“Priscilla,” Onyx greeted, sending me a look I couldn’t read but looked eerily like a warning. “What’ll it be?”
“I’ll take your special.” Priscilla’s tone turned icy.
Onyx left without a word and returned a moment later with a purple drink that glowed underneath the lights.
“One Witchy Woman,” Onyx said flatly then stalked off.
“She doesn’t like you very much,” I said, mostly fishing.
“Meh. She gets a little territorial,” Priscilla said, waving off my concern. “But I’m not interested in Onyx. I want to hear about you. Where are you from, and how did you come to be invited to a party like The Monster Ball?”
“Lucky, I guess,” I said, but I could already see she wasn’t going to buy naïveté.
“Here with anyone special?” she asked.
“Just me.” I hesitated then added, “I’m actually looking for a water fae.”
Her gaze sharpened. “And what could you possibly want with one of the sea folk?”
Her tone was deceivingly light, but I’d marked her the moment she brushed my arm—just like I was sure she’d marked me. Maybe even from across the room. A witch was a witch even if this one was from under the sea.
I met her gaze unflinchingly and gave her the most direct answer there was. “Admittance.”
Chapter Four
Aqua
Bronx whistled as I stepped up to the entrance and held out my ticket. “Princess Aquamarine, you get more gorgeous every year. How is that possible?”
“Saltwater smooths the skin,” Lex chimed in.
I rolled my eyes. “Both of you are shameless flirts.”
“Only for you,” Lex said.
“I just listened to you hit on the witch in front of me.”
“We’re equal opportunity flirts,” Bronx said.
“He’s right. There’s two of us, which means we have to cover more ground than most,” Lex added.
I shook my head and walked past them, heels clicking.
“Hey, we didn’t admit you yet,” Lex called.
“I’m admitting myself,” I called back.
“I’ll admit her,” Bronx muttered suggestively.
“Heard that,” I called just before I slipped inside.
The darkness was only disconcerting for a second. By the time my eyes adjusted, I was already moving down the hall toward the glowing rainbow lights at the back. Despite my disinterest earlier, excitement sped my pulse. The Monster Ball’s location changed every year, and not just the city but the décor and the theme too. Each time was somehow better than the last. I had no idea how, but The Proprietor always managed to wow everyone; not easy in a world of magical supernaturals capable of the impossible.
Stepping through the door at the end of the hall, I stopped and stood in awe at the rainbow rave.
It was gorgeous.
Industrial metals and cool marbles contrasted with the ostentatious attire of the guests filling the space. Not to mention the furry furniture and suggestive privacy corners. The Proprietor, whoever he or she was, knew how to throw a damn good party.
Dance music pulsed from the speakers, the bass hitting hard enough to make my heartbeat pulse with it. I looked up and noted Dastardly Deeds had been invited back. Marina’s voice rose over the music, beautiful and alluring. I could tell she’d toned down some of her siren magic, but that didn’t mean some of the guests hadn’t gone all glassy-eyed over her already. I shook my head and made a mental note to find her and say hi before the night was over.
Eyes still trained on the levels above me, I grunted as I knocked into someone.
“Forgive me,” I said then paused when I caught sight of the female creature. Riotous red curls tumbled over a black and silver gown that glittered in the lights. Magic rolled off of her in waves, hitting me with a force I hadn’t expected. Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and sniffed. “You’re . . . I’m not sure what you are.”
It was impolite, I knew, but I couldn’t help it. My fae magic had never let me down when identifying sea and land creatures alike. Whatever she was, I’d never met one.
The woman squared her shoulders back as if steadying her nerves. I could see the uncertainty in her sharp eyes, but she lifted her chin and answered, “Banshee.”
My eyes widened.
The banshee softened, offering a small smile. Her eyes darted to the crown tucked into my hair. “You?”
Right. I deserved that.
I took a step back, a little unsteady. A banshee? Here? Was it some kind of sign? Had my guards been right, and Priscilla really did have it out for me tonight? Because meeting a banshee usually only meant one thing.
“Water fae,” I told her, mind racing.
I should have stopped there. Turned and walked away. But I couldn’t help asking, “Am I . . .” I cleared my throat, hating that I needed to know. “Will I die tonight?”
“Are you a mortal with the surname O’Brien?”
I blinked. “No, but—”
She patted my shoulder. “Then I would have no idea. We banshees can only foretell specific families’ deaths.”
Before I could say another word, she strode away and melted into the crowd.
Weird.
I’d gone from unconcerned to worried about my own death?
What was wrong with me tonight?
Maybe being here brought up old fears. It certainly brought up memories. But it also made me feel closer to Destan. Besides, I was here now, and I wasn’t going to die.
It was time to party.
Or my version of it anyway.
Determined to enjoy something about this night, I headed for the bar on my left. I caught Imperia’s eye and waved. She smiled seductively when she saw me, and my belly curled. I’d known her for years, but last year’s party had been different. I’d been careless in my boredom and had too much to drink, thanks to her Party In My Mouth signature drink. At some point, Imperia had saved me from a bad ending with a prick of a warlock. I’d kissed her as a reward—and even through my drunken haze, I could see she’d been game for more than that.
“Hey, beautiful,” she said as I slid onto an empty stool. Her gaze flitted to my legs and the slits that revealed a lot of thigh. “Love the dress.”
“Thanks. Good to see you.”
“And you. What’ll it be tonight?”
“What’s your special?” I asked warily.
She smirked knowingly. “Succubus Kiss.”
I couldn’t help the laughter that escaped. “Of course it is. I’ll take it.”
She leaned forward, lips parting, and I could sense the innuendo coming.
“The drink only,” I clarified.
She winked. “The night is young,” she said then went to work making the drink.
Blonde hair caught my eye, and I paused to glance at the girl a couple of seats over. She was perched on the stool, legs crossed to keep all of her bits covered, which probably wasn’t an easy feat considering the fabric covered less skin than a napkin.
She was a newbie. I could tell by the way she took it all in. She was also coated in magic from the way my senses screamed at me. Our eyes met, and I wandered a step closer.