I still had time to back off, especially when I saw the bouncer’s horns appearing again.
Most dangerous club. The other kind of patrons. High-paid. Becca’s cousin’s words pounded in my ears. The images of Baron, Rowan, and their Fae gangs rushed by my mind. There was another world out there. What if this club gathered crowds like them?
I’d survived them. I’d driven away a Nightling. I should survive this place, too, shouldn’t I?
“You in or not?” the bouncer asked, that fiendish smirk on his wide lips taunting me, as he saw my hesitation. “This is a one-time offer, girl.”
Then the word high-paid got me at last.
“Of course I’m in, man.” I dashed in before he closed the door in my face.
Loud music crashed into my sensitive ears instantly.
“What’s your name?” I shouted over the music. “Where is your boss?”
“You can call me Crogulogu Morgonron Kuscrico Madoofe, Junior.” He pointed at the bar in the back of the club with his thick finger and flashed me a wolfish smile. “You can go there to ask about the boss, little girl.”
At that instant, I realized that the bouncer knew exactly that I’d lied, played me, and lured me in. I’d offended him and he wanted to teach me a lesson on his turf.
I darted a quick backward glance at the door, only to register another equal-sized bouncer had blocked the exit. But at least, that one didn’t bear horns.
But I knew I wouldn’t get past him without losing a few fingers or a limb.
There was no going back now. I scanned the club, my throat parched and my ears ringing louder than the music. I swallowed and tried to even my breath and heartbeat.
It was daytime, but patrons already filled half the club. I clenched my teeth to keep my jaw from dropping as I spotted different species all around. Patrons with various fangs, claws, furs, horns, pointed ears, and glowing eyes lounged in the booths, loitered around the lobby, hung out at the bar, or wiggled on the dance floor.
There were young women as well, humans like me, sitting on the fanged patrons’ laps and entertaining the males of other kinds.
I wasn’t sure now I wanted to work here. I didn’t come for that type of job, not that I was judging those girls. Each to their own. I just wasn’t the entertaining type since I was horrible at that. I expected others to entertain me instead.
I darted a look at the door again before I averted my timid gaze. I couldn’t afford a mishap in a place like this. A lot of heads had turned in my direction, knowing I was the new arrival. From the predatory looks in those eyes, I was fresh meat.
Magic practically rippled in the air, powers of a variety of calibers making the air thin and tight. I had no idea what kind of magic these creatures possessed or which power belonged to whom.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable and edgy in my life. Then it dawned on me that I had indeed stumbled into a lair of monsters, and in here, humans were probably at the bottom of the food chain.
I’d thought I was prepared and tough. I put on good makeup. I wore a chic tank top with fit dress pants. And there was a hidden dagger in my slender boots.
I’d assumed I’d fit in with my sharp wit and badass attitude, like a pro bartender should be, only to realize I was way over my head in this world.
The bouncer with the ridiculously long name—I wasn’t even sure if he was bullshitting me or not—flashed me a new impish look, judging me exactly as I was now reevaluating myself. The bastard had nailed me good, putting me on the plate for today’s main entertainment course.
Even the other human girls, dressed gorgeously, on those men’s laps tilted their heads to study me critically, trying to estimate if I was the new threat to their status, if I would steal their clients. Some of them laughed lightly, dismissing me. Yet some still watched me, waiting for an explosion of drama.
Not one of them would come to me to offer a hand or an exit strategy. Not that I expected them to.
I was the deer caught in the hunters’ trap.
I couldn’t run. If I did, they would get the thrill of chasing and hunting me. I’d learned that since the day Dad had trained me to be a hunter.
I swallowed hard. What had I gotten myself