Home > The Monster Ball : A Paranormal Romance Anthology(9)

The Monster Ball : A Paranormal Romance Anthology(9)
Author: Heather Hildenbrand

 

 

The thump of music joined the beat of my heart. Light filtered in once more as I stepped into a grand ballroom.

I immediately drifted over to the bar on the left as I entered and leaned against the counter like I belonged at the ball and wasn’t some naïve newbie. I took a moment to survey my surroundings, mapping it all out in my head.

On the opposite side of the ballroom was a small raised platform with a band playing lively music. Translucent black curtains billowed from archways on either side of the stage. Beautifully dressed creatures danced in the center of the ballroom as smoke floated and curled around their ankles as though they were dancing in the clouds. Tiny pixies twirled overhead around the chandeliers, spreading sparks of colored light that twinkled like multicolored stars.

On the side of the ballroom where I stood, there were black leather couches grouped near the walls on either side of the entrance. Couples sat sipping cocktails, laughing, talking, and making out. Beyond the couches, I caught glimpses of round beds veiled by dark fabric and shadows.

“Hello, sweet thing. Name your poison.” A female voice purred behind me.

I turned slowly to show I wasn’t startled and stared into a pair of red eyes that matched the white-haired female’s full lips. She wore a black leather bustier and had a bat tattoo over her left shoulder. My mouth went dry as a sexual pulse bounced off the woman almost like a cat releasing pheromones. Succubus, I guessed. I pulled my gaze away from her heated stare to look over the glowing purple shelves at her back, illuminating bottles of alcohol. I’d order something to sip for appearances, but I planned to keep my wits about me this evening.

Several feet from the succubus, a male bartender with short golden hair, a full beard, green eyes, and scales tattooed over one arm, handed a wine glass thick with red liquid to a pale woman with two ornamental hair sticks pinning up her light blonde hair. Diamond-studded chains draped her shoulders, dangling between the plunging valley of her gown and partially exposed breasts. She strutted away without so much as a thanks.

“Vampires—boring,” he said, miming a yawn.

I could feel heat coming from him, too, but the energy wasn’t as sexual as the succubus.

I returned my attention to the red-eyed temptress.

“What do you recommend?” I asked politely.

The succubus smiled wickedly. “A supernatural open to suggestion, my kind of sup.” Her red eyes gleamed. “You should definitely try my specialty drink. It’s called Party in Your Mouth.” As she said the words, her gaze lowered to my mouth and she ran her tongue over her top lip.

“Don’t listen to her, Sunshine,” the golden-haired male said, barreling over. “You should order my specialty drink.”

The succubus rolled her red eyes and snorted. “Not this again, Dec. It’s not a competition.”

“Then why have you been keeping score?” Dec fired back.

The bat on the succubus’s left shoulder lifted when she shrugged. “Just a little evening amusement is all.” She batted her lashes.

“Nope. Don’t fall for it,” Dec said to me, shaking his head at the succubus. “Clearly you should order my specialty drink, a Twenty-Four Karat Gold.” He looked me up and down and nodded.

The succubus snorted. “Why? Because she’s wearing yellow and gold? Is that all you got, Dec?”

Flames burst from Dec’s mouth. My eyes opened wider.

“You really need to ask, Imperia?”

The succubus grinned and moistened her lips.

“Let’s get this party started.”

In the flash of an eye, a tall, slender woman in a long red gown swished over. Tight red lace covered her torso from her neck to her hands and plumed out into ruffled feathers at the end. She had dark brown hair and golden eyes that seemed to glow. The power that surged off this woman was like comparing the dull warmth from a single candle flame to the heat of a blazing bonfire. Who was she? What was she?

“Decimus. Imperia.” The mysterious woman in red chided and stared over the counter. “Do I need to swap one of you to the other side?” The woman in red looked pointedly at the bar on the opposite side of the entrance.

Following her gaze, I noticed another male-and-female team bartending. The male was clean shaven with ice-blond hair spiked in a fauxhawk on top of his head. The female had teal streaks through her grayish hair.

“No, no way,” Dec said, straightening up. “I’m not switching with one of those pointy-eared pranksters. No offense, Sunshine.” He flicked me a quick glance. “Who mixes gummy bears with alcohol? Iridessa, that’s who. And don’t get me started on Elohir.”

“Too chilly for you, Dec?” Imperia said in a teasing tone.

Dec snorted then returned his attention to the woman in red. “Imperia and I will behave.”

The woman in the red dress nodded and swept away, taking the heavy feeling of magic along with her.

“For now,” Imperia tossed in playfully.

Dec chuckled. At least they no longer looked ready to kill one another.

Leaning his tattooed arms on the counter, Dec grinned at me. “Now how about that drink, Sunshine?”

I smiled. “You know what? I’ll take one of each.”

A burst of laughter came from Imperia. “I knew I liked this one.”

“Me too,” Dec said. He leaned farther over the bar. “Hey, listen, Sunshine. If anyone bothers you tonight, come get me and I’ll light their ass on fire.” His mouth widened and flames appeared between his gleaming teeth.

Heat kissed my face. Here was a supernatural who really could burn someone to a crisp. I’d chosen the right bar to stop at. I already had a volunteer guardian for the evening.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Imperia was already at work on her signature drink as though she’d entered a race. Dec closed his mouth, extinguishing the fire raging from his throat, and got to work on the Twenty-Four Karat Gold, pouring pineapple juice and rum into a clear snifter. He sprinkled on cinnamon and topped it with fresh pineapple he roasted with a lick of flame straight from his tongue.

I leaned back. Was it getting hot in here or what? Nothing to do with the sizzling hot dragon shifter serving up drinks. Nope, not a thing.

“Try it,” Imperia said, pushing a martini glass my way. It had a pinkish tint that fizzed and something colorful crushed around the rim.

I lifted it to my lips and she leaned closer, watching with an eager grin. When my mouth touched the rim, little fizzles and pops crackled over my tongue.

“What the—?” I set the glass back down and stared at Imperia, who giggled.

“Pop Rocks,” she said.

“Rocks that pop?” I squinted at her.

Imperia nodded. “It’s candy from the human world. Fun, right? Party in your mouth.”

Dec huffed and shook his head as he handed the drink he’d mixed to me.

“Go with the gold.”

“Thanks,” I said as I took the drink and lifted it to my lips. I took a small sip. Both tasted dangerously good.

“These are both delicious. And both fun,” I said.

Imperia and Dec turned to one another, smiled, and high-fived.

“Best bartenders and best drinks,” Dec practically shouted. He looked over at the other bar and hollered, “Did you hear that, Elohir? Best of the ball right over here.”

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