Page 72 of Demons and Debts
He gestures with his head towards the open door, and I see Vic's hand venturing back inside to help me out. I hesitate just for a second before I take it and he eases me from the car. I take great care not to flash anyone, pulling my dress down as he places my hand on his arm like we’re inBridgertonor some shit.
Well-dressed bystanders on the street are watching who gets out of the car, and I don’t feel out of place for once even in my flat shoes. It’s almost like I fit in somehow. Just a little. My eyes widen at the bright, glitzy clothes of the people milling around, drinking, laughing, having a good time.
The others are all out of the car now too and Vic's already striding towards an impressive-looking club. The sign above the door has a golden circle with a number two in it and there’s a very long line trailing down the street and all the way around the block.
Looks like we’ll be waiting awhile.
I glance over my shoulder to see the other four trailing behind us, two abreast, but when we get to the line, Vic makes no attempt to try to find the end of it. Instead, we go right up to the front doors. No one says a word as the bouncers just let us through, but more than one pair of jealous eyes in the line tracks our progress as we move past the red velvet ropes and into a dim corridor.
Vic ushers me straight through some double doors and I can hear bass reverberating through the wall. Next to me, there’s a set of stairs going down, but we go past it and through more doors towards the music. It’s dark inside the club … and crowded. There's a bar on one end of the room, crystal chandeliers and carpeted areas with comfy chairs. The dance floor is massive, spanning almost the entire room.
There are women dancing on podiums in short dresses like the one I’m wearing, and a horrible thought crosses my mind. What if they want me to go up there and do that? I have zero rhythm. I’ve been known to dance on the rare occasions that I’ve been clubbing, don't get me wrong, but I look like a fucking idiot. My trick is to be drunk enough not to care.
I’m led along the edge of the dance floor, through an alcove, and up some steps. A guard comes off the wall at the threshold of another room and stops us, but a British (I think) voice from inside says, ‘Let them through.’
We go into an elegant room overlooking the club. You can see the whole place from up here. There are a couple of empty tables by the windows that are level with the podiums … for viewing the dancers, I guess.
‘Welcome.’
I notice a group of five men sitting in a round booth to the side. I glance back, glad to see that the other four guys are still behind us. I take in everything I can about these new guys as I survey the room, trying not to make it obvious that that’s what I’m doing, and I know without a doubt that they are incubi as well. I'm guessing they aren't part of the Iron I’s though. I didn't know there was another clan so close by. I thought incubi clans stayed away from each other for the most part so I’m a little surprised when the one who said ‘welcome’ gets out of his seat and he and Vic embrace quickly.
‘Are you okay?’
I jump as I feel Theo's breath next to my ear.
‘Fine,’ I say again.
His gaze falls on the strobe lights that are lasering around the club. ‘Is the music too much?’
Surprised, I look up at him and shake my head even as I scowl. ‘Why would it be?’
The bass is loud and pulsing, but these aren't the kinds of sounds that bother me. I can lose myself in the right kind of music, but it’s been a while since I’ve been able to. I miss having earbuds that work.
‘You didn’t seem all that well earlier. Just doing my job as the club medic,’ he says.
He puts a hand at the small of my back and my breath catches as he propels me forward towards Vic who takes my arm in a gentle grip that tightens as I try to pull out of it.
Resigned, I stop attempting to get away. The other incubus in front of Vic seems to suddenly notice me.
‘And who have you brought with you tonight?’
Definitely British.
Vic doesn’t spare me a look. ‘Just a new girl.’
I try to ignore his slighting words, adamant that I’m not going to let him make me feel bad. The other incubus’ eyes move over me.
‘A pleasure.’
He offers his hand and I take it without bothering to even look at Vic for any kind of permission. I’m just a new girl, right?
‘I’m Maddox,’ the man in front of me says andhe kisses the back of my hand like he thinks he’s Prince Charming.
Ew.
I resist the urge to wipe my hand off on my tiny dress. I wish I hadn’t taken this pompous dude’s hand to spite Vic now. I notice the other guys at the table watching me with interest and I boldly meet their eyes. These assholes might be as hot as the Iron I’s, – yeah, they definitely are! – but I don't like the vibes they’re giving off. It makes me realize how much I’m drawn to Vic and the other Iron I’s, and I don’t know what to make of that at all.
Maddox eases me forward and I go with him, glancing back at the Iron I’s who are all stony-faced as they watch the other guys make room for me in their already crowded booth. Maddox seats me and then takes the place at the end, closing me in. It’s only the fact that the Iron I’s are here that stops me from freaking and climbing over the damn table to get out.
