My eyes widened. How had he done that?
“Show off!” the female bartender said. She nudged him in the back with her shoulder as she passed behind him.
“Don’t be jealous.” Dec grinned after her. His attention shifted back to me. He plopped the freshly roasted pineapple into my drink with a smile. “Try it now. The roasted pineapple gives it an extra hint of natural sweetness.”
I put the drink to my lips. He was right. It did infuse the drink with more sweetness. It was good.
“Damn, I think you’re the most innocent looking fairy I’ve ever met,” Dec said.
I nearly choked on my drink. “Most interesting looking what?”
Had he really said fairy?
A wide smirk stretched across his face. “I said most innocent looking fairy I’ve ever met,” he said louder.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Fairy?” Was he serious?
He leaned against the bar and chuckled. It was a deep masculine sound, ending in crackles that reminded me of a roaring fire. I took a step back, fearful flames might shoot from his mouth again and burn me.
“Oh, honey, this night is going to be fun for you. Drink up. Trust me. You’re gonna need all the alcohol you can get.” He pushed himself away from the bar as another customer yelled for him further down. “Come back to me if you want a refill.”
“You don’t have to go back to him,” the female bartender said. My gaze shifted to her. She was crushing candy onto a plate and using it to rim a few glasses. “We all have our own specialty drinks. If you really want to have some fun tonight, I suggest trying them all.”
“Where am I? Is this a nightclub?” I asked.
She scoffed and spun around to grab a bottle of something from a top shelf.
“No, this isn’t a nightclub. It’s the Monster Ball, honey. You’re lucky you got a ticket, especially since you seem so new to the supernatural world. There must be a reason you were invited though. Something that goes beyond learning what you are.” Her red eyes flashed sending a shiver down my spine. “Maybe you’ll find the reason out on the dance floor.”
I shifted around to glance at the people dancing behind me.
Holy hell. This was all real?
Chapter Nine
“Who hosts this ball?” I didn’t know why I was asking. It wasn’t as though it mattered. The only thing that mattered was I was here. In a castle. Surrounded by real monsters. In the middle of nowhere. On Halloween night.
Oh, God.
“No one knows,” the bartender said with a shrug. “Now you should probably do as Dec said and drink up. Come back to me when you’re finished with his crap drink, and I’ll make you something that actually tastes good. I call it Party In Your Mouth.” She winked before walking away, carrying the candy rimmed glasses she’d created.
My eyes drifted further down the bar, taking in those waiting for a drink. There was a guy I swore was a werewolf, one who looked like a dragon, and some sort of sea creature with blue skin.
What the hell had I gotten myself into by coming here?
My body trembled. I shouldn’t be here. I wasn’t a fairy. Neither of those bartenders knew what they were talking about. I mean, what did a fairy even look like? My gaze lifted to the ceiling. I picked out one of the flickering lights and stared. That’s what fairies looked like.
I wasn’t a fairy. Was I?
No, definitely not. Fairies lived in the woods. They surrounded themselves with nature. They were small and had wings. I was too tall to be one, and I didn’t have wings.
Did I?
My throat dried up, dots speckled the edges of my vision, and the music became too loud as ice trickled through my veins.
No! Not here! Not now! I couldn’t have a panic attack in the middle of all this!
A guy dressed in a black velvet suit moved to stand beside me at the bar. He grinned revealing pointy vampire fangs, and I nearly lost it.
I had to find a way out of here. Fresh air, that’s what I needed. I glanced around. There had to be an exit somewhere. Could I go back the way I’d come in? Did I even want to? It would only lead me to the dark stairway and those gargoyle twins waiting at the bottom. No, I needed to be alone. I needed to get a grip on myself.
There had to be a back door somewhere. A way outside from here.
I stepped away from the bar and the vampire eyeing me like I was his next meal. After a few steps, I paused suddenly overwhelmed by my surroundings. A girl with long brown hair in a red dress flashed me a half smile after taking a sip of her drink.
“Love your dress,” she said as she moved past me.
My lips twisted into a frown. Was she making another fairy joke? What was with these people? Were they all batshit crazy?
The girl’s features softened. “I mean I really love it.”
I flashed her a tiny smile. It seemed to be enough to get her to move on. She disappeared into the crowd in seconds, and I began my hunt for the exit again.
The gothic decor of the place caught my eye, along with more people resembling creatures they shouldn’t. They all danced, laughed, drank, and made out. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Why couldn’t I do the same?
Because anxiety was a bitch, that’s why.
Maybe all I needed was a little air. Then I could calm myself down, finish my drink, and head back inside to enjoy myself on Halloween for once.
I continued to push myself through the crowd of dancing supernaturals. Doors on either side of the stage caught my eye when I was in the center of the ballroom. At least one of them had to lead outside. I maneuvered around a couple dirty dancing and headed straight for the door closest to me. Before I reached it, I bumped into a woman in a gorgeous floor-length red dress. Her gold eyes flashed when she glanced at me from over her shoulder.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Sorry.”
She smiled but didn’t speak. However, there was something about the twist of her lips that gave me pause. It was secretive, hinting she knew something about me I didn’t.
I continued toward the door I prayed was an exit, my eyes never wavering from her. Suddenly, warm fingers encircled my wrist, pulling me to a standstill before I could get far.
“Ivy?” The voice was familiar. So was the sensation coursing through my body at the feel of his touch.
Ren.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, noticing how his warm brown eyes mirrored my shock at seeing him.
He released my wrist, and the sensation sparking beneath my skin died out. The sight of a familiar face in this screwed up place was a relief, but my system was still frazzled. My lungs still craved fresh air.
“I knew it!” Ren shouted. His lips twisted into a crooked grin. “I knew you were a fairy. Why didn’t you say something?”
Not him too. He was just as crazy as the bartenders.
I rushed to the door I’d been moving toward and pushed it open. Damp, cool air collected across my skin as I stepped outside. My shaky hand came to my head as I pulled in a breath. I nearly dropped my drink when the door closed behind me on its own, sealing me off from the noises of the party and plunging me in a welcomed silence. I filled my lungs greedily with cool night air and took in my new surroundings.
Fog swirled around my ankles as I steadied my breathing. It was dark back here, but I could sense that I was alone. The only source of light seemed to be from the full moon hanging low in the sky. I didn’t care. It was peaceful here.
When the door opened behind me, Ren rushed out. Concern twisted his features and darkened his brown eyes.
“Hey. Are you okay?” His hand softly touched my shoulder, causing the entire left side of my body to come to life in response. I leaned into him and closed my eyes. Even if he was crazy, he was still the only familiar face here.
“I honestly don’t know,” I whispered. I smoothed a hand across my forehead and then took a big swig from my drink, hoping the alcohol would help calm me. I pulled away from Ren to look him in the eye. “None of
this makes sense. How I got here. This place. What people keep telling me I am. I feel like Alice falling down the freaking rabbit hole.” I took another swig from my drink and then set it on the ground to massage my temples.
“It’s a lot to take in, I’m sure, especially if you’re just finding out what you are and you’re in a place like this.” He gestured to the castle behind us. “I’m sorry. I just—I thought you knew.”
“It is a lot to take in,” I insisted, squeezing my eyes shut. “I’m having a hard time believing it’s real. Like, am I dreaming?” I glanced up at him.
His eyes filled with sympathy. “Trust me, Ivy. It’s real. You’re not dreaming.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as a strong feeling of being overwhelmed burst through me.
“So, that means I’m really a fairy?” My words were shaky. I couldn’t even look at him as I spoke. Instead, I focused on how the castle seemed to be resting on a cliff.
“Yes. How did you not know already? Didn’t you ever have an inkling you held magic? Didn’t your parents tell you?”
I blinked, thinking about his second question. Had I ever thought I had magic? I tried to think back, but the only thing that came to mind were the freaking black orchids. Had I caused them to turn black? Was that how my magic worked?
If so, that would mean the cause for my brain glitch was self-inflicted since the orchids were connected to it somehow, right?
“I don’t know. Maybe,” I said. “There’s one thing I do remember, something that’s always sort of tortured me—a box of black orchids. I don’t know if I was responsible for the flowers being black, but they seemed to hold some sort of magic.” The words sounded strange to say out loud, but the truth behind them was ever present.
“Black orchids?” Ren asked. His eyes hardened, and my throat closed up.
Was I some sort of evil fairy? He didn’t seem happy to hear about the orchids.
Ren’s mouth opened as though he was about to say something else, but the door behind us opened as a couple with their hands all over each other stepped into the grassy area with us. They didn’t come up for air, and they definitely didn’t glance around to make sure they were alone.
They were too lost in each other.
Ren cleared his throat to let them know we were here too, but neither of them glanced up from their heavy lip lock session. My cheeks heated as the guy moved his hand up the girl’s inner thigh intimately. A moan escaped her, and she tilted her head back exposing her neck to him.
God, when was the last time I’d kissed someone that passionately or allowed someone to touch me the way he was her?
Never.
At least not in the current memories of my life.
“Care to head inside and see if we can find a more private place to continue this discussion?” Ren asked. His voice had softened some, but it was clear from the emotions swirling through his eyes he was still uneasy about the mention of the orchids.
When I didn’t move right away, he flashed me a crooked smile. It put me at ease enough to reply.
“Sure. Let’s see what we can find,” I said sounding braver than I felt. I didn’t think traversing around this place was the best idea, but at least I wouldn’t be doing it alone.
Ren opened the door and motioned for me to step inside first. I took one last glance at the couple practically going at it from over my shoulder and felt my cheeks flame hotter.
This place had no rules. Neither did the people it seemed.
When we stepped inside, Ren gently gripped the crook of my elbow and pulled me along with him as he wove his way through the thick crowd of people dancing. We made our way to the far-right wall where leather couches and chairs sat grouped together. People occupied them, laughing or chatting. Another couple was getting frisky with one another. I averted my eyes.
Two dark archways Ren seemed to be speeding toward captured my attention. When we entered the closest one, a new song from the band started playing. As we stepped further into the tunnel-like area, the music faded until I could barely make out any strains of music at all. Heavy wooden doors with circular pull handles lined both sides of the hall. Ren steered us past the first few. They were closed, and from the heavy panting and moaning coming from behind one of them it was for good reason.
When we found one further down the hall part-way open, Ren knocked before poking his head in.
“Hello? Anybody in here?” He called out. When no one answered, he stepped inside. “Figured I’d better ask before rushing in. Wouldn’t want to intrude on anyone. There seems to be a lot of hanky-panky happening around here tonight.” His face reddened as he scratched at his neck.
“I noticed that too.”
“Doesn’t seem to be anyone in here though,” he said. He nodded for me to enter, and a boyish grin twisted onto his face. “Want to claim it for ourselves?”
His words both terrified and excited me, but it was that grin that did me in. My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I stepped into the room. While I’d never been one to take part in a one night stand before, I could see me agreeing to one with Ren.
The door closed with a heavy thud behind me and I jumped. Ren chuckled.
“Jumpy tonight, aren’t you?” His grin grew. “Guess I can’t blame you, though.”
I flashed him a small smile then glanced around the room.
The walls were stone, and I was pleased to see they didn’t appear to be crumbling in any area. The room was sound and secure. However, there was no furniture. Not a single piece. In fact, the only thing inside the room was us, a single window, and a chandelier resembling the ones I’d seen in the ballroom. It cast a soft glow through the room.
“Well, at least it’s quiet in here,” Ren said as he glanced around too. “There isn’t much more to say about it.”
“Yeah.” I crossed my arms over my chest. There was a slight chill to the room, it sent goose bumps prickling across my skin.
“Are you cold? I wish I had a jacket to lend you.” He glanced down at his attire. It was then I noticed what he was wearing—a white long sleeved button up shirt that he’d rolled up the sleeves of and a pair of dark slacks. He looked good. Underdressed compared to some of the other guys I’d seen tonight but good nonetheless. “I think I can do you one better though. One second.”
I opened my mouth to ask what he’d meant but snapped my lips shut when he reached into his front pocket and pulled out a tiny glass vial of something brown. Was that dirt? How was dirt going to warm me?
Ren popped the brittle cork off the bottle and dumped a portion of its contents into the palm of his hand. He closed his eyes, and I heard him mumble something softly, but I couldn’t make out what he’d said. I watched him as he crossed to the far end of the room and blew the fine powder into the air. When it touched the stone floor, the air inside the room crackled and popped as it became charged with something.
Magic maybe?
The dirt swirled across the floor like a mini tornado, and I knew that was exactly what it had to be.
Chapter Ten
The scent of wet earth made its way to my nose as I stared at Ren. His hands worked an invisible orchestra, serenading the dirt. Before I could fully process what I was seeing, a loveseat materialized in front of him made entirely of wood. The cushions were fluffy cotton and there was an intricate design of ivy leaves etched into the legs of it.
Holy shit! I opened my mouth to say something but noticed his magic was still at work within the room.
A stone fireplace, complete with flickering flames, appeared in front of the loveseat seconds later. Its warmth kissed my chilled skin as the flames lit the room. Its crackling echoed against the stone walls, and the tension in my muscles I hadn’t been aware I’d harbored melted away.
“Sorry about the cotton. I can only create things entirely of the Earth, and this was the best I could do with quick thinking. I thought to go with leaves but figured cotton might be more comfortable to sit on,” Ren said. He shoved his h
ands into the front pockets of his slacks and averted his eyes from mine as though he were embarrassed by what he’d done. “And, you’re shocked into silence. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to show a woman, who only minutes ago found out the supernatural world existed, a display of magic.”
“What are you?” I asked without meaning to.
Ren flinched at my tone, or was it my words? Had what I said come out harsh? I hadn’t intended it to be.
I forced my face to soften and tucked a few wild hairs behind my ear. “Sorry if I sounded harsh. I’m just—I’m curious to know what you are. Obviously, you’re supernatural, but what kind?”
The ghost of a smile played at the corners of his lips. “Elemental witch. One who deals with earth magic. An earth elemental, if you will. It’s how I knew what you were—a fairy who harbored some form of earth magic herself. We can generally sense it in one another.”
“Oh.” My eyes widened. “Interesting.”
My mind dipped back to the beautiful wooden vases he’d dropped by my shop. Him being an elemental witch made sense in some weird way. I mean it only seemed natural they would have been crafted with the help of some earth magic of sorts.
And the statues…
“The fairy statues,” I said. “Were those because you were trying to get me to reveal to you what I was?”
Ren scratched his neck. “Yeah. Sorry. I thought maybe you’d confide in me.”
“Was the one who looked like me actually me?” My cheeks heated as I asked.
“I think so. Maybe. It was one I made a long time ago. I thought it was crazy that it looked like you.” He coughed into his hand, obviously uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. “Now it just seems like a creepy thing to have given you. Sorry about that.”
“No. It’s okay.” I inched toward the loveseat and sat. It was real. Tangible. Which meant his magic was too.
Magic was real. Witches were real. The entire supernatural world I’d thought of as myth and make-believe was.
The Monster Ball: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 47