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Facing forward, I ignored the urge to run. If I needed to protect myself, I had a knife strapped to my thigh.
A glass door led outside to a stone walkway, as the receptionist had promised. Lights lined the cobblestones, and plants and trees arched over the path. More lights hung from the trees, beckoning me through the darkness.
When I stepped onto the pathway, the fresh scents of dirt and trees loosened my shoulders. I was alone out here, and finally, I could breathe. Ten yards away was an archway of lights, and I headed toward it.
As I strolled under the calming lights, that damn shiver coursed through me once more. I picked up my pace and glanced over my shoulder, only to see no one behind me.
I couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched. I needed to hurry and find Ember and Isa.
I heard the thudding bass and the laughter and knew I was close. My legs moved faster and faster until I was jogging, and then a glistening silver dome-like structure appeared. The top was all glass, so I could probably see the skyline from within, and large arched windows offered more views from every angle of the building. It was gorgeous, but what was in front had me stumbling to a halt. Numerous pink roses lined the pathway, and a pool of water glimmered right in front, splitting the path into two. This place would have brought me peace … if I didn’t still feel like I was in danger.
I sucked in a breath, enjoying the scent of roses, then continued down one side of the path until I stepped into the bar, the loud music blaring “Low” by Flo Rida. A group of women, including Isa, was dancing in the center of the massive open floor, and others sat at tables around the edge. To the right was a wooden bar that almost blended into the background. I might not have seen it if not for the long-ass line of people waiting to get drinks.
Again, no one asked for my ticket. Strange.
I scanned the area for Ember, fighting the urge to run back outside to the roses. I found her in a dark corner with a red drink in hand, staring at two mirrors hanging on the wall. As I approached, I realized they were actually framed paintings.
Ember swirled her drink with a small red straw and tapped her black boots against the smooth tile floor. I beamed when I reached her side, but she was leaning toward one picture, oblivious to my arrival.
“Not drinking whiskey, huh?” I tilted my head, watching her face.
Her head snapped in my direction, and her eyes bulged. She bent down, no doubt going for the knife she kept in her boot, and damn near toppled over.
A rare snort escaped me as I grabbed her arm, steadying her.
“You bish,” she gasped, attempting to clutch her chest but snagging her boob instead. “You scared me.”
Yeah, she was drunk. “You did tell me to come join you at the farty bar, so, you know, shit happens.” I was never going to let her live that one down.
“Ew.” She wrinkled her nose. “No waaay. I sid Fairy Bar.” She straightened and took a wobbly step back. “Wut’s that smeel … and wut are you weawing?”
“A costume. Unlike you.” I gestured to her flattering little black dress that covered just enough to make her seem more mysterious and alluring.
“Don’t celerberate.” She shoved her glass into my hand and continued, “You know dat I’m gonna ’et a drunk. Be riiightt back.”
Before I could tell her she still had half a glass, she swayed off, bumping into people on her way to the bar.
I took a sip of the fruity drink and downed more than I’d intended, enjoying the sweet taste as I watched her join the long line.
She’d be there for a while, and I was in the perfect spot—a somewhat dark corner with no one close by. The only annoyance was the blaring music.
Not interested in watching people dance, I examined the mirror paintings. They were side by side, both equally beautiful in different ways.
The one Ember had been staring at was an image of the night sky with glowing trees underneath. I wasn’t surprised because Ember had always had an affinity for the sky, just like I did for the sun. Being in darkness had never felt natural to me unless I was trying to hide from a crowd.
When I moved to the next one, my lungs seized. The painting was exquisite. The sky was a bright blue with a few fluffy white clouds hovering over a thick field of wildflowers in an open section of the woods. I’d give almost anything to be there, lying in the flowers, glancing at the sun.
With my free hand, I reached out to touch the painting, but when my fingers should’ve touched the canvas, they disappeared inside the artwork.
I jerked my hand back. Damn. How strong was this drink? It hadn’t tasted strong, maybe because it was full of sugar and fruit.
My body tensed just as someone ran into me hard.
I stumbled, trying to use the wall to catch my balance, and a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against a chest that could’ve been a damn brick wall.
“What the fuck!” I exclaimed, trying to wriggle out of the stranger’s arms, but his hold was too strong. When I glanced up at his face, I froze.
It was the man I’d sensed watching me in the lobby.
