Chapter Three
The air inside the nightclub was thick with the scent of sweat and spilled alcohol. Bodies writhed on the dance floor, their movements a hypnotic blend of grace and primal instinct. For a moment, I hesitated at the edge of the chaos, my pulse quickening with both excitement and fear.
I’d never been allowed to go to nightclubs. My mother was dead set on me keeping myself pure for my future husband, and although I didn’t exactly agree, I’d never been in a position to even pursue a relationship. Even at college my mother had kept me on a tight leash, picking me up and dropping me off for classes, insisting on knowing where I was at all times, so there had been no chance for a boyfriend then, or even just a fun night out with some girlfriends unless it was friends she”d picked.
I”d taken some snaps of me and girls near the bar to send her, being careful to keep my bare back away from the camera and a coke in my hand. The club was quite upmarket, so it would hopefully please her. She liked it when I socialised “properly.” I felt a sinking feeling as I realised I”d probably have to edit out Kate. She was way too alternative for my mother to approve of. By sheer coincidence, Amy and Venessa had been on the list of socially acceptable friends she’d given me at the start of the year, so this would make her happy. Well, as happy as my mother could be. I had no idea how she’d managed to get a list of postgraduate students before the term even started, but I now had it tucked away in my drawer with names highlighted as potential and approved friends.
I tucked my phone away, determined not to think about her for the rest of the night. Whether it was the freedom from her or the four tequila shots we’d done in the bar before getting here, the fear quickly faded into anticipation and I smiled at Kate as she grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the dance floor.
”Come on,” she urged, her words barely audible over the roar of the music. Amy and Vanessa followed us through the throng of bodies as we pushed through to a space we could all dance in. I wasn”t exactly a confident dancer, but the large amount of alcohol helped and I copied Kate and the others, soon losing myself in the beat and the intoxicating freedom of movement. My body swayed in time with the music, my previous fears dissolving into the shadows as I lost myself in the exhilarating sea of sound and sensation.
”Having fun yet?” Kate shouted into my ear.
A genuine smile spread across my face, and I nodded, feeling more alive than I had in years.
”That”s my girl!” She grinned and then pulled back as a few men sidled in closer to us, their eyes dropping down from our faces to our bodies, noticing every detail. I felt uncomfortable, but Kate preened under their eyes, her dancing growing slightly more suggestive as they checked us out.
”Hey there,” one of them purred, his voice smooth as silk. He was tall with chiselled features and a confident swagger that made it clear he was no stranger to the dance floor—or to the art of seduction.
”Mind if we join you?” another asked. He wasn”t as tall as his companion, but his muscular frame and crooked smile were pretty easy on the eyes.
”Of course not,” Kate smiled. ”The more, the merrier!”
The tall one grinned, and slipped his hands around her waist pulling her against him. As I watched them dance together, I couldn”t help feeling a twinge of envy. Kate seemed so at ease amidst the chaos of the club, her body moving with a grace and confidence that I could only dream of possessing. But before I could dwell on my inadequacy any longer, the shorter man sidled up to me, his eyes locked on mine with magnetic intensity.
”Hey there, gorgeous,” he said, leaning in so close I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek. ”How about we show these two how it”s really done?”
”Um... sure,” I stammered, feeling my heart leap into my throat as he took my hand and guided me deeper into the throng.
Finding a space, he took my hands, wrapping them around his waist and pulling me in close. His own hands slid down to my hips, and he began to grind into me. I wasn”t hugely comfortable about dancing this close with someone I didn”t know, but I was supposed to be taking risks tonight. I smiled up at him and wrapped my hands around his neck.
”Oh that”s good, baby,” he crooned, grinding harder against me. He leaned in, sliding his hands down over my ass. A flutter of panic flared inside me. I really didn”t want this right now. My head felt hazy from the alcohol and I suddenly felt unsure of myself and rather unsteady. Damn sambuca.
I pulled back away from him. ”I need the bathroom,” I told him.
”Aw, not yet, baby, we”re just getting started,” he said, his fingers digging into my flesh as he ground his hard dick into my belly. His hands slipped lower, under the curve of my ass, dipping between my legs. I brought my hands down against his chest and tried to push him away.
”No, let me go now.”
The guy pulled back a little, but didn”t let go of me completely.
”Don”t make a scene baby, we”re just dancing.” I could feel my heart pick up as he pulled me closer again, our bodies now pressed against one another. My breath hitched in my throat, my heart pounding. I tried to steal a glance at Kate, hoping she”d notice my discomfort and come to my rescue. But just as I spotted her dancing with the taller man, another body stepped between us, effectively cutting off my lifeline.
”Hey,” the man whispered into my ear, his fingers digging into my waist as he steered me further from Kate. ”Let”s go somewhere more... private.”
”Um, no thanks,” I replied, attempting to pull away from his grasp. His grip only tightened, and a shiver of fear ran down my spine. This was not the adventure I had been seeking.
”Come on, don”t be shy,” he insisted, leaning in so close that I could feel his hot, alcohol-laced breath fanning across my face. The scent made my stomach churn. ”We”re just having fun, right?”
”Actually, I think I”m going to sit this one out,” I said, pushing against his chest with all my strength. He barely budged, and it occurred to me just how much bigger and stronger he was than I.
”Aw, don”t be like that,” he pouted, using one arm to pin me against him while his free hand began to roam up and down my side. Panic bubbled up within me as his touch grew bolder, more insistent.
”Please, let me go,” I hissed through clenched teeth. I didn”t want to make a scene or draw attention to myself, but I also couldn”t stand the way he was making me feel.
”She”s not interested,” came a deep voice from behind me. The man holding me stiffened, his grip momentarily loosening as he turned to face the newcomer.
”Who the hell are you?” he spat, clearly annoyed at the interruption.
”Someone who knows when a woman doesn”t want to dance.” The voice was dangerously calm, but there was an undercurrent of menace that sent shivers down my spine. As I struggled to regain my bearings, the man finally released me, and I stumbled backwards and the man behind me immediately caught me, righting me and slipping his arms around my waist. He pulled me back against him so I could feel the warmth of his body pressed against mine, but his grip was loose.
His head turned, his mouth brushing over my ear almost like a kiss that sent shivers down my spine.
”Play along, little flower,” he murmured softly.
”Hey, she was enjoying herself!” The young man protested, his voice wavering as he glanced between me and the imposing figure behind me. I could feel the heat of indignation rising in my chest, but before I could speak, the arms around me tensed.
”This woman is taken,” the deep voice growled. ”She”s mine. Touch her again and you”ll regret it.”
The authority in his tone left no room for argument, and with a final resentful glance, the creepy guy slunk away, swallowed up by the pulsing crowd. I should have felt relieved, but instead, my heart raced even faster as this new stranger”s grip tightened around me. His warm breath stirred the fine hairs at my nape, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn”t see his face, but I sensed the coiled power in his lean frame and the heat radiating from his body.
”Thank you,” I breathed, relief flooding through me as the young man retreated. But the moment my gratitude left my lips, I tried to pull away from the stranger who had come to my rescue. His grip tightened on me, holding me in place.
”Keep dancing,” he replied, his voice a low rumble that vibrated against my back. ”Your friend and his mates are still watching us. They”ll come straight back if I leave now.”
He didn”t release me, instead guiding me through the throng of writhing bodies still dancing to the beat of the music. It was both thrilling and terrifying to be held captive by this enigmatic saviour, and though I knew I should pull away, I couldn”t deny the electric charge that sparked beneath his touch. His palms rested flat against my hips, holding me securely without straying too far.
As we danced, I began to notice details about him—rolled-up black shirt sleeves revealing tattoos winding along his tanned forearms, the faint scent of sandalwood and brandy clinging to him like an intoxicating aura. One of his tattoos was a long slender scythe with flowers winding around the handle. I’d never really liked tattoos and my mother thought they were horrific, but these were definitely sexy. Even without seeing his face, I was drawn to this man, a dangerous allure that threatened to consume me.
What the hell was I doing? This man could be anyone, and yet here I was, allowing him to hold me like we were lovers instead of strangers. It went against every instinct I had for self-preservation, but I couldn”t ignore the mysterious appeal he held over me.
”Who are you?” I asked. He didn”t reply, only tightening his grip on me as if the question had unsettled him.
”Does it matter?”
His voice was low in my ear, and it sent another shiver down my spine. I shook my head, leaning back against him. I’d hated the feeling of the other guy who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. This guy just held me close and I felt strangely safe with him. I was actually disappointed when the song ended. He leaned in, his lips brushing over my ear and sending shivers over my body as he spoke.
“Thanks for the dance, little flower. Be more careful who you let touch you. It won’t end well if you don’t.”
Then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd, and I looked up to see Kate heading towards me.
”Hey!” Carrie appeared beside me, her eyes wide with curiosity. ”What happened to the other guy and who was that?”
“The other guy was a dickhead,” I said to Kate. “Couldn”t keep his hands to himself, so that guy helped me out, but he didn’t tell me his name. Did you recognise him?”
She shook her head. “Tall, broad, black shirt, shaved head, sexy tats. That”s all I got, sorry. He was heading the other way when I saw you so I didn”t get a look at his face. Why? You interested?”
I blushed, and she laughed. “You were! Shame your Cinderella didn’t leave a glass slipper behind. Come on, let’s get a drink, the others are already at the bar.”
With a sense of reluctance, I allowed her to drag me back towards the bar. The hypnotic beat of the music throbbed through my veins, but it wasn”t enough to distract me from the lingering sensation of his strong, tattooed arms wrapped around me. As we waited for our drinks, I couldn”t help but scan the crowd, searching for any glimpse of him. But it seemed as though he had vanished into thin air, like a ghost or some figment of my alcohol-fueled imagination.
I sighed, forced a smile, and accepted the drink Kate handed me. ”To surviving the dance floor,” she toasted, clinking her glass against mine. ”And to the mystery hero who saved you from that creep.”
My thoughts drifted back to the man on the dance floor, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. His words echoed in my head, ”She”s mine.” It was an absurd notion, this stranger claiming me as his own. And yet...the thought was oddly appealing. With a smile, I clinked my glass against hers and took a deep gulp of the cold drink.
As the girls chatted, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. His low voice, his strong arms around me, and the smell of his cologne were burned into my memory. I thought about the way my skin had seemed to burn where he touched me, and I found myself imagining what might have happened if he hadn’t been the perfect gentleman and his hands had wandered. I felt myself growing warm at the thought, and took a long sip of my drink, smiling to myself as my thoughts grew more indecent.
“Paige, you alright?”” Amy”s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was eying me with a look of concern.
””Yeah,” I replied, blushing as if she could read my mind. ”I”m okay, thanks.”
“Paige had an encounter with a Reaper tonight,” said Kate. The other girls looked at her, then looked at me.
“You”re kidding!” declared Amy.
Kate shook her head. “One followed her back to the dorm from the art department. Skull mask and everything.”
“Creepy!” declared Amy, while Vanessa shook her head, looking serious.
“What did you do to get mixed up with them?” she asked. “Were you asking questions?”
“No! I’d never heard of them before Kate told me about them,” I insisted.
“You must have done something,” pressed Vanessa. “Reapers don’t bother with other students for any good reason. You should stay away from them.”
”That”s not entirely true, Ven,” said Amy. ”This time of year they follow loads of girls around. Right up to Halloween.” She turned back to me. ”I wouldn”t worry, Paige. But Ven”s right, I”d stay away from them if you can.”
“I intend to,” I said, downing the rest of my drink. “But what’s with all the cloak and dagger stuff? Are they really that bad? I thought they were just a bunch of rich trust fund boys with nothing better to do.”
Vanessa looked over at Kate, then back at me and shook her head. ”They”re not just trust fund boys, Paige,” she stated gravely. ”They”re much worse than that.”
I frowned, her words sending unease creeping up my spine. I pushed it away, forcing a small laugh.
”Come on Vanessa, they can”t be that bad. They”re students here like us.”
”No,” she snapped, her face serious. ”You don”t get it, Paige. These aren”t just any students. They”re dangerous...and powerful. This isn”t some fraternity or social club. These guys are the sons of powerful men who control the country, men who think they can play God with other people”s lives.”
Amy nodded. “I heard that people who cross them end up dead. There’s always students going missing from Blackvellyn, but it’s always hushed up.”
“Why doesn’t anyone go to the police?” I asked.
Kate shrugged. “With what evidence? Besides, the police are in their daddies’ pockets.They never even get arrested.”
I thought back to how the night watchman at the dorm had reacted when I’d mentioned the skull mask, and I found myself believing her.
There was a pause as my friends looked at each other, their expressions sombre. As the laughter and chatter around us continued, I felt as if we were in some sort of eerie bubble. The reality of what they were telling me was sinking in and it made me shiver. Suddenly, the fun party atmosphere felt threatening, like there were predators lurking in the shadows, their eyes on unsuspecting prey.
”But how do you know all this?” I asked.
Vanessa shrugged a little. ”We hear things,” she said cryptically. ”Just... be careful Paige. Girls go missing here in Blackvellyn. I have a friend on the paper and she’s told me six disappeared last year and one has already gone missing this year. She was looking into it, but got threatening letters telling her to back off. She’s terrified for her life now, and is trying to transfer out.”
“So I should just live in fear?” I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
”You should be smart,” advised Vanessa. “It’s all part of living in Blackvellyn. They say the Reapers rule the university. Have connections to every corner of it, from faculty to security. You just need to learn to navigate it. Keep your head down and don”t go poking your nose where it doesn”t belong.”
“And avoid Reapers if you can,” Amy chimed in with a shudder. “They’re ok on their own, but if the club sets its sights on you they’re like a pack of rabid wolves.”
I was quiet for a moment, letting the information sink in. The fun, carefree atmosphere of the party suddenly felt like a dangerous illusion masked by intoxication and loud music. A chill ran down my spine as I thought about my encounter with the masked man. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very small and very vulnerable.
“I think I need some fresh air,” I blurted out, pushing away from the bar. The girls exchanged worried glances, but I ignored them and their protests, I pushed through the crowd towards the exit and burst out into the cool night air.
The stars above seemed unnaturally bright compared to the gloom inside the bar. Taking deep breaths, I tried to steady myself as my head swam. I’d definitely had way too much to drink. I winced as a police car raced past, and then another, screeching to a stop a couple of blocks down. Uniformed officers got out of the car, three of them heading down one of the side alleys where a few dark figures were standing. A few moments later, an ambulance joined them, the blue lights flashing, lighting up the old buildings as if we were still inside the club.
Curiosity piqued, I moved towards the commotion. My heart sped up a little, and the cool air seemed to tighten around me as I approached the alley. A crowd of onlookers had already gathered around the police cordon, their shocked expressions illuminated by the flashing blue lights. I pushed through them, my heart pounding in my chest.
The smell of blood hit me first, its metallic tang sharp and insistent in the cool night air. Then I saw the body. Slumped against the wall of the alley, a figure lay motionless on the ground. Even from this distance, I could make out the dark pool surrounding it. Not only that, I realised I knew him.
”Oh my God,” I whispered under my breath, stumbling back. My gaze fixated on the blood pooling around him, seeping into the cracks in the concrete.
”Paige?”
I turned to see David jogging up to me from across the street, his face flushed with alarm. ”Are you okay?”
I shook my head, pointing at the crime scene with a trembling finger. ”He”s dead.”
The police moved around, making people step back, cordoning off the area with tape as another car arrived, this one with a man and woman wearing suits. Detectives.
“Shit, shit, shit…” I muttered. David took me by the hand and led me away from the commotion, closer to the club.
“Did you know him?” he asked me gently.
I shook my head. “No, not really. He was… dancing with me in the club a while ago. He got a bit familiar and some other guy stepped in and scared him off. And now he’s dead.”
David took his jacket off and draped it around my shoulders. “I think it’s time we get you back to your room, don’t you? You’ve clearly had too much to drink and you’ve had a shock.”
“My friends…”
“Can you text your friends and let them know you’re heading back?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll go back in and stay with them.”
“I really think I should take you home, Paige,” he said. “I”m worried about you.”
His arm was still wrapped around my waist under his jacket and I felt his fingers brush along the bare skin of my hip, making me freeze. It was entirely accidental I was sure, but it just brought back memories of what the guy had done in the club and I suddenly felt sick. I pulled away from him, and passed him his jacket.
“I’m fine, thanks David. I appreciate you looking after me, but I want to go back in with my friends. I left my phone in there anyway.”
David glanced around at the police cars nearby, then looked back down at me. “Ok, well, I guess I’ll see you next week. Take care Paige.”
“Take care,” I called after him as he headed off down the street.
I looked back towards the crime scene, now hard to see past the crowds of students that were gathering at the perimeter despite the officers telling them all to go home, and I shivered. It must have been a mugging or something, I told myself. Complete coincidence. I was still trying to convince myself of that when I got back to the girls at the bar. I ordered a glass of water and reassured them that I was ok, before filling them in on what was happening outside. I may have left out the part where it was the guy who’d danced with me earlier, but I wasn”t sure why. The stories about the Reapers had scared me, and the image of the scythe tattooed on the arm of my rescuer suddenly took on a whole new meaning that had my heart pounding.