Page 31

“Come on, come on.” I follow one of the never-ending hallways, hoping it’ll spit me out in familiar territory.

While I’ve visited Bow & Arrow before, it was always relatively simple to figure out where I wanted to go. One, I sought the attention of Artemis—and in the quieter spaces of the VIP lounges seemed like the best idea. Two, there were always people around to ask.

Now, the club is overcrowded, and a thread of chaos shivers through the masses. The music pulses louder, the dancing becomes wilder. The shift started minor, almost miniscule, and now seems too much.

There are no employees either. We witnessed everyone coming in at liberty, but it’s taking a turn for the worse, their collective behavior becoming more violent.

Did all Tem’s employees abandon ship?

Did someone call them away?

There are usually waitresses, for one. Bouncers. Bartenders. I spot a patron behind the bar, drinking straight from one of the bottles while others cheer.

I clench my teeth and force my hands to remain at my sides. Reaching for a weapon right now would be stupid—the last thing we need is a stampede of people.

There’s danger here, yes, but there’s one objective: find Antonio.

The older man said there were Cyclopes here, and yet…

“You lost?”

I spin around. A woman stands in the middle of the hall, her hands on her hips.

Her hair is long and blonde, her makeup exaggerated.

There’s a sharp X over her left eye, either a tattoo or drawn in eyeliner.

Long black lashes, deep-red lipstick, that kind of thing.

It seems more like a costume than anything Artemis wears, although I’ve seen her do a similar style.

Maybe I’m biased?

“I got turned around,” I say.

She motions me closer. “It’s okay. I’ll lead you out.”

“Thanks.”

I follow her back the way I came, and she takes an unexpected right. The hallway is almost totally dark at the entrance and completely hidden in shadow.

Her phone’s flashlight clicks on a second later. “Bulb must’ve gone out. This way. Watch the steps.”

Down four, then on a smooth path again. The hall curves, and suddenly I know exactly where I am.

The door to Artemis’s apartment is just around the corner, and it leads into the service hallways.

Which means I’m between the dance floor, which is set down a level from the street entrance, and the third floor with the VIP lounges.

“Thank you, I’ve got it from here.”

She whirls around. She’s right under a light, and it highlights the X. She blows me a kiss and saunters away, while I try not to cringe. The realization clicks.

She’s a Cyclops?

Wasn’t I just saying there were no signs of them?

But they are here—and they’re here as part of the crowd.

Until when?

What’s the signal?

“Oh, good.” Gabriel comes up behind me, slinging his arm over my shoulders. “Benny did her job. She’ll get a gold star for that one.”

I try to shrug him off, but he holds tight.

“Hey, hey,” he chides. “I’m not gonna hurt you. Just the opposite, in fact.”

“The opposite of hurting me?” I scoff. “How’s that?”

“I’m going to point you in the direction of a certain foxy lady… Oh, I’m sorry, golden girl . She might not be too happy to see you, though.” He pouts. “I hate it when Mommy and Daddy fight.”

“Gabriel,” I warn.

He drops the pout and grins. “You’re so easy to manipulate, Reese Avery. But you’re not the only one. So run along and find Artemis, and then you two should get out of here while you still can.”

He gives me a push.

I glance back, but he makes a shooing motion.

“Try the women’s bathroom,” he suggests. “Maybe. Better hurry, though…”

Well, shit. What the hell does that mean?

So much for finding Antonio.

I hate to say it, but I agree with him on one thing. I’ll pick her—and protect her—any damn day.