by R L Medina
I snorted. They were probably still enduring their punishment from the prison break in fiasco. I took a deep breath and followed after Michael. I’d choose the school’s discipline over werewolves and witches.
We crossed the parking lot. Police sirens wailed in the distance. I paused and glanced at Michael.
He stopped and eyed me. “What’s wrong?”
“What were you doing today? Your errands.”
Guilt flashed across his face, replaced with a stony mask. “Nothing.”
“Michael?”
“Nothing you need to know, Rose.”
I bit my lip and glanced away. He didn’t owe me any explanation. I barely knew the guy, but it still stung to be left in the dark. I wanted to know what the wolves did. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t just my morbid curiosity. No. I wanted an explanation—a justification for what my mom did to Rafael’s father. Maybe their old alpha deserved what she’d done.
“If you don’t like it, why don’t you leave? Find another pack?”
Michael gave me a sad smile. “Los Reyes took me in. They’re family now. I owe Raf my life. Everything.”
I snorted. “That seems a little extreme.”
He shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand. Humans…” His words died.
“What? Humans what?”
His eyes drilled into me. “Humans don’t understand loyalty. Not like a werewolf.”
Stung, I looked away and started walking again. His words rang through me. It wasn’t true. We could be loyal. Javi and the others were proof of that, weren’t they?
Javi betrayed you before, and the others… don’t even know who you really are.
Dismissing that pessimistic voice, I focused on meeting Michael’s long strides. He held his arm up for me to stop and scanned the area.
“What is it?” My voice was a whisper.
I held my breath, ears straining to hear what he had. The witches? My heart raced.
“I thought I sensed something.”
My eyes followed his gaze. More vampires?
Michael shrugged and started walking, ushering me forward. I glanced around at the empty streets, terrified I’d find glowing eyes. The memory of the shifter attack was fresh in my mind, my stomach tingling at the thought of my injury.
We made it to the back of the building, the alley quiet and dark. Creepy.
Michael banged on the door and glanced around. Though he tried not to show it, I could see his fear. His body was tense, eyes darting everywhere. It was freaking me out.
“What is it? Is it the vampires?”
He pounded on the metal door once more and shook his head. “No, I don’t smell anything. Just a feeling.”
Yeah, that wasn’t reassuring.
I wrapped my arms around myself and glanced back at the darkness. Anything could be hiding in there. I shuddered. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be standing outside in the open.
Fighting off the fear, I joined him in banging the door. Why weren’t they opening up? What was going on in there? I gave the door a swift kick, cursing as pain shot through my toes.
“Come on. We’ll have to go through the front.” Michael pulled me away.
I didn’t argue. He walked us briskly around the corner to the front of the building. It didn’t look any less abandoned up close. The front doors were boarded up and the windows broken. The hairs on my neck bristled. Was this really the club or did Rafael trick me? Was it a trap set for the coven with me as bait?
Yanking out of Michael’s grasp, I backed up.
His brow furrowed. “What are you doing, Rose?”
I met his gaze. “Tell me it’s not a trap.”
“What?”
I felt a muscle twitch in my face. “Tell me the witches aren’t in there waiting for me.”
He reeled. “You think… you think I’m handing you over to the coven?”
The hurt in his voice made me wince, but what did he expect? Rafael hadn’t exactly been thrilled at helping me.
“I think you would do it if Rafael made you.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “I promise, it’s not a trap. Raf would never work with those witches.”
The sincerity in his words filled me with guilt for doubting him. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, nodding at him.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
9
El Palacio was the first club I ever stepped into. True to its name, it screamed royalty. From the glittering, gold décor and lush, red upholstery. Even the bar looked like something out of a freaking fantasy. Sparkling glass, and gold decanters and bottles.
The dance floor was crowded, a strange blend of techno and Spanish rap booming from hidden speakers. A strobe light flashed, making my head pound. I squinted, trying to adjust to the sensation. Everyone’s scent clashed with alcohol, the result nearly nauseating. This is what people came to clubs for?
Heads swiveled toward us. People, who at least appeared human, milled around, dressed in all different fashions. Some wore cocktail dresses and fancy shirts and jeans like Michael while others… looked like they’d stumbled in from the gym and there were others still that came baring more skin than clothes.
“This way.” Michael pressed a hand on my back to steer me forward.
Several eyes turned to me. I fought the urge to shrink away from their predatory gazes. Could they tell I wasn’t one of them? That I was human? I lifted my chin and tried to pretend I wasn’t intimidated. Without my sword I felt helpless. Heat rushed over me. I hated the feeling that I was missing something, that I needed it.
Michael led me past the others, not taking the time to return the greetings they called after him. I ignored their curious stares and followed the wolf as he weaved us in and out of the crowd.
A familiar figure heading toward us caught my eye. Rafael. His face turned murderous, and he was in front of us in an instant, his musky cologne overpowering.
“You were supposed to bring her through the back.” He glared at Michael.
Michael stiffened. “No one let us in. I didn’t want to wait out there forever.”
“Get her to the back. Now,” the alpha snapped.
Michael nodded and motioned for me to keep walking. I was acutely aware of the heavy stares following us as we skirted the dance floor. My eyes landed on the giant two-tiered platform at the back of the club. A giant pole stood at the end. Michael nudged me forward.
I knew from my time at the academy that El Palacio was an exclusive and elite club and the direct rival of Slasher’s, which was one of Brady’s favorite places to go when he skipped class. He wasn’t the only student who snuck out to go clubbing with shifters. What I couldn’t understand was why the teachers or headmaster didn’t put a stop to it. They had to know what was going on. Did they see it as some kind of test for us? If we could get in and out of a shifter club without any danger, did it prove we were GRIMM material? Or was it a test for the extraordinaire? To see if they dared hurt one of us.
A snort escaped me, catching Michael’s attention. He frowned. I shook my head and gave him my best ‘don’t worry about me’ look. I’d already been a target for the supernatural three times now, so I didn’t think the extraordinaire were too worried about the GRIMMs. At least not anymore. The words of the shifter replayed in my mind.
New order.
I’d barely learned the ins and outs of the current one. Worry gnawed at me. Were Javi and the others ready for whatever was coming? A shudder ran through me as I remembered Grayson’s adamant refusal that the vampires and werewolves would align themselves. But if the witches talked both the vampires and shifters to their side, did that mean the wolves were next?
We stopped at a closed door beyond the platform. Michael pounded on it with a fist and glanced at me.
“You’ll have to stay in here until we leave.”
I huffed. “And when is that?”
The door swung open before he could answer. Lucian stood before us with a scowl.
“Where di
d you go? You were supposed to come through the back.”
“You didn’t open it for us.” Michael gave an irritated sigh.
Lucian’s eyes narrowed as he waved us in.
“Leo was supposed to let you in. Where is he?”
Michael shrugged as Lucian slammed the door after us.
I glanced around at the backstage. Bright lights lit the sparsely furnished room. Unopened boxes and various stage props lined the back wall. It looked more like a storage place than an actual room.
“Where is the witch? Chloe?”
“Cleo. Her name is Cleo,” Michael corrected.
“She’s running late,” Lucian answered.
I blinked at him. “Running late? Didn’t you tell her it was an emergency?”
He grunted. “I didn’t tell her anything.”
“She’s Rafael’s informant,” Michael explained.
Lucian shot him a glare. A warning for him to not say more? I frowned at them. I couldn’t tell if Lucian’s irritating closed off-ness was just one of his typical personality traits or if he was actually hiding something from me.
“Well, did she say when she’s going to be here?”
“No.” Lucian frowned.
I folded my arms across my chest, matching his surly look. Standing there in a dress probably didn’t look intimidating.
My cheeks burned. “And why did I have to wear this dress when I see people out there in sweats?”
Lucian snorted. “Because none of our people would be caught dead wearing that in El Palacio.”
“Raf only lets them in to make a show of what happens when they don’t follow the dress code.” Michael’s face hardened.
I gaped at him. “Make a show? Like… he puts them on stage?”
Lucian grunted. I frowned at him. The wolf had a grunt for every occasion.
“Something like that. Wait here, and I’ll bring you some food and drinks.” Michael smiled.
“Thanks. I’ll take a glass of your finest cabernet.”
He gave me a flat look. “I’ll get you some soda.”
“Really? It’s just one drink. I can handle my wine.”
Lucian grunted again and shook his head at me before walking to the back.
“Wait here. I’ll be back.” Michael motioned to the long, black sofa.
My lip curled. Did I want to sit on that thing? Opting for the table and chairs in the back, I plopped down and inspected one of the covered trays. Was I supposed to eat it?
Taking the top off, I discovered little cups of ceviche and bacon and asparagus roll and though I wasn’t hungry, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try Rafael’s food.
I gobbled them down and watched as Lucian paced the back door. His movement kept catching my eye, so I set the platter aside to join him.
“What’s wrong?”
He turned at the sound of my voice. “Nothing.”
My lips pursed.
“Wait here.”
Without further explanation, he slipped out the back door. A lock clicked in place. I blinked in confusion. What was going on? Did he hear something out there? Like Michael had?
When I realized he wasn’t coming back that way, I sat down at the table once more and drummed my finger on the smooth wood.
Glancing around, I realized there was no clock. How long had Michael been gone? It felt like almost an hour, but that was probably just the boredom and restlessness getting to me. Noises from the club drifted behind the door, making me wish I was out there instead of stuck backstage. My first time in a club and I was sitting alone, stuffing my face. Lame.
Should I go after Lucian? He’d been gone a long time too. Where were the others? Fear nibbled at me and doubt crept in. What if it really was a trap? I didn’t even have my sword.
I stood, the sound of the chair scraping against the floor made me cringe. There was no way I was waiting around for Luna Negra to show up. I would find Michael and get some answers.
Feigning more confidence than I felt, I lifted my chin and strode toward the door that would lead me back inside the club. I held my breath as I turned the nob, envisioning it locked.
It turned easily. I sighed in relief and scanned the area. There was no Michael, Lucian, or Rafael in sight. I didn’t see anyone I recognized. The music pounded in my ears as I made my way past the platform.
Dancers spun and leapt on the stage, the red sheer scarf-like fabric that covered them billowed out like waves as they moved. The crowd pushed closer to watch. I found myself walking toward the platform as well. The hairs on my neck bristled and the urge to look away came from nowhere.
My instincts screamed at me. Danger. Danger.
I fought off the wave of panic and gasped as the people on stage changed before me. Hands became claws, normal teeth turned to fangs. Their faces stretched and morphed at random. Fear shot through me.
What was happening? I glanced at the crowd. No one else seemed to notice or care. Then, they too began transforming. Memories of Manny and the other shifters flashed in my mind. I turned to run, stumbling into somebody.
“Oops. Sorr—” the words died on my lips.
Familiar brown eyes widened. Brady. Shock ran through me.
“Rose? What the? What are you doing here?”
“Me? What are you doing here? This is a shifter club.”
His eyebrow arched. “Yes. I know.”
“Can you see them too?” I rubbed my arms and scanned the room.
He frowned. “See who?”
“All their faces. The glamour is gone.”
A small smile spread on his face. “Sounds like someone just got their sight. I heard you were a late bloomer.”
“What?”
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “The sight. You have it.” His hand stretched across the room, “They’re still wearing their glamour. You just see through it now.”
“But why are they all shifted into… their non-human side?”
“Are you kidding?” He snorted. “Because they can’t control their animalistic urges when they’re drugged up and drunk.”
“Oh. But I thought they had a higher tolerance than humans.”
Brady scoffed. “Yeah when it comes to ordinaire substances. The extraordinaires have better stuff. Way more potent.”
Lucian’s red-rimmed eyes came to mind. Midnight Rush, they’d called it. Was that the magical drug Mateo and Michael had grown so tight lipped about?
I turned back to Brady. “And how do you know about that?”
“Research.” He shrugged. Though I caught the glint of humor in his eyes.
My lips twisted as I bit back a smile. I’d missed him, but it felt silly to feel that way when I barely knew him. There was something about surviving a supernatural encounter together that bonded people quickly.
I glanced around at the crowd and turned back to him. “How did you even get in here? Is Grayson here?”
He snorted. “Wow. No hi, Brady? Sorry I dropped out of school without so much as a text?”
“Okay. I’m sorry. It wasn’t my choice. There’s… just a lot I’m dealing with right now.”
“You know this mysterious new girl with a past thing is getting old. Don’t you think?” he drawled.
“Believe me, I wish I could get past this.”
He sniffed. “Gray’s not here. Do you really think he’d come here? I mean, maybe if it was to bust someone or make an arrest.”
I smiled. “Yeah. That sounds like him.”
Brady cocked his head. “Your cousin said you went back home to Spain, but obviously that’s not the case. You should return Gray’s calls. Don’t leave the guy hanging.”
My cheeks reddened. “I can’t… I left my phone behind.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re on the run? From the GRIMM? Why? What did you do?”
Loud music drowned out the rest of his words. The dancers leapt from stage and into the crowd. Roars and snarls filled the room. Bodies bumped between us, and I lost Brady in the sea
of faces.
Fear struck me. Brady, of all people, would be a target at the club. The son of the headmaster of GRIMM Academy? What was the idiot thinking coming there without a disguise? My eyes scanned the dance floor.
“Brady?” My voice was lost in the noise.
Damn it. Where are you, Brady?
There. A blondish-brown head moved toward me.
“Brady!”
Someone stepped in my path. I looked up, surprised to find Michael there.
His eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay in the back room.”
“There’s someone I know here.”
He gripped my arm. “You’re supposed to be in hiding.”
I huffed as he started to drag me away. “Wait.”
“Get your hands off her,” a voice called behind us.
My heart leapt into my throat. Grayson. What? How?
10
I sucked in a breath and turned to face him. His eyes were on Michael, narrowed and murderous. In his hands, he held a handgun that must have been glamoured because no one seemed to notice it—no one except Michael.
The wolf didn’t release me.
“It’s okay. He’s… my friend.”
They continued their stare off.
“Michael, it’s fine. He’s not going to hurt me.”
Grayson’s gaze flicked to mine. “What’s going on, Rose? Why…” He paused, nostrils flaring, “Why are you here… in this place?”
Michael flinched. “Have something against werewolves?”
I put my hand between them, not wanting things to escalate. “Stop. I can explain, Grayson.”
“Not here. In the back,” Michael interrupted.
I looked past Grayson, my eyes snagged on three familiar faces. Javi, Shiloh, and Brady.
What the hell were they doing? Michael noticed my stare and stiffened.
“It’s okay. They’re friends.”
Grayson scoffed. “Friends don’t leave in the middle of the night without saying goodbye.”
His words struck me to the core. “I’m sorry, Grayson. I… didn’t have a choice.”