A cold tingle ran up the back of my neck. “I really hope you are speaking figuratively and not literally.”

“It is all a matter of perspective. You need not worry. She will behave herself if I accompany you.” He pointed to the stairs again. “Shall we?”

Chapter 5

The four of us followed him up the winding stairs to the second floor. At the top, he turned right and walked up to the door of a room with a large, darkened window that overlooked the entire club. Outside the door stood a huge man who resembled the two bouncers, and he scowled at us as we approached.

“Evening, Bruce,” Eldeorin said, apparently unfazed by the brute’s unwelcome stare. “Is she in? My cousin and I would like to see her.”

Bruce’s small dark eyes moved over me. He grunted and stepped aside, but held up a hand when all of us made to follow Eldeorin. “Only the faeries,” he said in a deep rumbling voice.

A volley of protests came from my friends. “No way,” Roland and Peter uttered.

Jordan moved to stand beside me. “We go where she goes.”

Bruce crossed his huge arms. “Only her.”

“It’s okay, guys,” I said, ignoring the knot in my stomach. “I’ll be fine.”

“No harm will come to her. I promise you,” Eldeorin told them.

Jordan gave him a hard stare, and he met it with a smile. “Stop scowling, warrior. We faeries take care of our own.”

“Let’s go,” I said to him. I just wanted to get this over with so we could get out of this place.

Eldeorin opened the door and ushered me inside ahead of him. My eyes went immediately to the blond woman lounging on a couch in front of the window. She looked to be in her early twenties with flawless porcelain skin, generous red lips, and eyes the most striking shade of violet. She wore a long silver dress that hugged her curves, and she held a wine glass in her hand.

Adele was exquisitely beautiful. She was also a demon. I couldn’t tell what kind of demon she was, but the way my power pressed to get out, she was a strong one. It was no wonder Eldeorin had insisted on accompanying me. I couldn’t help but wonder how a faerie had come to be friends with a demon.

“Eldeorin, what a pleasure.” She seemed genuinely pleased to see the faerie.

He steered me toward a couch on the other side of the room, keeping his distance from her. “Adele, you are as lovely as ever.”

Her gaze shifted to me, and I saw a spark of interest. “And who is this pretty thing you have on your arm tonight? She doesn’t seem like your type.”

“You should know by now that all beautiful people are my type,” he replied with a soft laugh. “This is my little cousin, Sara. Sara, meet Adele.”

“Hello,” I said.

“Sara? That is a human name.” A slow smile spread across her face. “Cousin indeed. Are you playing with me, Eldeorin? Did you bring a present for me?”

A present? Indignation rose in me. How dare she talk about humans like they were toys for her pleasure? Blue sparks played over the bare skin of my arms, making the hairs stand on end.

Eldeorin laid a hand on my arm. “Now, Cousin, Adele meant no insult.”

“What kind of demon are you?” I asked her.

That earned a throaty laugh from her. She set down her glass and sat up. “Oh my, you are an innocent. I’m shocked Eldeorin even brought you to my club.”

“Adele is a succubus,” Eldeorin informed me.

I inhaled sharply. Succubi survived by feeding off sexual energy, sometimes killing their victims when they were done with them. Their power allowed them to enthrall and arouse people to the point where they were helpless to defend themselves. Not that any male caught in a succubus’s hold would want to be freed. Women were not immune to their power either, although most Succubi preferred men.

A horrifying thought struck me. “All those people downstairs, you’re feeding off them.”

“Yes,” she said, as if it was no big deal. “Don’t look so shocked. I provide a place where they can let go and explore their sexuality. In return, I feed off all their excess energy. It does not harm them, and most of them are aware of what I do. It also keeps me sated so I don’t have to look for someone to feed off. It is a good arrangement for everyone.”

The thought of someone feeding off my energy made bile rise in my throat. I couldn’t believe people willingly subjected themselves to that. Yes, it was better than Adele finding some unsuspecting victim, but it still felt wrong.

She picked up her glass again and took a sip of wine. “I’m surprised Eldeorin didn’t tell you about me before he brought you here.”

“That is because I didn’t know she was coming here tonight,” he said in mock aggravation.

Adele gave me a knowing smile. “Spreading your little faerie wings, hmm?”

“I came to talk to you actually.”

“Is that so?” A perfectly shaped eyebrow shot up. “You have my undivided attention.”

“A warlock named Orias told me to come see you. I’m looking for someone, and he said you can find anyone in LA.”

“Orias? I haven’t seen him in ages. Is he still living at that ghastly place out in the desert?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head. “Why anyone with his power would choose to live like that is beyond my comprehension. So tell me, who are you looking for?”

“Her name is Madeline Croix, but you might know her by another –”