Chapter 83 A World Of Darkness
Chapter 83 A World Of Darkness
\[Tabitha’s POV\]
I adjust the mask that is sitting on my face while Vance hands an invitation card to the large orc that is standing in front of our destination. When he suggested that we hunt down August, I didn’t expect us to have a location within a day, but here we were standing in front of a large mansion where a supernatural ball was being held.
“Are you that nervous?” Atticus asks, not missing my fidgeting. “Keep it up, and you’re going to break that mask.”
“It’s irritating,” I grump, stopping my actions.
Even though this wasn’t a masked ball, the masks that we wore hid our true identities from those around us. Since we were hunting August, we couldn’t be seen before we managed to get to him.
“You’re acting like a child.”
“Then ignore me,” I snap.
Fighting the urge to beat the shit out of Atticus, I turn my attention to Vance, who is watching Atticus and me with an unreadable expression.
“Shall we?” I ask, wrapping an arm around his and then glaring at Atticus. “The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get away from this asshole.”
I knew that I was being petty because I was hurt that Atticus didn’t remember me, but I couldn’t stop myself from lashing out. And even if Vance was making it clear that he thought I was being ridiculous, just by his expression, I continued to be a bitch.
“I’d rather not work with you either, princess.”
Flinching, I feel a bit of hope flare that maybe he remembered something since he was calling me princess, but that is quickly squashed when I’m met with coldness.
“Come on,” Vance sighs. “You two are truly acting like children.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue but stop as I’m swept inside, where many supernaturals are gathered, drinking, laughing, and being married. Biting back on my response, I begin to take in the area until my eyes come to rest on a group of women ravishing a man who is hanging by a set of cuffs, and by the look of ecstasy on his face, it is clear that none of this is forced. And as I look closer, I can see many men and even women in similar situations.
“What the hell is this?” I growl.
What was happening around me was no better than what happened during the blood moon with Allister and his clansmen. They were using humans for pleasure and enjoyment. Did we walk in on a fucking sex house?
“You can wait outside if all of this is too much for you,” Atticus offers in amusement. “Things like this happen at these gatherings all the time.”
“Are you saying you’ve participated?” I ask through gritted teeth.
Fuck, what kind of man was I actually attracted to? Both of these bastards used humans for their own personal pleasure, and I was more than willing to be a participant.
“Don’t like it, then don’t venture past the domain of your own kind,” Atticus shrugs.
Flinching, I try to ignore the pang of pain that suddenly shoots through me from the definite line that he is drawing between us. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t the Atticus I knew, and he was making it clear that whatever happened between us in the past was a mistake and wouldn’t be repeated.
“Let’s just find that bastard August and get out of here.”
Not waiting for a response, I begin to move, shoving my way through the bodies that crowd together until I see him sitting in the main banquet hall sipping champagne while a naked woman gives him a lap dance. From the look on the bastard’s face, it is clear he is really getting off from her show, and I will be disappointing him real soon.
“There,” I announce, grabbing Vance’s wrist. “I’ve found him.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Wait!” Atticus hisses as we begin to move. “Do you think you can just walk up on him? He is a member of the Fae and therefore does have abilities, despite keeping them under wraps while running Morte Diem. Do you want to lose him before we get to do what we want?”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” Vance asks, raising a brow. “We can’t just sit back and wait for him to go somewhere alone.”
“I have an idea,” Atticus admits, turning his gaze to mine. “And it involves her.”
“Me?” I repeat. “What do you have in mind?”
“You convince him to go somewhere alone with you,” he smirks. “Since your true identity is hidden because of your mask, he won’t know it's you.”
“Sure, why not?" I huff, trying to ignore the anger I feel about him being okay with me using my body to get August alone. “Leave it to me.”
Not needing anymore encouragement, I turn and fix my gaze on my target and then start to move, but stop as Vance’s hand wraps around my wrist.
“What is it?” I ask, peeking back at him. “Do you have anything to add?”
“You don’t have to get him alone this way,” he says slowly while shooting Atticus a glare. “I’m sure there's..."
“It’s fine,” I assure him. "Plus, we have a limited amount of time to complete our mission. What if we end up getting trapped here and the sun rises? Then we’re both screwed.”
For a moment, Vance doesn’t speak as he continues to examine me.
“I’ll be fine,” I repeat, giving a smile. “Just be prepared to quickly come and find me so that the asshole doesn’t attempt to kill me.”
“You heard her,” Atticus says, though even his expression holds signs of hesitance toward his own plan. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Fine,” Vance sighs, releasing me. “But any sign of danger, and you get yourself out of there.”
“Of course." I grin. “I’m not stupid.”
“Debatable,” Atticus counters.
“Careful,” I growl, baring my teeth.
Tearing my gaze away, I begin to move again, only stopping long enough to grab two drinks. When I reach August, his eyes begin to trail along my body, and when a look of hunger flashes in his eyes, I know that he really doesn’t recognize me.
“Mind if I join you, handsome?” I purr, pulling the dancing woman off of his lap and taking her place while she hisses at me. “Beat it, bitch,” I continue, shooing her. “He’s mine for the rest of the evening; go find another.”
“Who are you?" the woman begins, but stops as August shows her as well.
“You heard her,” he chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Beat it. I’ve found my partner for tonight’s festivities.”