Chapter 7 – Aline
Chapter Seven
Aline
A tlas is gone the next morning when I wake up. It’s probably afternoon, but it’s my morning, so it counts.
I stumble into the kitchen, feeling weaker than normal. Electricity and appliances are terrible for a fae’s health. However, they do successfully dampen my magic, so I don’t avoid them like most of my kind.
I set the kettle to warm and open the curtains of the kitchen window.
Charity wasn’t home last night when we made it in, but that’s not unheard of. It’s easier for Mrs. Segar to watch Veryn as he sleeps, meaning Charity tends to work late nights.
I can’t see her car from here to be sure, but I truly don’t think she’s home. We often enjoy a cup of tea while Veryn runs around the tree-lined courtyard.
The kettle squeals, and I jump at the unexpected noise. Spinning around to grab it, my eyes bug when I catch the numbers on the clock, realizing exactly how late in the day it is.
“Holy shit.” I head to cut off the burner as I tighten the strings on my robe.
No wonder Charity isn’t home.
I slept through our early afternoon ritual.
I rush through making my drink and head into my bedroom to get ready for the day.
The Monster’s Den has been in business for nearly a hundred years. In the beginning, it was only the hotel, which Dread’s mom, Octavia, converted into The Den. It’s a lovely mess of sex and debauchery, but it gives monsters a place to feel safe just being themselves.
Once Octavia expanded the business, she bought the buildings on either side and opened the bar.
The upper floors are gambling rooms, smoking areas, and weirdly, a conference room that rarely gets rented out.
Maybe three or four times a year, but it comes with free security to keep the negotiating parties from killing each other.
The entire area has that rundown warehouse district feel, and the brick passageways that lead through all three of the main buildings are old.
The Den is on the far right, the middle is the miscellaneous building, and Venom, the nightclub, is on the left—at least, if you’re looking at it from the employee parking lot. The way that building is built, Venom turns the corner with the storefronts.
Basically, it’s a maze if you don’t know which corridor to take. Most of the employees don’t bother, since it’s easier to walk outside and back in, or depending on where they’re going, they can take the public hallways.
I go that way sometimes, but both Venom and The Monster’s Den cater to a lot of out-of-town guests. Ones I try to avoid, when possible. Many monsters live outside the sanctuary ward and come to visit to be able to fully relax without their glamor.
As I grab for the door into Venom, I keep the stack of papers shoved under my arm.
It’s late, but even from the storeroom, I can hear how busy it’s going to be. I pull back my shoulders and open the door into the club. The hallway I step into is near the restrooms and the emergency exit.
My eyes flick to the side, taking in the couple groaning against the back wall. If they’re not careful, they’ll hit the push bar and spill right out the emergency exit. Which would be good entertainment.
I snort, carefully edging my way down the hallway. There are two female shifters aiming for the women’s room, and we do that awkward dance where we both slide to one side, trying to avoid the other, but they step the same way I do, and it becomes a whole thing.
When I finally make it onto the dance floor on the bottom floor, I aim for Trinity.
She’s one of the main bartenders in Venom, and I promised I would bring her an application for her friend before I left tonight.
We’re beyond short staffed, and I’m getting to the point I’ll hire anyone if they come from a staff recommendation.
I hang around the edge of the bar, waiting for Trinity to finish with the customers she’s got in front of her.
They pump oxygen into the club just like they do in the high-roller rooms. We may be supernatural creatures, but most of us still need to breathe.
It always gives me a boost similar to adrenaline.
“This one is just for you, boss.” Trinity sets down a pretty pink drink. “It’ll wipe that frown right off your face.”
I laugh, dropping the papers and pushing them toward her. She shoves the drink at me in return.
My hands hit the bar as I push myself up onto the stool. I don’t often drink, but it’s been a long few weeks.
I’m due for a little relaxation.
My fingers wrap around the cool glass, bringing it to my mouth for a taste. It tastes like cherries and pineapple...Maybe? It’s hard to tell because it’s so flavorful.
I take another sip, and before I know it, the glass is empty. The sweet fruity flavor teases my tongue even after it’s gone.
“That was surprisingly good. New menu item?” Pushing the glass toward her, I wave my hand for another.
“Yeah, tonight is only the second night we’ve had the mixer,” she agrees. “Let me get you a refill.”
Music pounds through the speakers, and I find myself dancing in my chair. Heat hits my back first, and a moment later, Atlas’s woodsy scent greets me. Calloused hands slide down my arms as I smile at him over my shoulder.
“Are you off?”
“I am,” he agrees. “You are too, aren’t you?”
“Barring any major disasters.” I grab the fruity drink Trinity drops in front of me and take another swig. It’s really hot in here. My hand flies up, awkwardly fanning my face.
“What’s that?” Atlas asks.
I offer him the drink, and he finishes the glass in two large gulps.
“Damn, that’s good. Not as sweet as you, though.” He’s still behind me, but he stretches his left hand up, tilting my head to the right, where his face is over my shoulder. His lips ghost over mine as he smiles. “I’ve been patient. Haven’t I, little one?”
My mouth goes bone dry, which is weird, because I just had a drink. My eyes flutter shut as I breathe him in. He really has been. Not only that, he’s never pushed me faster than I’ve been comfortable with.
“You have,” I agree.
“Dance with me?”
My eyes pop open as he leans his right forearm on the bar. It twists the top half of his frame so it’s right in front of me.
“I want to, but don’t you think it’s setting us both up for heartbreak? I can’t give you what you need?—”
He cuts me off. “Let me decide what I need. Trust me to know what I want. Dance with me?”
His pupils are large, round saucers as he watches me.
I lick my equally dry lips. When did I get so dehydrated?
I nod my agreement before I can over analyze it. Thinking too much hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Actually, the only place it’s gotten me is isolated as hell, because I feel obligated to keep everyone at arm’s length.
Atlas steps back, pulling me off the barstool and toward the dance floor. I’m not dressed for a night in the club, but I tend to wear dresses, since they’re the closest to what I wore in Faere. As a result, I don’t stand out as underdressed.
Fae females are known for our tall, willowy frames, but Atlas’s considerable size always makes me feel delicate and safe. His muscular body presses against my ass and back as he somehow leads me from behind.
“You smell fucking delectable,” he growls in my ear. His warm breath fans over my neck as his stubble tickles my shoulder and clavicle. “Fuck, Ali.” My nipples tighten painfully as he wraps a hand around my hip, yanking me back into him.
The DJ is on point tonight. Sensual-sounding music pumps through the speakers. Bodies writhe together on the lower-level dance floor, but Atlas aims for the stairs to VIP. We get to the bottom, and he nods for the attendant to unclip the rope.
Atlas spins me to face him and lifts me with no problem. It would be less revealing if he carried me like a bride, but he likes it when I wrap my legs around his ass and hug him. He tucks my dress around my backside, palming my ass cheek, and I bury my face in his chest.
Apparently, Atlas is done hiding our unconventional relationship. My stomach feels like a horde of butterflies is trying to take flight.
I’m not getting any younger, and I’m damn tired of being lonely all the time.
The owners just straight up claimed and bonded an employee. I’ve spent a lot of time worrying about how they’d react, but if they don’t like it, then I’m at a place where I’ll happily tell them to take over, and I’ll quit.
Atlas puts me back on my feet once we hit the third floor. It’s a much smaller dance space, but there are a lot fewer monsters, since they have to pay for the special access. He squats a bit to fit his knee between my thighs.
That drink Trinity served must have been stronger than I thought, or possibly, the quickening is guiding my actions.
My hands clutch his long-sleeve white T-shirt, pulling him down so I can devour his mouth. He tastes like the drink he helped me finish off. The tart cherry flavor is the perfect opposition to his natural spicy scent.
The firm way he holds me to him signals to my system that I’m supposed to be pliant and submissive.
Atlas growls low and dangerous when anyone gets too close. I frown up at him as he bares his teeth at Fredrick. He’s a bigfoot, a type of fae shifter, but he’s friendly and non-violent all of the time. He’s one of the few patrons I genuinely like.
“I’m feeling a little feral,” Atlas says. “I need to keep you all to myself.” His words send a thrill through my entire body. “Sorry my impulses are riding me hard right now, sweetheart.” He looks sheepish, like he can’t believe he just admitted that.
My system instantly dislikes how uncomfortable he still looks. I’ve never felt as cared for and cherished as I do with him.
“Nadia said you’d be at the top of her list if she was looking to be impregnated. I think she may have been messing with me, but I told her I’d have to hurt her. I genuinely meant it too.” I shrug, but my face burns.
“What?” A wide smile takes over his face, showing off his tusks.