Chapter 15
Zera
An hour and an entire bottle of hairspray later, Zera and Maverick stood outside the nightclub, the pulsating bass of music seeping through the cracks in the door. Zera couldn’t believe he’d convinced her to come here, especially with her looking like this.
“I hate this,” she hissed, pulling her coat closer around her against the evening breeze. It was starting to smell like snow.
“Your heartbeat would suggest otherwise,” Maverick retorted, and she scoffed. The sheer arrogance of this wolf.
Yet her heartbeat only fluttered with excitement.
Damn wolf hearing. They were in line to enter the nightclub, freezing their bits off to get into a club she didn’t even want to set foot in.
It was bad enough this mission of theirs was making her stand out in the cold, but what she had to wear made her even more uncomfortable.
But from the looks of other women around her, she was in the minority, as far as that went.
A vampiress glared at her when she made eye contact and flashed her fangs, her hand on her porcelain hip as though uncaring that the bitter wind nipped at her exposed flesh.
Zera’s leather skirt and matching bustier were almost modest in comparison.
Zera withered farther into her coat, wishing she could go back to the penthouse.
She never should’ve squeezed into the little skirt that barely covered her ass.
As soon as she put it on, she’d nearly ripped it back off.
She wanted to swap it for a nice comfortable pair of sweatpants instead.
But Maverick had been adamant that the outfit would ensure their survival.
They had to blend in with this crowd, though she wasn’t sure if it was worth it.
Even the leather bustier she wore seemed to squeeze the air out of her lungs. At least he had to wear an outfit too.
She glanced back at the giant werewolf that stalked behind her, letting her eyes graze his bare chest and the leather pants that hung low and tight against his thighs.
“Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t make it to the lounge,” he said huskily.
“And what are you going to do about it?” She winked and gave the flimsy chain that secured his choke collar to her wrist a little tug.
Why not have a little fun while they were catching bad guys? She never got out, and when she did, it was usually to order to-go fries at the Haven Wolf Tavern. Not to party it up at one of Mystic City’s hottest nightclubs.
He growled, his hot breath hitting her ear from behind her as his hands grazed her bare hips just above her panty line.
She rolled her eyes. “You should’ve worn a coat.”
His brow arched. “And miss an opportunity to tempt you?”
“You’re so full of it.” She laughed and playfully shoved him back, and his deep chuckle sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. “So, I’m guessing this is your scene?”
“Not at all,” he said as the line moved forward. He flashed her a cocky grin. “But I’m a spy, so I can blend.”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot.” She was certain that wasn’t true. Someone with his good looks couldn’t possibly blend in anywhere.
“Speaking of blending in,” he said, his tone switching back to business, “there’s no neutrality here, so if the glamour wavers even for a moment and someone recognizes either of us, then—”
“It’ll be utter chaos. Yes, I know. Don’t worry, our glamours are intact.” She glanced up at him just to be sure. “You know, I think you might look hotter with your new face.”
He smirked. “So you admit that I’m hot?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you do.”
“Oh, stop being so… you,” she grumbled, and his smile only grew wider.
The last pair in front of them entered the nightclub, where pounding music and flashing lights spilled onto the streets.
The bouncer, a troll with a cigar crammed into his cheek and smoke puffing from his snout, flicked his eyes over Zera and Maverick.
He eyed her with suspicion, and it wiped the smile right off her face.
She replaced it with her best scowl as she showed him their IDs.
Her glamour work did the trick, both on the IDs and on their faces.
She’d given Maverick a full beard and honey-brown eyes, the simplest ways to change a face.
Then, for her, she’d chosen violet eyes because she could probably pass for a demon.
She used a gold band to hold her now-black hair in a high ponytail.
Her face was a little more heart-shaped too.
Even if someone here had been at the gala, they would only think Maverick and Zera looked similar to a couple who had been there.
The troll handed her the IDs back and ushered them inside. She stepped through the door.
“Just as I suspected,” Maverick whispered from behind her.
“What is?”
“There’s an enchantment on this nightclub,” he said, nodding to the red lettering on the walls on either side of them. “It’s dominatrix night, so women run the show. This spell ensures it, so you’ll have to take the lead on things.”
She gulped as she took in the crimson writing. She could do this. She could take charge and exude a commanding presence, right?
“Coats,” Maverick breathed softly into her ear, nodding toward the fairy checking coats in.
Zera nodded. She led the way to the coat check and reluctantly removed her coat.
A breeze from the entrance hit her bare skin, leaving goose bumps in its wake, but the nightclub was warmer than expected.
She scanned the nightclub, a twisted labyrinth of pulsing lights, leather-clad bodies, and the relentless thump of the music.
At least she wouldn’t be the only one with her ass hanging out.
She handed her coat to the fairy, her fingers trembling slightly before she led the way farther into the nightclub.
“Remember what the plan is?” Maverick asked while the music pulsated in their chests.
Zera nodded, her mind racing to recall the details.
They’d gone over it multiple times, but now that they were inside the club, her nerves started getting the best of her.
But she knew the plan. Once they spotted Gareth or one of his associates approaching the owner of the nightclub, that was when they would create a distraction to disrupt the deal.
It was simple, clean, and efficient. Zera could handle it. She had to.
“Should we get drinks?” she asked.
“You tell me, boss,” he said with a wink.
Oh, right. She was in charge. “Drinks, it is.”
They moved to the bar, weaving through the crowd, bodies pressed tightly together.
She ordered them both a cocktail and hoped the liquid courage would ease her nerves.
A tall, slender fae she couldn’t identify sat next to her, tentacles wrapped around a male with elven ears and spiked blue hair.
They barely took a breath between kisses.
Beyond them, a pair of werejaguars were in a similar embrace.
That was when she realized she and Maverick would have to get a lot more physical to blend in.
Fortunately, their drinks arrived quickly. Zera took a sip of her cocktail, the fruity concoction providing a refreshing distraction. Maverick stood, glued to her side, taking it all in.
“No sign of Gareth or the bar owner yet,” he whispered in her ear as she fidgeted with the ridiculous skirt. “And you look sexy as hell.”
She flashed him a crooked smile. Perhaps she was emboldened by the drink or the sensually charged atmosphere, but Zera gently pulled the chain that bound them together closer to her and leaned in, her voice dripping with playfulness.
“Is that your spy training talking, or are you trying to get on my good side?”
“It’s whatever you want it to be,” he said, his storm-filled eyes heavy with desire.
It took all of her self-control to peel her gaze from Maverick’s. He was incredibly seductive when he wanted to be, and he was right. He could blend in anywhere.
She took in the dance floor, her gaze searching for Gareth or anyone she recognized from the restaurant.
No one stuck out to her in the mass of bodies that swayed, moving in time to the thumping beat of the music.
Vampires, demons, fairies, and even a satyr here and there flocked to the dance floor, their movements intoxicating.
The heavy scent of alcohol, sweat, and perfume filled the air, heightening Zera’s senses.
She could feel the energy coursing through the crowd, their collective desire for release and escape palpable.
The call to move, to join the dance, was strong. She spotted an opening on the dance floor.
“Let’s dance,” she suggested.
“Lead the way,” Maverick replied, a playful smirk on his face.
While she and Maverick joined the dance, their bodies moved in sync and a surge of adrenaline rushed through her veins.
Maverick’s hands found their way to her hips, his warm fingers once again playing at the edge of her leather skirt. Zera couldn’t help but let out a small gasp as she felt the heat from his touch spread through her body. The music pulsed around them, drowning out any other thoughts or distractions.
As they danced, a sense of freedom and release washed over Zera.
Here, in this crowded club filled with fantastical beings, she could forget about her responsibilities and just be in the moment.
Maverick’s presence only added to that feeling, his playful energy and smooth moves keeping her fully engaged in the dance.
Their bodies moved closer together until there was barely any space between them.
A spark ignited between them as their eyes locked, and she felt her heart race at the unexpected intensity.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the warmth and firmness of his chest and biceps.
Their eyes locked as they moved in rhythm.
“Try not to get too lost in my eyes, Zera,” Maverick teased.
“You wish,” she retorted, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.