Vander’s hand closed around mine as we reached the rec room, and Flix ushered us into the raging party. Dozens of inmates filled the dark space, the glittering disco ball casting a rainbow of reflections over their writhing bodies. I scanned the sea of multi-colored jumpsuits and met a few familiar faces.
Dallas threw me a smirk from the makeshift DJ booth as he loaded another CD into the old boombox. Hayden wiggled his fingers at me while he flitted around in the center of the dancefloor, rubbing up against a cute Fae female.
Even Logan and the healer, Fiona, had showed up for the party. Our warden leaned against the far wall, his darting gaze intent on the inmates’ every move. It looked like the whole gang was here—with the exception of one large grumpy dragon.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Hayden danced over, a wicked gleam in his eyes. He tugged my hand free of Vander’s and pulled me into his chest. “Wanna dance?”
I eyed the angel skeptically. “Did Talon put you up to this?”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t miss moon fest for anything.” He spun me in a circle, and I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped.
“Fine, maybe one dance.”
I tried to ignore the twist of Vander’s lips as I backed away with the angel. I didn’t need drama tonight. I freed the flask hidden inside my jumpsuit and took another gulp as Hayden towed me to the center of the dancefloor. With each sip of wine, I could feel my control slipping and tonight, I welcomed it.
A wave of multi-colored uniforms engulfed us as Dallas turned up the beat with an old human hit from the nineties. I squeezed my eyes shut and let the rhythm move my hips to the banging bass. Hayden twirled me again, and I nearly slammed into a black-jumpsuited female.
“Oops, sorry.” I laughed as I whirled back into the angel’s arms. She shot me a glare, but I took another sip of wine and continued to dance.
“Whatcha got there, pumpkin?” Hayden’s eyes focused on the flask I slipped back under my shirt.
“A little homemade Fae wine. Want to taste?”
“Ah, now I see why you’re in such a good mood.”
“I’m in a good mood because your dragon BFF isn’t here to ruin it.”
Hayden’s hand came to rest on my shoulder. “Take it easy on T, Azara. He’s had a rough few months. And seeing you getting friendly with his best friend doesn’t make it any easier for him.”
“It’s his fault.” I was being whiney, and I knew it. “Just when I think we’re making progress, he shuts down on me.”
“He has his reasons.”
“Whatever.”
A warm hand closed over my other shoulder, and I spun around. “Since you guys aren’t dancing, do you mind if I cut in?” Vander’s smile melted the brewing irritation.
“Sure, I’d love that.” I wiggled my fingers at Hayden and turned to my wolfy escort. “Later, bunkie.”
Hayden disappeared into the crowd, but I knew he wouldn’t be far. I could feel Dallas’s eyes on me from across the room, not to mention Logan’s scathing glare. They were all on Azara guard duty, and it was obvious who’d sent them.
Vander pulled out his flask and flashed it in front of me. “Cheers?”
“Abso-freakin-lutely.” I raised my container and clinked it against his before downing its remaining contents. The fizzy liquid bubbled up to my head, an intoxicating warmth filling my insides. Wrapping my arms around Vander’s neck, I leaned into my honorary bodyguard. A low growl vibrated his chest, and my she-demon spurred me on. Even with the magic siphoning cuff, she was squirming her way to the surface tonight.
The music slowed, the frantic beat decreasing its tempo to a sultry rhythm. Wolfy’s arms closed around my waist, and his fingers dug into my hips. I swayed to the intoxicating pulse of the old R&B song as my vision grew fuzzier with each melody.
My turn. My demon’s voice grew more powerful in my foggy mind. My fingers lifted to the oppressive fabric of my jumpsuit and I unzipped it down to my waist, letting it hang low on my hips. My thin black tank top was much more appropriate for dancing.
Vander pressed me closer and my body leaned into him, reveling in his woodsy scent. He nuzzled my ear, and a wave of goosebumps puckered my skin. “I never knew you were such a good dancer,” he whispered. His warm breath incited another round of chills.
“I’m sure there are some things you don’t know about me, despite years of stalking.” I laughed and tossed my head back. My mind swam, tiny bubbles of Fae wine muddying my thoughts.
“That was a low blow, Azara.” He chuckled and dipped me backward so far my hair swept the floor.
From my new vantage point, the scathing glares of a few dozen supes razed over me. When Vander pulled me back up, I scanned the crowd that had formed around us. “What’s up with that?” I hissed into his ear.
“Relax, they’re just enjoying the show.”
The hair on the back of my neck bristled. I glanced between Dallas and Hayden, but both were preoccupied with the evening’s festivities. Even Logan was MIA. I shrugged off the unease and focused on the attractive shifter grinding against me.
He went for his flask, but I snatched it from his fingertips before it reached his lips. The cool, crisp liquid soothed the burn in my throat. No matter how much I pushed my demon urges down, they always boiled up to the surface.
“You should probably take it easy on that stuff.” Vander shot me a disapproving pout, his fingers reaching for the flask.
“Oh, please don’t start with me. I thought you were supposed to be the easygoing one.”
His brows knitted, and a deep line creased his brow. “I am. But I’m not completely irresponsible either. If anything happened to you…” His words trailed off, and his deep hazel eyes fixed on mine.
Yummy, Azara, let’s have a little taste. My inner demon’s voice boomed across my head in stereo.
Vander’s head tilted toward mine, and my lips parted. The hunger tore at my throat, like a raging fire brewing in my core. His hands tightened around my hips, and he pressed my body flush to his. His desire brushed against my leg, and heat ignited in my lower half.
Darkness seeped into my vision as my demon struggled for control. Vander inched closer with every beat, every sway of his body pressed to mine. I licked my lips, imagining the feel of his mouth against my own. At least I could have a little taste. If I couldn’t quell my demon urges, at least I could satiate my carnal ones.
Hayden appeared over Vander’s shoulder, a frown carved into his angelic face. “If you’re doing this with her, at least have the decency of doing it in private,” he hissed into Wolfy’s ear.
I kept my gaze on the dancefloor and pretended I hadn’t heard. What the hell? Talon had no claim over me. I could hook up with whoever I wanted, wherever I wanted.
The demon black eclipsed my irises, and I happily lost myself to the darkness. I threaded my fingers through Vander’s soft hair and brought his lips to mine. It took less than a second for him to yield, for his tongue to tangle with my own. Hayden’s searing glare bored into the side of my face as I deepened the kiss. My lusty demon surged to the surface, and I let her take the wheel. I wanted to escape; I needed this.
“Vander, seriously,” Hayden growled.