In Our Image: The Hollow

Chapter Twelve

So there is no way Bailey has not put two and two together seeing Jude in the same area as me. She hasn't said anything which actually scares the hell out of me more. Mishka is impossible to keep anything from, if not only because she is my best friend then also because she can read people like a damn book.

Sitting behind the bar on a somewhat slower night, Mishka leans over pulling a bottle from the wall and pouring us a couple of shots. She hands me one and kind of lingers looking me over, she wants to say something but I can tell she is strategically planning her words.

"Madison, how fucked are we going to be?"

I look at her confused, "What are you talking about?"

She gives me a blank stare making me feel dumb, "You know exactly what the hell I'm talking about... I'm talking about you fraternizing with the enemy, I'm talking about Jude." She says emphasizing his name in a cute girlish voice teasing me.

I roll my eyes, "I don't... Mishka there is nothing there. I saw him, I apologized, I think that's it."

"Girl I know that look, the glow, the thousand yard gaze you have been giving that door hoping he walks in. You think I don't know my best friend?" She replies bumping her hip into me as she prepares a drink for a woman at the end of the bar.

Fuck me; I should have known I can't keep anything from her.

I look over towards the VIP section and Chloe is signaling for me to bring some of our more expensive champagne. The girls are putting in a bit of work tonight; they have been softening up a group of wealthy business men for a while now. Not sure it bothers Father since the one group is damn near matching dollars spent with the entirety of the club. I grab the bottles, put them on ice in buckets and head over to the VIP. The girls are all over the guys, some fat and old with a few thirty something's but all nicely dressed in suits and all.

Bailey startles me from behind, "Thanks troll, back to the bar before you scare our marks away." She states rudely as she swipes the bucket away from me.

Bitch

Before I turn away I see Chloe straddle one older man, between kissing his bald head and lips she plants small bites on his neck and shoulders. She's tagging him right in front of the others but they are so piss drunk and horny they don't notice.

Almost feel sorry for them, almost.

On my way back to the bar I hear a song beginning to play from the stage that Dirty is usually on. Tonight Father hired a band to play live. An all female group he flew in from the U.K called Left on Wells. I thought it odd but he said he knew the lead singer from long ago, some chick named Flower of the Kidemonas coven or some shit... I wasn't paying attention but they were actually really good.

A huge change in energy and tempo begins as a piano piece begins to radiate throughout the club. Followed after are stringed instruments, a violin. The soft yet powerful voice that follows is breathtaking and I don't think I'd forgive myself if I didn't get closer. I slowly make my way through the packed dance floor of people who transitioned from wild grinding and chaotic twerking to a close and embracing slow dance.

I get so close to the stage that she is hypnotic, even her smell is different. The entire band smells different, not human and not like us... they smell like, like... the forest. Flower looks down at me and smiles, she is deep into the song and I think everyone else is also. I feel a hand brush against mine and then grab it. I look over startled to see him smiling at me.

"Hey pickle. Hurry before they see us." He whispers in my ear as he drags me into the crowded dance floor with everyone else.

"Jude! What... oh my God if they see us we're dea..."