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The music grew louder and louder as she continued to follow him through the tight, dark space.

When the smoke cleared, they stood in a vibrant, grand room with glass-topped bars lining the perimeter and multiple bartenders serving the throngs of revelers. At the center, a massive dance floor was packed with hundreds of people.

The air was humid, dripping with condensation.

Several cages hung from the ceiling, each containing women in lingerie, shifting and arching in an intricate, sexual dance that had multiple men and women in the room glancing upward, lust heavy in their gazes.

Hanging in the back of the club was a large bronze statue. It depicted a man wearing a suit with outstretched arms, as if he were rousing everyone in the room to stand and worship him.

A chill crawled up her spine.

“Who’s that?” she asked Raziel, her voice barely rising above the music.

Raziel followed her gaze. “That’s Milo Hendrix. He founded the first casino here a couple hundred years ago and helped shape Hermes to what it is today. When he died, the city took over his casino and businesses, but his legacy remains.” He dismissed the statue with a nod and turned to the bar. “Let’s grab a drink.”

She felt Raziel move but her eyes remained locked on the statue. Something about Milo Hendrix seemed familiar.

His inanimate, handsome face smiling over the dancing, sweaty crowd. His outstretched arms reminding her of someone else she met. Someone—

“Kanes.” Takeshi tugged on her arm, pulling her out of her trance.

He flicked his head to the bar, where Raziel was already engaged in conversation with the bartender, who nodded vigorously, sweat beading on his forehead.

When they walked over, Raziel handed them tiny clear glasses filled to the brim with a blue, smoky liquid.

“What’s in this?” she shouted.

“It’s a shot.”

Her eyes bugged out. “An actual bullet is in here?”

Takeshi glared at Raziel, who let out a heavy sigh, like he was dealing with mindless children.

“It’s just a small drink to loosen you both up.” He leaned closer, pulling their shoulders together so no one else could hear. Khalani tried to pull away, but Raziel’s grip was surprisingly firm.

“In case you two forgot,” Raziel continued, “You’re supposed to be a young couple, married and in love. You two look like you’re about to fling the other off a balcony and are so tense that even my blade would have trouble slicing through. If you’re going to convince the Dealers that you’re indeed the Davenhues, you need to act the part and drink what I give. Especiallyyou.”

“Me?” Khalani reared back. “What did I do?”

“Your face is as gaunt as a playing card, sweetness. Just swallow that down and act like you’re enjoying yourself. Remember, this might be your last drink for a while.” Raziel raised his glass in a mock toast before sliding it under his mask and downing the contents.

She held the shot nervously, glancing at Takeshi who simply stared at her, waiting.

“Aren’t you going to tell me to stop?” she tested.

“Would you listen?”

Fair point.

She raised the glass to her lips, making a soft noise in the back of her throat as she swallowed the liquid in one gulp. Surprisingly, the drink had a sweet aftertaste following the initial burn. Her tongue brushed over her lips, and she felt her muscles release their tension.

Okay, this wasn’t so bad.

Her entire life in Apollo had been about suppressing desires and serving the underground city with unwavering loyalty. She’d snuffed her feelings to the point where she convinced herself they no longer existed.

But this night might be Khalani’s only chance to reclaim those parts she’d lost.

And if they were about to enter captivity, a few hours of freedom to release her inhibitions might not be terrible.