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“You want some dust? I’ve got a minute before I hit the floor,” I say.
“My lady! Of course.”
“Stop calling me lady. That’s the second time tonight. Do I have wrinkles now?”
Josh laughs. He is cute, with that street-smart edge to him. We slip into the small side office. It’s tight and dark with shitty plastic chairs. I cut two lines on the desk. We snort them, one after another. The familiar metallic scent rolls off him.
“Josh… you reek of blood.”
“I can’t come to work hungry.”
“I know. But this smells fresh. You drinking straight from humans?” His eyes look bright. He fed heavily.
“Blood bags are expensive, and I can’t afford stardust every night.” He wipes powder from under his nose. “Besides, the city’s full of people. Easy to find a pretty girl who likes getting bitten.” He grins.
“I know the temptation. But be careful. It’s cheaper, but a lot harder to stop. Ordo Morituri will notice if you start leaving bodies. Marcus might be lenient, but even he can’t protect you from them.”
“I know. Easy. I’ve got it under control.” I’ve heard that line too many times.
“Side topic. Julian.”
“Oh yeah. That’s a real Marcus problem, not me drinking from the virgins.”
“You saw him?”
“Sometimes. Not too often. He usually showed up toward the end of the night. Bought some stardust. Seemed normal, for a rich kid and vampire prince.”
“You gave him my number?” He nods. “Did he talk to anyone else? Argue with anyone?”
“He chatted with a few people. Some witches. Henry was hanging around him.”
“Alexa’s Henry?”
“Yeah.”
I know Henry since Halston. Another Silver Coven prodigy. He was always around us back then. Now he’s Alexa’s right hand. Sleazy but devoted.
“You know what he wanted?” I dig deeper.
“No. Maybe he was hitting on him?”
I laugh. “Henry isn’t gay.”
“Aren’t all witches gay.” Josh looks surprised.
“Fair point, but from what I know Henry isn’t.”
I remember him hitting on me way too hard. Anyway, not much new information. I scrape up the last of the dust on the desk and snort it. “I need to run. See you later.”
On the way out, Josh calls after me, “You know you look good, Lara.”
“Fuck off, Josh.” I laugh. “I’m meeting Max later.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
I roll my eyes and leave the office.
When I get upstairs, it’s loaded as hell. Everyone is here tonight. Vampires, witches, wolves and humans who think they know what they are getting into. I carefully avoid the wolf VIP section. It’s crowded anyway, all girls, champagne, bottles, and bodies moving close. I find Ezra and the girls at a table near the side. Once I’m there, I check my phone for a message from Max. Nothing. I move around to sell some dust, and Lex appears beside me.
