me. Crapsicles, I need to rein in that crazy she demon. “Let me in. Please,” I added.
The bouncer’s head wobbled from side to side before he finally nodded. He reached around me and unclasped the velvet rope. “Enjoy your night,” he mumbled.
Scooting around him, I dashed inside before his wits returned.
Woohoo! Point for Azara! I had this demon stuff down. Sure, I’d gotten a smidge out of control, but I hadn’t sucked out his soul regardless of how much it called to me or how tasty it seemed. By the end of the summer, I’d be moving into a dorm at the college of my choice back in the good old human world.
The pounding bass increased with every click clack of my heeled boots until the narrow corridor opened up into a sprawling courtyard. Outside. In very warm weather.
A wave of sultry heat swam over me, and I peeled my jacket off as I stared slack-jawed at my surroundings. The club reminded me of the lush palace gardens of Spring Court. Ivory columns with climbing vines and pristine white gazebos lined the outer portion of the space. A packed dance floor sat in the center at the edge of a bubbling azure waterfall. At the very top of the cascades, a DJ booth hovered, suspended by what I assumed was Fae elemental magic.
Yup, this was pretty cool all right—ten times cooler than some stupid club in the dark, dank Nether Lands. A night out in the mystical Fae realm was exactly what I’d needed.
I scanned the packed club for a bar and found one in a grotto beneath the flowing water. Making my way through the grinding bodies, I squirmed between two Fae males at the bar. The taller, better-looking one arched a brow at me when I waved the bartender down. Instead of helping a girl out, he turned his broad back to me and continued talking to his friend.
Jerk.
I waited and waited, but the Fae female didn’t look up at me once. What’s a girl got to do to get a drink around here? I was about to give up when a tattooed arm crossed in front of my vision. I jerked my head back to keep from getting an elbow in the face.
“Watch it,” I hissed and glanced up to meet the stranger’s eyes.
A swirl of crimson streaked across its inky depths and a chill coursed up my spine, which was odd since I was sweating like crazy. The guy snapped his fingers, and the bartender literally darted across the long bar to greet him.
“What can I get you?” The barmaid’s translucent wings fluttered behind her, matching the tempo of her batting lashes.
The guy turned to me and flashed pointy teeth. “What’s your pleasure, little girl?”
My eyes widened. “Huh?”
“I’ve watched you for the last ten minutes. Weren’t you trying to order?”
Creepy. But I did really want a drink. “Faery wine,” I finally answered. I’d never had the stuff, and I heard it was pretty strong. Tonight, all I wanted was to let loose and forget about everything.
The demon snapped his fingers, and the faery darted off to presumably get my drink. “Thanks. What do I owe you for the wine?” I raked my eyes over the attractive middle-aged guy with silver threads weaving through his long, dark locks. If it weren’t for his crazy pointy teeth, he’d totally pass for human. From my initial scan, he was the only other demon in here besides me.
“Don’t mention it.”
“You sure?”
He nodded as the bartender returned with both our drinks, which was weird because I didn’t even hear him order one. He must have been a regular.
Reaching for the fancy goblet, I tossed my head back and took a long pull. Mmm, fruity. The fizzy bubbles went straight to my head, and a wave of warmth seeped from my belly all the way to my toes.
Sugar, this stuff was strong.
Clinking my glass against the guy’s I rewarded him with another appreciative smile and turned to make my way back to the dancefloor. Before I got far, his hand shot out and wrapped around my bicep. My demon mark blinked to life, a light lavender glow shooting through his fingers.
His eyes fixed on the ancient icon, some sort of family crest according to my dad. “That’s a pretty unique mark, girl.” His fingers tightened around my arm as he stared at the triangular symbol, and warning bells rang in my head.
“Watch it!” I jerked my arm out of his grasp, suddenly