I wasn’t the only one who felt that bite of the whip. Everyone was struggling to get air into their needy lungs.
But when his power invaded my personal space, I casually shoved it away, just as I’d done to Baron’s and Rowan’s power, as if I was merely dusting my pet’s fur.
A hint of surprise flitted by the formidable man’s face, gone in an instant.
“Boss, I can explain,” K stuttered. “This human girl is very sneaky. I didn’t expect her to be such a menace—”
What? He blamed it all on me?
Just as I was about to open my mouth to rebuke the bouncer and present my defense to the club’s manager, the man’s power cut the air like a knife again, and I heard gasps all around.
“Bring her to my office,” he said in a clipped tone before turning back to the glass room.
A pair of black wings, the feather tips dusted with violet, brushed the doorframe then faded.
I blinked. Wings. Seriously?
Rowan had said that I had the Sight and that I could see through Fae glamour.
“He’s the manager, right?” I asked Indira in a whisper.
“That’s Rydstrom.” She looked at me with pity and whispered back. “You’re in a lot of trouble, girl. No one here has ever been called to his office before. But then no human girls dared to stir shit as you did. Keep your head down and your eyelids lower. Admit your fault and beg for forgiveness. That’ll be your way out.”
I glared at her. “It’s not my fault. I’m not even going to apologize.” I swept an accusing glare at K. “On the contrary, the club should apologize to me for the assault and pay for my dress pants. I got it on sale at Macy’s, but it still cost me two hundred bucks.”
I might have exaggerated a little. I paid less than twenty for it.
“You’re asking for the impossible, homegirl,” Indira said, rolling her brown eyes at me. “I like you, so I’m giving you one last piece of advice before K takes you upstairs. Don’t speak before you’re spoken to. And don’t call Rydstrom a dude if you want to keep your front teeth.”
Chapter 10
I followed K up the stairs, the sharp clack of my boot heels echoing in the still club with every step.
K sent me an annoyed look over his massive shoulder.
“What?” I said. “I don’t want to insult your boss by padding up the stairs barefoot. This isn’t a family home. This is a club, a place for business.”
He sighed, and soon we were both at the top of the staircase. I squinted into the depth of the dim corridor, but two armored guards blocked my view. One of them peeled away from the office door. Faintly I caught his pointed ears.
Fae, then.
I waved at them to be polite, and they ignored me. The one who strode toward me told the bouncer, “Leave the girl here.”
Which meant this floor was off-limit to the bouncers as well.
K nodded and descended the stairs without sparing me a glance.
“Bye, K,” I said sweetly.
He stopped to glare at me. He probably thought I was taunting him. But after Indira’s warnings, I figured it would be smart to remember my manners.
I wheeled to the Fae guards. “Heya, should I knock on the door first?”
The one who stayed by the door gave me a blank look and rapped on the door with one knuckle.
“Send her in,” said a voice that could make my toes curl.
The guard swung the door open and nodded for me to enter.
“Thanks, dude,” I said, just to annoy him. People who took themselves too seriously didn’t like to be called dude.
I gave the lavish interior an onceover and whistled softly.
Both guards gave me a warning, stern look, but I had already ducked into the glass office. One of them closed the door gently behind me.
Skylights in the ceiling let afternoon sunshine sparkle on golden marble floor. Full glass walls overlooked outside and the club beneath us, but no one could look in. My heart leapt at the prospect that Rydstrom might have seen everything that had happened since K let me in.
At the far side of the office, a set of russet leather sofas spoke of money and elegant, old-fashioned taste. Many exotic plants with large blossoms I’d never seen in my life adorned the corners of the luxurious space.
Sitting behind a large ebony desk was the boss everyone seemed to fear. At a closer look, he was even more gorgeous than