Page 7 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
Everinne grumbled a swear and wrapped her arms around herself. Her mouth twisted to the side. “He probably already has, but don’t worry, I’ll be gone and back in my own bed before he leaves the lounge.”
If she got lucky, Atlas would have far too much to drink and forget all about her escapade, then at least she would be able to avoid Veros’s scorn.
“Are you sure?” Zoryana pressed, rubbing her lips together. She glanced around the magnificent dance floor once more, but when she looked back at Everinne, there was a glimmer ofconcern in her eyes. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here by yourself.”
Starysa was the only safe haven in all of Prava. It was also the only place on the continent of Aedran where mortals and immortals lived together peacefully. It was a conglomerate of fae, vampires, witches, humans, and shifters. During the day, it was breathtaking, filled with remarkable shops and lively markets selling any number of crafted artisan goods and oddities. The constant buzz from the bustling harbor was more like music, where dozens of ships took to port and traveling merchants came to trade their eccentric wares. But sometimes when dusk fell and the moon took to the skies, the energy shifted. The lurking Deszvila Forest pressed in on the walled city, the threat of its wicked wood and the fearsome stories of its past enough to make Starysa appear like a glowing beacon of protection. But the night was when shadows walked. There were obscure alleys, unlit corners, and the sprawling underdark of the occult beneath the city’s center, perfect for conducting dark deeds and striking nefarious bargains.
But Everinne could take care of herself.
Of that, she was sure.
She lifted both hands, feigning innocence. “I’m only going to sit at the bar. I’ll order one more glass of spiced wine and then I’ll leave.”
Zoryana debated, tucking the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth. She shifted her weight, then stole a look at the glass ceiling. The moon was barely visible behind a stretch of inky clouds. “Alright, if you’re certain. But my door will be unlocked in case you decide you don’t want to make the trek home.”
Zoryana’s apartment was only a few blocks from the Grand Cru, whereas Everinne lived in the shopping district,surrounded by darling shops and half of the city’s pretentious elite.
“Thanks, Zory.” Everinne leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to her friend’s cheek. “I won’t be out late. Promise.”
She extended her arms and wrapped Zoryana in an embrace. Her friend squeezed once, tightly, before finally letting her go. “See you tomorrow?”
Everinne nodded. “Of course.”
She watched as Zoryana made her way through the throng of bodies on the dance floor until she disappeared from view completely. Everinne had promised she would only have one more drink and if that was the case, then she was going to make it a strong one.
Spinning on her heel and only teetering off-balance once, she headed for the bar. Not surprisingly, there was nowhere to sit and barely anywhere to stand. Nudging her way between a vampire with alabaster skin and bronze hair and the female human trying to seduce him, she reached over the slab of mahogany wood and hailed the bartender.
“Excuse you,” the female spat, crossing her arms so her cleavage became more prominent. “We were having a conversation.”
Everinne’s gaze flicked over to the vampire in question. He pressed his lips together and gave the slightest shake of his head. She took that as her cue.
“Were you?” she cooed, eyeing the female from the tips of her hideous sequined shoes to her lime green dress that stretched around her like lizard’s skin. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She winked at the vampire.
He chuckled, muttering his gratitude before returning to his drink. The woman scowled, and Everinne could feel the heat from her glare burning into her back, but she paid her no mind when the bartender appeared before her.
“What can I get you?” he asked, his voice gruff, his black eyes never quite meeting hers.
Everinne gave her best smile. “One glass of spiced wine, please.”
He answered with nothing but a grunt, and a moment later, a glass of the delicious wine was set before her. Everinne slid two notes across the bar, grabbed her drink, and went in search of somewhere to sit. Or at least somewhere less crowded to stand.
She whirled around, but the thin heel of her stiletto didn’t twist. It lodged itself between the wooden beams of the floor and when she jerked her leg forward to remove it, the momentum from her upper body sent her tumbling forward. The deep burgundy contents of her wine sloshed over the rim of the glass, and she instinctively threw one arm out as she careened toward the ground. Everinne yelped and braced for impact until a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her upright.
“Easy there.” A deep, rumbling voice coated the back of her neck like frosty ice. “I’ve got you.”
Everinne turned in the arms of her rescuer, looked up into his face, and her mouth fell open.
She snapped it shut quickly enough, but not before devouring the fine specimen of a male who held her.
He might’ve been mortal—he lacked the distinctively pointed ears of a fae and his smile failed to reveal the sharp fangs of a vampire—but there was definitely something different about him. His warm brown hair was swept to the side, only partially hiding his handsomely sculpted face. Deep honey-colored eyes stared down at her from beneath dark brows, and when the corner of his mouth curved again, her knees softened. He wore all black, from his crisp shirt to his sleek pants, and on almost every single finger was a silver ring molded to look like a skull. One in particular had a pair of glittering ruby gems for eyes. She sucked in a breath and if she was a lesser female, she would’veswooned. Whatever cologne he was wearing was enough to make her mouth water. He smelled woodsy and sensual, with a hint of amber. He was stunning, and by the feel of his solid, muscular arm still snared around her waist, she would bet anything he was good in bed.
Since Everinne was already covered in glitter, all she had to do now was find someone to take home, and her plans for the night would be complete.
Testing the waters, she sank her teeth into her bottom lip and a little thrill of pleasure shot straight to her core when his eyes tracked the movement.
“Can I buy you another drink?” he asked smoothly, nodding to her nearly empty glass. “Half of yours seems to be on the floor.”
