Page 7 of Michael
One step inside and I’m immediately swept by a jostling crowd that all but carries me across a lavish entrance. The place is a darkened sanctuary of mahogany furnishings, with countless rows of dim string lights hanging from the ceiling. My feet barely touch the ground as we move along the main hallway. The DeLux Café is packed. Seems odd for a Wednesday, but I’m willing to let go of that minor detail because what I really need now is a drink. Maybe more.
Scurrying along the hurried mob, I’m forced through another corridor that stops at a stairway. I have no choice but to move downstairs with the crowd. Thankfully, it all comes to an end when my body slams hard against a table. I only save myself from crashing face first by spreading my hands over the red velvet cloth that ripples beneath my fingers.
“Gods!” I blurt, straightening fast. “What the hell’s happening here? Is it Happy Hour?” That would be lovely.
“It’s not,” a lady says. She’s sitting on the other side, promptly sorting out small paper cards. She’s a gorgeous blonde with piercing blue eyes fixed on her cards like it’s poker night and she’s all in.
“Ugh. Too bad. I’m still dying for a drink, though,” I manage, as I wait for the horde to scatter. Why the devil is this place so crowded? And not only that—everyone seems in such a hurry.
The woman drops the cards on the table. Slowly, she looks up. Her cunning stare seeks mine, and when our eyes meet, the corner of her carmine lips curls in secret delight. “Sign this and I’ll throw in a free drink,” she says, offering me a sheet of paper.
It doesn’t take long for me to figure out her deal. The header in bold black letters reads:Speed Dating Signup.I hand it back to her, reluctant at best.
“Oh, come on. You have to do it. I’m a gal short and we start in five minutes. So…” She bites her lower lip, looking at me with hopeful doe eyes.
“Now I get it. That’s why people are rushing in,” I mumble. “Listen, I’ve never done this and—”
Before I can finish my sentence, she cuts me off with an excited squeal and hops from the chair. “Don’t worry! It’s fun and easy. Just answer the questions and see if there’s someone you click with—you’ll be done in no time! Now come on, there isn’t much time left!”
She drags me around the table and into another area where luxurious velvet-lined arched couches are available for those who wish to join the speed dating adventure. Most of them already have their cards out on the table, but thankfully when we arrive at my seat, another blue-eyed blonde is frantically setting up the game pieces. Itiskind of a game... isn’t it?
After gathering all the materials, the woman starts assigning couples to smaller tables scattered around the floor: “Hi, everyone. I’m Eve,” she says in a cheerful tone. “All right! You two will be together; you two can go over there; you over here… Great, let’s begin!”
Eve claps her hands twice to signal the start of the speed dating session and then turns to look at me expectantly. Inwardly groaning, I realize that my ‘partner’ is nowhere to be found—guess that’s how speed dating works? But before I can even think about getting out of this situation scot-free—bam!—my potential companion appears from nowhere, a huge smile plastered on his face as he takes his seat beside me.
“Hi there,” he greets me casually, blue eyes twinkling as he looks up from his cards in my direction. Tall and well built, moves like a model on the runway.
I give him a slight hand wave.
My brow slips into a frown when he glides onto the couch and scoots next to me. He’s terribly handsome and his cologne is delightfully intoxicating… But am I reallythatdesperate for a drink?
Yes. Yes, I am.
“Okay then,” I say under my breath, grabbing the pen. As I fill out the card, my heart is pounding hard and fast. This is all new to me. I just hope it’s worth the free booze.
“Good luck!” the blonde lady says as she passes by our table.
“Hey,” I tell her while I hand in my signup card, “where’s my drink?”
CHAPTER5
Michael
I’m standingat the nightclub’s entrance, taking in the familiar rainbow lights, bass-heavy music, and crowds of people entering and exiting. “Hello again…” I mumble, looking up at the gleaming sign on the wall.
Being here far from thrills me. The DeLux Café is a magnet for unclean spirits, heathens, and devils seeking a good time. And to make matters worse, the joint belongs to no other than Lucifer Morningstar, ruler of the Underworld and my sworn enemy.
Still, it’s Wednesday, and that means it’s Speed Dating night. Jack’s bound to be inside.
Jack Langley. What are the chances of a demon hooking up with my receptionist? Everyone knows he’s got a rep—even poor Sammy. But that’s the thing about demons like him. They’re vicious, manipulative fiends.
“Yo, Michael!” the bouncer calls. “I thought it was you!” The warm grin on his face clashes with his burly complexion.
“Hey, Bobby.” I walk up to the doors and pat his brawny arm. The guy’s a force to be reckoned with. “Ever thought of fighting for our side? We could use strong men like you.”
“Nah, I’m good.” He blushes, bashfully shaking his head. “It’s been a while,” he says.
I didn’t think he kept track. Not that I’d frequent a demon haven like this, but up until a few years ago, I used to hunt demons with a frenzy. Now, I wouldn’t do so inside the premises. We have rules, after all. But there’s no better place to pop in and ask a few questions. Guess that made me a regular here.
