to let her go and he got angrier.
Another human girl who had wavy hair tried to pacify the fanged dude. “She’s new, sir. Please. She’s easily scared. I can serve you in her stead.”
But the dude only wanted the petite girl. He pressed his sharp fangs against the throbbing veins on her neck. Her fear only excited him more.
Was the fucker going to drink her blood? He must be a vampire, then.
I reached them and punched my knuckles into the vampire’s temple. Knuckles hurt worse than a fist. He jerked his head back, surprised that a girl like me had that kind of strength. I took advantage of his stupor and pulled the girl off his lap.
“Get her out of here,” I told the wavy-haired girl, and she immediately led her sobbing friend away.
The vampire recovered and snarled at me. Then he sniffed.
“Stop sniffing at people,” I snapped. “This custom of you supernaturals is getting old and gets on my nerves. And dude, she said no, so fucking respect that. No means no in any part of the universe.”
“What are you?” he asked. “You smell more delicious than her. I’ve never scented anyone as sweet and spicy as you. And since you offered to replace her—”
I pulled out my pepper spray, but a large, rough hand, fast like a flash, had grabbed my elbow. Before I drove it back to the newcomer and kicked the vampire in the teeth at the same time, K’s harsh voice sounded above my head. “There’s no need to use that pepper spray of yours. I don’t want to hear another scream in my club.” Then he turned to the vampire. “Get out. You’re banned.”
“Why?” the blond vampire asked.
“You violated club rules,” K said. “Any business conducted here must be mutually agreed upon.”
Wow, I didn’t know that. That sounded quite fair for a club catering to monsters.
“You’ll kick me out for a lowly human girl?” hissed the vampire. “Do you know who I am?”
K’s face morphed to the shape of a bear head, his huge jaw open, and his body grew two heads taller in mere seconds. My eyes went wild as he lifted the vampire out of the booth and dragged him toward the dark red double-door. The crowd parted for them.
“It’s daytime!” the vampire screamed. “You can’t do this to me!”
I trailed after K, then rushed ahead of him to open the door so he could throw out the vampire, and he did.
A thud, then a bang, then a groan. I slammed the door shut in the vampire’s face and let out a heavy breath. It looked like my first day at the job wasn’t going to be eventful. But maybe I could still hope for the rest of the day.
Sometimes, I can be optimistic like that.
When I turned around, K towered over me, still in his bear form. I took an involuntary step back, and my shoulder blades hit the door.
“Uh, K, your face,” I said. “It’s nice, but I’m not used to seeing you like that.”
If this had been the first time that I’d learned about the merciless magical world, I’d have screamed and run for my life while peeing myself in the process.
He growled, advancing on me. I slid to one side and carefully walked backward so I didn’t bump into anyone. I glued a timid smile on my lips meant to calm any agitated animal.
“Use your words, K,” I offered.
His face morphed to normal and his height dropped. As I felt less threatened, I sucked more air into my lungs.
“I’ll let it go this time since you don’t know the rules,” he said. “Toby and Indira will go over them with you today. You’ll never step on my toes again. You stay in your fucking lane and I stay in mine.”
“I know Indira. But who’s Toby?” I asked. “I can’t remember so many names on my first day. Also, K, your lane proved to be a slow one with lots of traffic and noises today, but mine turned out to be the expressway. Surprise, right?”
He growled again. Then the maroon door swung open, and K stopped short as Rydstrom swept in. The activities on the floor suddenly ceased. Even the music became mellow.
Rydstrom’s gaze pierced the air and the crowd, yet he wasn’t looking at anyone until it found me the next instant. My breath caught. Damn, the mob Fae boss was stunning. His face made me think of a fallen archangel, carved out of the night, sin, and