House of Blood and Beasts

29. Confrontation

    "So, has Ruhn finally asked you out?" Flynn asked, taking the bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

    Sarai rolled her eyes. "No, we're here on business."

    "Business that I think you'll both enjoy." Flynn glanced between the two of them with a suggestive wink.

    "Get going," Ruhn said. "We don't have all night."

    "Good luck. Our phones will be on if you need us." Flynn patted his pocket and ducked down a side street.

    Ruhn heaved a sigh and turned back to Sarai. "Let's go before he comes back."

    Sarai took his offered arm and his shadows folded over them, shielding them from sight. "We should probably discuss what we're going to say when your father and Sabine ask why we were seen here together."

    "We'll tell them we were following a lead and hope they believe us instead of the media." Sarai pursed her lips and looked away, surveying the street in front of the club. "Are you looking for the Dissiri?" Ruhn asked, keeping his voice quiet.

    Sarai gripped his arm tighter, then forced herself to relax. "No."

    He was silent for a moment, before asking, "What's our cover inside the club?"

    "Everyone will assume we're there as a couple, so we might as well make it convincing. It'll make things more difficult when handling Sabine and the Autumn King, but at least no one will ask questions when we suddenly disappear. And they will notice when we leave. People will be watching us," Sarai pointed out.

    Ruhn grimaced. "Perks of being a Crown Prince."

    "And the Chosen One."

    "Sometimes I wish I'd never found that fucking sword."

    There was an underlying tension in his voice that had Sarai glancing up at his face, but his sapphire eyes revealed nothing. Sarai remained silent as they reached the front doors of the club. The shadows did their job well, keeping the two of them hidden until they were able to slip inside behind two other patrons.

    Once they were safely past the entrypoint, Ruhn's shadows melted away. Sarai stared at her surroundings, doing her best to keep her mouth from hanging open. Crown Royale was without doubt the fanciest place she'd ever visited. The entire building resembled a massive ballroom, with upper level verandas that led to private rooms.

    Crystal chandeliers lit by firstlights dangled from the vaulted ceilings. Fresh lilac bouquets hung from marble pillars. The floor was polished to a reflective shine. Some couples were dancing to the upbeat, but still classical, music that was being performed by minstrels. Other patrons sipped glasses of wine and champagne or sampled savory appetizers brought around by waiters.

    "How did Marcus manage to do drugs here?" Sarai whispered, leaning towards Ruhn. "It seems too...posh for that."

    His eyes flickered up. "The upper levels are for private entertainment. Drugs, whores, and so on."

    "Oh."

    "We'll stay down here unless our Angel takes his business venture upstairs."

    "Fair enough." Sarai stepped closer to Ruhn, hooking her arms around his neck. "People are beginning to stare. We should start blending in."

    She tried to ignore the burst of heat that flared beneath her skin as Ruhn's fingers trailed from her neck down to her waist. His hand slowed when he reached the curve of her breast. A shiver ran down her spine. Sarai lifted her chin, drawing a steadying breath. His hand drifted lower and settled on her waist, while the other found her hip.