Max

I'm not drunk enough. I'm not sure there's enough whisky in the world to get drunk enough I can face my life.

Or what isn't a life without Vee.

I wave my glass at the barman, and he comes over to me.

"More," I growl.

"You've had enough, Mr. Horenson," he says in a low voice. "Go home."

I feel belligerence rising within me. "Doan wanna."

"Mr. Horenson, please. Don't make a scene." He steps out from behind the bar and takes me by the arm. "Just go home."

I'm hauled to my feet, and standing, I don't feel as drunk as I thought I was. Unfortunately.

"Please accept my apologies," I say as he releases me. "I'll go." I pick up my coat and shrug it on. Delving in my pocket for my wallet, I extract a couple of fifties and press them into his hand.

"Take care of yourself, Mr. Horenson," he says, placing a hand on my shoulder and tucking the notes back into my pocket.

I find myself turned around to face the door, and I make my way out to the exit. The reception area is empty, even of Sygo. Outside, through the glass doors, the pavement glitters with moisture. I take out my phone to call up a taxi, but I'm distracted by a number of people walking past the doors outside the club. All are well dressed, but they don't walk up the steps. Instead I see them disappear around the corner. Puzzled, I push my way out and follow the strange procession, who after going around the corner of the club, are entering the building next door through a side door.

Despite what the barman said, I haven't had enough. It's got to be worthwhile following where I might be able to get another drink.

I join the small group of what turns out to be tall, blond Fae and am ushered inside with them. A long corridor lined with dark red carpeting and heavily paneled walls stretches away. A goblin appears next to me and pushes an envelope in my hand.

Before I can open it, we're directed through a door, and I find myself in an intimate room lined with semi-circular booths, where silent waiters are bringing trays of drinks.

With a grunt, I shove myself into one of the booths, and almost immediately a waiter appears, placing a bottle of wine and a glass on the table before spiriting himself away. I shrug and reach for it.

There's a clunking sound, which I ignore, and the lights in the room dim, coming up on a small raised area the booths are facing.

"Lot number one." A voice comes out of the booth, and I spin one way, then the other until I spot the speaker buried in the soft leather of the seating. "This is a reasonable specimen…."

I tune out the voice and concentrate on working my way through the bottle, until the lights rise higher, and I hear another lot number called.

"We have a human female. Ripe for breeding, or for fun. Whatever you wish, she will be at your command."

A figure stumbles through a curtain and stands, swaying in the light.

"I have an opening bid of ten thousand…" the voice intones.

I stare at the envelope on the table, the contents spilling out.

"Help me." My head jerks up at the voice. It's not coming from the speakers. It's from the stage where the figure is now being held tight by a burly cyclops.

"Mine!" Someone roars the word, drowning out the bidding.

It's me. I'm roaring because the tiny creature being sold is my Vee. Mine.

As I run towards her, something large barrels into me, knocking me sideways. I twist my head and slam my horns into my assailant in order to free myself because Vee is struggling against the cyclops as he attempts to drag her away.

Somewhere behind me, there is an explosion. Mayhem erupts with monsters and humans running through the ensuing smoke left and right. I don't take my eyes off Vee. Her eyes are wide with fear, but her body seems paralyzed. By the time I reach her, the cyclops is dragging her back through the curtain.

"Vee?"

Her eyes focus on me for a second, then they roll in her head, her form going limp.

"Let her go," I growl at the cyclops.

He snarls at me.

"Whatever they're paying you, it's not enough for what I will do to you if you don't let her go."

His hand tightens over Vee's mouth and red fills my vision. I spring for him, aiming claws at his eye as I attempt to sweep him off his feet and grab my mate back. Yet again, I'm hit in the side by something with some force. It tips me almost off my feet, but I recover enough to go for the cyclops.

Only he's not there anymore. There is only Vee. She stares through me and her knees buckle. I catch her before she hits the ground.

"Vee? Vee!" I smooth her hair back from her face, a face which is covered in heavy makeup. "It's Max. I'm here."

She squirms in my grip, moaning, and then bursts out fighting.

"It's me, Vikki. It's Max. You're safe!"

Her eyes, fever bright, land on my face, and recognition flickers there.

"Max?" she croaks.

"I'm here." I pull her close into me.

Something hits my back. A searing pain flows through my shoulder.

"I need to get you out, little Vee." I lift her into my arms and stand as my flesh screams out.

"Max," she murmurs, curling against me. It's as if she has never left my side. Power ignites within me, spearing through the choking smoke which is filling this strange place.

"Boss?" A dark green shape looms up at me.

"Tavvick?" I stutter out as I see my head of security. "What in the Underworld are you doing here?"

He flashes me an orcish grin. "Always looking out for you, boss." He looks over his shoulder. "Two for extraction," he bellows, and more orcs appear out of the mist.

"This way, sir." A burly orc with his shirt open to his waist and orcish tattoos on prominent display takes my shoulder, causing a loud growl as pain spikes again.

"Don't touch my female," I snarl. "And give me a fucking weapon."