Blood & Honor (Serpentia #1)

Chapter 1 ∞ The Cave

Chapter 1

It was time.

I skimmed the sea of faces, searching for the only reason I was here tonight. Inside the city's underground club, The Cave, my heart throbbed with each beat of blasting music. I squeezed past the sweaty bodies pressing against me, their drinks high in the air. My long chestnut brown curls smacked into the people surrounding me, auburn ends shining under the light.

Emerald green laser lights flashed, illuminating the dance floor covered in a thin cloud of fog. As I made my way to a secluded booth right next to the bar, I observed the surroundings. Three bouncers encircled the crowd, the fourth and the fifth guarding the exits.

I could work with that.

''A tequila shot,'' I spoke to the the scrawny bartender who barely looked old enough to be allowed to enter the club. He scurried off to fill the drink. I looked around, staring at the empty booth on the other side of the bar.

He was late.

The man I was searching for had a distinctive taste in women, alcohol and clubs. I spent more than a year following him, knowing his habits better than mine. Every Thursday he would come to the club owned by his ever-present friend who seemed to be glued to his side twenty-four seven.

They would always sit in the same booth, order a bottle of vodka and pick the next victim in the sea of dancing beauties.

My target had a type. Brown hair, brown eyes. Not too tall, preferably in high heels and wearing leather. Ironically, I wore skin tight leather pants, a strapless black top and high corset lace up boots. But tonight, he would be my victim.

His final feast.

''Here,'' the bartender interrupted my thoughts, smashing the shot glass on the slippery bar top. Drops of liquid spilled over the rim.

I gulped it down and licked my lips. The cold liquid felt amazing, replaced by a burning sensation that sent a spark of heat. I picked up my purse and slid into an empty booth that had a good view over the club.

As time passed, I grew nervous.

My palms started sweating, fingers tapping on the table. I checked the watch for the hundredth time. It was near midnight, but he still wasn't there. A bright neon VIP sign and a small piece of wood with reserved engraved in it kept others from claiming the seat.

It wasn't like him to change his habit and go elsewhere. Truth to be told, this was one of the best clubs in the city. Far from my liking, but the amount of people before my eyes confirmed the title's credibility.

''Hey gorgeous, want some company?'' My head lifted at the direction of the voice. A young man in his thirties took a sip of his drink, watching me with a smirk plastered across his face.

''I'll pass.'' I answered, voice dripping with fake sweetness.

His smirk was wiped off in a second. He hadn't expected to be denied. ''No need to be cheeky, princess. I know your type,'' he pointed his finger at me accusingly, ''you play the ice queen, yet you dream of being fuc-'' His hand reached for my face.

Wrong move.

Anger rose in my chest. My arm lashed out, gripping his and twisting it in the same time. I pressed him flat against the wall, my other hand pushing against his neck before he could finish the sentence. His eyes bulged and he tripped, raising his arms in a defensive manner.

''What part of I'm not interested didn't you understand?'' I drawled. The man gulped, fear swirling in his clouded eyes. ''Sorry, I didn't-''

I could sense alcohol on his breath, so strong as if he drank a week's worth of shots. My nostrils flared at the pungent smell.