I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my body reacts to his gaze, trying to focus on something else. But then I see him—across the room, standing just beyond the edge of the dance floor. The man in the silver wolf mask. He’s tall, commanding, the mask covering most of his face, but I know who he is without a doubt.
Blade.
My breath catches as our eyes lock, even from across the room. There’s a sense of inevitability, a magnetic pull that I can’t resist. He’s been watching me, waiting for this moment, and now it’s time. I take a step forward, then another, my movements cautious, almost hesitant, but I can’t stop myself.
The crowd seems to part around me as I make my way toward him, the people dancing and writhing in front of me nothing more than a blur. My focus is entirely on him, on the way he stands so still, so confident, as if he already knows how this night will end.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and excitement building with every step. I’m walking straight into the lion’s den, and I know it. But there’s no turning back now. I’m drawn to him, to the promise in his gaze, to the danger and the thrill that comes with it.
As I get closer, the noise of the party fades, replaced bythe deafening sound of my own heartbeat. This is it—the moment I’ve been waiting for, the moment I’ve been both dreading and craving. I take a final, steadying breath and close the distance between us, ready to face whatever comesnext.
22
Istand perfectly still, watching as Red makes her way across the dance floor toward me. Her movements are cautious, her eyes locked on mine, and I can feel the tension radiating from her even from this distance. She’s coming to me, drawn by the pull she can’t resist, and it’s all going exactly as I planned.
But just as she’s about to reach me, the beat drops, and the lights cut out, plunging the room into darkness. The sudden change sends a ripple of chaos through the crowd—screams of amusement, gasps of surprise—but I remain calm, my senses heightened in the pitch-black room. This is my moment.
I move quickly, slipping away from where I was standing, losing myself in the crowd as the confusion takes hold. It’s only a few seconds, but it’s enough. When the lights come back on, I’m no longer where she expected me to be.
I position myself beside the bar, watching as Red stands in the middle of the dance floor, disoriented and alone. The party continues around her, oblivious to her moment of panic, the music and the lights resuming as if nothing had happened.But I can see the way her chest rises and falls a little too quickly, the way her eyes dart around, searching for me, for the man who just slipped through her fingers.
I can’t help but laugh softly to myself, the sound almost drowned out by the music. She’s lost now, unsure of where to go, who to trust, and that’s exactly where I want her. The thrill of it sends a rush of excitement through me as I move deeper into the shadows, slipping through the crowd toward the back of the warehouse.
Before I can say a word, Vixen joins us, her presence almost as stealthy as mine. She slips off her black mask, revealing the familiar, stunning features that haven’t changed since the day I met her. There’s history between us, but tonight, she’s here as our partner and friend, a crucial part of the plan. A smile plays on her lips as she surveys the room.
“You boys about ready to go?” she asks, her tone light but laced with anticipation.
Raven nods, accepting Red’s clutch from Vixen’s outstretched hand. “I’ll go get the van,” he says, his voice steady, as if this is just another routine night for us. He glances at me, raising an eyebrow in question. “See you out back in five minutes?”
I give him a brief nod of confirmation, watching as he turns on his heel to leave. My attention shifts back to Vixen, who’s already a step ahead of us, as usual. “Help us?” I ask, knowing full well what her answer will be.
She laughs, the sound soft and familiar, nodding in agreement. “Of course. I’ll lead her to the back for you. Have fun.” She winks, a playful glint in her eye, and I can’t help but smirk in return.
Turning to Shadow, I see the same resolve reflected in his eyes. This is what we’ve been waiting for, what we’ve beenplanning for. “Let’s do this. Phase two,” I say, my voice low and filled with anticipation.
Shadow nods, his agreement simple but loaded with meaning. “Phase two.”
As Vixen slips away to find Red, I feel the tension in the room build, the excitement humming in the air like electricity. We’re on the brink now. The night is about to take a sharp turn, and every part of me is ready for it. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, when the real game begins.
23
Iturn backto the bar, but Shadow and Raven have vanished, and Blade is nowhere to be seen. Panic bubbles up inside me, a tight knot forming in my chest. My heart races, and I can’t help but wonder if this is all part of the game. Though fear flutters in the pit of my stomach, there’s another part of me—stronger, more insistent—that’s eager to find out what comes next. The thrill of the unknown is almost intoxicating.
Before I can dwell too long on my anxiety, a sultry voice reaches my ear. “You look like you need some air.”
I turn to find the woman from the front door standing beside me, a knowing smile playing on her lips beneath her mask. Her presence is both comforting and unnerving, and I can’t help but ask, “Are you part of the game?”
The blonde woman laughs softly, the sound rich with amusement, as she hooks her arm through mine, gently leading me away from the dance floor. “I am part of Obsidian, but no, this is not my game. This is Blade’s game. And though Raven and Shadow will participate, make no mistake who is in charge.”
I swallow hard, her words sinking in as she guides me past the bathrooms. My mind races, trying to process everything. “Who are you?” I ask, needing to know more about this woman who seems so at ease in this world that’s suddenly become so foreign to me.
“I’m Vixen,” she replies with a playful lilt in her voice, her tone light but carrying a weight of experience and authority. She opens a door for me, leading the way.
I follow her into the cool night air, the sudden change in temperature a welcome reprieve from the heat and tension inside. The breeze brushes against my skin, calming my nerves, if only for a moment. “Thanks,” I mumble, closing my eyes as I lift my face to the sky, trying to center myself amid all this chaos.
Vixen releases my arm, her voice dropping to an almost inaudible whisper, sending a chill down my spine. “Don’t thank me yet.”
Her words hang in the air, ominous and heavy, but before I can even ask her what she means, everything happens at once. The back door slams shut as she reenters the party, leaving me alone in the night. A van skids to a sudden stop in front of me, its tires screeching against the pavement. The sliding door opens with a violent jerk, and before I can react, a bag is shoved over my head, plunging me into darkness.
