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Was that time ever going to come?
Against a wall, the club’s main bar stretched from the front of the massive room to the back. The rest of the first floor enclosed a square-shaped area in the middle for dancing, sunken a few steps below ground. Guests at the tables and VIP booths lining the walls had a perfect view of the dancers.
Four columns at each corner held up a second VIP-only level, opened up like a theatre so those lounging like gods above could see just about everything.
An unfamiliar beefy bouncer with a shaved head and a trimmed goatee pushed his way toward us. He looked us up and down. “Follow me.”
Thane and I exchanged a glance, and Lena muttered something about sketchy people behind me. But if we wanted answers, we had to follow.
We trailed after the bouncer’s broad shoulders through the sea of gyrating, sweaty bodies to a door at the club’s back. Another giant of a man I didn’t recognize pulled a door open and waved us inside the stairwell. We descended a level and exited into a long hallway.
My pulse picked up speed the farther we went. If this was an ambush, then we hadn’t brought nearly enough weapons to fight our way out of here. Using phoenix abilities on humans would likely cause more deaths because outing the Community was a big no-no—we’d have to kill anyone who witnessed our magic.
Or we’d have to involve the DEA for clean-up, which was a nightmare unto itself. So much paperwork, it almost made killing the preferred choice.
The bouncer led us to another door and stopped. He knocked three times before opening it, then stepped to the side with his hands over his broad chest.
I followed Thane into the room, Lena close on my heels and growling softly. She hadn’t gotten past the cage incident yet, and she much preferred open battlefields to backdoor brawls.
The room contained several empty poker tables, dimly lit by a few wall lamps. A uniformed bartender stood behind a wet bar stocked with high-end liquors and hand dried glasses with a towel.
Next to the bar was a comfortable sitting area. Xavier and another man relaxed on a couch, drinking whiskey and smoking cigars.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting tonight, but this easygoing scene wasn’t it.
My eyes widened as I recognized the other man—Edric, the fae prince. I had never actually met the guy, but there was no mistaking his likeness to his mother, Queen Fiadh. His blond hair was the same rich gold as hers, his eyes the same hue of sky blue, and his skin shimmered with a golden undertone.
The last I’d heard of him was from when we attacked William. Colin had mentioned the prince escaped the Winter Court fae’s clutches—allegedly. Knowing what I knew now, I questioned that story.
Had we just walked into a trap?
“My little bird has arrived at last,” Xavier said, raising his glass in my direction. “Drinks?”
My gaze darted around the room for a setup. As far as I could tell, we were alone besides the bartender, but vampires were sneaky little fucks. “No.”
When my gaze settled on Edric, he inclined his head. “I hear rumors you’re my equal now.”
“I wasn’t aware you were king of the fae,” I said, even though soon, I would no longer be a queen or his royal equal.
He chuckled and tapped his cigar over an ashtray set between them on the couch. “Royalty is royalty.”
Lena snorted beside me, and I definitely agreed with her opinion.
“Have a seat. Relax.” Xavier motioned to the two cushioned chairs across from them. “Despite what Colin might’ve told you, Edric is not his man.”
The fae man’s lip curled with a sneer. “Far from it.”
Considering the fae couldn’t lie, that was a fact. However, fudging the truth was their specialty. His vague response to Xavier’s equally vague description could mean several things, like maybe Colin was Edric’s man. Doubtful, but possible.
“I’m not following how Edric plays into this.” I stepped closer but didn’t sit. “You said you’d show us something that would ensure our victory. Are you saying he can stop the war?”
Holding his glass and cigar in one hand, Xavier leaned back, draping his free arm along the couch’s back. “Nothing so simple, I’m afraid, but I guarantee you’ll want to hear what he has to say.”
Frustration built within me, and I didn’t hide it from my expression or tone. “This isn’t showing me something that will help us win against Colin. You could’ve just told us when we met earlier.”
“Patience, my pet,” Xavier teased with a wink.
It was just like a vampire to throw my weaknesses back into my face. Everyone knew I was too impatient for my own good.
