The other bartender was sick. Again. “I don’t mind. It’s a slow night.”
Nova glances at their watch.
“You should go home,” I tell them. “I can close up.”
“Are you sure?” they shift their weight back and forth on their feet. “What if the Lazarus vamps-”
“I’ll befine,” I wave a hand. “I can handle myself, trust me.”
“All right,” says Nova. “I owe you one!”
The bear shifter shoots me a big grin as they head toward the elevators. I take the glasses to the back of house and put them in the dishwasher, the door propped open, listening for any trouble from the club. But there’s only the steady pounding of the music. Even the DJ’s gone home, replaced by a playlist of repetitive club bangers.
I have to admit, I’m starting to warm up to them, even though I miss the primal drums of my witch coven. As I finish off the dishes, the music works its way into my bones, rooting in my veins, synchronizing with my pulse.
As I finish up the dishes and come back into the club, I see the final guests heading out past the security desk, giggling to each other. They’re probably heading up to a hotel room to engage in all sorts of carnal acts.
I wonder what it must be like to do such a thing with a vampire. I’ve never even come close. I’ve faced vampires in battle, and see them during political negotiations, but other than that…I’ve never eventoucheda vampire before.
Wait, that’s not true. Hallie grabbed my arm the other week, when we were being attacked by the Lazarus vampires.
And Celine. She took my hand and pulled me up.
Her touch was less…disturbing than I thought it would have been. It was chilling, but in an unexpectedly thrilling way. Like an early fall breeze.
I’m completely alone in the club now. My shift will be over in an hour or so, and the cleaning crew will come by to tidy everything up. There’s something intimate about being all alone here.
Intimate and exciting. The next song that comes on is one that I’ve been warming up to, the words calling out to me. I find my hips swaying to the rhythm, my arms reaching up to the sky.
Sweaty, I unbutton the first few buttons of my uniform top. Nobody is watching. It’s only me. A party of one.
I lean into the joy of the moment. Ilovedancing. It’s one thing I miss about my coven. The celebrations. But I suppose every night here is like a celebration.
As I move with the music, my eyes close and my thoughtsdisappear into the steamy, thick air of the empty club. The music builds and builds, until I can feel the bass in my feet and through the air.
Then I feel a shift in the air, a chill. There’s no noise, no motion. But the change is palpable. I open my eyes.
And she’s standing right there. Completely still, a perfect statue. The corner of one lip turns up, and her head tilts slightly to the side.
She wears a black blazer with leather sleeves, and a sheer tank top underneath, so tight I can see the contours of her chest. Her hair is loose, falling down around her shoulders, framing her face with unexpected softness.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
How long was she standing there? “I…I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was still here…”
“I wasn’t. I could hear your heartbeat from my crypt.”
I try to steady my breathing, but I can’t. The pounding music floods my senses. I can’t look away from her eyes. Could she be enchanting me? Why else would I feel this way, this unbearable pull? But the only magic working is the electricity of our bodies, almost touching.
Will she close the gap between us?
She bends her head slightly, her gaze still locked on mine. There’s something animalistic about the slow, deliberate way she moves.
I swallow thickly. This is an incredibly dangerous situation. I’m all alone with a powerful vampire boss. If she knew I was a spy, she would probably kill me on the spot. If I’m lucky.
I should run. I should get out of hereimmediately.
Her lips part, the tips of her sharp fangs protruding slightly.
