“Hey, hey,” Ivy said, grabbing me before I could cry again. “Don’t you let him make you thinkyou’re worthless, you hear me? You’re a strong, beautiful person with a heart of gold, and you always have been. No matter what, you always got yourself, and you can’t turn your back on the woman you want to become.Nothingcan take that away from you, ya understand? And you’re not unloveable. I love you, and your friends love you, and Oberi loves you. You got a whole team of people behind you, so fuck whatever Charlie said, you hear me?”
I cleared my throat and sniffed. “You’re right. I want to feel better. Just… tell me how.”
“I could tell you, but you’re not gonna understand until you figure it out for yourself.”
“You’re always so brave, Ivy. I want to be like that.”
A corner of Ivy’s mouth raised. “I had to love myself, sweetheart, because it was damn obvious no one else was going to.”
“Okay. Then show me how.”
“I will. It’s time you got your confidence back.”
I blinked, and Ivy shook my shoulders encouragingly. “You know what? Chance said he’s gonna bring Charlie down to the club tonight for the grand opening of The Devil’s Playground,” Ivy said mischievously. “Why don’t we give Charlie an evening he’ll remember?”
“What did you have in mind?”
Ivy grinned. “Revenge is my specialty, precious. Just follow my lead, and he’ll live to regret ever letting you go.”
* * *
“Ava, this is going too far.”
My brother was complaining as he set up lights backstage at The Devil’s Playground. It was opening night, and on the other side of the curtain, dozens of students with invite-only passes were getting ready to enjoy a night of drinking, dancing, and debauchery.
And I was the opening act.
Ivy had hired a bunch of girls, mostly succubi, to be exotic dancers for the club, and a couple of brawny vampires to act as security. He’d also hired a fae friend to cast illusions to keep the sound from escaping the club, along with a spell to hide the entrance from anyone who didn’t have a pass. The dancing girls were to go on and continue the show after my act was finished.
This was my first performance in front of a live audience since I’d quit singing after Monica died. Underneath my silk green robe, I wore fewer clothes than I ever had, but I’d never felt so confident.
I’d managed to con my brother into helping me, though he refused to run the spotlight once he got it running, handing the job off to Opal. He clearly disapproved as I took a few steadying breaths backstage, wobbling in my knee-high leather boots that had a five-inch heel.
“Is he here?” Opal gushed, bouncing in place.
“Sitting in the front row with Chance,” Ivy said in satisfaction. “His world is about to get knocked sideways.”
Ivy wore identical boots to mine, with a green and black corset— Institute colors, of course— matching panties, and garter straps that held up fishnet leggings. He looked incredible.
My heart thudded wildly with the news that Charlie had arrived. He thought I was a spoiled little rich girl? Fine. Because I was gettingallthe money tonight.
Ivy twirled a feather boa around his neck as he faced me. “Ready to take back your power, precious?”
“I amsoready,” I said sinisterly. I adjusted the headset microphone one more time. I hoped it didn’t fall off with all the crazy moves I planned on breaking out.
“I can’t watch this.” My brother covered his eyes, while Opal let out an enthusiastic cheer.
“Remember, you are in total control,” Ivy reminded me. “Make those dogs eat out of the palm of your glorious hand.”
I nodded and began climbing the stairs to the catwalk. Once I was directly above the stage, I stepped onto a platform and wrapped my hand around the metal pole, taking my starting pose. No one would see me until the platform was lowered downward. It’d be a total surprise.
The curtains were drawn, and people screamed as the spotlight centered on Ivy. He began twirling around the stripper pole in the center of the stage like a master, twisting his body as if he was born to perform for a crowd. Ivy was a true artist with the pole. When he danced, everyone was captivated by the beautiful way his body moved.
We ruined our chances and got sentenced to hell
But I’m addicted to sin and have something to sell.
You think I’m a doll and want to play with my life
