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Instead of responding, Alexei’s arm weaved through mine as he guided me towards the bustling French Quarter, avoiding crackled sidewalks and potholes in the street filled with brown water from the earlier rainstorm. I tugged it free before he could push the boundaries any further, just to see if he could.
Despite Halloween being over, tourists still flocked to the city for the ambiance, their bodies weighed down with Mardi Gras beads and cups filled with toxic alcoholic concoctions. The grimy streets stank of stale beer and sweat, along with the stench from raucous groups of drunk college students, one of which vomited his neon green Hand Grenade onto his shoes.
We passed a vampire from the Court disguised as a mortal who led tours of the local haunted joints and told moderated tales of the mythological creatures the humans didn’t know stood right next to them. It was incredible the lengths at which mortals went to explain away the supernatural events right before their eyes.
Alexei sent the female vampire dressed in a gothic ensemble a mocking salute, which she returned with a lascivious smile.
I felt what remained of my good mood dwindle. “Can you please stop flirting for Hecate’s sake? I thought we were in a hurry.”
“Jealous?” His lips curved into a sensual smile.
A rude snort blew tendrils of my hair away from my sticky face, already misted with humidity. “Please. Like I would ever want the city to think I cavorted with the Prince of Pleasure,” I snapped.
His eyes flashed with something akin to hurt before he masked it. “Touché. Such an occurrence would be disastrous indeed. Tell me, darling, why did you abandon your Coven for my offer all those months ago when you seem to care overmuch about their opinions?”
My spine stiffened. “None of your business. And I didn’t abandon anyone.”
We walked the rest of the way in icy silence while I stewed on memories of Grandmother and the fight that ended our relationship—and my place in the Coven—a year ago.
You failed them.
Flaming fury flashed through me, as it so often did when I remembered what she said that night, but I forced myself to calm and focus on the matter at hand as our destination became clear.
My feet stuttered to a stop on the sidewalk. “Really, Alexei?” I nearly shouted.
The doors to Bite, the vampire sex club visited by creatures throughout Gaia, clanged open as creatures descended into the den of sin. Though I had occasionally visited the establishment with Ember, or under similar circumstances with Alexei, tonight I was in no mood for the perverse scenes of carnal delight. Not when I already felt so unmoored in Alexei’s hypnotizing presence.
Alexei’s cool chest pressed against my heated cheek as he pulled me closer to the entrance with a firm hand against my back. “Don’t act like the innocent prude when we both know better, darling. Unless there’s a reason you don’t want to go inside with me?”
Infuriating bastard!
“Of course not,” I sneered. “Wouldn’t want to deny the Prince of Pleasure his delights. Let’s get this over with.”
Yanking away from his touch, I stormed through the enchanted doors, feeling the magick meant to keep curious mortals away brush over my skin delicately.
Electronic music echoed through the room loud enough that I felt the beat in my blood, while the glowing lights momentarily blinded me. The red leather walls adorned with whips, chains, and other sensual torture devices surrounded the mirrored bar top where creatures drank the finest alcohol from across realms.
Beside me, Alexei was a magnet for attention. Recognition floated through the various patrons as we ascended the stairs to reach the newly renovated upper level that looked down upon the marble dance floor—the perfect spot for a voyeur to watch and play, away from curious eyes.
“Alexei!” a gaggle of females squealed from below.
My feet never paused, though I briefly considered the repercussions of throwing one of my heels at the nymphs.
Alexei spared them a brief glance. “Sorry, sweets. Not tonight.”
Their cries of disappointment made my lips twitch into an ugly grimace, but Alexei’s sudden closeness as he leaned to whisper into my ear had the emotion clearing from my face.
“Nine o’clock. It looks like Françoise may have won the battle, but the wolf has no plans to leave his pride behind. Foul creature.” Alexei wrinkled his nose.
My gaze lifted to the small party in question, hidden in the shadows, away from the other gamblers. The werewolf appeared young and gruff, like a jock who peaked in high school, while the vampire sniffed with boredom. Silas stood between them, looking for all the world like he wanted to drain them both dry and be done with this night. I didn’t see any witches from my Coven, but as I reached out with my magick, I could sense them somewhere in the vicinity.
“Now, what do we have here?” Alexei's voice boomed above heated shouts and the warbling bass. “Surely, not a pair of idiotic fools squabbling over a petty bet?”
Françoise's olive skin paled as he came face to face with the Vampire Prince, his gaze dropping to the floor in pleading supplication. “My prince, allow me to explain—”
“No need,” Alexei interrupted him. “My mystical guide has come to settle this matter. Jade?”
My gaze wandered between the two creatures dispassionately.
