Page 3 of Power of Shadow

My heart’s still pounding. Want to burst out of my rib cage.

I don’t understand what’s happening to me right now.

As the three of them walk by, my mom glances up at me. As much as she’s able, at least. Her green eyes glisten with tears, and her bloody bottom lip trembles.

Burning need to hug her like on those other evenings overwhelms me. To be a superhero and take away her worries and sadness again.

“Let’s go, Ryker,” Eli says when my eyes wander to that one spot.

For a moment, I can’t take my eyes off the red bloodstain on the office floor. Staring at it, I can’t stop picturing the things I wish I could do to my father. These are terrifying things, cruel things, filled with hatred.

I finally tear my gaze away and turn on my heel, wanting to follow my friends and mom.

“Ryker’s staying.” Father’s standing now with his hand on the handle. When did that happen?

“He didn’t touch me; he didn’t do it,” my mother pleads. “Please, James, you promised there would be no consequences.”

“I promised nothing, I only said it.” He’s grinning like a wicked clown. “And I lied.” The door slams shut with a loud bang.

Click.

The sound of the lock turning mixes with my mother’s screams. But she’s on the other side and can do nothing but cry, scream, or beg.

That day, for the first time, I meet the demon that lives inside me. I welcome it.

And I make a pact with it.

Chapter 1

Ryker

The large gallery window in my office lets me see the club and its activity. From this spot, I have a perfect view of everything whenever I need or want to. I’m invisible to outsiders. And that’s the point.

The ground floor of Feather has three dance stages, positioned to the north, east, and west. The north stage is bustling with life on weekdays. When the weekend comes, all three stages buzz with energy and money, which the customers lavish on the girls. And on me.

A bar with a counter running its entire length dominates the south side of the club. It has at least two bartenders behind it. The girls know their job like no one else in the world and can prepare any customer’s most sophisticated cravings. They have top-shelf drinks at their disposal.

Three bartenders are working right now, sweating because it’s a busy weekend. The girls, though exhausted, give the customers flirtatious smiles. Leaning across the counter, Jenna is using her looks to get a large tip from a man, I'm sure of it. Katrina fiddles with her hair as she listens to a random idiot’s foolish words. Before we close the club, he’ll give her everything he has in his wallet.

Good. They deserve it, even though they’ll get above-average pay.

Plush black and red couches fill the center of the room. Small lamps on each table give off a subdued glow. They create atmosphere rather than providing light.

The chairs next to each stage are for those guests who came here for the girls dancing on the pole. These seats allow them generous rewards for the girls’ sensuality and beautiful bodies.

The club is brimming with people tonight. Most of the crowd are men, of course. Maybe ten percent are women, whether wives, mistresses, or prostitutes. It doesn’t matter. What matters is their satisfaction and desire.

As I scan the crowd, one person grabs my attention. She’s standing in the semi-darkness, accompanied by one dancer. She doesn’t want to be seen is my first thought. Even so, she becomes the focal point, and the room frames her. I don’t know if it’s her clothes or her aura. But I feel it right away.

And yet she catches the eye of a predator like me. I don’t believe I have the final say. It’s stronger than me.

A cascade of curly hair reach almost her waist. Its chestnut shade shines even in dim lighting. When she nods, her hair rises and falls seductively.

The girl is wearing a plain black T-shirt. It fits her like a glove, highlighting her round breasts and flowing over her flat stomach. Based on my profession and other things, I would guess she’s a C-cup. The perfect size for my hands.

A leather skirt hugs her curvy hips, accentuating her delicious ass. The mere thought of biting into that area of her body makes my mouth water and sends a jolt through me.

I let my gaze wander lower and there's the biggest surprise. Long legs in a golden hue are hidden in combat boots. Seriously. Combat boots?