He is off limits.
Loser.
The words still hung in the air as I stood there alone, wrapped in the cold night.
She had arrived in a luxurious car, accent polished to the sky, face like a goddess I could never be. She'd said it right to my face, calm and collected, as if she were merely stating a fact. I couldn't even respond.
Why should I?
Flame and I… we're nothing but step-siblings now. That's all we are. That's all we can ever be.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared at the exit. The thought of going home crossed my mind, but I had no car. I couldn't even drive. The only way out of here was if one of my stepbrothers gave me a ride.
With a sigh, I turned toward the strippers' clubhouse, knowing exactly what sins awaited inside.
I hesitated at the door, the cold wrapping around me like a warning. Go in or stay out here? That question barely had time to settle when a biting gust of wind made the decision for me. I stepped in.
The music was everywhere, loud, pulsing, overwhelming. Blinking neon lights disoriented me as I scanned the crowd, searching for any of the sextuplets. But they weren't on the dance floor or at the bar.
I moved deeper inside, until I reached the balcony and froze.
This was another world entirely.
Sex.
Against the walls. On the couches. In groups.
Bodies writhing. People wasted. Eyes glazed. Moans mixing with music. It was pure hedonism.
The sextuplets were here too but not participating.
Crimson, the vampire, lounged like a king with girls draped over him, laughing at something he said. A true womanizer.
Lucifer was with one woman. A beautiful, elegant girl. They were kissing. I stared for a beat too long, and for the briefest second, I imagined myself in her place.
I looked away, shaking the thought out of my head.
Dream, the fae, wasn't with anyone. He was just drinking. Beside him sat Ocean, the merman, a cigarette balanced between his fingers. As usual, he looked effortlessly cool, smoke curling from his lips like art. I smiled a little. He had that kind of aura.
Still, no sign of Flame. I thought and then I saw another. Blackmoon. The werewolf. The leader. The one they all obeyed. He leaned against the bar, a cigarette in hand, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.
He looked like he was in control of everything, even the chaos. It made sense. He had to be. He was born to lead.
I exhaled a shaky breath, debating whether to go to him and ask for a ride home. I hadn't even made my decision when a soft chuckle behind me made me turn.
"Hey, lovely."
Three guys. One of them shirtless, sweaty, and clearly reeking of sex.
"Want to get laid?" one asked, licking his lips. "We'll be gentle."
I stepped back instinctively. Even if I ever chose to have emotionless, meaningless sex, it wouldn't be a group and certainly not my first time.
"Oh, come on," another said, chuckling. "Your stepbrothers have threesomes, foursomes… They won't be mad."
I didn't answer but my silence was mistaken for consent. They moved closer, and panic crept in. I searched for a familiar face, for help, for anyone.
Then a silhouette appeared and a voice. Calm, commanding follows.
"Back away from her."
They froze.
Blackmoon.
They turned toward him slowly, recognizing the authority in his tone. With sheepish grins, they backed off and disappeared into the crowd.
He'd saved me.
I looked up into his eyes, and he hadn't moved an inch. Arms folded, cigarette still between his fingers. He looked like sin personified.
My gaze flicked to his lips, the smoke that curled out from them, and for a moment I wondered what would it feel like to be pinned against the wall by someone like him?
"You're not enjoying the party," he said, his voice low, just loud enough to reach me over the music.
I watched him take another drag, the smoke trailing from his nose and mouth. I swallowed hard and lowered my gaze.
What am I doing?
If only Flame were nearby, I wouldn't be this unreasonable.
"I… I want to go home," I murmured. "Please."
He studied me for a few seconds, then nodded and turned toward the exit. I followed quickly behind him.
Is he going to drive me home?
I was mid-thought when someone rushed past us, a blur of motion and heat. Flame.
Blackmoon paused, eyes narrowing.
"Flame?" he called out, then walked over to him. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"I'm losing it, Moon. I don't know what's happening to me. I need to go home. Now."
I stepped into the open to see them better. Flame looked… flushed. Overheated. His eyes shimmered with something primal. Starvation. Hunger.
What was happening to him?
Blackmoon glanced at me, then said,
"Goddess is also heading home. You should take her."
My breath caught. He called me by my name. Not "she," not "the girl."
Goddess.
Why did that make me feel… seen?
Flame turned to me, unreadable as ever, and gave a curt nod.
"Fine. I'll get her home."
"Alright," Blackmoon replied.
Then he looked at me, offered a short nod, and walked away, leaving me alone with my tormentor and in that moment, I wondered what tonight would bring.