Page 46 of Hellfire & Tinsel
He rushed away and Beau was left frozen in place, feeling countless eyes settle on him. And not just Kassel’s.
Kassel scowled at the people staring at him, looking like he was about to flip out again, but Beau was still in momentary shock.
“I think he just hit on me.”
“He propositioned you, yes,” Kassel ground out.
“That never happens,” Beau said, eyes wide with bewilderment. “I think I need a drink.”
“I brought some,” Kassel said, still looking pissed but pulling his can of wood stain out of one pocket and offering it to Beau. “I will share with you.”
Beau stared at the can for a moment before letting out a laugh and shaking his head.
“That isn’t a drink, Kassel,” he said, watching as Kassel shook the can next to his ear.
“It sloshes,” Kassel said before popping a claw and opening the can. He took a long sip out of it and smacked his tongue, tasting the wood stain like it was fine wine.
“Good?” Beau asked, morbidly fascinated.
“Woodsy,” he said with a nod.
Beau giggled before looking around the venue, eyes turning toward the stage only to find Dave staring at him and giving him a small wave.
He cringed.
“You know Dave?” someone asked from behind them, and Kassel rushed to place himself between Beau and the man in question.
“I just met him.” Beau shook his head. “Kassel here knows him, though.”
“But he likes you. He keeps looking at you.” The man took a step closer to Beau, the next words out of his mouth drowned out by the bass dropping and the band launching into their first song.
It thrummed beneath their feet, the smoke making the air heavy and opaque. It distorted reality around them.
Kassel’s eyes weren’t the only ones glowing. The man talking to him had sharp fangs in his mouth, and another was staring at them from behind, sporting a pair of huge horns on his head.
Were they humans dressing up?
Or were they demons too?
Did they know Kassel as well?
Did they want something from Beau too?
“He was just being friendly,” Beau said over the loud music. “Let’s just enjoy the show.”
The man stepped even closer, leaning down and brushing his lips against Beau’s ear.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked. “It’ll make the night more fun.”
“I have one,” Beau said even though no, he didn’t.
“No, you don’t,” the man said. “Looks like your creature here isn’t taking very good care of you.”
The man gave Kassel what was supposed to be a teasing nudge with his shoulder, while at the same time wrapping his hand around Beau’s wrist and giving him a little tug.
Several things happened at the same time.
The overhead lights dimmed as the new song started.
