I can’t believe I’m doing this, I thought as I applied lipstick with a trembling hand. Going to a club after what happened last time seemed like the dumbest move on earth.
It’s not going to be like last time. I’ll go in, lure the guy out and I’m done.
At least that’s what I kept telling myself. Donavon and Rufus didn’t fill me with much confidence. I still didn’t know what powers they had.
Checking my reflection, I wondered if the tight black dress was too much. I mean I attracted demons naturally, I could probably show up in a snowsuit and have them drooling all over me. Shuddering at the thought, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. If I thought about it too much, I’d talk myself out of it.
As I stepped out into the hall, I almost collided with Lola.
“Hey, there you are. Wait, where are you going all dressed up?” she asked.
“Uh, just out. To a club.”
Lola looked surprised. “You’re going out without me? Since when?”
Shit, how could I explain this to her. She knew I’d never go out to a club by myself. “Uh, well, I was just…”
The elevator dinged at the end of the hall and Donavon stepped out. He spotted me and headed toward me. “Are you ready to go?”
Lola looked at him then back at me, her face lighting up. She thought this was a date? Ugh. Like I’d date someone like Donavon. Not to mention he wore a faded t-shirt and khaki shorts. Hardly the right outfit for a club. But what else could I tell her?
“Yes. Lola, this is Donavon.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” she said, reaching out to shake his hand.
He glanced at her hand, then at me. “We should go.” Turning, he headed back to the elevator.
“Sorry,” I said to Lola. “He’s…shy.”
He’s going to get a kick in the shins for that.
Lola didn’t look bothered. “I’m just glad to see you dating someone. Have fun you two.” She gave Donavon a wave and headed into her apartment.
Oh my God, that was so embarrassing.
I got on the elevator with him, wishing the ground would swallow me up.
“Who the hell was that?” Donavon asked.
“My best friend, Lola. And you didn’t have to be so rude.”
He looked away, staring at the elevator buttons. “What did she mean have fun?”
“She thinks we’re going on a date.”
Donavon snorted. Then he saw I was serious. “Oh. Why?”
I didn’t like the tone he used. “She assumed. What else was I supposed to say? I’m off to lure a demon?”
“Fair enough.”
The doors opened and Donavon got off the elevator. I followed him, hoping this would be over quickly. Rufus waited for us in the van.
The club was a few miles away, located near an old mall that closed down a few years ago. Why were these places always so out of the way?
After a pep talk from Rufus, I got out, my legs trembling.
Stepping into the club my heart beat wildly in my chest. This reminded me of the night I met Zack.
At least this time I knew I’d be facing a demon and I had backup. At least I hoped I did. Rufus had given me an earpiece to wear so they could keep in contact with me, but I couldn’t hear anything over the music.
Good thing they give me a description of this guy.
Apparently, he was blonde, tall and very good looking. This made it very easy for him to take girls home. They had no idea what he was. They were just like me the other night.
I scanned the room but didn’t see him anywhere. Realizing I’d look suspicious standing in the one spot, I headed to the bar for a drink. The place was so crowded it would be difficult to find anyone in here.
Maybe he only needs to find me.
Could I rely on that though? How did it even work? Was I giving off a signal? Pheromones?
“Anything?” The voice in my ear made me jump. They must have adjusted the volume.
“Don’t do that,” I hissed. “No.”
I leaned against the bar, trying to act casual. Then the crowd parted and I saw him watching me from a table. Why the hell were demons so hot? No wonder women flocked to him.
He was alone, sipping a beer, probably eyeing up his next kill. I couldn’t let that happen. Forcing a smile, I raised my drink in his direction in a cheers motion.
He stared at me for a moment, then looked away. Okay, was he playing hard to get or what?
“I see him, but I don’t think he’s interested,” I said.
“He is. Get closer,” Donavon urged.
What did he want me to do? Sit in his lap? Ew. I picked up my drink and moved closer to the table, feeling like an idiot. “Hey,” I said when I was close enough.
The demon removed his phone from his pocket and actually twisted away from me, pretending to look at it. What the hell? Maybe I was wrong about being a demon magnet.
Feeling like a fool, I tried to find a quieter spot to talk to the guys. The music seemed to have gotten louder. I made my way to the back, looking for a bathroom.
“Can you hear me?” I asked.
One of them responded, but I couldn’t hear what they said.
Spotting a door, I opened and stepped through it. “Look, this is a bust or something, I…” I realized too late I was in an alley at the back of the club. Damn it.
Turning, I tried to go back inside, but found the demon right behind me.
“Uh, guys, help,” I said softly.
The demon stepped toward me. “Leaving so soon? Thought you wanted to get a drink. Witch.”
“Shit.”