’mJinx.”
“Puck,”hesaid,reachingforandkissingthebackofmyhand.Hisgreeneyestwinkledandthatdimplewasback,butIvywasright.Therewassomethingabouthimthatseemedolderthanhisapparenteighteenorsoyears.
“AsinTHEPuck?”Ivyasked.
Ipulledmyhandback,
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thankfulfortheinterruption.Foramoment,I’dfeltlikePuckandIwerestandingaloneinanancientforest.Iwipedmyhanddownmythigh,wonderingifthelingeringscentofpineandsoundofdead,rustlingleaveswasonlymyimagination.Hadthisinnocentlookingguyworkedsomekindoffaeriemagiconme?Andifkissingmyhandhadsentusintosomedreamyforest,
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whatwouldarealkissdo?Ashiverranalongmyspine;Iwasn’tsureifIwantedtofindout.
“Theoneandonly,”hesaid.HeleanedinsoclosethatIcouldcountthefrecklesthatdottedhisnoseandcheeks.“Haveyouheardofme?”
HewaggledhiseyebrowsandIvylaughed,butIjustsatthere,wishingI’dorderedaseconddrink.I
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knewmybrainwasscrambledaftertheencounterwithForneus,butIhadnoideawhattheyweretalkingabout.IwasprettysureI’dneverheardthenamePuckinmylife.
“No,areyoufamousorsomething?”Iasked.
“Morelikenotorious,”Ivysaid,smiling.“PuckheremadeitintoShakespeare’splayAMidsummerNight’sDream.IftheBardistobe
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believed,he’ssomethingofatrickster.”
Ivy’smomhadbeenbigintoShakespeare,whichexplainedhowmyfriendhadheardofPuck.Ilikedoldbooks,music,andmovies,butmyideaofretrowastheearly1900’s,notthedinosaurage.
“Thouspeak'staright;Iamthatmerrywandererofthenight,”hesaidwithabow.
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SothisguyPuckwassomekindofcelebrityfaerietrickster?What,exactly,didthatmean?
“So,um,whatkindoftricksarewetalkingabout?”Iasked.“Nairinshampoobottles?Stickingfirecrackersupafrog’sbutt?”
Oops.Ifeltheatrisetomyface,wishingagainforthatseconddrink.Iswearsometimesmymouthhasamindofitsown.Thankfully,
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PucksmiledandlaughedlikewhatI’dsaidwasmeanttobefunny.
“Nothingthatbad,”hesaid.“Justkidstuff.Plus,thatwastheoldPuck.I’mareformedsinner.”
“Whatmadeyouchangeyourways?”Iasked.
Crap,itsoundedlikeIwasflirting,butIwasactuallycurious.Inmyexperience,guysdidn’tchangemuch,evenwhenthey
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wantedyoutothinktheywould.HowmanytimeshadIheard,“I’llstopcheating,Ipromise”fromoneofmyexes?Butmaybewhenaguylivedforcenturiestherewasroomforchange—maybebeingtheoperativeword.
“EverythingchangedafterOberonleftcourt,”hesaid,facedarkening.Hisgazeseemedtoturninwardforamomentuntilheshookhisheadandshrugged.“But
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that’sancienthistory.”IhadheardofOberon,
thekingoftheSeeliecourt,andhowthekingandqueensofFaeriehaddisappearedfromtheircourtshundredsofyearsago,butIdidn’thavetimetoconsiderPuck’scomment.AnewsongstartedandIvygavemeanencouragingthumbs-upsignfromoverPuck’sshoulder.IrolledmyeyesandlookedaroundforForneus.Notthat
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Ireallycaredwhathewasdoingoranything.Iwasjustcurious,that’sall.
“Oh,wow,Jinxlovesthissong,”shesaid.“Don’tyouJinx?”
InoddedwonderingwhatIvywasplayingat,sinceI’dneverheardmusiclikethisinmyentirelife.Puckscrapedahandthroughhisflyawaycurlsandflashedasmilefrombeneathlonglashes.
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“Caretodance?”heasked.
ThefaerieheldouthishandandIhesitated.I’dwantedtodance,butPuckwasn’treallymytype.Ilookedaround,tryingtothinkofanexcusetoputhimoff,whenmyeyesfellonForneus.Hehadn’tgonefarandwasnowwatchingmeandPuckwithafrownmarringhislips.Onimpulse,IgrabbedPuck’shandand
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slidfromthebarstool.“I’dloveto,”Isaid.
“Ivy,you’llbeokayhere?”Idroppedmycrossbow
ontothebarstoolI’djustvacated,sinceIdidn’tplantoshootanyoneonthedancefloor.ImightaswellleaveIvywiththeextraarsenal,justincase.
“I’llbefine,”shesaid,wavingmeoff.“Go,havefun.”
IpulledPucktoward
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thedancefloor,lettingmyhipsswayasIsashayedawayfromthebarandForneus,justincasethedemonwasstillwatching.IglancedovermyshouldertosmileatPuckandcouldhaveswornhisfaceheldthesly,hungrylookofafoxinahenhouse.ButstrobelightsflashedonandoffandthelookwasgoneasifI’dimaginedit.Iprobablyhad.ObsessingoverForneuswasmakingmecrazy.
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Evenpreoccupiedwithdemonwatching,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethatPuckwasapopularguy.Maleandfemalefaeriesflirtedaswewadedthroughtheirintricatedancesandmorethanonevampwhisperedsomethingaboutice.MaybePuckworkedheretendingbarorwaitingtables?Ifso,hewasobviouslyoffdutyandgaveeachvampthebrushoff,mentioningsomethingabout
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pleasurebeforebusiness.Itdidn’ttakehimlongtogetdowntohisideaofpleasureonthedancefloor.
“So,Jinx,”Pucksaid,pressingclose.“IsthatyourTrueName?”
HestrokedtheinsideofmypalminslowcircleswithhisthumbandIdroppedhishandtoadjustmydress—withoutmuchsuccess.Itwasliketryingtotossawayaboogertissue;thedamnthing
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justwouldn’tletgo.Puckmashedhimself
betweenmyhips,swayingtothemusicandpullingmealongwithhim.Hecuppedmyasswithsweatyhandsandpulledmecloseenoughtoknowhewasinterestedinmorethandancing.IfiguredweweregivingForneusquitetheshow,whichhadbeenmyintent,butnowthatwewereonthedancefloor,Ifelttheurgetoflee.
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Icouldn’tquiteputmyfingeronit,buttherewassomethingaboutPuckthatsetoffmyinternalbullshit-meter.Ijustwasn’tbuyinghisharmlesskidact,andIwasprettysurehisgropingwasn’tduetoinexperience.WiththebruisesfromHans’temperstillvisibleeverydamntimeIwashedoffmymakeup,Iwasonhighalertforabusiveassholewarningsigns.AndPucksqueezing
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myass?Yeah,hewasmakingmewishI’dbroughtmycrossbowontothedancefloorafterall.
“No,butallmyfriendscallmeJinx,”Isaid.
Itriedtoforceasmileandbatmyeyelashes.LetthefaeriecreeperthinkIwasadull-wittedhuman.Iwasonlygoingtofinishoutthisonedanceandthentellhimtogetlost.Isureashellwasn’tgoingtotellhimmyreal
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name;Iwasn’tstupid.There’spowerinaname,especiallyforstalkersandmagicwieldingfae.
“Well,youcancallmeRobby,”hesaid.
Puck,orRobby,orwhateverbentdownandIwatchedhislipsdescendtowardmeliketwobloatedworms.Ohhellno.Thishadgonewaytoofar.Iwasnotkissingthisguy.
Isuckedinrapidpuffs
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ofairandbelched.PuckfrownedandIpulledaway,onehandflyingtomymouth.Iplacedmyotherhandonmystomachandblushed.
“Iamsosorry!”Isaid.“Wow,howembarrassing.Ishouldneverdrinkbeer.Doyouthinkwecouldgositdown?Idon’tfeelsogood.”
Actually,nowthatthefaeriecreeperwasn’ttryingtokissme,Ifeltjustfine.The
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belchingwasachildhoodtrick.I’dbeenabletosuckinairandbelchtheABCsbetterthanalltheneighborhoodboys.Whoknewitwouldcomeinhandygettingridofafaerie?
“Sure,”hesaid,smilereturningtohisface.“Letmebuyyouaproperdrink.Nobeer.”
Heguidedmebacktothebar,hishandonmyass.Ididn’twantadrink,butifit
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gotusoffthedancefloor,Icouldturnhimdownatthebar.
“Backsosoon?”Ivyasked.
“Yourfriendwasn’tfeelingwell,”Pucksaid,reachingoverthebarandgrabbingabottleofvodka.Icouldhearthesoundofliquidpouringintoaglassandheturnedaroundholdingadrinkouttowardme.“Here,thiswillhelpsettleyour
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stomach.”I’dneverheardof
vodkasettlingaperson’sstomachandwastryingtocomeupwithawaytopolitelyturndownthedrinkwhenIvysolvedtheproblemforme.
“Cheers!”sheexclaimed.
ShecrashedherglassintotheoneinPuck’shand,knockingthecontentstothefloor.
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“Oopsie,”shesaid,listingprecariouslyonherbarstool.
“Howmuchhaveyouhadtodrink?”Iasked,movingtowardmyfriend.Ivyhardlyeverdrank,shewastoomuchofacontrolfreaktogetsloppydrunk,butshecertainlylookedwastednow.
“Justafewdrinks,”shesaid,flashingasillygrin.“Iloveyouguys!”
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Ivyopenedherarmswide—consideringhertouchphobia,ifshetriedtogiveusahug,shewasdrunkforsure—andfelloffherstoolontothevodkasoakedfloor.Puckglaredbackandforthbetweenme,Ivy,andthebrokenglass,hishandsclenchingfitfully.
“Um,sorry,Robby,”Isaid.“LookslikeIbettergetmyfriendhome.Thanksforthedance.”
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“Wait,weneverhadthatdrink,”hesaid,hisfrownagaineclipsedbythatdimpledsmilemask.
“Raincheck,”Isaid,pastingonafalsesmileofmyown.
Heshrugged.“Sure,”hesaid.“Ihave
businesstoattendto.Someothertime.”
Heflappedhishandindismissalandwalkedaway,headingtowardoneofthe
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vampireswho’dapproachedusonthedancefloor.
“Youokay?”Iasked,turningbacktomyvodkasoakedfriend.Ishookmyhead.Shewasamess.“Webettergetyououtofhere.Goodthingyouworepants,orKayewouldbepickingglassoutofyourbutttonight.”
Ivystayedonthefloor,watchingPuckthroughthecurtainofherhair.
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“I’mnotdrunk,”shewhispered.
Puckhandedsomethingtothevampandmovedon,makinghiswaytoadoorattheendofthebar.Whenhewasoutofsight,Ivystoodandbrushedoffherjeans.Shegrimacedatthewetdenim,grabbedtwosmall,woodenstakesfromherbelt,pulledherhairupintoatighttwist,andusedthestakestosecureherhairatthebackof
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herhead.Crap,Iknewthathabit.Itwaswhatshedidjustbeforeweaponstraining.Ihadafeelingwe’djuststumbledonacase.Ivywasgearingupforafight.
“What’sgoingon?”Iasked.
“IwatchedPuckdoseyourdrink,”shesaid.
NowIvy’sdrunkenactmadesense.Ifshehadn’tknockedtheglasstothefloor,Imighthavetakenasip.
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“Whywouldafaeriewanttoruffieme?”Iasked.“Can’ttheyjustusetheirmagicpowers,orsomething?”
“Yes,butIimagineusingthatkindofmagicwouldn’tgounnoticedandisagainsttheclubrules,”shesaid.“He’dneedyoutowillinglygowithhimsomewhereawayfromthewatchfuleyesofclubsecurity.”
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Ishuddered,rememberingthekeyinPuck’shandsashewentthroughthebackdoor.
“Somewherelikealockedstoreroom?”Iasked,notlikingwherethiswasgoing.
“Whoknowshowlonghe’sbeengoingarounddrugginggirls,”Ivysaidthroughclenchedteeth.“Ifthere’sachancehe’sdonethisbefore,therecouldbe
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girlslikeuswhohe’sdruggedinthatbackroom.I’mnotleavingwithoutcheckingitout.”
“Whataboutclubsecurity?”Iasked.“Can’twejusttipthemoff?”
“Wehavenoproof,”Ivysaid.Ivypokedattheshardsofglasswithherboot,scowlingatthefloor.Thealcoholhadalreadyevaporated,probablytakinganyevidenceofdrugswith
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it.“Andfaeriestakethingslikehonorandreputationveryseriously.IfwefalselyaccusePuckwithoutsolidevidence,wecouldbeuponchargesofslander.Idon’teventhinkourdemonattorneyfriendcouldhelpusthen.”
IlookedaroundforForneus,butthedemonwasnowhereinsight.Leaveittothejerktotakeoffrightwhenhemighthavebeenuseful.
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“Okay,sowhatdoyousuggest?”Iasked,slingingmycrossbowovermyshoulder.
“Iwanttocheckoutthatbackroom,”shesaid.“Butifyoudon’twanttocomewithme,IcanaskTorntowalkyouout.He’saroundheresomewhere.Isawhimflirtingwithanymphnotlongago.”
“Noway,”Isaid,handsonmyhips.“I’mgoingwith
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you.Itcouldhavebeenmeinthatbackroom.Iwanttohelp.But,youknow,Torn’syourally.Couldn’tyouaskhimtocomewithus?He’susefulinafightandwehavenoideawhattoexpectbehindthatdoor.”
Ivyranaglovedhandoverherfaceandsighed.
“You’reright,”shesaid.“He’llprobablyrefuse,butitwouldn’thurttoask.Waithere.I’llberightback.”
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InoddedandIvytookoff,usingherfaeriequicknessandagilitytoflitthroughthethickeningcrowd.IsoonlostsightofmyfriendandturnedmyattentiontothedoorthatPuckhadgonethroughearlier.Iwatchedavampireleavethebarandswaggertowardthedoor.Hewaswearingsnakeskinboots,darkjeans,andablackfedora.Holdingmybreath,Imovedfurtherdownthebar,
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hopingforaglimpseintotheroombeyond.
Abeautiful,blue-skinnedfaerieupendedashotglassofsomethingdarkamberontoanarmfuloflinensandracedovertothedoor.Thevampirescowled,butheldthedoorforthefaeriewhorushedinside.Thevampfollowedcloseatherheels,thedoorsnappingshutbehindhim.
Iwastryingtofigure
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outhowtogetinsidethatlockeddoorwhenmyjawdroppedopen.Forneusstrodeforwardandtriedtopushakeyintothelock.Howtheheckdidthedemongetakey?Washepartofthiswholedaterapedrugthing?Ifhewas,Ihadaholywaterdippedcrossbowboltwithhisnameonit.
Heseemedtobehavingtroublewiththekey.Imovedevencloserashefocusedon
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thelock.AtinyflamerosefromForneus’indexfingerandhetouchedittothelock.Thistimewhenhetriedthekey,thedooropened.Thedoorwasatthewrongangleformetoseeinside,butIfiguredthatmeantwhoeverwasbehindthedoorcouldn’tseemeeither.
Ileaptatthedoorasitswungshut,graspingthedoorknobjustbeforethelockcouldclick.Iletoutashaky
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breath,wonderingwhatIshoulddonext.Ivywouldbeheresoon,hopefullywithTornintow,andIshouldprobablywait.ButthethoughtofForneustakingadvantageofsomepoor,druggedgirlcloudedmyvision.
Islippedthroughthedoorway,pulledastakefrommybag,andusedittokeepthedoorwedgedopen.Ivywouldrecognizetheweapon,
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andwouldknowIwasinside.Atleast,thatwastheplan.Shecouldjustthinkitwasachunkofwood.
Ishookmyheadandpressedmylipstogether.No,Ivywasgoodatfindingpeople—it’swhatshedoes.She’dbeabletoreadthecluesandfigureoutwhereI’dgone.Iturnedawayfromthesliveroflightcomingfromthebarandblinkedintothedarkness.Islungmy
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crossbowfrommyshoulder,pushedoffthesafety,andsteppedquietlyintotheroom.
Istubbedmytoeonametalrackandbangedmyshinonawoodencrate,butIstifledtheurgetocryout.Iwasusedtobumpsandbruises,butIhopedlikehellthatnoneofthecutshaddrawnblood.Iknewofatleastonevampwhohadcomethroughthisway,andtherecouldbemorebelow.Heck,
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therecouldbeawholenestofbloodsuckersdownthere.
Iwipedclammyhandsdownthefrontofmydressandpickedmywaythroughthedarkness.IfocusedongettingtothestairwaythatI’dglimpsedwhenI’dfirstopenedthedoor.Toobadreachingthestairswasn’tmuchimprovement.Infact,itwasprettyfreakingterrifying.
Istareddownfromthe
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landing,butitwasblackasbatwingsdownthereandsoundsechoedupthestairwaylikeitwasapipelinetoHell.Moans,cries,whimpers,andmaniclaughtermingledintoanightmarishchoirthatsetmyheartpoundinginmychest.
WhattheheckwasIdoinghere?I’dgottenmyselfintoalotofmesses,butthisonemightjusttakethecake,theicing,andthewholedamn
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servingplate.Ihesitated,onefoot
hoveringoveremptyairasIconsideredretreatingbacktothestoreroom.WaitingforIvywouldbethesmartthing,whichwasprobablywhyFatepropelledmedownthestairsatthesoundofForneusspeakingtosomeonebelow.
Mynickname?Yeah,itwasmorethanjustacatchymoniker.MeandLadyLuckhaveneverbeenclose.In
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fact,wewerefastbecomingfrenemies,whichwasthelikelycauseofmyattractiontothedemonspeakingbelow.
IrecognizedForneus’voice,butIwastoofarawaytomakeoutthewords.IfIcouldjustgetalittlecloser…Iteeteredononeplatformsandalandsighed.IfIwasgoingtogotiptoeingthroughthedark,Iprobablyshouldn’tbewearingtheseshoes.
Islippedoutofmy
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platformsandalsandgrimacedassomethingcrunchedbeneathmyfeet.Butsteppingonspidersandcockroacheswastheleastofmyworries.IneededtofindoutwhatForneusandPuckwereupto,preferablywithouttwistingmyankleortakingatumbleintothebasementbelow.
Withmybadluck,I’dbreakmyankleandmyneck.
Igrabbedtheold,
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splinteredrailingandbeganmyslowdescentdownthestairs.GoosebumpsdottedmyskinandIshiveredasaheavyquietseemedtoswallowthebasement.Thecriesandwhimpershadstopped.Thatshouldhavebeenanimprovement,butthedeadairwasevenworsethanthesoundsoftorment.
Forneus’voicebrokethesilence,followedbyPuck’slaughter.Ishuddered
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attheghoulishimagesthatconjuredup.Weretheyhurtinginnocentpeopledownhere?Ididn’twanttobelieveit,butIvyhadseenPucktrytodosemydrinkandthoughForneuswassmokinghot,hewasstillafreakingdemon.Anddemonswereevil,right?
IpausedasIranoutofstairs.I’dreachedthelowerbasementlevel,andthoughafaintlightshonefromtheroombeyond,Icouldn’t
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makeoutmuchofthechamberIwasin.Iinchedforward,keepingmyhandonthewall.Ididn’thavesupernaturaleyesightlikeForneusorPuck.IfIwantedtoseewhatwasreallygoingon,I’dhavetogetclosertothelight.
Istartedforward,butjumpedasashadowbrokeawayfromthewall.Enteringtheroombeyond,thedarkshapebecameatall,blue-
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skinnedfaeriewoman.Huh,thatwasodd.Itwasthesamechickwho’dbeentendingbar.
I’dwonderedwherethefaerieandvampirehaddisappearedto,butI’dassumedthetwohadcomedownheretogether.Infact,IhadsomeprettyickyideaswhenI’dseenthemsneakoffintothebasement.Thankfully,whateverthefaeriewasupto,itdidn’t
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includegettingnakedwithavampire.TherearesomethingsIjustdidn’tneedtosee.IfwhatIvyhadsaidaboutvampsbeingdriedoutcorpseswastrue,vampiresexwasdefinitelyonmylistofthingstoavoidatallcost.Agirlcanonlyhandlesomanynightmares.
Iwasstartledfrommymusingasthefaeriewomanleaptintotheroombeyond.Ihurriedtothecornershe’d
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vacated,hopingforabetterlook.ThebartenderchargedtowardPuck,yellingandlaughingmaniacally,armraisedaboveherhead.Therewassomethingshinyclutchedinherfist,somekindofweapon,butsheneverhadachancetostabanyone.
Fasterthanmyhumaneyescouldfollow,avampirecamerushingoutofanadjacentroom.Adoorwhippedopenandsuddenly
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hewasthere,standingbetweenthewomanandPuck—thewoman’sbleedingarmheldinthevampire’sfist.
Ileanedagainstthewall,kneesweak.Itookadeepbreath,tryingtoslowmyracingheart,andblinkedawaydarkspotsinmyvision.Therewasatleastonekillerinthenextroom.Icouldnotpassout.
Iplacedshakyhandsonmykneesandgulpedinair.
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WhenIfinallytrustedmyselftostand,Iliftedmycrossbowtomyshoulderandpeeredaroundthecorner.AlothadhappenedwhileI’dstruggledtostayconscious.
Pucklaybleedingonthefloor,somethingmetallicjuttingfromhischest,andthevampirewasholdingthefaeriewomanuprightwhilehefeastedonherjugular.ItwasthesamevampI’dseenearlier,thoughhe’dlosthis
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hatandthelookofcalm,southerncharm.
Ididn’tknowwhatkindofmessthefaeriehadgotherselfinto,butnoonedeservedtobecomesomevamp’schewtoy.Heck,he’dtornoffherarmandwassuckingonthefaeriebartender’snecklikeatoddlerwithagoddamnedsippycup.
Itunedouttheslurpingsoundsandranintothe
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room.Forneus’eyeswidened,andIcouldn’thelpbutgrin.Foronce,I’dsurprisedtheunflappabledemon.ButIcouldn’trevelinthemoment;itdidn’tseemwisetokeepthesoundsoffeedingatmyback.
Iswungthecrossbowaroundtopointatthevampire.
“Moveawayfromthegirl,douchebag,”Isaid.
Theslurpingstopped
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andthevamptossedthewomanasidelikeacrumpledupjuicebox.Iglaredatthevampire,carefultokeepfromlookinghimdirectlyintheeye,andmyfingertwitchedonthetriggermechanismofmybow.Whodiedandgavehimtherighttotreatpeopleasiftheyweredisposable?
Oh,right.Hedid,andthenheroseagain.Well,thebastardshouldhavestayeddead.Onedeadvamp,
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comingrightup.Thevampirewas
rushingforwardbeforeIcouldfinishpullingthetrigger.Thatdoesn’tmeanIdidn’tgetoffashot.Ihithimsquareinthechest.ToobadI’dloadedfordemons.
Awoodenboltwouldhaveparalyzedthevampire,butthemetalIshothimwithdidn’tevenslowtheguydown.IwasgoingtodieandIwasn’tevenwearingshoes.
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Therewassomethingtragicaboutfacingdeathinyourbarefeet.
Thankfully,itwasn’tmydaytodie.OnesecondIwasabouttohavemyheartrippedoutandthenextIwasshovedagainstthewall.Thevampire’sclawshadbeensoclosetomychest,Iwasscaredtolookdown.Itookabreathandfeltthefrontofmydress,surpriseditwasn’tcoveredinblood.My
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shoulderhurtlikehell,butIwasalive.
IstaredacrosstheroomwhereForneusstoodoverthevampire—thevampirewhohadjusttriedtokillme—thedemon’swalkingstickthrustthroughthevamp’schest.
Forneushadsavedmylife.
I’dfinallygotmyanswer.Notalldemonsareevil.Whenitmattered,Forneushadriskedhislifeto
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savemyown.AsI’doftenfantasized,therewasthetraceofagoodmanunderthatbadboyexterior.ThedemonwasnoBoyScout,butthen,whatwouldbethefuninthat?
IgazedintoForneus’worriedstareandwarmthspreadthroughmybody.Ashecamecloser,myhandstwitched,achingtograbholdofhispowerfularms,andthenrunthemalonghischest,hisback,…
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“Areyoualright?”heasked.
Inodded,blushingpainfully,andpushedawayfromthewall.
“Yes,I’mfine,”Isaid.Ipointedatthefaeriewoman’scorpsecrumpledontheground,likeafallenragdoll,justafewfeetaway.“ButIcan’tsaythesameforher.Weneedtogethertoahospital.”
Forneuswincedand
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lookedaway.“I’msorry,mydear,”
hesaid.“She’sdead.”“Um,okay,andhim?”
Iasked,pointingtowardthevampire.
Forneushadcreativelyusedhiswoodenwalkingsticktostakethevampthroughtheheart,butIwasprettysurethatdidn’tmeanthebloodsuckerwasdead.Ittakesalottokillavamp.ButIsupposeifparanormalswere
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easytokill,thenJennaandherHunterfriendswouldbeoutofajob.
“Oh,heisstillverymuchalive…asaliveasanyundeadcreatureeverreallyis,”hesaid,walkingoverwithmeasuredstepstostandoverthevampire.
“You’vebeenaverynaughtyboy,”hesaid,glaringdownatthevampire.“I’msuretheVampireCouncilwillbeinterestedtolearnof
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yourarrogantdisregardforthelaw.”
Thevamp’seyesflickedtowhatI’dcometothinkofas“thetortureroom.”I’donlycaughtaglimpseoftheroomasIchasedafterthefaeriewoman,lookingforpotentialthreats.Forneuswalkedovertoinvestigate,butIstayedput.Oneglimpseintothatroomwasmorethanenough.
Forneus’shoulders
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tightenedandhepulledthedoorclosed.
“Yes,theCouncilwillbeveryinterestedindeed,”hesaid.“Toobadtheywon’thaveachancetopunishyouforyourcrimes.”
Hespunonhisheel,flamedancingalonghisfingers,andreturnedtoloomoverthevamp.
“SayhellotoLuciferforme,”hesaidtothevamp.“I’msurethetwoofyouwill
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soonbewellacquainted.”Hepulledthewalking
stickfromthevamp’sheartandplacedafieryhandonhischest.Withinsecondsthevampwasreplacedbyflamesand,finally,ash.
Forneuslookedaway,brushingvampashfromhishandsandtuggingonaglovehepulledfromhiscoatpocket.Iwantedhimtolookatme,togivemethechancetoshowhimhowIfelt.He’d
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savedmylifeandgivenmehopethatmyfeelingsforhimweremorethanmisdirectedrebellion.
“Thankyou,”Isaid.Isteppedintohisarms,
handsslidingacrosshischest.Ilickedmylips,tiltedmyheadback,andlookedhimintheeye.
“Forwhat?”heasked,voiceuncertain.
“Forkillingthatcreature,forlookingoutfor
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me,forsavingmylife,”Isaid.
Ireacheduptotouchhisface,lettingmyfingerslingerasIslowlytracedhislips,jaw,andneck.HewaslikeapuzzleI’donlyjuststartedtofigureout—theseparate,distinctpartsofhimcomingtogetherforacompletepicturethatoverwhelmedthesenses.
ForneussuckedinabreathandIhesitated,pulling
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backslightly.HadIsomehowoffendedhim?HadIgonetoofar?DidhethinkIwasonlydoingthisoutofsomesenseofduty,tothankhimforsavingmylife?
“Iamalwaysatyourservice,”hesaidsoftly,leaningcloser.“Ifyouwillhaveme.”
Icouldfeelaslowsmiletouchmylipsasmybreathquickened.Ipulledhimcloserandroseontiptoes
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tomeethisscorchinggaze.“Yes,Forneus,Iwill,”
Isaid,lettingmylipsbrushagainsthis.
ForneusgroanedasIslantedmymouthacrosshis,heatflowingbetweenus.Hishandsmovedinslowcirclesdownmyback,pullingmecloser.Mylipspartedandourkissdeepened.
ItwasagoodthingForneuswasimmortal,becauseIcouldkisstheman
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forever.Butallgoodthings
cometoanend.IheardIvybustintotheroom,swearing,“Ohhell,no.”ForneusandIbrokeaparttoseeIvyandTornbothrushintotheroomandtakeinthegrislyscene.IreluctantlysteppedawayfromForneus.
Ivynarrowedhereyesandfocusedherattentiononme.
“Areyouokay?”she
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asked.Inodded,pausingto
catchmybreath.Thathadbeenoneamazingkiss.
“Yes,I’mfine,”Isaid.“ThankstoForneus.YouwererightaboutPuck.Theguywasanasshat.Ididn’tcatchallthedetails,butI’mprettysurehewasdruggingandsellinggirlstosickovampswhogotoffontorture.”IbitmylipandstoleaglanceatForneus.“I
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sawthatgirl…hangingintheotherroom,butIappreciatewhatyoutriedtodo.”
“IonlywishI’darrivedsooner,”hesaid.Hereachedoutandtookmyhand.“Iwouldhavepreferredtohavesavedthegirlandtohavekeptyoufromseeingthedepthsofsuchdepravity.”
Igavehishandasqueezeandlookedsearchinglyintohiseyes.HowcouldIhavebeenso
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blindastothinkthismanwasamonster?
Iwantedtopullhimcloseandforgetaboutmyfriend’sstaresandthecorpseslitteringthefloor,butsomethinglatchedontomyhair.PainsearedthroughmyscalpandIgasped.Atruemonsterhadmeinhisgraspandmycrossbowwasoutofreach.
Ifeltthebiteofabladeagainstmyneck,andthen
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everythingwentblack.
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DEMONIZEDTheogreglaredatme
frombeneathhisunfortunatesimianbrow,waitingformyresponse.HisconsiderablebulkblockedtheentrancetoClubNexusandonesizablehandtwitchedoverthegunstrappedtohisbarrel-likechest.Subtletywasnotanogre’sstrongsuit.Speakingofsuits,thiscreature’staste
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rantowardpimpchic.Thefabricwascheapandshiny,reflectinglightfromthesingleworkingbulbonthisstreet.
“Forneus,GreatMarquisofHell,”Isaid,focusingonthebouncer’sbeadyeyesandavoidingbeingblindedbyhishideoustasteinfashion.
Theogreleanedforward,sniffedattheairwithanosethesizeofa
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VolkswagenBeetle,andgrimaced.Unpleasantoaf.Apparently,hedidn’tcareforthearomaoffreshbrimstone.Ofcourse,IcouldmaskthesulfurousscentofHell,butwherewouldbethefuninthat?Theogreexaminedmefromheadtoimpeccablydressedtoe.
“Don’tgetmanydemonlordshere,”hesaid,furrowinghissubstantialbrow.
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“No,Idaresayyouwouldn’t,”Isaid.“NotwiththatwitchworkingwiththeHunters’Guildtomaintaintheirso-calledpeaceovertheentirecityofHarborsmouth.”
Theogrespat,narrowlymissingmyshoes.Nowitwasmyturntogrimace.Thecretinhadutterlyappallingmanners.Dressinganogreinacut-ratesuitdoesnotagentlemanmake.Beforethevilecreaturecouldcoughup
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anymoredistressingsubstances,Iwavedtowardthedoorandforcedasmile.
“MayIenter?”Iasked.Aclipboard
materializedfromthinair,butIwasunimpressed.I’dbeenusingthesametrickwithclientsforeons.Itappedmyfoot,carefultoavoidthepileofphlegmthatrivaledthesizeofmostcats—perhapsitactuallywasacat?—astheogreconsultedhismagical
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guestlist.Finally,thehulking
faeriesteppedasideandmuttered,“Youmayenter.”
Ismoothedthefrontofmywaistcoat,tuggedatmygloves,andtookupmyebonywalkingstick.Theogredidn’tcheckthepolishedwoodandthereforedidnotdiscovertheswordhiddenwithinitsshaft,whichwasforthebest.Weaponswerenotentirelyforbiddeninside
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theclub,justunauthorizedbloodshed,butIpreferredtokeepmysecrets.Youneverknowwhenyou’llneedalittlesurpriseupyoursleeveor,asinthiscase,insideyourperambulatoryaccessory.
Plus,thehiddenbladewasmadeofcoldiron.Ironwastheoneweaknessofallfaecreatures,avulnerabilitythatwouldleaveanyfaeriewhotoucheditpowerless.Iftheogretriedtohandlemy
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sword,he’dgetatrulyunpleasantsurprise.
Hellhelpanyfaerierunthroughwithcoldiron.TheFairFolkmaybeimmortal,buttheyarenotimmunetoapainfuldeath.Igrinnedandwalkedjauntilypasttheogre,intoadarkpassageandontoanextravagantlywroughtspiralstaircasewhereIbeganmydescentintotheabyssofotherworldlydelights.
Frommyaerial
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vantage,Itookintheappallingnumberoffaehousedbeneathonecavernousroof.ThoughIrarelygracetheestablishmentwithmypresence—mylasttripbelowmusthavebeenyearsago—notmuchhadchangedsincemyearliervisittotheraucousnightclub.Immortalsarenotfondofchange.
Unnaturalmusicwovethroughtheairlikedancing
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phantasms,reachingitsspectralfingersintodarkplacesbetterleftuntouched.Igrittedmyteethandstifledtheurgetotapmybootstothediscordantrhythm.IsearchedtheroomforthewomanI’dfollowedhere,anunfamiliarsenseofforebodingfillingmychest.
Ithadbeencenturiessinceahumanhadpiquedmyinterest,longerstillsinceanyonehadstirredfeelingsof
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lustandlonging,buttherewassomethingunquestionablymagneticaboutthewomanmyeyesnowfranticallysought.
JinxhadenteredClubNexuswithherfriend,andbusinesspartner,IvyGranger.Grangerwasadangerousenoughcompanion,butJinx’sdecisiontoenterthefaenightclubwasnearlysuicidal.Faeriesand
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vampiresbothenjoythediversionofawinsomehumanandJinxwasanabsolutevisionofbeauty.
Lucifer’spointypitchfork,whatiswrongwiththewoman?
IgrippedmywalkingstickinastrangleholduntilmyeyesfellonJinxandherpsychicdetectivefriendseatedatthebar.Ihurriedlymademywaydownthestairs,slowingonlyasI
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crossedthedancefloor.Ilickedmylips,shiveringinanticipation.
I’dcomeheretoensurethewoman’ssafety,butnowthatshewaswithinreach,Iwasovercomewiththeneedtofeelhertouch—evenifI’dhavetosettleforacrossbowboltthroughthechest.OneglovedhanddriftedtomysidewhereI’drecentlyreceivedthesharpendofaletteropener.Jinxwas
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nothingifnotfeisty.Isaunteredtothebar,
smilingwhenJinxcaughtmyhungrygaze.Forastartledmomentherfacewasanopenbookandherexpressionmirroredmyown.Desiresmolderedinhereyesassheabsentlystrokedthecrossbowathershoulder.
“Hello,sweetheart,”Isaid,slippinganarmaroundhershoulders.“Buyyouadrink?”
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Mywordswerecutoffabruptlybyaknifeatmythroat.Ivyhadgonefromorderingdrinkstothreateningviolence.FromJinxitwouldhavebeenenticing,butcomingfromherglowingfriend,thegesturewasmaddeninglyannoying.
Therewasaminoraltercationwithclubsecurityforengaginginviolentbehavior—behaviorthatthreatenedbloodshedwithout
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havingfirstfiledtheappropriatepaperwork(yawn)—buteventuallyIextricatedmyselffromIvy’sblade,slippingmyarmfromJinx’sshoulderswithalookthatpromisedarematchlaterintheevening.Ourbusinesswasnotcomplete,but,fornow,Iwascontenttowatchfromthesidelines.TheprudentcourseofactionwastowaitforIvytocalmdownandforclubsecuritytolose
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interest.Notaproblem.Icould
bevery,verypatient.Isaunteredawayfrom
thebarandsettledintowait.Unfortunately,mypatiencewasrewardedbytheappearanceofPuck.Icursedundermybreath,handstwitchingalongthecatchthatwouldreleasemyswordfromitswoodensheath.WhateverthattricksterwantedwithJinx,itcouldn’tbegood.I
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pushedmywaythroughthecrowd,hopingtocatchtheirconversation.
Istoppedmid-stride,headsnappingbackasifslappedbyaninvisiblehand,asJinxledtheangeliclookingfaerieontothedancefloor.Ifthereversehadbeentrue,I’dhaveslicedPuck’shandoff—andtoHellwiththeconsequences—butJinxwasactingastheaggressor.Ihopedshelivedlongenough
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toregretthedubiousdecision.Ibrieflyclosedmyeyes
andhadtolookawaywhenPuck’shandssettledonJinx’sfullhips.IneverthoughtI’denvythetrickster,butatthemomentI’dpayhandsomelytotradeplaceswiththepredatoryscoundrel.Ipacedrestlessly,gatheringthecouragetocontinuemyobservations.
WhenIlookedback,JinxandPuckwereleaving
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thedancefloor,headingbacktowardthebar.Ifollowedatacarefuldistance,notwantingtoalertPucktomypresence.
ItriednottofocusonPuck’shandrestingpossessivelyaroundJinx’swaist.Ididn’twishtoseeanyadditionaldisplaysofaffectionfrommyrival,butIhadcometoensureJinx’ssafetyandthatwasadutyIwouldcarryout,nomatter
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howvexingthetask.Atthebar,Puck
proceededtofixadrinkforJinxandIexpelledapainedbreathasIwatchedthewhitepowderdissolveinherglass.Thiswastoomuchtobear.ThetricksterwastryingtodrugthewomanI’dcomeheretoprotect.Ilaunchedmyselfforward,readytoknocktheglassfromJinx’shand,butIneverhadthechance.
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BeforeIcouldreachthebar,IvytoastedJinxandPuck,knockingthedruggedbeveragetothefloor.Momentslater,Ivyswayeddrunkenlyonherstoolandtumbledtojointhepuddleofalcoholandshatteredglass.
WhattheHellfirewasgoingon?
Iwasn’tsurewhatIvywasupto—hadshealsocaughtaglimpseofPuck’sattempttodrugJinx?—butI
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knewthedetectivewellenoughtoguessthatherdrunkennesswasaruse.Jinx’sfriendwasmoreuptightthanaPuritaninabordello.She’dneverwillinglydrinkenoughalcoholtolosecontrol,certainlynothereinaclubfilledwithimmortalscarryingmillenniaofpotentialnightmarevisions.
Ituggedatmygloves,aslowsmilereplacingmy
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earlierscowl.ImaynotknowwhatgameIvywasplayingat,butIdidenjoythetemporaryresult.Puckwasfrowning,hishandsopeningandclosingathissidesasifhe’dliketowringthewispprincess’neck.Well,we’veallfeltthatwayatsometimeorother,butatthemomentIwasquitepleasedwiththewoman’sperformance.Anythingthatangeredthetricksterwassplendidinmy
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book.AsIwatched,Puckleft
Jinx’sside,stalkingawayfromthebarandtowardavampirewhostoodwaitingattheedgeofthedancefloor.Ifollowedatadiscreetdistance,hummingandtwirlingmywalkingsticktothemusic,theveryimageofblitheignorance.Hepassedakeyandasmallbagcontainingawhite,powderysubstancetothevampireand
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keptmoving.Puckcontinuedon
towardadooratthebackofthebar.Helookedfurtivelytohisleftandright,slidakeyofhisownfromhispants’pocket,andunlockedthedoor.Withonelastglancearoundtheroom,thefaerieslippedinside.
Mycuriositywaspiqued.Thetrickster’sbehaviorwasinteresting,indeed.Puckmayhave
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pulledthewooloverJinx’seyes,butIknewwhathewascapableof.Ifhewassneakingoffintothebackroomsinsteadoffawningoveraprettywoman,nomatterhowannoyingherfriend,hemustbeuptosomethingparticularlydespicable.PerhapsifIcouldcatchhiminanactofheinoustrickery,IcouldconvinceJinxtokeepherdistancefromthecretin.
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Attheedgeofthedancefloor,mywalkingstickcaughtonanimaginarybumpinthefloorandIstumbledforwardintothearmsofthevampireI’dwitnessedmaketherecenttransactionwithPuck.Ibrushedoffthevampireasifriddinghimofdemongerms,pattinghimdownandretrievinghiskeyintheprocess,andmutteredaneffusiveapology.
Themanraisedahand
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asiftopushmeaway,butfrozewhenIallowedaflickerofflameintomyeyes.Therewasonethingthatallvampiresfearandthatisfire,immolationbeingaveryrealthreattotheperpetuallydehydratedundead.Satisfactorilyhumbled,thevampireacceptedmyapologyandIcontinuedonmyway,nonchalantlyfollowingPuck’strailacrosstheroom.
Iapproachedthedoor
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he’dentered,awarethatJinxremainedwithIvyattheoppositeendofthebar.WithherbestfriendwatchingherbackandSirTorn,oneofIvy’snewallies,nearby,IfeltconfidentleavingJinxintheclubwhileIpursuedGoodfellow.
DistractedbythoughtsofJinx,Inearlydidn’tnoticethatIwasnottheonlyoneinpursuitofPuck.Ipulledupshortjustintime,slipping
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betweenapairofloungingsuccubisecondsbeforeavampireincowboybootsstrodetothedoorwithhisownkey.Asthevampireunlockedthedoor,atall,beautifulfaeriewho’dbeentendingbarrushedtohisside.Herarmswereladenwithsoiledtowelsandshekepthereyesdowncast,butIcouldtellshewashighbornfae.
IwonderedhowPuck
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hadmanagedtoensnaretheroyalfaerieintothelowlypositionofbartender.KnowingPuck,itinvolvedfoultrickery.Evenknowingthetrickster’sabilities,itwasstillsurprisingthathe’dmaneuveredhimselfintothepositionofrunningtheclub’sbar.Itwas,judgingfromthetransactionsI’dwitnessedsofar,aprofitabledealforPuck.Ifhedidn’thavedesignsonJinx,Imighteven
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haveadmiredthefaerie’senterprisingtenacity.
IwaitedpatientlyforthevampireandUnseeliefaerietodisappearintothebackroomsbeforeextricatingmyselffromthesuccubi.
“Ladies,”Isaidwithanod.
Thesuccubi,oneravenhaired,theotherblonde,poutedandstretchedcatlike,showingofftheirvariousassets,butIwasn’t
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interested.SuccubiareadimeadozeninHell,butastubborn,beautiful,kind-hearted,yetsomewhatviolenthumanwomanlikeJinx?Shewasararegemindeed.
Leavingtwosetsofpoutylipsbehind,Istalkedtowardtheendofthebar.Reachingthedoortothebackrooms,Islippedtheburgledkeyfrommypocketandattemptedtofititintothelock.HadIbeenmistaken
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aboutthekey?Iraisedmybrowatthedifficultlockandleanedclosertoseewhatcouldbethetrouble.Atcloserinspection,Icouldseethatthedoorknobwasfrostedoverandthelockwasfilledwithice.
Damnandblast,thatUnseeliebartendermusthaveusedhericemagictosealthedoor.Igrittedmyteethatthedelayandtuggedtheglovefrommyrighthand.Usinga
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minisculeamountofmagic,asmallflameformedfrommyindexfinger.I’dusedthetechniquepreviouslyasaparlortrick,buttheflamewasjustaseffectiveatmeltingtheicewithinthelockasithadbeenlightingcigars.Ituckedthegloveintothepocketofmywaistcoatandletmyselfinside.
Imovedquicklythroughthestoreroomlocatedimmediatelybehindthe
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lockeddoorandmovedstealthilydownaflightofstairstoaseriesofchambersbelow.Cratesandracksofwineweresoonreplacedbybeveragesofaverydifferentvintage.
ThelowerlevelreekedofdeathandIreachedoutwithmymagic,scouringthecellarsforanysignofPuck.Thetricksterwasn’thardtofind.Indeed,mysearchwasmorefruitfulthanI’dhoped.
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I’dfoundtheleverageIneededtokeepJinxfromthefaerie.Ishouldhavebeendelighted,butinsteadIfoundmyselfflushinghotwithunspentanger.
I’dwitnessedmanyhorrorsinflictedwithinthevariouslevelsofHell.Infact,therewasatimethatI’dparticipatedwholeheartedly.Butmypassionforinflictingpainandfearhadburnedoutmanycenturiesago.Now,as
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Isensedthesufferingperpetratedintheadjoiningrooms,Ihadtheurgetobesick.Ibroughtahandkerchieftomyface,recoilingatthestenchofblood,excrement,andoffal.
Withthedetailspluckedfrommymagicalsurveillance,andmyobservationsfromtheadjoiningclub,Puck’snewestbusinessenterprisebecameimmediatelyclear.He’dused
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hispositionrunningthenightclubtogainaccesstothestorageroomsandcellarsandhadconvertedthisspaceintoaviledenofiniquity.He’dcreatedabordelloforvampiresandotherdepravedcreatureswhosetastesrantowardtormentingtheirpreybeforetheyfeasted.
IwassomewhatsurprisedtofindthatIwasappalledbytheveryidea.Perhapsitwastheknowledge
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thatJinxwasnotsoverydifferentfromthehumanswholaydrugged,tortured,bleeding,ordeadintheroomsbeyond.
Infact,PuckhadtriedtodrugJinxthisverynight.
Thatmistakewouldleadtothetrickster’sdownfall;Puckwasgoingtopaydearly.Igrippedmywalkingstickinawhiteknuckledfist,myunglovedhandleavingscorchmarkson
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thepolishedwood.Iclosedmyeyesand
breatheddeeply,inhalingthescentofburntwoodandblood,andturnedmyattentiontotheenergyoftheleylinesthatconvergedallaroundme.ClubNexuswaslocatedatamagicalnexuspointwherepowerfulleylinesintersected,afactInowfoundfortuitous.
Ireachedoutandpluckedatthehumming
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threadsclose-at-handandsmiled.Thesewoulddonicely.Ilatchedontotwoleylineswithmywillandgaspedastheenergyjoltedintomybody.Theexperiencewasakintobitingdownonalivewirewhileclimaxing;itwasnotsomethingacorporealbody,eventhatofademon,wasmeanttowithstandforanylengthoftime.Idrewinaconsiderabledoseofpowerand,withapantingsigh,let
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gooftheline.Iopenedmyeyes,
unsurprisedtoseeflickersofcrimsonflamedancealongmyfingersandupanddownmyswordcane.I’ddrawnheavilyontheleylines,becomingaconduitofimmensepower.Nowthatpowerneededaplacetogo.
MyhandtightenedonthecaneandIwelcomedtheheatrisingwithinme.Puckhadchosenthewrongmortal
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womantosnareinhistangledweb.Iliftedmychinhigh,thrustoutmychest,andstrodeintotheroombeyond.
Theroomwasdimlylit,butIcouldseethatthevampirehadcontinuedonintoanadjoiningroomwhere,judgingbythescreamsandwhimpering,hewasenjoyinghimselfimmensely.Ishiftedmyfocustotheonemanwhoremainedintheroom.Thevampire,andthoselikehim,
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wouldbedealtwith,butfirst,IwoulddevotemyselftoprotectingJinxbylearningthecompletenatureofPuck’sfilthygame.Igrinned,andalickoffireandthehumofbarelycontainedenergydancedalongmylips.
Thesourceofmyfurywasstandingdeadahead.
“Ah,Puck,”Isaid,raisinganeyebrowasImadeashowoftakinginmysurroundings.“Ithoughtyou
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mightbeuptoyouroldtricks.Cateringtothebloodsuckersnow,Isee.”
“Everyonehasneeds,”Pucksaidwithashrug.Thefaeriesmiledwide,butnosignoflevityreachedhiscalculatingeyes.“Andtheundeadhavedeeppockets.Youcan’tblameaguyfortryingtomakealiving.”
Iliftedahandkerchieftomynoseandgrimaced,maintainingmygriponthe
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swordcanewithmyrighthand.Aweak,rattling,whimperrosefromanearbyroomandIhurriedon.VampirescouldmovequicklyanditsoundedasiftheSouthernvampwasnotamanofrestraint.
IfIdidn’tfinishmybusinesswithPuckswiftly,thehumansourceofthosecrieswouldbebeyondmyabilitytorenderassistance.Mymindconjuredtheimage
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ofavampiresinkinghisfangsintopaleskindecoratedbyafamiliarrosetattoo,thephantomlikenessjuxtaposedwiththesoundtrackofpainedwhimpers,andheatracedthroughmyveins.
“ButIdoblameyou,indubitably,”Isaid.“YouhaveplacedsomeoneIcareforinharm’swayandIintendtoseeksuitableretribution.”
“Comenow,Forneus,”
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Pucksaid,spreadinghishandswide.“I’msurewecancometoafriendlyarrangement.”
Ishookmyhead.“Idobelieveweare
beyondnegotiating,”Isaid,tossingthehandkerchiefovermyshoulder.Ishiftedmycaneintomylefthandandliftedmyright,allowingflametodancealongmyfingers.“Yousee,Puck,thereisanaggravatingfactor,
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adetailwhichmakesyouractionparticularlyinjurioustome,personally.Butperhapsyoucouldswaymyverdictwithapleabargain.”
Imightbesatisfiedifthetricksterprovidedenoughinformation,andbeggedsufficiently.
“Playingatjudge,jury,andexecutioner?”heasked.“That’snotlikeyou,Forneus.Heck,Ididn’tthinkyouhadtheballs.Goodfor
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you.”AsPucksaidthelast,
hiseyesheldmyown,buthishandslidtowardhispocket.Whetherhewasgoingforaweapon,orattemptingtocallforbackup,ourdiscussionwasevidentlyover.Istartedtoflickmywrist,intendingtosendanonslaughtofflameatthetrickster’swanderinghand,buthaltedthemotionassomethingflewpastmyshoulder.
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I’dbeensofocusedonthoseIpursuedaheadofmethatIhadn’tbotheredtoturnmyattentiontowhatmightapproachfrombehind.
Ispunonmyheelintimetoseeanenraged,blue-skinnedfaeriehurlherselftowardPuck.Thetrickster’sheadsnappedup,eyeswidening,asajeweleddaggerdescendedtowardhischest.Thisfaeriewoman,thebartenderfromtheclubifI
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wasn’tmistaken,obviouslyintendedtokillthetrickster.Ican’tsayIcouldblameher.Theboyishlookingmanhadanappallinghabitofscrewingovereveryoneheencountered.
Inarainbowarcofshiningjewelstheweaponplungeddownward,butthemotionwasarrestedwhenadusty,fangedblurinterceded.Withasnarl,thesouthernvampiregrabbedthe
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bartender’sarmandrippeditoffattheshoulder.Bloodsprayedfromtheraggedwound,makinganunseemlymess,butthevampire’sinterventionwaseffective.Puckwasunharmed,thoughIcouldn’tsaythesameforhisclothing.
Unfortunately,thesightofsomuchbloodpushedthevampireintoafeedingfrenzy.Thevampire’sfangselongatedfurtherand,witha
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growl,helatchedhimselfontothewoman’sneck.
“Stopthisatonce!”Idemanded.“Puck,thishasgonetoofar.She’safaerie,oneofyourownkind.”
Puckrockedhisheadbackandlaughed.
“Oneofmykind?”heasked.Hesteppedclosertowherethevampirefeastedontheinjuredfaeriewoman.“She’sanUnseelie,oneofMab’sbrood.Theirkind
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aren’tworthsaving.”“Thisisagainstclub
rulesandVampireLaw,”Isaid,attemptingonelasttimetoappealtoreason.“Stopthisandgiveupthiswretchedgameofyours.”
“No,Forneus,I’mhavingtoomuchfuntoclosedownmylittleBiteClub,”Pucksaid.“Ouractivitiesareprofitable,andIprovideamuchneededservicetothevampirecommunity.Isn’t
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thatright,Cyrus?”Thevampirepausedat
hisname,butsooncontinuedtosuckleatthefaerie’sneck,holdingheruprightinaparodyofalover’sembrace.Thewinterfaerie’sblueskinmadeitdifficulttotellifshewasstillalive,butthelossofbloodfromthemissinglimb,andthevampirelatchedontohernecklikeanengorgedtick,wouldkillhersoonifithadn’talready.Thishadto
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bestopped.OnceagainIbeganto
flickmywristandonceagainthefaeriewomaninterceded.Silverflashedinthedimlightandabluehandthrustupward,strikingPuckinthechest.Themakeshiftweapon,anicepickifIwasn’tmistaken,wasdrivendeeplyasthefaeriesmiled.
Apparently,thewomanwasalive,afterall.
“Ididasyouasked,my
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queen,”sherasped.Ididn’thavetimeto
ponderthosewords,thoughIplannedtoinvestigatethematterfurtherassoonastheopportunityarose.WhetherMabwalkedthemortalworldwasadetailworthknowing.
Puckfelltothefloor,theicepickstandingfromhischestlikeaflagpole.AtPuck’sapparentdemise,thevampireshriekedandtoreatthefaeriewoman’sclothing.
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Ishookmyheadandgrimacedasskinandfabricbegantoshredintostreamersofbloodyconfetti.
“Youreallyshouldn’tplaywithyourfood,”Isaid.“It’sghastlymanners.”
FlamedancedalongmyfingersandIraisedmyarmtowardthevampire.Firewasoneofthefewwaystodealwiththeundead,anditwassomethingIhadinabundance.
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ThesoundofheavybreathingregisteredjustasIsmelledJinx’suniquescent.Sheranintotheroom,aloadedcrossbowheldattheready.Sheaimedthebowatme,butwaveredasshetookinthegrislyscene.
Whatthedevil?“Moveawayfromthe
girl,douchebag,”shesaid,shiftingheraimtothevampire.
Cyrusletthedrained
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faerie’scorpsedroptothefloor,tossingitasidelikeasackofrubbish.Jinxblanchedatthesightofthevampire’sblood-smearedface,butkepthereyesfocusedsteadilyonhisgore-coveredchin—clevergirl.Shemaybeimpetuous,butatleastshehadthewherewithaltoavoidthevampire’smesmericgaze.
Imighthavebeenpleasedbyhersudden
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appearanceifshehadn’tplacedherselfunmistakablyinharm’sway.Aimingone’sweapon,especiallyonefilledwithpointyobjects,atablood-crazedpredatorwasnotgenerallylookeduponasawisecourseofaction.Notunlessyoustruckwithouthesitation.
“MightIsuggeststeppingaside?”Iasked,hopingshe’dtakemyadvice.Jinxstoodsquarelyinmy
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way.Icouldn’tunleashtheflamesinmygraspwithoutriskinghersafety.
Thevampire,Cyrus,heldhimselfcompletelystill,headtiltedashesizedupthesituation.UnlessJinxhadbroughtanarmyofHuntersasbackup,wewererunningoutoftime.Soonthevampirewoulddiscernthat,exceptforabasementfullofcorpses,wewerequitealone.Icouldnotusefireasa
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weaponwithoutstrikingJinxandshestoodtooclosetothevampiretogetoffmorethanoneshotwithhercrossbow.
ThatmadeJinxeasyprey.
Inablurofmovement,thevampiresnarledandrushedtowardJinx,razortippedfingersextendedlikeclaws.Ispuntotherightandpropelledmyselfforward,hopingtoclosethedistanceandintercedebeforethe
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vampirereachedhistarget.Iheardthetwangofa
bowstringameresecondbeforeastainblossomedonthevampire’schest.Itwasanadmirableshot,thecrossbowboltgoingstraightthroughtheheart,buttheboltmustnothavebeenmadeofwood.Thevampirecontinuedmovingforward.
Heartpounding,Ilunged,pushedJinxaside,andrammedtheshaftofmy
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walkingstickthroughthevampire’schest.Inthiscase,thewalkingstickwasmoreeffectivethanthesworditencased.Awoodenstake,orrathermywoodenwalkingstick,causesparalysiswhendriventhroughtheheartofavampire.Myswordwouldhavedonenothingmorethanangerthecreature.
Nowthevampirewaspinnedtothefloorlikeaghoulishspecimen.Ihadno
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ideawhattodowiththeman,butsuchdecisionscouldwait.Cyruswouldn’tbegoinganywheresoon.Thevampirewouldkeep.
Instead,IrushedtowhereJinxleanedagainstanearbywall.I’dpushedherawayfromthevampireasgentlyasIcould,butIwasademonfilledwiththehumofimmenseleylinepower.Jinxwasstrong,butshewashuman.Ihopedshehadn’t
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sustainedanyseriousinjurieswhileI’ddispatchedheropponent.
“Areyoualright?”Iasked.
Jinxshookherhead,smiledruefully,andpushedherselfawayfromthewall.
“Yes,I’mfine,”shesaid.Shegesturedtowardthefaeriewoman’scorpseatourfeet.“ButIcan’tsaythesameforher.Weneedtogethertoahospital.”
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Thefaeriewomanwasbeyondtheservicesofanymedicalinstitution,I’dnotedthemomentwhenherhearthadceasedtobeat,butImadeashowofcheckingherpulse.NosenseremindingJinxofhowverydifferentwewerefromeachother.Icouldsharemyabilitytofeelthetranscendenceofasoulfromthefleshinalaterconversation—iftherewasalater.Ijusthopedthatshe
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hadcometotherealizationthatI’dhadnopartinPuck’sbloodsport.
“I’msorry,mydear,”Isaid.“She’sdead.”
Jinxflashedapainedlook,butcovereditquickly.Shenoddedandcontinuedtotakeinthegrislyscene.
“Andhim?”sheasked,pointingtowardthevampire,mywalkingstickholdinghimimmobile.
“Oh,heisstillvery
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muchalive…asaliveasanyundeadcreatureeverreallyis,”Isaid,movingtowardthevampire.
Ismeltthelayersofdeathonhim.Thisonehadtakenhundredsoflives,andreveledinit.
“You’vebeenaverynaughtyboy,”Isaid,staringdownatthevampire.“I’msuretheVampireCouncilwillbeinterestedtolearnofyourarrogantdisregardfor
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thelaw.”Hiseyesflickedtoward
anopendoorandIturnedtoseeayounggirlhangingfromthewall,herwristsshackledtothestone.Ribbonsoffleshdangledfromhernakedbodywhereithungbesideatableofsharpinstruments.Thegirlhadbeentorturedandthendrainedofblood.
Igrimaced,walkedstifflytotheroom,andclosedthedoor.Thegirlwas
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beyondsaving,herlifealreadyexpired,butperhapsIcouldshieldJinxfromwitnessingsuchhorror.
“Yes,thecouncilwillbeveryinterestedindeed,”Isaid.“Toobadtheywon’thaveachancetopunishyouforyourcrimes.”
FlamedancedalongmyfingersasIwalkedbacktowherethevampirelayimpaledbymywalkingstick.
“SayhellotoLucifer
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forme,”Isaid,lettingmylipscurlinagrin.“I’msurethetwoofyouwillsoonbewellacquainted.”
Ipulledmywalkingstickfromhisheartandplacedafieryhandonhischest.Thevampireimmediatelycaughtfire,burningtoashwithinseconds.
Istoodandbrusheddustandashfrommyhand,slippedtheglovefrommy
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waistcoatpocket,andtuggediton.Itookmytime,afraidtoseethejudgmentwaitinginJinx’seyes.I’dmademydecisiontoterminatethevampirewhenIsmelthisecstasyintheroomwherethetorturedgirlstillhung.Aroguevampirewouldneverchange,onlybecomingmoretwistedovertime,butJinxmaynotknowthat.Allshe’dseenwasademonburnamanalive.
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Howcouldshepossiblyacceptmeafterwitnessingsuchagruesomesight?
Isighed,rakingahandthroughmyhair.Mightaswellgetonwithit,Inotedgrimly.Ipastedasmileonmyfaceandspunaround,hopingtomakelightofthesituation,butJinxwasn’tscowlingindisgustorwringingherhands.Irelaxedasaslowsmilespreadacrossherface.
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“Thankyou,”shesaid.Jinxsteppedintomy
armsandtiltedherheadbacktolookmeintheeye.
“Forwhat?”Iasked,dumbfounded.Foronce,I,thegreatForneus,GreatMarquisofHell,wasatalossforwords.
“Forkillingthatcreature,forlookingoutforme,forsavingmylife,”shesaid.
Jinxreachedupto
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touchmyface,herfingerstracingmylips,myjaw,anddownmyneck.Herlingeringtouchwasexcruciatinglytender.Isuckedinabreath,afraidtomoveforfearofbreakingthespellthatgrantedmemyinnermostdesire.
SheraisedaneyebrowandIstruggledtothinkofanappropriateresponse.Butmybodydidn’twanttoreplywithwords.
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“Iamalwaysatyourservice,”Isaidsoftly,leaningcloser.“Ifyouwillhaveme.”
Jinxliftedherselfontotiptoe,closingthedistancebetweenus.
“Yes,Forneus,Iwill,”shesaid,lipsbrushingmine.
Igroanedasshetiltedherhead,slantinghermouthacrossmyown.Iranmyhandsoverherbareshoulders,fingerstracingthe
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tattooedskin.Theycontinuedtheirdescentdownherback,pullinghercloser.Herlipsparted,andourkissdeepened.Oh,greatLucifer,yes!IcouldspendeternitykissingJinx.
Toobadherfriendschosethatmomenttointerrupt.
IvyandTornrushedintotheroom,yellingforJinxandbrandishingweapons.AsJinxandIparted—eyes
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glassyandskinflushed,Idaresay—herfriendstookinthecrumpledbodiesofPuck,theUnseeliebartender,andthevampire-shapedpileofash.
Ivy’seyesdartedaroundtheroom,finallylandingonherfriend.
“Areyouokay?”Ivyasked.
Jinxblinkedandslowlynodded.
“Yes,I’mfine,”she
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said.“ThankstoForneus.YouwererightaboutPuck.Theguywasanasshat.Ididn’tcatchallthedetails,butI’mprettysurehewasdruggingandsellinggirlstosickovampswhogotoffontorture.”Shebitherlipandflickedhereyesmyway.“Isawthatgirl…hangingintheotherroom,butIappreciatewhatyoutriedtodo.”
Ah,soIhadn’tbeenquickenoughinmyattempt
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tohidetheterrorsofthetorturedgirlbehindthecloseddoor.Jinxwastough—itwasoneofthemanyqualitiesIadored—butI’dhopedtospareherthatparticularnightmare.
“IonlywishI’darrivedsooner,”Isaid,reachingforherhand.“Iwouldhavepreferredtohavesavedthegirlandtohavekeptyoufromseeingthedepthsofsuchdepravity.”
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Shegavemyhandalightsqueeze,faceupturned.Iwantedtopullhertome,butIneverhadthechance.
Puck,likeacatwithninelives,sprungtohisfeetandpouncedonJinxfrombehind.We’dmadeaterriblemistake;thetricksterwasnotdead,onlywounded.Ishouldhavereachedoutwithmydemonmagicandsearchedhisbodyforasoul,butIhadn’tbeenpayingattention
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—andnowthetricksterwasarmed.
He’dpulledtheicepickfromhischestandhadretrievedthejeweleddaggerfromtheUnseeliefaerie’slifelesshand.TheamputatedarmcarryingthebladehadbeentossedasidebythevampireandIhadn’tspareditasecondthought.
IfharmcametoJinx,itwouldbemyfaultfornotbeingmorethorough.Lucifer
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knows,IshouldhavecheckedPuck’sbodyforsignsoflife,butI’dbeentoodistractedbymyowndesire.I’dgiventhetrickstertheperfectopportunityforrevenge.
IvyandTornhadapparentlycometothesameconclusion.
WithpainfulclarityItookinthedetailsofthesituation.Ivy’sfacepaledandherskinbegantoglow.Herhairliftedtodance
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aroundherheadwithunspentmagicalenergy,butthewispprincesshadn’tyetlearnedhowtodirectthepowersshe’dinheritedfromherfaeriefather.
Shewas,however,skilledatslicing,dicing,andbashingthingsoverthehead.
Throwingknivesslidfromwristsheathstohitherpalms,butatthatangle,she’dbemorelikelytohitJinxthanPuck.Shestartedtostrafeto
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theside,butshe’dneverbefastenough,wisppowersorno.
Torntwistedinaflankingmaneuver—afierceshadowwithspeedtorivalacheetah—buthetoohadbeenfaracrosstheroom.Thecatsidhe’sattackwouldneverlandintime.TherewasonlyonepersonwhocouldpossiblysaveJinx,andthatpersonwasme.
Jinx’seyeswentwide
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asPuckgrabbedatherhairandyankedherheadback,baringherthroat.ThejeweledhiltofadaggerflashedinthewisplightandIknewwithcertaintythatPuckintendedtoslitherthroat.Mymouthwentdry,butIpushedawayphysiologicaldistractions.Fearhadnoclaimonme.
Iwasademon.Fireburnedwithinmy
veins,buildingtoafever
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pitch,butIhelditfirmlywithmywill.IcouldnotriskharmingJinxwithjetsofflame.No,Iwouldhavetobeprecise,methodicalintheexecutionofmyattack.
Inamicrosecond,Ideterminedthemostsalientcourseofaction.AsPuck’sbladecamearcingtowardJinx’sneck,myfingersstillentwinedwithhers,IyankedherforwardoutofPuck’sgrasp.Iwincedatthesound
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ofhairtearingfromfleshandhopedthatJinxwouldforgivemelater—iftherewasalater.
NeverinallthecenturiesofmyexistencehaveIworriedsoforwhatthefuturemaybring.Funnyhowonepersoncouldturneverythingonitshead.
PuckwasstillholdingachunkofJinx’shairandswunghisbladedownwardasIflungJinxtowardTornwithaflickofmywrist.Thetwo
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wentdownwithasickeningthud.Whenthiswasallover,Jinxwouldlikelyhavebruisesandapossibleconcussiontoaddtothebloodypatchonherscalp,butmyprioritywassavingherlife.Ihadtohopethatherfriendswouldhavethewherewithaltoadministerfirstaid.Icouldn’tyetriskaglancetocheckonherhealth.
Ihadafaerietokill.WithJinxoutofharm’s
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reach,IletdowntherigidmentalbarriersIkeptbetweenmyselfandHell.Thistimeleylinepowerwasnotenough.IhadtoinsurethatPuckwouldnotlivethroughthisnight.Iwouldnotmakethemistakeofunderestimatingthetricksteragain.Asthementalfortificationscrumbled,thescreamsofthedamnedfloodedmymind.Ipushedasidetheechoesoftorment
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andreachedforthepowerthatwasmybirthright.
Tappingintosuchpowerwasnotwithoutconsequence.Hornseruptedfrommyhead,rippingpainfullythroughmyscalp,andleatherywingstorethroughmybackandclothing,ruiningaperfectlygoodwaistcoat.Myclovenhoovessentupsparkswheretheymetthebasement’sstonefloorandIlookeddownat
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Puckwithglowingeyes.Thisallhappenedin
lessthanasecond,butthesmirkhadfallenfromPuck’sfaceandfearwasgrowingbehindhiswideningeyes.Ididn’tdareglanceattheothersintheroom.IhopedthatJinxwouldnotjudgemebasedonmyunfortunatephysicaltransformation.ThiswasnotatallwhatI’dhadinmindwhenI’dpicturedourfirstdate.
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Andhopefully,herfriendswouldn’ttakeituponthemselvestodoalittledemonhunting.ThepsychicdetectiveandIhadanarrangementthatbenefitedusboth,butshe’dneverbeenconfrontedwiththisform.Ivyhadbeenraisedasahuman,andhadhumanbloodinherveins,andhumanshaveaninstinctualdislikeforHellspawn.
Iwasfilledwithan
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immeasurableamountofrawpower,butthisformwasvulnerableonthemortalplane.IfIvystabbedmeinthebacknow,Iwoulddieatruedeath.
AtleastI’dhadthatkiss.Ademoncoulddiehappywiththememoryofthatkissfreshonhislips.
Speakingofdying,Puckwasstillalive.I’dreachedoutabsentlyandheldhiminmygrasp.NowIheld
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hisgazeandshookmyhead.“Iwarnedyoubefore,
trickster,”Isaid.“ItoldyounottomesswiththosewhomIcareabout.Youwereafoolnottoheedmywarning.”
ThesoulsofthedamnedfilledmyheadandIpushedtheiranguishedcriesdownthroughmyveinsandoutthroughmyhands—andintoPuck.Thefaeriescreamed,hisfacecontorted,mouthopenwideasthe
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damneddevouredhimfromwithin.Flamesdottedhisskin,charredholesformingblackenedcraters.Inamatterofseconds,thehungrysoulshadaddedonemoretotheirnumber.ThephysicalbodyofPuckcrumbledtoashandthesoulsofthedamneddisappearedintothestonefloor,returningtoHell.
Istumbledandgrippedmyhead,closingmyeyesagainstthespinningroom.
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Myfingersmetthewarm,smoothsurfaceofmyhornsandIsighed.ItwastimetoresumewhatI’dcometothinkofasmyproperform—theformJinxmightsomedaycometolove.
Therehadbeenthatkiss,afterall.
Jinxhadfinallyshownherfeelingsforme,butIwasn’tdoingournewfoundrelationshipanygoodbyremainingwinged,horned,
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andclovenhoofed.Withadeepbreath,IfocusedmywillandbegantorebuildthewallsaroundtheemberofHellthatresidedineverydemon.Afterafewminutes,butwhatfeltlikeaneternity,Iopenedmyeyes.
Myclothingwastorn,andI’dlostashoe,butmybodyhadreturnedtonormal.IwasJinx’sdashingsuitoronceagain,anditwastimeforourheartfeltreunion.I
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turnedtowardIvyandTornwheretheyhoveredaroundJinx’sbodycrumpledbody.
“Isshe…?”Iasked.Ireachedoutwithmy
magicandcouldfeelthewarmthofJinx’ssoul.Shehadnotleftus,notyet.
“She’salive,”Tornsaid,brushingastrayhairfromJinx’spaleface.“She’ssurprisinglyfeistyforahuman.”
Thecatsidhelord
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lookeddownonJinxwithsuchopencuriositythatIhadtostuffmyhandsinsidemypocketstokeepfromstranglinghim.IfTornhadanysenseofselfpreservation,he’dkeephisdistancefromJinx.Curiositykilledthecat,andallthat.
“Headwound,”Ivysaid.“We’retakinghertoTheEmporium.IwantKayetohavealookatherinjuries.”
MadameKayewasnot
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afanofdemons,andshewasapowerfulwitch.Heroccultshopwouldbeheavilywarded.TheyweretakingJinxsomewherethatIcouldn’tfollow.ThatleftmewithahollowfeelinginthepitofmystomachthatIwasn’tquitereadytodefine.
“Thenletmebeofassistance,”Isaid,movingforward.“Allowme…”
Ivyheldupaglovedhandandshookherhead.
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“Idon’tthinkthat’ssuchagoodidea,”shesaid.“TornandIcantakeitfromhere.Plus,Kayewouldsoonertrapyouinacircle,orblastyoubacktoHell,thanletyoucrossherthreshold.”
“Yes,ofcourse,”Isaid,lettingmyarmshangatmysides.“Youseemtohavethematterwellinhand.”
IbittheinsideofmycheekasTornliftedJinxintohisarms.ItwasallIcoulddo
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nottothrottletheman.ItshouldhavebeenmychestthatJinxslumberedagainst,nottheboneandfurlacedleathervestoftheunscrupulouscatsidhe.
“Wedo,”shesaid,gesturingatthecorpselitteredfloor.“Whydon’tyoutakecareofthismessandhelpdeliverthehumanbodiessomewheretheauthoritiescanfindthem.Wemaynotbeabletoexplainwhatreally
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happenedhere,butthefamiliesofthedeaddeservetoknowthattheirlovedonesaregone.”
I’djustbeenrelegatedtothecleanupcrew.Howveryunnerving.
“MissGranger?”Iasked.Ivylookedoverhershoulder,browraised.“Takegoodcareofher.”
“That’stheidea,”shesaid.
Ivywalkedoutofthe
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basement,leavingmetotheunpleasanttaskofinformingclubsecurityaboutPuck’snefariouslittlesidebusiness.
Threedayslater,IenteredtheofficesofPrivateEye.I’dkeptbusyafterthatnightatClubNexus.Idevotedmyselftomywork,closingacomplexlegalcaseandreapingenoughsoulstofillmyannualquota,butworryoverJinxconsumedme.I’dtriedtobepatient,to
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waitforhertocallforme,butafterthethirddayofpacingthestreetsofHarborsmouth,I’dhadenough.Ihadtoseeherwithmyowneyes.
Ihadtoknowthatshewasalright.
IsteppedthroughthedoorandfeltmyheartlightenwhenIsawJinxstandingbesideherdesk.ShewasbusytalkingwithIvyandaclient,herbacktome,butIcouldseethatshewas
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standingeasilyandwithoutassistance.Iobservedherforaminutelongerthannecessary,savoringthemomentwhenshe’dturnandseemewaitingforher.
Wouldshecomerushingintomyarms?Iimaginedthesmellofherhairandthefeelofherskinbeneathmyfingers,andsmiled.Ishookmyheadatmyflightsoffancy.Thewomanwasdrivingmemad.
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Withapurposefuljingleofthedoor,Istrodeintotheoffice.IwassurprisedtoseethattheirguestwasTorn,thecatsidhelord,butIhardlypaiditathought.Ivycouldkeephernewallybusy.MyattentionwasrivetedonJinx.
Jinxturned,andwithahaughtytossofherhead,demanded,“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Itwasnottheromantic
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welcomeIwasexpecting.“Comenow,darling,”I
said,spreadingmyhandswide.“Aren’twebeyondthischarade?Iknowyourtruefeelingsforme,asdoyourfriends.Theywitnessedthekissweshared.There’snosensepretendingwedonotcareforeachother.”
Jinxrolledhereyesandwalkedtoherdesk.Sheopenedthetopdrawerofherdesk,liftedhercrossbowto
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hershoulder,andshotmeinthestomach.
“Demons,”shespat,turningtoIvy.“Iwarnedhimnevertocallmedarling.”
IfeltlikeI’dbeenpunchedinthegut,which,infact,Ihad.Thecrossbowboltburned,evidentlyhavingbeendousedinholywater,butI’dsurvivethewound.Iwasnot,however,surehowIcouldendureJinx’sdisdain.
Shedidn’tremember
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ourkiss.Istoodtherepole-axed.
She’dsufferedablowtotheheadandnolongerrememberedourkiss,thatpreciousmomentthathadfilledthelastthreedayswithsuchmeaning.Jinx’slossofmemoryhitmewithacrushingmightworsethanthemomentPuck’sbladeflashedintheclub’sbasement.AnarmedopponentwassomethingI’d
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preparedforoverthecourseofmylonglife.Buthowdoesonetakeupthegauntletagainstsomethingthatisalreadylost?
HavingJinx’sfeelingsformerippedawaywaslikeundergoingsurgerywithouttheanesthesia.ButIheldontothepain,becauseitwasallthatwasleftofthemomentwe’dshared.Iwasn’twillingtolethergo.
IturnedtoIvy,who
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grimaced,butmetmygaze.“Whydidyoukeepthe
truthfromher?”Iasked.Mybodyfeltcold,butIresistedashiver.“Howcouldyou?”
“HowcouldInot?”shewhispered.She’dspokentoosoftlyforhumanears,butnowraisedhervoiceforJinx’sbenefit.“Itoldherallsheneededtoknowofthatnight.ShewasattackedbyPuck,butTornandIgotthereintimetosaveherlife.”
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Ivyhadseenmetransforminthebasementintosomethingoutofnightmare.FueledbyHellfire,I’dgrownhorns,wings,andclovenhoofs.Itshouldnothavechangedanything.JinxhadknownIwasademonwhenshe’dkissedme.ButIvyapparentlythoughtshewasprotectingherfriendbyconcealingthetruth.
“Iwillnotgiveherup,”
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Iwhispered.“AndIwillneverforgetthis.”
Ispunonmyheel,handclutchedtothecrossbowboltprotrudingfrommystomach,andlimpedasgracefullyasIcouldfromtheofficeandoutontothestreetsofHarborsmouth.
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AlsobyE.J.Stevens
SpiritGuide
YoungAdultSeries
SheSmellstheDeadSpiritStorm
LegendofWitchtrotRoadBrushwithDeathThePirateCurse
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IvyGrangerUrbanFantasySeries
ShadowSight
BloodandMistletoeGhostLightClubNexus
BurningBright(2014)
Hunters’GuildUrbanFantasySeries
HuntinginBruges(2014)
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DarkPoetryCollections
FromtheShadowsShadowsofMythandLegend
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E.J.StevensistheauthoroftheSpiritGuideyoungadultseriesandthebestsellingIvyGrangerurbanfantasyseries.WhenE.J.isn'tatherwritingdesksheenjoysdancing
alongseasidecliffs,singingingraveyards,andsleepinginfaeriecircles.E.J.currentlyresidesinamagicalforestonthecoastofMainewhereshefindsdailyinspirationforher
writing.
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Youcanlearnmoreabout
E.J.athttp://about.me/EJStevens
VisitE.J.onherBlogand
Twitter.