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Polarishad undergone a massive renovation a few years ago, and it looked better than ever. The underworld jewel of the supernatural elite.

Its ceilings glittered with golden chandeliers. Suspended above were ornate cages each housing supernatural erotic dancers in glittering outfits that really served to catch the eye, their movements a blend of sensuality and acrobatics.

The center dance floor was packed with supernatural beings letting everything go.

Velvet-draped balconies wrapped around the second level and were lined with private viewing boxes. Some figures relaxed in the plush booths above sipping from their enchanted drinks and watching everything happening below.

The furniture was deep violet and blood-red, tufted and luxurious and lit by golden candlelight.

Above it all, the namePolarisglimmered near the upper left wall in all its proud glory.

I’d thought tonight would be a good opportunity to come here without having to answer to anyone, or explain why I was here, because Papa and Gramps both weren’t here tonight or even up in Papa’s office working on the books, or discussing business matters. Gramps was working on building his hybrid-only team up at the Guardian Compound, and Papa had a special date night with Pops, Dad, and Mom. The only person connected to my family that Ihadseen when I’d come in was Anton, Papa’s right-hand here at the club, but he’d just smiled and greeted me pleasantly, not questioning me or bothering me.Phew,because Papa didn’t like me coming here without him or Gramps being around.

Especially after one particular time that had been a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

But I wasn’t here to replicate that tonight.

I’d just needed a breather, while Kai and Nyx were preparing the tactical—and magical—plan for the Unity Council mission set for a couple of nights from now. I’d done all my readings and caught up on what I’d missed during that first week, so I had some time on my hands. Time where I hadn’t wanted to be sitting alone in my dorm room and drowning in my own thoughts. Nor had I wanted to run into the guys and their overbearing ways in the A-Wing.

Sometimes you just needed to take a step back. Things could become clearer then where certain complications were concerned, once you revisited them. Like this weird dynamic between me and Kai. Me and Vorzyr. And my growing interest in befriending Nyx. I’d spent the last three years keeping away from him because of his connection to Kai, so I hadn’t realized how much in common we had regarding our concerns over our powers,orhow gentle and nice that he was, how approachable and easygoing. I was actually looking forward to working with him on this upcoming mission. It might actually be nice to have someone to talk to about myrepression issues, as Kai and Vorzyr referred to them. Someone who didn’t pile on the pressure at the same time.

I took another sip of my drink, then went to rise to my feet to leave now that coming here had been proven a bust, but a hand clamped down on my shoulder, stilling me before I could leave my seat.

As gasp of surprise escaped me, and I looked up to see Kai fucking Hunter standing there with that devious smirk of his.

“Not so fast,” he said, as he slid into the booth right beside me, propped his leather clad elbow in his go-to trench coat on the tabletop and rested his head against his hand as he regarded me. “Fancy finding the innocent little Ariana Martel in a place like this.”

“You know that I’m not that innocent.”

“On the contrary, you’re decidedly innocent. So much so that you require a firm, guiding hand with your sexual exploits.”

“Fuck off,” I sighed. “I came here for some peace and quiet.”

“Peace and quiet? Inthisclub? Not likely.” He gestured with his eyes at three vampires gathered on the dancefloor clad all in black leather—blacktightleather—gyrating away while their hot gazes fixed on me. “Especially not with you intheirsights.”

“They could have their eyes on you.”

“Their gazes are basically boring a hole in your beautiful face.” He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “They sensed that you’re an angel. You know how vampires are when it comes to Immortal blood, so imagine how they are when it comes toyou.”

“They can’t smell my blood while I’m not bleeding.”

“Yet they can scent the sweet promise of it.”

“So you want me to believe that you came here to protect me from a set of vampires that you didn’t even know were going to be here to begin with?”

“No. I’ve been here for two hours just keeping to myself and watching youuntilI noticed their interest shortly after they walked in. Especially when they realized that Lucian isn’t here tonight.”

I glared at him. “You were watching me? Why?”

“Because you came tothisclub.”

“And that’s your concern, how?”

“It made me jealous thinking of you hooking up with some stranger.”

Well, that was incredibly honest and open of him. “I’m not yours, Kai. We’re just fooling around.”

“Then fool around with me, sweetheart.”