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My knees almost fail. What the fuck is wrong with me? How can he be brutal one second, biting my skin, and then whispering to me like a lullaby.

I rip my hand away and shove past him before he can catch me again. I don’t look back. I leave the archive, climb the stairs too fast and force myself not to run until I reach the party.

I find Ezra where I left him.

“Wolves got here,” he says. “They’re lurking around. Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

He doesn’t believe me. “Did you find what you wanted?”

“Something like that.” I glance back toward the corridor, my body still hot where Nero touched me. “Let’s get out of here,” I say.

This did not go the way I wanted.

CHAPTER 11

WHERE SHE GOES

If it’s true that Julian was a hybrid, then he wasn’t just Marcus’s missing golden boy. He was a threat. Something that could tilt the whole balance of Midnight City, vampire blood and witch magic trapped in one body. Did Marcus know? Did he see him as a risk?

The questions follow me all the way to Le Vertige.

I go there to work, because thinking doesn’t pay bills and repair leaking roofs. Before I leave, I text Max to come by after his shift. I want him. I need him. What happened with Nero in the Red Coven basement was a mistake, a big one. I thought it would be harmless. Just a bit of fun, a power game, a stupid way to prove he didn’t get under my skin. But it wasn’t harmless. I need him out of my head, and Max is the best way to do that.

When we arrive, the line outside Le Vertige stretches halfway down the block, same as always. Skinny vampires, women in heavy makeup, witches in dresses from the trendiest boutiques. I walk straight to the door.

The bouncers know me. Most of them, but there is a new face at the entrance tonight. Young, maybe early twenties. Looking a little odd, too much cologne, too much leather, too much effort. He clocks me coming. “There’s a line, lady.”

Lady. Am I getting old? I need to see my esthetician. Maybe it’s really time for botox.

“I don’t do well in lines.” I keep my voice nice and pleasant. “Is Josh here?” He is a regular doorman at Le Vertige.

“I’m here.” The bouncer squares his shoulders. “And I don’t know you. You can wait like everyone else.”

I step aside without a word and pull out my phone. Clients upstairs are already texting me, the messenger keeps blowing up. I dial Josh. He picks up on the second ring.

“Lara, hey, what’s up?”

“Hi. The new kid at the door. Won’t let me in.”

“Fucking dipshit. Give me thirty seconds.”

A moment later Josh pushes through the doors and smacks the new guy on the shoulder. Josh is a vampire that turned a couple years ago. It shows. He still moves like a human, talks like one, smells like one. Athletic but not bulky, his clothes are always on point with Off-White and AllSaints. I like him. Good banter, easy vibe. He takes care of me, I take care of him.

“Lara, girl!” He greets me with a quick kiss on the cheek, then turns to the kid. “If someone’s on my list, you let them in. Stop playing employee of the month. We’ve got a crowd out here, I can’t be everywhere.”

“Sorry. I didn’t know. Tonight’s crazy. Lot of people trying to push through.” The new guy looks embarrassed. The line behind me grows restless. Someone mutters about me skipping. I don’t give a fuck. I’m working.

Still, I smile at the kid, grab his hand gently, and slip him a bag of nightrush. Stardust costs too much to hand out for free, but sometimes an investment pays off. “Don’t worry. Next time you’ll remember me.” I wink and follow Josh inside.

Did the guy piss me off, sure. But a little gift now means easy access later. Flirting with men is just good business. I always need a fast way in and out.

“Sorry, Lara. The night is getting packed.”

“I see. Who is the new guy? Smells weird. Is he a wolf?” I ask.

“Shapeshifter, but I don’t know what exactly, some furry shit.”