Speechless (Clarity Coast Omegaverse #3)

Chapter One — Trinity

CHAPTER ONE

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TRINITY

The lobby of Element was everything I hoped it would be. Glossy, dark woods, navy blue velvet, low lighting, and a perfectly blended scent canceller that made the air smell like pure luxury. Then again, as Sunset City’s most exclusive kink club, luxury was expected.

“Just read through the rules,” the woman at the front desk said. “Make sure you understand them before you sign. We are strict, and most of the rules have a no-tolerance policy.”

I glanced up. “Meaning?”

“Meaning you’ll be asked to leave the club for the evening. There are a couple of exceptions, but not many.”

The list of bullet-pointed rules swam in front of me, my eyes having a hard time focusing on reading each individual thing. Too much energy clung to my limbs, ready to go. I looked over my shoulder at where Cade and Isolde waited. “There’s nothing in here that’s going to sign my life away, right?”

All he did was raise an eyebrow. “Read the rules, Trinity.”

“Read the rules, Trinity,” I sang back, rolling my eyes but smiling. “Fine.”

I tried. It was still hard to focus, but I managed to get the gist. No touching anything or anyone who wasn’t yours. Don’t be a dick. Respect the club rules and safe words. Got it.

Grabbing the pen, I signed the papers and slid them back across the desk. The receptionist looked them over and nodded. “Perfect. The locker room is through there, though I’m sure your friends will show you. And Mistress Amber will meet you at the main bar shortly.”

“Thanks.”

I turned back to my friends to find them wrapped up in each other. Rather, Cade had Isolde exactly where he wanted her. His hand tangled in her hair, and the way his other arm banded around her, there was no way for her to move as he kissed the hell out of her.

The pang of jealousy punched me in the chest. Breathe through it, Rin. I couldn’t control my reactions, but I also didn’t want to be jealous of my friends’ happiness. It wasn’t their fault I was alone. That being said, I didn’t want to watch them revel in that happiness either.

“Earth to the lovebirds,” I said, stretching. “Don’t know if I should remind you that you’re not alone.”

Cade laughed but didn’t pull away from Isolde. “Put your things away and meet me inside,” he said quietly. “Don’t take too long.”

Isolde blushed before I grabbed her hand and tugged her away from Cade. “Don’t worry, I’ll have her back in an hour or so.”

Isolde laughed and shook her head, pushing her way into the feminine locker room. The locker rooms here weren’t split purely by gender, but by where someone was more comfortable. Cade could come in if he wanted, but he let Isolde have this space to herself when they were here.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to find someone to be your guide?” Isolde asked. “I know some people who—”

“I’m good, girl. Amber will give me a tour, and then I’m going to become more of a voyeur than Hawk ever dreamed of being.” One of Isolde’s Alphas liked to watch.

“I never should have told you guys that,” she muttered, putting her bag into a locker and quickly stripping off the long coat she had on to reveal the modest lingerie she wore.

As excited as I was to see the inside of the club and sate my curiosity, I was even more excited to be here as a reporter. Ever since I’d been promoted, I’d barely been able to write anything, let alone do any kind of in-person interviews or investigating. Which was what I loved.

So when the powers that be at the magazine wanted to do a series of features on exciting destinations around the region, I jumped at the chance to do something real that wasn’t managing schedules or reading other people’s articles.

Mistress Amber responded to my inquiry about doing a piece on Element, the higher-ups loved the edginess mixed with human interest that would be a piece about a kink club, and Cade and Isolde offered to come with me.

It was like I could breathe for the first time in months.

But I also wasn’t going to stand around and watch while my best friend got railed. We were close, but not that close.

I stored my own coat and bag, leaving my phone in the locker as well. My dress was dark green, short, and flouncy. Some little cut-outs in the front made it a bit more daring. It looked just enough like a babydoll to fit in with the vibes, but also wasn’t fully lingerie. I wasn’t here to play.

Not that I wouldn’t if the opportunity presented itself, but I was here to relax, observe, and put together the piece about Element while being blissfully anonymous. “Got your mask?”

“Yup.” Isolde’s mask was a delicate gold that complemented her red hair. Mine was silver and filigree, covering the top half of my face.

Every few months Element held a masquerade. Just one of the many rotating themes of the events they hosted. It felt like the perfect time to come as a reporter because I wasn’t at risk of revealing people’s identities.

“You ready?” Isolde looked at me like she could see my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn’t sure if the jittery nerves clinging to me were excitement, terror, or both. Probably both.

Definitely both.

I grabbed the small notepad and pen I could fit in the pocket of the dress and shut the locker. “I am ready.”

Cade waited just inside the club for us.

He wore a crisp black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and matching black pants.

The whole effect made the dark mask he wore seem just sinister enough.

He also wore a dark metal armband. They told me it was for members who had been fully vetted and also volunteered as staff occasionally.

Basically, one of the people who could be trusted. Also, someone who held power here.

“The main bar is over there,” he said, pointing across the room. “That’s where you’ll meet Amber.”

“Got it.”

“Have fun,” he said, “as long as you don’t come to the throne room, you’ll be fine.”

My eyebrows rose. “The throne room?”

Cade smirked and took Isolde’s hand. “That’s right. This captive princess needs to spend some time in chains and on her knees.”

My friend flushed crimson, but he was already pulling her through the club. “See you later!”

They were swallowed up by the crowd so quickly I couldn’t even toss something snarky back at Cade for stealing her from me.

I shivered, realizing I was on my own now. The entire club was filled with masked people, and I could already see areas where people played and more. After one deep breath, I headed toward the bar. The sooner I met Amber, the sooner I could dive in and explore everything that was Element.

Slow, pounding music vibrated through me as I crossed the dance floor, weaving through people dancing in all states of undress, and it was still early in the evening.

The energy in this place was addicting already.

Sensual and vibrant. I could get lost on this dance floor and be happy.

Some of the looks I got told me I wouldn’t have any problems finding a dance partner either.

Pushing through the crowd to the bar, I leaned forward. “Hi. My name is Trinity Crawford. I’m supposed to meet Mistress Amber?”

The bartender, who wore nothing but leather shorts and a leather vest, nodded to the end of the bar, where a woman sat with a drink. Perfect.

I approached slowly. Her golden hair nearly glowed in the low lights of the club, done in classic curls.

A killer red lip, heels that would break my ankles, and a corset made her look every bit the Mistress she was meant to be.

She also had a shining armband—though hers was gold—and a small earpiece you would only notice if you were looking for it. “Amber?”

She looked up and smiled, taking me in. “You must be Trinity.”

“That’s me.”

“Welcome to Element. I hope you’re liking it so far.”

“For the five minutes I’ve been here, yes.”

Her laugh was lower than I expected. Sultry. She would be an absolutely perfect central character for this piece. “Ready for a tour?”

“Absolutely.”

The first three floors of the club were open, revealing balconies above the dance floor.

Scene areas ringed the room and were visible at various points on those same balconies.

Already there was a woman strapped to a giant X I knew was called a St. Andrew’s cross.

A male Omega had his Alpha bound and gagged, and from what I could see through the crowd, there was a riding crop involved.

A woman sat on a throne with a man on his knees in front of her, begging.

“There are semi-private theme rooms on the first three floors as well. They can be reserved, or first come, first serve. Some don’t mind if others share the space with them, while some want privacy.”

“Are they monitored?”

Amber nodded. “All rooms are monitored by our staff, and the members who volunteer their time to help. Everyone who monitors has been fully vetted and background-checked. No room in the publicly accessible spaces is ever left unattended for more than five minutes at a time.”

I wrote that little detail down, following her as she led to the wide staircase that curled around the edge of one wall.

“The top two floors are reserved for the higher levels of Element’s membership.

Meaning, they go through extremely rigorous background checks, take classes on technique and consent taught by contracted third parties, and sign very detailed liability waivers before they are ever allowed to use the truly private spaces.

There are still monitors placed on those floors in case anyone needs assistance. ”

That was nice. It was clear from everything I’d signed that they took the safety of the people in their club with the utmost seriousness.

“What kind of theme rooms do you have?”

“Oh, goodness,” she laughed and led me to a window.

“Almost too many to list. We also regularly switch them out, but we have a medical room, a medieval room, an office, a prison, and rooms that are formed around a single thing like a color or sensation. And, of course, there are the rooftop gardens. It’s currently set up as a hedge maze.

Those are available to everyone. The hedge maze is popular, so we plan on keeping it that way for the foreseeable future. ”

The window we stood in front of now showed a room that was one big mattress. Couples and groups tangled on it, completely unaware that anyone watched. We weren’t the only ones standing at the window.

“This is… amazing. Overwhelming.”

Amber smiled. “It definitely can be. That’s why we offer beginner classes and beginner nights with demonstrations.”

We walked along the second floor, looking down over the dance floor.

The smaller scene areas were quickly filling, as well as the theme rooms we passed.

There was a room that looked like a dragon’s hoard.

Completely gold and filled with treasure everywhere.

A dungeon room complete with chains hanging from the walls.

And finally, a room that looked like a library out of an Albion estate.

A woman in a period dress was pressed against one of the shelves by two Alphas.

Her hands were bound over her head to the shelves, though I couldn’t see how, and her mask was slipping.

“Incredible.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Amber said, then she paused, her hand going to her ear. “I’m here.” She glanced at me and then nodded once. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“I’m keeping you from something important.”

“Afraid it never stops on a party night,” she said with a smile. “Before I go, do you need more of a tour? Or shall I set you loose?”

I tucked my little notebook back into my pocket. “I think I’m good. But I’m sure I’ll have more questions if you don’t mind me shooting you some emails later?”

“No, that’s perfect. And if you need me, all the staff monitors have earpieces and can reach me.”

“Thank you so much.” I shook her hand when she extended it. “And for having me.”

“Of course.” Then she winked. “Feel free to explore. I hope you find a place to be in your element.”

I laughed once, catching the pun, but she was already heading toward the stairs. Turning to the railing and looking out over the club, I made sure my mask was firmly in place and smiled. Time to have some fun.