Page 36 of Blood and Thorns (Twisted Ever After #1)

Sebastian

The familiar symbol of a trident glowing over the thick, metal door came into view. There was no other sign or indication of the depravities that happened within. That was why this was the most elite sex club in the Isles, with strict rules once entering, much like my own club.

I went to Atlantis for one reason: to explore the primal edges of my desire in a space where I held complete control. There, I could unleash the monster I kept caged.

Women came willingly, drawn by the promise of exactly what I offered. I craved the rawness of it, the exquisite imbalance of power. The way it twisted and surrendered beneath my hands as they broke apart, sobbing through the ecstasy only I could give.

I’ve always had this impulse to inflict pain, a desire I was regularly forced to purge if I wanted to keep myself contained. And having such control over someone was a high that you couldn’t replicate.

But sex had become dull, mechanical, and predictable. Even Atlantis, once electric with indulgence, had become as riveting as getting a tooth pulled. A chore that sometimes resulted in a mediocre at best orgasm, if I came all .

And yet Arabella on her knees, taking my cock between those pouty lips and looking up at me with fire in her gaze, had me seeing fucking stars. Even better was the way she pretended she wasn’t turned on, and I took great pleasure in watching her take every inch of me, and then her begging for more.

She was fucking beautiful in her release, her entire back bowing and her muscles tensing. Then there were her lips, which parted with a cry I wanted to catch on my tongue.

A sharp whistle sounded beside me, and I blinked over at Langdon.

“You good?” he signed, a frown marring his brow.

“Of course,” I replied, pushing thoughts of Arabella to the back of my mind as I stepped out of the car. The wind and rain whipped at me instantly, like a violent maelstrom before Chip appeared with an umbrella.

“When’s the last time you slept?” Langdon continued, which made Caden frown as he came from the front passenger side.

“He hasn’t been sleeping again?” Caden asked Lang as if I wasn’t even here. He turned to me. “Bas, you never mentioned you weren’t sleeping.”

I bristled. “I’m fine.”

They exchanged a look, one which I ignored. Their concern dripped off me much like the rain as I walked toward the doors. They opened automatically, greeting us with darkness held back by bursts of red light.

“Sir, am I coming inside?” Chip asked, his frustration tightened his lips when I simply pinned him with a look. He nodded his head at my silence, his hand gripping the handle of the umbrella before he returned to the car.

Charlie Potter was becoming a pain in my arse. I knew he wanted to do more, but he was still a kid who struggled with boundaries and was far too trigger happy to be of assistance. His lack of empathy and emotional understanding made him dangerous, not to mention a liability.

“You’re going to have to deal with him eventually,” Caden muttered. “Either initiate him or cut him loose.”

“He’s too unpredictable,” I replied, my tone closing the conversation.

But of course, Caden didn’t give a shit. “You’re right, but maybe he needs to make a mistake or two. How else is he going to learn control?”

“A mistake could get him killed.” It was why I humoured his chess games, to teach him you couldn’t win in just a few moves. It was all about discipline. Control. A strategy that held. Chip already had issues with impulsivity, and more than once I’d had to send people to clean up his mess.

“Then cut him off or put him with his mother.” Caden dropped his voice to a whisper, the red lights overhead making him look splashed with blood. “Better yet, send him to the Bratva. Sasha will sort him out.”

Pursing my lips I faced the receptionist, Caden on my right and Langdon on my left. She didn’t even blink at the weapons beneath our jackets, her gaze hovering over Langdon far too long to be professional.

“You’re expected,” she said, gesturing for us to continue on to the main floor. “Mistress has set up a table, and she will be joining you shortly.”

I didn’t bother to acknowledge her, passing through the thick curtains into the centre room.

Each space consisted of various themes, kinks and exhibition levels.

The main room, however, was created as an old 50’s style piano bar.

It was the place to meet people and discuss consent and boundaries before exploring the more open spaces.

I’ve spent very little time in this room, but I knew exactly which table had been reserved for me, slipping into the seat that had the perfect view of the stage.

Large velvet booths and circular tables surrounded a Steinway grand piano, our host singing into the mic with a voice made from sex. Aeris wore a skin-coloured dress so tight it was as if she was naked, while her statement red hair fell in waves down her back.

She was beautiful, and she knew it.

“Sure loves the spotlight for someone who deals in secrets and rumours,” Caden muttered, seemingly more uncomfortable than Langdon or myself. “She should be more careful. It wouldn’t take much for someone to permanently steal her voice.”

Langdon smirked, lifting his hands. “Sore spot, Cade?” he signed.

Caden gritted his teeth. “No, I don’t fuck sirens who think they hold the world between their legs.”

A few of the waitresses looked our way, and I met their eyes just to watch them scatter. I shook my head, reminding myself that Arabella never looked away. That she met my gaze head on, even when she was scared. Even when she’d slapped me, her eyes widening in surprise at her reaction.

She didn’t run then, either, instead standing her ground and waiting for a retaliation. And fuck, I wanted that. I wanted her to bare her teeth. To fight back and show that fire I seemed to crave because it made her come alive.

“She’s always listening,” I warned, finding Aeris strutting towards us on long, exposed legs.

“Sebastian,” she purred, folding herself gracefully into the seat opposite me. Reaching across the table, she tried to brush her index finger over my hand, only for me to grab her wrist and squeeze in warning.

Her smile strained, her laugh forced when I let go .

“Nice to see you again. It’s been a while.” Her voice was raspy, like scorched velvet.

“Cut the shit,” Caden growled. “We’re not here for that.”

“Are you sure?” Aeris turned to him, pouting her red painted lips. “I can offer you any girl or guy you want. Free of charge.” When Caden didn’t comment, she turned to Langdon. “What about you? See anything you like?”

A nerve feathered in Langdon’s jaw, and rather than respond he reached for his lighter.

Click. Snap. Click.

She smirked, returning her attention to me. “I’ve heard you’ve taken on a pretty pet, one who wears your collar. Is it true?” At my silence she laughed again, the sound grating.

“Do you have what we asked?” Caden said, and I allowed him to take the lead because I found her voice fucking annoying.

Aeris’s smile tightened when she looked towards my cousin, and I noticed the tension there. Interesting. That was a weakness I could extort if need be.

“That depends,” she said, her tone slightly clipped.

“On?”

“Whether Sebastian answers my questions.” Aeris met my eyes once more, confident in her position of power.

I’d chosen not to wear my mask because I didn’t want to draw any more attention to this than needed. Clearly that was a mistake from Aeris’s reaction. She believed she had the upper hand.

“Tell me about your new pet,” she purred.

My answer was immediate. “No.”

“So protective,” she laughed, leaning across the table. “Has the great, powerful Beast fallen for the pretty damsel in distress?” She raised a coy eyebrow.

I reached over and fisted her hair. The people behind her stilled, not used to such blatant show of violence outside sexual acts.

“I thought you’d want to play?” she continued, smiling even as I held her head at a painful angle. “Or would you prefer I play with your toy and have you watch instead?”

“Touch her and I’ll break your fucking neck,” I growled, the instant rage like lava through my veins.

Aeris pouted. “Threats don’t work well with me, Sebastian. Remember that.”

“Don’t touch what’s mine, then I won’t need to keep my word.” I tightened my fist, making her wince before releasing her as suddenly as I’d grabbed her.

She threw her head back and laughed, and I had to clench my fists to stop myself from clamping my fingers around her throat just to throttle the sound.

“Ah, there he is,” she chuckled. “The monster beneath the mask. I so wish you’d join me in my playroom. I’ve heard from my girls how… thrilling it is to be beneath your power.”

“Last warning,” Caden growled.

Aeris sniffed, her confidence waning once she realised she couldn’t use her cunt to try and take control. That was one of the reasons I’d never taken her up on her offer. Her whispers were dangerous, poisonous even as she pretended to be the perfect sub.

In reality, she was sucking out your soul through your cock.

She snapped her fingers, and a waitress brought over a tray, a silver dome placed on top. Aeris thanked the woman before lifting the cloche, revealing the paperwork beneath. “These were hard rumours to decipher, Sebastian.”

“It’s why I came to you.”

She pushed the papers towards me, but I didn’t bother looking down .

When I was younger, I didn’t understand why it took me so long to read compared to everyone else. The words would always blur, shift or dance across the page as if they were alive. It took one of the nannies to recognise the severe dyslexia, explaining that I simply had a different brain.

So I grew up understanding my limitations and figured out ways to thrive without being able to read with ease.

“I’ve tracked this notorious Enchantress, as promised,” Aeris continued. “Luckily, I have spies across the continent.” Her long red nails separated the pages before she tapped a photograph. I finally looked down, only to still.

Because the woman on the page was supposed to be dead.