The Monster Ball: A Paranormal Romance Anthology

by Heather Hildenbrand

  Scumbucket.

  The world was filled with them, more so in Hell. But Julian even made my skin crawl.

  Sticking my key into the lock, I pushed the door to my apartment open. Home sweet home. All I wanted was to curl up on the couch with a pint of Chocolate-peanut butter ice cream, and binge watch my favorite series on Netflix.

  And then I remembered.

  I wasn’t alone.

  “Whose heart did you break tonight, luv?” Finn asked, stretched out on the same couch I’d been dreaming about. “You’re positively glowing.”

  Believe it or not, Hell’s pet had friends, and of course, they were all from low places. Finn was a gargoyle and my temporary roommate. I use temporary loosely as it had been six months and the guy was still invading my space.

  “You’re in my spot,” I growled, staring at him with a frown.

  He leaned an arm over the back of the couch, giving me one of those smirks that made mortal girls turn to goo. I was impervious to his charm. “Too bad. I started without you, by the way.”

  “Asshole,” I muttered, making my way to the freezer. If he had so much as touched my ice cream, the gargoyle would lose a nut. I pulled out the pint and finagled the top off. A long sigh pulled from my lips. Finn got to keep his balls of stone. Grabbing a spoon and the carton, I plopped down beside him. “It’s been a strange night. Tickets are falling from the sky.”

  He angled his sandy-haired head toward me. “Are you smoking crack again?”

  For the record, I didn’t smoke crack. I handed him the ice cream, my first mistake, and dug into my pocket, producing the magical ticket. “Here, check it out yourself.”

  We exchanged ticket for pint. His violet eyes skimmed over the text. “A Halloween party? Sounds like a good time.”

  I glowered down into my ice cream. Half the carton was missing. “I should kill you in your sleep.”

  He lifted a brow in an innocent gesture. In the soft glow of the kitchen light, Finn’s skin was a rich and flawless shade of honey, a mixture of his Spanish and Irish descent.

  “You ate my chocolate-peanut butter ice cream,” I accused. Friend or not, sometimes I hated him.

  “Someone had a bad night.” He studied me for a moment. “You’re not PMS’ing, are you? Too early.”

  Shoveling the spoon inside the carton, I huffed. “I should hit you, and I didn’t have a bad night. It was just weird.”

  “How is getting invited to an exclusive, mysterious party weird? Aren’t parties kind of like your thing?”

  They were. Licking the spoon, a sigh escaped me. Was there a better combination than chocolate and peanut butter? “This one was different. It just dropped from the moon.”

  Finn blinked. “You weren’t kidding about the ticket falling from the sky.” He pursed his lips. “Maybe it’s like Hogwarts, and this ticket is your acceptance into a school for supernaturals. Or it could be like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You love chocolate.”

  “This isn’t high school, Finn,” I reminded, shooting him a dry glare.

  He dangled the remote control in the air like it was the last pint of ice cream. “Then I guess we don’t need to watch anymore Gossip Girl episodes.”

  He was really trying my patience tonight.

  “Do you want a place to stay or not?” I countered. No one could beat me at the bitch game.

  Knowing just how far not to push me, he unpaused the TV. “You’re going, right?”

  Shrugging, I kicked my feet up on the coffee table beside Finn’s. In this house, we had no rules about shoes on the furniture. We had no rules at all, other than not eating my ice cream. That would get him kicked out. “I’m not sure I have a choice. Plus, it will give me a chance to mingle with the monster nation, check out my competition,” I answered around a mouthful of ice cream.

  He snorted. “What competition? Everyone in Hell knows you’re an overachiever and a Lucifer kiss ass. I’m surprised your lips—”

  I whacked him on the back of the head. “Go away before I decide to give you to the hound down the hall as a snack.”

  He sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t.”

  I lifted a brow.

  “Bitch,” he muttered under his breath, sulking into his corner of the couch.

  Why again did I keep him around? Roommates sucked.

  Turning my attention to the TV screen, I snickered as Blair slapped Chuck across the face. A girl after my own heart.

  Not even a minute later, Finn shifted his weight and said, “Are you going to eat that?”

  I cradled the carton. “Yes,” I replied sternly, shoving a heaping spoonful in my mouth.

  Panties or no panties? If this was my hardest decision of the night, then I really had nothing to worry about. Yet, the idea of not knowing where I was going, or who might be on the other side, set off my internal demon bells. It wasn’t every day an invitation dropped from the sky, even in my world.

  Yet, it wasn’t going to stop me.

  The appeal of all those souls in one place had my lips tingling.

  Back to the panties dilemma… Did I want a string climbing higher than Mount Everest up my ass all night? Or did I go commando, letting the soul-sucking kitten breathe?

  Both had perks in my line of business. Guys really dug a flash of black lace over the derriere, but then again, who didn’t like a little butt-naked surprise? I was totally overthinking my lingerie wardrobe. It was only a secret Halloween Ball, not an invitation to the Pope’s birthday. I would totally crash that party.

  I got a kick out of thinking about the high I would get in a place like that. I’d be set for a year, thriving off the purest souls in the world.

  Screw it.

  A pair of black thong and bra materialized under the floor-length black dress. There were slits up either side that stretched to my hips, and my midriff was showing under a geometric cutout pattern. Yes, it was revealing and overly sexy, but it suited me. I kept my hair its natural dark shade, letting it fall long and loose over my bare shoulders. For some strange reason, I didn’t morph into someone else. I used my natural features and shape. Even without glamour, I was a knockout.

  My spiked boots were tall and filigree with spikes that could stab an enemy in the heart. They added a bit of height to my five-foot-five frame.

  “Would you be insulted if I say the wings get me hot?” Finn poked his head in my room, letting the door swing open.

  I threw him a sinister look and then glanced sideways over my shoulder at the feathered black wings. They were folded neatly at my back to not get in the way and were part of my true form. “That’s kind of the point.”

  He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, a pout forming on those full lips. “Why the hell do you get to have all the fun? Are you sure you don’t need a plus one? I could really use some action.”

  My lips twitched. Action had a double meaning with Finn. “I’ll make sure to kiss a girl for you.”

  “Two,” he grumbled.

  “You don’t think the wings are too much?” I asked, turning from side to side.

  Finn gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Probably, but since when do you care?”

  He had a point.

  Shape shifting had its perks. It took me record-breaking speeds to get ready, leaving me to roam my apartment for the next hour. I wore out the rugs, fumbled with the TV remote, switching through channels, then read a few pages of a book but gave up. My concentration was shot. The problem was I had no idea where I was going or how to get there.

  What the hell? Did they—whoever “they” were—expect me to wait all night?

  There were souls to taint.

  And I was s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g.

  I checked the time on my phone. One minute to midnight. Stepping out onto the porch, I took in the brisk evening air. Below me, the college town was thriving. Lights lit up the courtyard that was scattered with fireflies. People dressed for Halloween were roaming the streets, laughing, drinking, and causing general mayhem. The ai
r smelled of bonfires and damp leaves. It had rained earlier in the day as was common for this time of year.

  The sudden change in temperature didn’t faze me at first, but suddenly a chill raced down my spine. As a demon, cold wasn’t in my nature, and it alerted me something was happening. Magic was at play. The air stank of it.

  A glow of pale silver descended from the moon, rising until I was completely immersed in a light so bright, I had to close my eyes. Tingles of magic danced over my skin, and then the sensation of flying came over me as I was whisked off the porch.

  That’s when it hit me. The witching hour. Midnight. How had I forgotten?

  Chapter Three

  When the mist cleared, I stood at the opening of an archway flanked by two towers. A large courtyard sat at the other end. Fog blanketed the grass, and twinkling within the white smoke were little purple fairy lights, giving the grounds an eerie ambiance. I took a step under the archway, laying a hand over the cool bricks. Beyond the courtyard was a castle made of stone, and preserved with what I didn’t doubt was magic.

  It made me wonder if our host was a witch.

  The entire grounds reeked of spells and illusions.

  What did I get myself into?

  My boots clattered on the cobblestone path as I strolled toward the castle. Excitement fluttered in my belly. Climbing the low steps, I was greeted by two formidable looking gargoyles. A smile curved on my lips. Finn would be so pissed he missed this.

  The two statues transformed, stone emerging into flawless mocha flesh. They looked to be identical, twins possibly. One had just a tad longer dreadlocks, reaching his broad shoulders. They both had obsidian eyes and muscles for days.

  My dark soul purred.

  The one on the right was wearing a shiny red suit jacket, and his eyes twinkled at my approach. “Ticket?” he asked. His voice was rich and smooth like hot cocoa in the winter.

  Did I detect a bit of a New York accent? Interesting. “How about a kiss instead?” I asked.

  “Not on my life, succubus,” the gargoyle replied in a husky voice with a slight curve to his lip.

  I laughed, retrieving my silver invite. Many supernatural creatures had abilities that could detect species at a glance or by an aura while others remained hidden. “You don’t know what you’re missing,” I assured him, letting the grin on my lips spread. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  The entrance was vaulted, giving height to the castle, and a soft blue light emitted from inside. I passed through.

  “That was a succubus?” his brother whispered.

  “Not just any soul sucker. That was Alexis Shay,” the gargoyle who checked my ticket replied.

  Yep. My name and reputation preceded me in the underworld network. It was kind of kickass being Hell famous.

  Turning, I winked at the brother, and felt his eyes on me as I kept walking. My boots clicked on the floor while my lips curved.

  That’s right, bitches. I’m here. Girls, hold on to your boyfriends. I smell a cheater in the air.

  Through the open door was a tunnel, and the further I traveled the dimmer the lights became until I was surrounded in utter darkness. Great. There’s nothing suspicious about a dark tunnel in a castle owned by a mysterious person.

  Serial killer came to mind.

  It was a damn good thing I was immortal… mostly.

  Even demons had true death.

  A soft hum of music spilled into the tunnel, drawing me further in until the light filtered back onto the floor, eventually giving way to a large ballroom. I let my gaze roam the grand open space. Large chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, giving off a low cast of light. Pixies danced and spun in the air, weaving in and out from the dangling crystals. Trails of sparkly dust were left behind in their wake like falling stars at midnight.

  Soothing mist curled over my feet as I stepped further into the room, scoping out the crowd. This was no college party. I wasn’t the first to arrive. Good thing. I prefer being fashionably late to everything. A collection of supernaturals gathered in the ballroom, more than I could drum up in under sixty seconds, including some questionable species.

  My demon senses were going haywire.

  Fairies, both the good and bad kind, vampires, shifters, witches, and even a phoenix with envious strawberry blonde hair. I would have to borrow that shade sometime. The room shined in beautiful ballroom dresses, from blue to silver to deep red. It appeared as if most of the people had only just arrived as I had. Many stood in the shadows, getting a layout of the room.

  Heading to the bar on the left, I recognized an ally. A drink was definitely in order.

  The bar had a long, glossy black top. Purple neon lights splashed on the back wall. Behind the counter was a cute woman with stark white hair and crimson sharp eyes. Tattoos donned both of her arms. She wore a black leather bustier and booty shorts with heels. My kind of girl.

  She was also a succubus. “What can I get you?” she asked in a seductive voice. It was music to my ears.

  I leaned onto the bar, bringing our faces close enough to make a stranger uncomfortable, but the bartender’s eyes only twinkled. “Something young, innocent, and not too hard on the eyes. A decent kisser wouldn’t be bad either.”

  Her full red lips curled. “You’re in luck. There are plenty of those on the menu.” I grinned. “I got just the drink for you,” she added, grabbing a bottle of absinthe and mixing it with lemon-lime soda and cherry grenadine. The kicker was the pop rocks lining the rim. “This is my own concoction.” Sliding me the glass, she waited as I took a sip.

  Hot damn. It was like a party in my mouth. “This might be the best drink I’ve ever had. What’s it called?” I would need a few more.

  Mischief bubbled in her eyes. “Party In Your Mouth.”

  I chuckled. “Adequately named.”

  “I’m Impira,” she introduced herself.

  “Alexis Shay,” I replied, giving her my true name.

  The smirk on her lips widened. “Ah, yes. Hell’s pet.”

  Lifting my glass, I took a long pull. “That’s me. I’m going to need another one of these.”

  The bangles at her wrist jingled as she moved to grab a bottle. “All night long. I’m at your service.”

  Oh, yeah. Impira was my people.

  I turned around, drink in hand, and leaned my back against the bar. My gaze skimmed the room with a more critical eye this time, looking for prospects.

  Who’s it going to be? Eeenie…Meenie…Miney…

  Mo.

  My eyes connected with a golden-eyed cutie, and I hoped his name wasn’t actually Mo. He had obsidian hair that was longer on one side and shaved on the other. A tattoo peeked out from the sleeve of his shirt. He was dressed like he’d been born in the Arthurian era.

  Mo walked lazily forward as if he were out for a midnight stroll. There was no measure of emotion within me, other than bored. And then I got a whiff of him. Under the tad too strong cologne was the scent of dog.

  A hellhound. My lips pursed. So not my type. Too tainted.

  Mo and his swagger stopped beside me at the bar. He leaned an elbow on the tabletop, pinning me with a look. “So, what’s your take on this cryptic shindig?” he asked.

  Shindig? Is he serious? Who uses that word anymore? I was old, but even I knew how to adapt to the changing of society. “That’s the best line you could come up with? You need to work on your game, hound.”

  He chuckled under his breath, a deep and burly sound that rumbled his expansive chest. “How about a dance so I can show you my moves?”

  I angled my body just slightly toward him, giving him an unobstructed view down my plunging dress. He didn’t disappoint as his eyes shifted downward. “Sorry, not interested. Your soul’s too dark.”

  His gaze flicked back to my face, hardening as he tried to figure me out. “Demon?” he guessed, the sound of his voice chilling.

  Raising my chin, I displayed a smile of wicked sin. “Still interested
?”

  Pushing off the bar, his entire demeanor changed. No longer was there a glint of interest, only the glower of contempt. “I value what little of a soul I have left.”

  I never got Mo’s actual name as he moved on, leaving me alone, not that I was actually sad about it. Mo would have been a horrible kisser. Too slobbery.

  My gaze moved to the dance floor, and a couple drew my attention. They moved beautifully together, graceful and rhythmic. I found myself caught in eyes as pure and clear as the ocean in the middle of summer. Under the dim lighting of the room, the aqua color seemed to glow against his shimmery olive skin. His hair was messy like he’d just woken up.

  He was watching me with intense curiosity. I’d felt his stare on me since I walked in but thought nothing of it. My succubus allure often attracted attention. It was part of my makeup.

  Staring back, I lifted a brow at the brazen, yet stunning guy. He had striking features, sooty lashes that fanned chiseled cheekbones, and full, kissable lips. He cocked his head, and every muscle in my body tensed. Something happened inside me. I couldn’t precisely put it into words, but my demon instincts were fired up, along with other emotions. A headiness dropped low in my belly.

  I took a sip of my drink in an attempt to control whatever was going on inside me. A band up on a platform at the back of the ballroom strummed a spooky tune, and I forced my attention to the Dastardly Deeds. Their name was written across the drums in purple glowing letters. The lead singer, a siren with blue hair and a beautiful voice, was livening up the room. The bass guitarist winked in my direction, and I returned the gesture.

  I told myself not to look back at Aqua Eyes. Don’t do it, Alexis. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

  My common sense lost as my eyes returned to the guy with the aqua eyes. My heart wasn’t beating faster. That didn’t happen to me, and yet it was.

  He was dancing with a pretty little blonde, and I hated to admit he had moves. His eyes should have been on his partner, not me, but I was used to the spotlight, and it only intensified the dark glow inside me like a shadow cooling the heat of passion.