Page 60 of Magic and Matrimony

When we walk upto Heathens, I feel like I’m in a girl gang. Except for Stellan, who’s bringing up the rear like a bodyguard. All of us have fully embraced the angels and devils theme of tonight’s outing. I pull at the hem of my skirt, wishing it were a little bit longer, but I’m trying to embrace a new bolder side of myself.

Odie put me in an outfit I never would’ve picked out for myself. It's more daring and absolutely gorgeous than anythingI have ever worn. It’s a tight black dress with a sweetheart neckline and tiny straps. It doesn’t even reach mid-thigh. Over the top is a lace overlay with a deep plunging neck. The lace overdress is delicate to the touch, but there’s a stiff collar that makes me feel like a vampire. The lace goes all the way down to my wrists, so I feel both covered and bare at the same time.

Even my makeup is dramatic. With dark eyes and a blood red lip that nearly matches my hair, which has been curled and left to tumble down my back in a mass of waves.

Odie and Josephine both opted to be angels tonight. Odie is wearing an incredibly sexy white suit with wide leg pants and no shirt underneath the jacket. Even her hair is up in a bun. She’s like the naughty mistress of heaven or something. Josephine’s dress is a sweet A-line dress with a short skirt. It has a high boat neck, but besides the clasp at the nape of her neck, her back is almost completely bare.

Ava’s wearing a blood red dress that hugs her curves. The color compliments her complexion and makes her skin glow. Stellan shucked his flannel for the night and he’s wearing a red suit. Red slacks, red button-down, red tie. Where the hell did he get a red suit? His beard has been trimmed, and he’s combed his dark hair back.

“We look so sophisticated,” Ava says as the doorman holds the door open for us. People groan as we bypass the line, but when I suggested getting in the back, Odie glared at me and signed, “This is a Roth club. You’re a Roth. You do not wait in line.”

The thought never even occurred to me.

I’ve never been to Heathens before. I’ve heard about it, but it’s on the wrong side of Mystic Hollows. Or at least it was. That’s not to say my friends and I haven’t ventured over into the Tenebris side of town in the past–since they seem to have all the good bars over here–but we never made it to Heathens.

The second we walk inside, the air changes. It’s as if everybody in the place is turned on. You feel it as soon as the heat of the packed club hits you. Heathens used to be a church, but it has been heavily remodeled inside. The only remaining glimpses of what the building used to be are the stained-glass windows that line the walls. It makes you feel like a sinner doing bad things in a forbidden place.

There’s a dance floor in the area that used to hold the altar. It’s raised almost like a stage so everyone can watch the dancers. Dangling above the floor are three cages where half-naked men and women writhe and grind to the beat of the music playing. It’s barely after ten, but the party must have started early because the club is already packed.

It’s the witching moon.

Beams of moonlight shine through the stained glass, and it calls to me. I want it to paint my skin in moonlight. It feels incredible, but also dangerous. It would be easy to lose myself to the pull of the moon if I’m not careful. Although, Ambrose will be here. He’ll look out for me. Or he’ll be the reason I get into trouble. It’s hard to say which way the night will take us.

I’ve kept Ambrose at a distance for the last few days. After Amanda showed up, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Jealousy that he’d kissed her. Sadness that she was reduced to such a desperate state. Fear that I could so easily become just like her, and I’m not sure Ambrose would even have to kiss me for that to happen. None of my reactions are fair to Ambrose. He didn’t ask for his curse and I can’t blame my emotions on him either. After tonight’s trial and nearly seeing Roy die, it’s a reminder that for the first time in my life, I’m free to do what I want. Well, almost. I’m still cursed in two different ways, but I’m not going to think about any of that tonight.

Standing tables fill most of the floor, but around the edges are black tufted velvet couches. Curtains separating the couchesinto small groupings give an appearance of privacy, but it’s not hiding anyone from view. There are several people already making out without a care that people might be watching.

The walls have been papered in a black and red brocade. Venetian masks are interspersed with ornate mirrors and gold crucifixes, making it feel like a high-end gothic brothel. To the left is the bar, which spans nearly the length of where the pews must’ve been set up once upon a time. Red lights provide enough illumination to see, but everything is coated in a layer of sensuality.

“The guys are upstairs,” Odie signs and heads toward a set of spiral stairs that lead up to the balcony.

I imagine this is where a choir used to sing. I laugh to myself as I carefully take the stairs in four-inch heels.

“This will be dangerous after a few drinks,” Josephine says behind me.

I step out of the alcove at the top of the stairs and into the VIP area. More of those black velvet tufted couches are up here, but they face the rest of the bar. The seats look out onto the dance floor and everyone below. Ambrose is sitting in the center. His arms are spread out on the back of the couch and his legs splayed out. Behind him is a massive pipe organ. He looks like a sinful fallen angel.

“Holy shit,” Ava gasps when she steps up behind me.

“It’s impressive,” I murmur, but I’m not looking at the instrument. I can’t tear my eyes off Ambrose. He said he was going as an angel, but he’s dressed in black from head to toe. His golden hair has a little curl in it. I want to drag my fingers through it and push the strands off his face. He’s wearing a suit–no doubt tailored–that fits him to perfection. His black shirt is unbuttoned halfway down his chest and gapes open with how he’s sitting. The fabric of his pants strains against his thighs.When did a man’s thighs become so incredibly hot? I want to drag my hands up them as I kneel at his feet.

Ambrose grins at me while I stand still and gape at him. He tilts his head to the side, telling me to get over here without any words. His eyes devour my body as I do my best to walk toward him without wobbling or falling on my face. I come to a stop in between his spread legs.

His smile fades as he swallows, his eyes taking in every inch of my body. I fight not to fidget or pull the hem of my dress down again.

“I think you’ve got the devil thing down.” Ambrose’s eyes burn with hunger as they flick up to meet mine.

“I thought you were supposed to be an angel.” I take another step forward, my knee pressing into the inside of his thigh. He shifts forward, his warm hand landing on the outside of my leg, just above my knee. It burns where he touches me, a tingling sensation shooting straight to the core of me.

“I’m a fallen angel, Pipes. I’ve sinned too much to be a part of heaven.”

“Congrats on making it through another round,” Bram says, and I startle. Only now realizing that the rest of our friends are in the same room as us. Hell, we’re in a club full of people and I forgot everyone but Ambrose existed. I step out from Ambrose’s legs, and he sighs disappointedly. It’s loud enough that I hear it over the thumping music.

Bram carries over a tray of shots and sets them on a low table between the couch and these little poufs that function as chairs. I can’t imagine someone as big as Stellan or Ambrose sitting on them. I’m definitely not going to. There’s no way I’d avoid flashing everyone if I tried to sit that low.

“I mean, I think congratulations are in order,” Ava says as she starts passing out shots. They’re both right. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing we’ve made it this far or not.

Hannah is the only witch left in these trials that isn’t a member of a founding family or wasn’t previously on the council. I don’t like that. I’m nothing like my uncle, but it seems to me that there should be an influx of new blood. Maybe if I end up a member of the council, I’ll push to have elected positions as well.