L'appel du Vide

Chapter 4

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Fuck.

The word did not leave my lips though. I was too caught up in Ezra's bright eyes that were staring down at me. For some reason his eyes unnerved me, I just did not know why. It could have been the excitement in them as he had finally found his prey but there seemed to be more to that.

Ezra beckoned his head to make me come out of hiding.

Glancing at Amicus, I slowly slid out of my small slot under the bar. Once I was standing, I put my hands in my pockets and tried to ignore Ezra's gaze roaming over my still bare chest.

Amicus was busy glaring daggers at Ezra.

Now that's a story I would like to hear one day.

"This place is just full of surprises today," Ezra's smile had never left his face and now it sounded like he had to press the words through his sharp teeth.

Our bartender turned to me with worry. I shrugged my shoulders at him.

Imitating what Rose had done before, I bowed at the waist.

"Mister Ezra," I said and did not want to keep this stupid pose for any longer, so without his permission, I stood back up straight and locked gazes with him.

He did not falter.

Interesting.

"I am afraid we have not met before," I continued. "But I am disappointed to tell you that my services do not include or extend to men."

Ezra's smile became even wider if possible. He was now flashing his long canine teeth to me. The air around him was still bursting with his energy that had started to slowly reach out to me. I could feel it forcing me into submission.

Not today, boy.

I did not have time to come up with a witty response.

"Good," Ezra said. "My colleague will like you even more then."

Startled by his words, I took a step back and almost tripped over Amicus, who grabbed my upper arm again. I flinched when he applied pressure on the same spot from where he had already hurled me over the bar before.

Something sinister flashed in Ezra's eyes. And it was fucking scary.

Blue light flashed past his grey irises and a shadow descended on his face. The rumble of his energy filled the whole room.

"Step away from him now," Ezra said, his voice low in his throat. He stretched out a hand toward me. "We must meet with my colleague shortly."

I reached a hand into my hair and shook it out, effectively loosening Amicus' grip on me. Meanwhile, my eyes glanced around the room. All the girls were hiding under tables, except Rose and Iris who stood directly in front of the bar and were giving Ezra the same lethal glare as Amicus was. I noticed that the spotlight was still on us and like an extreme heatwave, Ezra's magic was distorting the air in the room.

"I don't know you," I drawled and dropped any honorifics. "Why should I come with you?"

Rose snorted at my comment.

Ezra was a good actor, I had to give him that.

My response seemed to not have any effect on him.

Well, his fault for underestimating me then.

His energy flicked above his head like it was ready to lash out. Powerful energy like his is easily compared to a nest of snakes, harmless if you just pass by and do not disturb them, but lethal and more than willing to strike once agitated. He had an insane amount of control over it though. I was just playing with him and he was keeping his composure.