Page 3

I hold up a finger, leaving my seat. "Hold on just a moment, babe. I need to check our numbers."

She pouts. "But I've been waiting here forever."

"Sorry, hon. We don't want to be at capacity," I explain, walking toward the door. "Give me just a second."

Several groans hit my ears from all the other women in line behind her.

I open the door, separating the women from their greatest dreams, and step inside, shutting it behind me. Lavish purple, black, and red cover the interior. Tables are nearly full as women wave money at the newbie on stage. He works the floor, cleaning up tips.

Eos appears beside me. "We're almost at capacity."

I nod. "On it." Cracking my knuckles, I shut my eyes. Words fall from my lips in ancient Nacht. The moon hums in my head, piercing my skull. It vibrates throughout my veins, filling me with magic. Lifting my hands, I claw them and turn them toward each other. Seams in the flooring of the club slowly separate as I pull my hands apart, creating a pathway. Twisting a hand, I produce more of the same flooring. The hand I twist rises. More floorboards fill the holes left behind, and music dies down in my ears as each part of the floor snaps into place. My heartbeat skirts, accelerating in my head. With my other hand, I work on the lightning. Writing in the sky, squiggles dance from my fingertips. Long, curly beams fall, adding different shades of red, black, and purple lights. A heavy breath escapes my mouth.

"That's enough," says Eos when my legs wobble. "We have plenty of security here who can add tables."

I open my eyes, exhaling loudly. "Okay," I whisper.

"Drink this," commands a familiar deep voice.

I stumble, nearly tripping when I try to step away from the person beside me. A strong hand grabs my wrist, yanking me toward them. I collide with a hard, warm body, sending my head into a spiral. My blood rushes throughout my veins. My insides quiver, and I tremble, legs tensing.

"Let me go," I hiss.

"Drink this first," Ekon states without releasing me, lifting the water bottle with his other hand and swaying it before me.

I don't take it. "I'm okay."

A sigh echoes beside me. "Take the damn water, Yue," says Nyx, standing next to her twin.

Blowing out a breath, I snatch it from his hands. "Thanks," I murmur.

Ekon cups his ear, pushing his luscious locs away. "I can't hear you over all this music."

Narrowing my eyes, I give in. "Thank you."

"Say my name," he says, eyes flashing from brown to gray.

Nyx shakes her head, walking away with Eos on her heels.

"Fuck off, jackass," I reply, pushing out of his hold. I straighten my shoulders and crack open the bottle, drinking a generous amount before opening the door to the waiting customers.

A chorus of screams hits my ears when I do, and a breath brushes over my neck. I shiver where I stand, hand clutching the doorknob tightly. Glancing over my shoulder, I lock eyes with the giant. Everyone here is taller than I am, standing at five foot three. My heart stutters inside my chest.

"Can I help you?" I ask.

"Just seeing if you need any help down there," he says with a wink before his gray eyes dart to the women waving at him. "I'm on tonight at one. Ashari, Adwin, Desmond, and I will perform all together at four in the morning." He flashes a deep grin. "Please stay and support us."

The women scream, and some fan themselves. Shaking my head, I slam my elbow back, hitting him in the gut. My teeth grit, and my entire body vibrates from the impact. Never hit someone whose body is made of literal stone.

He hisses. "You're lucky you're cute." Ekon moves a hand through my short white hair, tugging a loose coil. "See you later, Yue."

"See you later," I mock, puffing my chest as I yank the door closed behind me, slamming it in his face.

"Booo," many of the women call, and I swallow a snarl. I can't electrify them... that would be bad for business.

"I have good news," I start, looking at the long line. "Midnight Embers has room for you all."

Chapter 2 Ekon