Liam frowned. “I want her to want me without any of this bullshit.” He swore under his breath. “I know how I’ve been acting. How I sound. She’s just so small and vulnerable. I feel like a monster beside her.”
Saint placed a consoling hand on his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “That’s because you are a monster, bro. But she doesn’t seem to mind. And she doesn’t seem all that vulnerable right now. Just because she’s human, because she had an abusive ex, doesn’t mean she’d be turned off by your brand of romance.”
Liam opened his mouth again but Saint shook his head. “Trust me.” He lifted his arms and turned, walking backwards to face the women behind them. “And welcome to the Inn of the Drunken Lotus.”
When he pushed open the doors he felt his shoulders relax. This was his baby. His favorite spot. It reminded him of his younger, demon days. After facing pain beyond imagining, there were always places of pleasure to recuperate. Good pain. Good sex.
Good sin.
Females and males of all shapes and sizes, and in various states of dress stood in the far corners of the room, dancing to the sensual drumbeat of the music. The air smelled of sweet hookah smoke and sex, and the ground level tables were framed by soft, silken pillows. There were large doors on either side that led to a thousand-and-one delights, each kinkier than the next. It was enough to make a demon cry with happiness.
“Now there’s a familiar face. Haven’t seen you around here lately.”
Saint saw Manx and smirked. Of course he would be online right now. The technofile had a sixth sense for trouble. And he loved this place as much as Saint did. For a non-demon, the man was impressively debauched.
He placed a finger over his mouth, and indicated Ume with a subtle head bob. Manx’s grin grew, and he winked. “Sinner, who do you have with you?”
Saint let out an inward sigh of relief. Manx would keep his secret. For now. But from the way he was looking at Ume…he may be hoping for a reward in return for his silence.
An idea formed in Saint’s mind that was too arousing to resist.
“Why don’t you join us, and I’ll introduce you properly.”
The tall, blue-haired mystic bowed. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
Chapter Five
Ume had to admit, she was enjoying herself. If this was what crazy felt like, maybe it wasn’t so bad. She’d given Julie the benefit of the doubt. Saint had somehow pulled them into the game, and the only way to find out why was to reach his lair. What could be simpler?
Especially when she had this strong, healthy body. She’d never been faster, or felt more alive. The kitsune aspect of her character must be responsible for that, as well as her new, intensified sense of smell.
Sinner, for example, smelled delicious. Mouthwateringly delicious. She’d had to stop herself from dragging him into the woods several times already. Since they’d entered the inn it had gotten much worse. He stayed protectively close to her as they pushed through the crowd, close enough to lick.
Lick? What was wrong with her?
The same thing that was wrong with Julie, she’d noticed. The energy between her cousin and Liam was electric. From her new, altered senses, it was clear to Ume that the wolf shifter was in love. Just as clear that he was overly careful around the petite Julie.
Ume wished she could tell him. Julie had always been complicated. One of the only girls in her brood, overprotected and shy at first glance, but Ume knew better. Beneath the silk was all steel. When Julie wanted something, she found a way to make it happen. Ume may be louder and more careless, but Julie’s quiet determination had moved mountains. Liam wouldn’t know what hit him.
“Ume, I want you to meet my good friend Manx. He is a mystic. We have fought together many times. Manx? Meet Ume, warrior kitsune, and her friends, Liam the Wolf and…” Sinner glanced over at Julie, an eyebrow raised.
Julie bit her lip, blushing. “Jules the bard. Are there bards here? Is that right?” She looked over at Ume, who nodded. “Okay then.”
Sinner turned back to his friend quickly, but Ume caught the mirth in the look he shared with the stranger. “Jules the bard. Lets all find a table and get off our feet.”
Ume tried to catch her warrior’s gaze. There was an undercurrent in the air, a darker, smokier scent to him, as though he were excited. Because of the mystic? She studied the new man as they all lowered themselves around a table.
He was as handsome as her warrior was beautiful. A strong jaw and brilliant indigo eyes were framed by a shock of long blue hair. He was also covered from top to bottom in blue tattoos, and little else.
What was it with this game and nudity? But Ume had to admit, he smelled pretty damn good too. He smiled at her, his eyes dropping to her breasts as they bounced with every movement. She liked that look, and she wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction.
Sinner’s hand covered her lower back and she shivered, feeling his touch to the tip of her tails.
They had to find Saint before she started forgetting who she really was. Before she didn’t want to go back.
“I’m not feeling very well.” Ume turned to find Julie’s fingers touching her temple. She looked pale. “It must be the smoke.”
Liam stood and pulled her up into his arms. “I’ll take her outside.” He nodded at Ume. “She’ll be fine. I’ll protect her.”