Feral (Wicked Nights At Lair Book 1)

6. Yannis

Hale leads me to a small booth tucked toward the back of the club. There are people milling around, some of them slipping behind double doors to the rear of us. Since seeing Hale’s face, I’ve had a flutter in my stomach that feels like something between excitement and danger. Maybe it’s the overall moody atmosphere, or maybe it’s the way Hale looks at me like I’m the only person here.

His hand slides down my back, resting just above my ass, and I don’t hate it. I might even like it a little.

As soon as we sit, a short guy with wild bright pink hair appears, holding a tray. He must be wearing glitter on his body, since the light catches his shimmering skin. He’s wearing boy shorts and thigh high boots and nothing else.

“What can I get you and your guest, boss man?”

“I’ll have my usual.” Hale turns to me. “Would you like a drink?”

I nod, clearing the tightness in my throat. “Please. Whatever.”

“One house special, coming right up.”

“Thank you, Dev.”

The man—Dev, I suppose—hurries off, leaving us alone. Hale is staring at me, his eyes seemingly seeing beyond my face to my soul. Man, he’s intense.

“How was your day?” I ask. Stupid small talk, but it’s all I’ve got right now.

“Just fine. I slept in, went for a run around town, and then relaxed until it was time to come here. Outside of your interaction, how was yours?”

“About the same. I went for a run too. It’s so different from back home. I used to run along the roads where there was nothing in front of me but farms, animals, and the occasional tractor. It was peaceful but boring.”

“What a change the city must be.”

“Definitely. I’m hoping to get myself established here. I have a little brother who’s in college right now. When he graduates, I’d love to be able to offer him a place to land, you know? He could go to any city though.”

“You’re close to your brother?”

I nod. “Pretty close. We have a big age difference ’cause my mom married his dad when I was ten. He’s almost twelve years younger.”

“And how old are you?”

I scrunch my nose. “Thirty-four. I’ll be thirty-five soon and I wanted more for myself. I don’t know what that might be yet, but I have this…” I pause, searching my head for the words as I gesture wildly. “I’m not sure how to describe it, but it’s like there’s something inside me that wants to get out. Something bigger than who I’ve been so far.”

Hale nods. “Why did you pick New Onyx?”

I chuckle softly. “Funny story. I was all set on going west, maybe to LA or San Diego, but then one day I was in town picking up some supplies for my mom at the store. I checked out, got into my car, and noticed something in one of the bags. It was a travel magazine and the feature story was about New Onyx.”

Hale’s brow creases. “How interesting.”

“Right? I know I didn’t buy it, so it must have gotten mixed up with someone else’s stuff. I read it cover to cover. There were all these glamorous pictures and people, and I felt a tug in my chest that I needed to change course and come here instead. Crazy, right?”

“Indeed.”

“Fate is funny sometimes. I really feel like it was the universe stepping in. Do you think that’s weird?”

“Not at all. I’m a big believer in fate.”

I nod, smiling. “Same. Anyway, that’s how I ended up here. What about you? Are you from here?”

“No. I’ve lived in lots of places, but I settled here about two years ago. I needed a place to land and I met some people who offered me a home and a job. I love it here.”

“I want to love it here. My folks weren’t so sure about it. They’ve always been farmers and small-town people.” I shrug. “My mom doesn’t really understand why I don’t want to take over the farm someday, but it’s never lit me up.”

“Are you close with your parents?”

“Not really. My stepdad is kind of a dick sometimes, but he’s trying to work on his shit. My mom is okay but she buries her head in the sand. She doesn’t really know me.”

“But your brother is a good man?”

I smile just thinking about him. “Better than me, for sure. He’s so damn smart, he can do anything. Dimitrious, but I call him Dimi. He doesn’t like his full name.”

“Greek in origin?”

I nod. “Yep. My mom’s family is Greek. My dad is a regular American and Dimi’s dad is Cuban, so we don’t look shit alike except we both got mom’s smile.”

“It’s a good smile.”

“Thanks.”

Dev returns with our drinks, setting them down on the table, then flitting off again, almost like his feet don’t touch the ground.

“You were gonna tell me about Lair?”

Hale takes a sip of his drink, his eyelids fluttering as he swallows. “Yes. Lair is… unique. Special. Not like any place you’ve experienced before.”

“Obviously.”

“Not in the ways you might expect.” He leans closer to me, lifting his hand to touch my chin. “You found us for a reason, Yannis.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I was given a card to come here.”

“You were chosen because you belong with us. Remember what you said about something inside you that wants to get out? Something bigger?”

“Yeah.”

“That something led you to us. You were given a card because Jade could sense that your nature was compatible with ours. Only those with the right disposition will come to Lair.”

“No offense, Hale, but you’re not really making sense to me.”

He chuckles, leaning over to grab my drink from the table and hand it to me. “Take a sip.”

I do, smiling as the sweet, fruity flavor hits my tongue. “It’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

I hold Hale’s gaze as I take another sip, and warmth spreads through me like I just drank a shot. I wonder where they get the alcohol they use here. It’s not like any I’ve had before.

“Tell me more.”

Hale nods, glancing out at the club for just a second. “The things you’ll see are not like any you’ve seen before. The patrons here are not like you.”

“Meaning?”

He motions for me to take another sip of my drink, so I do, smiling at the giddy feeling spreading through me. Dang, this is good.

“What if I told you, Yannis, that you’re surrounded by the supernatural? All around you are demons and fae and witches and vampires. There are dragons and wolves and sirens within your reach. Would you believe me?”

I pull my head back slightly, my eyes darting around the club. Everything looks normal until I really focus on what I’m seeing. A few feet in front of me, a woman presses another woman against one of the marble columns flanking the dance floor. I thought they were making out, but now I see the crimson liquid dripping down one woman’s neck, the other swallowing greedily as she holds on with sharp nails.

I turn my head to the left where there’s a man dancing in a cage, but he has wings and his feet aren’t touching the bottom as he swirls around, releasing glitter dust in the air. Swallowing hard, I look towards the bar where a man is perched on a stool. He seems to be singing, and people gather around him, entranced. Nothing unusual until I focus on the gold and teal scales rippling up and down his arms.

Slowly, I find myself leaning back into Hale’s strong arms. His presence grounds me, soothing me enough that I exhale slowly, releasing the chaos building within me.

“You see now?” Hale whispers in my ear, his warm breath fanning across my face. It smells good—like fruit, but more subtle—then as he presses his chest to my back, I catch a deep, sensual scent that must be his cologne. “You’re safe though. You belong here.”

“H-how?”

“I don’t know. Your spirit, perhaps. An open-mindedness that extends to the supernatural? All I know is that those who mean to do us harm will never enter through those doors. This is a sanctuary.”

I wonder for a moment whether I’m under the influence of something. Do they add stuff to our drinks? Am I imagining all of this? Will I wake up tomorrow and laugh it off? Or… is it possible this is really happening?

“What questions do you have?”

“Some of the people here are…regular?”

“Mortal? Yes. Many are, and just like you, they have a spirit that drew them here. Everyone is consenting.”

I nod, still taking in everything around me. Three men are on a velvet couch, getting pretty hot and heavy until one of them lifts his arm and they disappear right before my eyes.

“What the fuck?”

“Oh.” Hale chuckles. “Invisibility ward. They’re still here, just hiding from our sight.”

“How is that possible?”

“Witchcraft. The world is full of mysteries most people don’t care to see. Supernatural beings live and work in plain sight, appearing just like everyone else. That’s why Lair is so important. Here, the world beyond the veil exists openly. It keeps unsuspecting mortals safe.”

I turn my head, finding his face mere inches from mine. This close, I can see the golden flecks in his brown eyes and the way the club lights catch them. He’s holding me with his hands on my biceps, squeezing gently, and I couldn’t explain why, but not only do I believe him, I feel safe, even excited.

“I could work here?”

Hale nods. “If you’d like. We’ll teach you all about interacting with the various species who frequent Lair.” He brushes his fingers under my chin. “A face like yours will be very popular here.”

“Really?”

“Really. All you have to do is say yes.”

Taking a moment, I glance around once more, letting the energy of the place seep into me. I wanted excitement and opportunity, and there’s no way I won’t find that here. My goal in moving to this city was to say yes to as many adventures as possible, no matter how foreign or intimidating. Now this is right in front of me. All I have to do is take it.

“I’m in. I want to work here.”

A big smile spreads across Hale’s face. “Perfect. I can’t wait to get to know you better.” He leans close to my ear again so that his cheek is touching mine. “But be warned, fair mortal. Lair is not for the weak.”

A shiver runs through me, and my stomach does flips. I pull back enough to meet Hale’s eyes, and as he drags his tongue across his bottom lip, I sway slightly toward him before catching myself by placing my hand on his thigh.

“I’m strong enough,” I manage to say.

“I have no doubt.”