Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Within a few moments, two more fae entered the bar, their glamouring fading away to reveal their silvery, luminous skin. They made a beeline for the back hallway.
The second floor was a… different kind of service area, one that didn’t just cater to fae looking for their dinner, but also sex.
Lots of sex.
Only once had I gone up to the second floor, and that had been pure luck, sneaking in behind a group of humans who were being led by two fae. Once was enough.
The humans I’d tagged along with had not been entranced. Based on their giggling and whispered dares to one another, they knew at least one of the things that went on upstairs.
“Excuse me.”
Looking over my shoulder, I spied a man—a human man. He was older, maybe in his fifties? Tall with dark hair graying at the temples. Handsome, too, dressed in a very nice dark suit. A silver fox was what Ivy would’ve called him.
Pretty sure Tink would call him Daddy.
I immediately wanted to punch myself in the face after the image that conjured forth.
The man smiled, and wow he was handsome, and if I was anyone else, I would be extremely pleased with the attention. However, I wasn’t here to meet silver foxes.
“I’m waiting for someone,” I said apologetically.
Dipping his chin, he chuckled. “He said you might say something like that.”
My brows lifted in surprise. “He?”
“I am not here to buy you a drink or to make an advance,” he explained.
Oh.
Oh.
Well, this was awkward, and I sort of wanted to fling myself off the stool. “Sorry?”
He smiled tightly as his gaze drifted over my shoulder, to the bartender. He nodded. “My name is Everest. I am the owner of The Court and I’m here to escort you out.”
Dumbfounded, all I could do was stare for a moment. “Excuse me?”
Everest moved closer, his brown eyes not nearly as warm as his smile. “You, my dear, are not welcome here.”
A chill swept down my spine as I stared back at him. Only one possibility circled through my thoughts. Somehow, he knew I was a member of the Order and he facilitated what occurred here.
I played it cool, though, lifting my drink and taking a sip. “May I ask why?”
He didn’t answer. Just smiled at me blandly. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a large man shift in our direction. Another human wearing another nice, expensive suit was moving our way. A bouncer.
And then it hit me. Everest had said…. My hand tightened on the damp glass as I leaned toward the owner. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
Everest continued to smile.
“The Prince,” I said, and I said this loud enough to cause the woman at the table near us to turn and look.
The smile slipped from Everest’s face and that was enough confirmation for me.
Son of a bitch.
I couldn’t believe it. He’d been at Flux and now he was here? And not only was he here, but he was in a position to order the owner of this establishment to kick me out? An establishment, by the way, that was yet again frequented by the Winter fae?
At least I had a good reason to be here— a slightly psychotic reason but a reason, and the Prince was not going to get in my way.
Oh, hell to the no.
Anger flared to life like a solar storm. He was not going to interfere with me finding justice. No way in hell. “You can tell his royal Dickness that this is a public establishment and he does not get to dictate where I go and what I do.”
The man’s eyes widened slightly. “However, as the owner, I do get to dictate who stays here and who goes.”
“True,” I said, taking another long, healthy sip of my drink. I was raised to be a fine, upstanding Southern lady, but I was pissed. “Did he tell you what I am?”
Everest lifted a hand, stopping the bouncer from coming any closer.
“I don’t know if he did, but I assure you that I can cause a lot of trouble for your fine establishment, and I mean a lot.” I smiled now, all sugary sweet. “So unless you want that to happen, you can tell the Prince to go fuck himself.”
Everest tilted his head slightly and a long heartbeat passed. Then he said, “You can tell him that yourself.”
CHAPTER 12
The tiny hairs along the nape of my neck rose. I drew in a shallow breath as Everest stepped back, clasping his hands. Slowly, I lowered my drink and looked over my shoulder.
Standing not even a foot behind me was the Prince.
I couldn’t help but notice immediately that he appeared different tonight. Hair pulled back from his face was a good look on him. A black silk shirt had replaced the thermal I’d seen him in, and that also was a good look.