Page 52 of April's Fool
Mori planted another peck on my lips before unleashing his beaming smile on Barr. “I’m so excited to show everyone the new and improved Heatwave!”
He led us through the club with its navy walls, mahogany floors, and night sky like ceilings. Past the booths, each with new high-tech screen doors which could go clear or opaque depending on the mood of the occupants, each with sound limiting charms and so many spells it was a wonder shifters could enter them. Mori had asked some to check the facilities out and was met with a resounding thumbs up.
In each booth were dispensers for drinks, snacks, towels, anything an omega would need. It was totally up to them to tailor it to their needs. They could see out when the door was opaque and have the thrill of being close to being exposed.
The private rooms had a safe word spell on them. All the omega had to do was say this particular word, and security would come running. The alphas and even the betas that shared heats with the clients, weren’t told the word and it would be changed every so often.
For the demons, there was a lounge full of overstuffed sofas, oversized chairs to accommodate wings, and everything a demon could desire, where they could enjoy a drink and just soak up the lustfloating in the air, letting them feed in luxury. We still didn’t know how many shifters would be willing to let a demon take them through a heat, but personally, I knew once you went demon, you never went back.
Time slipped away as Mori and I greeted the guests, each one having been checked by security before they could enter.
We knew full well that opening the club would attract all kinds of attention, both good and bad, so we had contingency plan after contingency plan until we believed we were covered.
Wrong.
All wrong.
Just before midnight, Basil stalked through the doors, all arrogant confidence in an admittedly decent looking tux. His wild red hair had been slicked back from his face, highlighting sharp cheekbones and sunken, boring blue eyes. Basil was plain looking, really. Thyme got all the looks in that family. But he more than made up for it with power.
During my time with supernaturals, I’d learned to sense power. It oozed from Basil, suffocating all in his path as he took a tour of the club. The witch with him had a dazed look on their face, making me suspect magic had been used on them. Clearly, not all the Northarbor coven witches could protect themselves like we’d been promised.
Basil picked up followers as he rounded the club. Someone served him a glass of champagne, which he took with a glower when the server spat in it. Gross, but I liked the sentiment.
One by one, witches and shifters spoke to Basil before leaving him alone. Why were none attacking him? This was our chance to end him.
“Mori, why—?”
“It’s the spells that are in place to prevent us from physical and magical attacks. In here he’s untouchable.” Mori’s face told of his fury. We should have expected Basil would come.
“Fuck!”
“Ah, it’s good to see you in the flesh, Amorandes. Don’t worry, I know your crown keeps you safe from me. What about you, Damon? You led me on quite the chase. Can you resist my magic?”
There was a tug deep in my chest as Basil set his eyes on me. His expression gave nothing away about his feelings, yet the twitch in his eye told me of his rage when he couldn’t control me.
“I see you were prepared. Well done.” Another tug. This time, his eyes flared with surprise. Basil backed away. “Well, it was lovely to meet you both, but something has come up and I must return home and make new plans.”
What the fuck was he going on about?
“No! You can’t leave! Why are you doing this? Cody wants nothing to do with witch powers, just leave the coven and him alone.”
Basil whirled back around, retraced his steps, his eyes crackled with his anger, his magic sparking uselessly at his fingertips. “The Northarbor coven is mine! Once I get it back, I’m going to make sure witches are placed where they belong; at the top. No more answering to shifters. We don’t answer to elves. Weownthe demons,“ he spat.
“When I rise to power again, I’ll make sure even royalty can be used as the tools they were born to be.” He flicked a glance at Mori while he shook, barely restraining himself. “Cody should never have been born. He’s an abomination. That’s why he has to die.”
Mori looked horror-struck and had frozen in place.
I was ending this now.
“You, well, you were an unexpected complication. I’ll be seeing you soon… Damon.” With his last threat, Basil began to run. He fled for the door.
No. He wasn’t getting away from me.
From the secret pocket inside my tux jacket, I whipped out my favorite gun, flicked off the safety, took aim, and fired.
Nothing.
I tried again.
