Chapter 2

"Come on. There's no way you're twenty-four." The bouncer held my ID between his two fingers and gazed down at me with a smirk on his face. He was easily six foot four with large, bulky muscles. I felt sure they came in handy at a packed place like this, but his attention was in the wrong place.I was here just to have a good time, not cause any trouble.

I went up on my tiptoes and pinched it from his grasp. "We both know I am, and we both know that's a real ID."

He crossed his arms over his barrel-like chest and the sleeves of his T-shirt pulled tight over his hulking biceps. "Do we?"

I mimicked his pose but all that did was push my boobs up and test the ability of the straps of the fabric across my chest. His eyes drifted downward, and honestly, I couldn't blame him. I felt eyes on me from all different directions. I snapped my fingers and pointed up toward my own eyes. "Eyes right here, buddy."

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. "You're kind of fearless."

I'd been like that my whole life. After years of working and seeing the shit I had, fear was not something that ever held me back. My heart didn't even skip a beat in the elevator just now. It was why I got all the harder cases as a social worker and why when no one else would go in . . . I would. I wouldn't call it a death wish, more like the lack of a fear of death. If it was my time to go, then it was my time to go.

I shrugged. "Maybe."

Rhode leaned in close to me, and one of her cone boobs brushed my arm. "Look, you've seen our IDs, can we go in now?"

He held his hand up and turned to the bouncer next to him to let him whisper in his ear. When he turned back to us, he shook his head. "You both look fine as hell, but you're gonna have to wait."

I rolled my eyes and turned to Rho. "Text Saphira and tell her we're going to another club. This is bullshit."

"Calm down, Cher," his deep voice rumbled. "We're clearing out a couple people, then you can go in. Gotta keep numbers manageable."

"Why didn't you say that in the first place?" I tried not to sound too annoyed, but it didn't work.

He leaned in and lowered his voice. "Gotta keep the entrance packed to make it look like we're the best place to be in town."

I crooked my finger at him and made him bend even farther down and whispered close to his ear. "Open the rope."

"Yes, ma"am." He chuckled and shook his head, then he grabbed the rope and unhooked it and lifted so we could pass. "Seriously sweet ass. I like the attitude."

"I know."I winked at him over my shoulder as I sauntered in.

"Did you mom-voice him? I bet you did." She chuckled and filed in behind me as I led the way into the club.

"Not really . . . well, kind of." I shrugged. "Gotta do what you gotta do."

Sin ForestNightclub was exactly what I expected it to be. Thin trees were spread throughout the club, creating that forest atmosphere. Though purple and red lights flashed to the beat of the music, there were shadows and dark corners everywhere. Fog rolled across the floor, and if we hadn't been inside a club, I might've thought we were in haunted woods on some random mountaintop. Instead, it was a club that held a fun, sinister vibe. The air was warm and musky, causing a sheen of sweat to gather on my body. It was so packed we had to walk in a straight line. I tried to find Saphira, but I had no idea where she was or what direction to head in.

I paused and spun around. "Where is she?"

"I don't know." Rhode pulled her cell from her pocket and the screen illuminated her face in the dark club. Her fingers flew over the screen, and as she typed a smile spread across her face.

"Why are you smiling?"I leaned over her shoulder and peeked at the screen. "Is that Saphira?"

"Yep. She's got round two ready and waiting for us."

"Did she say where, exactly?" When Rhode frowned at me, I knew she hadn't heard me over the music.

Instead, she pointed to a wall of mirrors close to the bar. I was so ready for another drink after that elevator ride. I dragged her in the general direction of the mirrors until I spotted Saphira's long blue hair. She was the second little sister I didn't know I needed but got anyways. It'd been too long since we'd seen her. Once Rhode and I had been adopted by a nice family, she went to school and came home with Saphira. Little did I know that they'd take her in too, and I all but adopted her as my youngest sister.

"Rhode! Morgana!" She jumped off the barstool, threw her arms around us, and crushed us to her. I was older, but she was so much taller that it was almost comical.

Rhode motioned to Saphira's costume. "Xena Warrior Princess! Absolutely epic."

We'd always loved that show as kids and now she looked amazing. I licked my finger and made a little sizzling sound. "Smokin' hot. You look fantastic."

Saphira looked down at herself and ran her hands over the pieces of her skirt. "I love that we all went retro tonight!"

"Are we really surprised?" I winked. I always loved how the three of us were obsessed with things of the past. From movies to music to TV, we loved anything retro. It was as if the present never appealed to us.

Saphira pointed to the row of shots lined up next to three neon-blue cocktails with little umbrellas on them. "Sit. Drink. Tell me how you got stuck in an elevator."

I shuddered at the thought of being trapped in that elevator. I knew at some point I'd look back and think it was hilarious, but right now the memory of naked shark guy's flesh was too fresh in my mind. "Shots first. Trauma second."

At the same time, we all reached for our shots and then tossed them back. Rhode's face wrinkled up in a scowl, and she shook her head. "Okay, no more shots."

"Until we hit the next bar, right?" Saphira swayed to the beat of the music and smiled to herself as if she'd already started her buzz for the night.

Rhode pulled a tall blue drink toward her, and her eyes widened with delight. "Sure—oh my God.Are these frozen margaritas?"

"Electric waves." Saphira held up her drink toward the middle of the table. "Cheers to us finally being together again."

"Cheers!" Rhode leaned in and also held her glass up.

"Cheers to that . . . and not taking another elevator ever again." This looked like a cup of hard hangover and possibly like I'd be praying to the porcelain gods. But . . . when in Rome. I clinked my glass to theirs. "Because that was an ordeal."

"I can't wait to hear this. Something tells me this story has . . . flavor." Saphira chuckled and took a sip of her drink.

"Go ahead, Mo." Rhode waved me on to tell the whole story. I moved a step closer to Saphira and tried to yell over the music as I explained the naked shark, the T-Rex tail smacking everyone and everything, Rhode's epic nursing skills, and the girls dressed as Alvin and the chipmunks freaking out over needing to pee.

"I mean, the triage in the elevator was pretty impressive."

Rho took another sip of her drink and gave her purse a pat. "And you judged me for my first aid kit. I warned you there'd be blood to clean up tonight."

"You're not making me want to go back out there." Saphira sipped her drink, then hissed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh, brain freeze."

Rhode snapped my fingers, then pointed to her own lips. "Stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth."

Saphira made a face and looked to the ceiling like she was trying it out, and after about three seconds, she beamed at Rho. "Nurse Rhode for the win."

"Two for two." She held two fingers up and stuck hertongue out at me. "Guys, I really needed this break from work. I'm so happy we're finally here."

"Yeah, let's not go even half as long without seeing you, Saphira." I missed my youngest sister. Ever since we all started working, it felt like we hadn't had time for each other. But we were all each other had. This world could be lonely without family and these two were mine. "I won't stand for it."

Saphira grinned. "Yes, mom."

Sometimes I felt like I should still be taking care of them, looking out for them the way I wish I'd been looked after. I always wanted to help and make people feel the things I never got to feel because I knew what it was like to not have it. And I would give them everything I could, no matter what. "I feel like Lady Tremaine sometimes with you two."

Rhode frowned and glanced at Saphira. "Does that make us Anastasia and Drizella?"

Saphira snapped her fingers. "Which one wears green and blue?"

"Drizella," Rhode and I said at the same time.

"Dibs." Saphira giggled as she took another sip of her drink.

Rhode didn't seem to care. She shrugged and took another sip. "I look good in pink and purple."

"I need a pet to pet." Pets were not a thing in the foster care system or with our adoptive parents, and I wanted one so bad. I would've settled for a spider at one point . . . and I hated spiders.

"Get a lizard that can sit on your shoulder all day at work like in that TV show." Rhode cupped her hands in front of her like she was holding something small.

Anything would do at this point. "That's a great idea."

"So, clearly our love lives are going great." Rhode snickered and tapped Saphira's arm while wagging her eyebrows. "Let's hear who's been in your bed?"

A man with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes slid into the space between Rhode and Saphira, resting his bony elbow on the table. "Are you looking for volunteers, Madonna?"

When a wide smile spread over Rhode's face, I knew she was going to make him regret his arrogant ass. "Pull your lip over your head and swallow it. Thanks. Have the night you deserve."

Whoomp, there it was. I knew I raised her right.

Saphira spit her drink onto the table in a fit of laughter. He lingered there for a moment longer, and I just stared at him with dead eyes, wondering if he would take the hint. When she arched her eyebrow at him and gave him her resting bitch face, I wondered how long it'd take for him to scurry away. Barely a second later he was gone. I'd perfected it years ago and it always served me well. Sometimes words just weren't necessary.

"That was fun." Rhode smirked.

"Now I see why you suspected we'd need to clean up blood tonight."

"So, Saphira, are you dating anyone or is the field wide open and you're just waiting to be caught."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. LA is the land of vapid idiots in expensive sports cars."

"I mean . . . you're not wrong." But I didn't think it was only LA, just guys around us in general. It was almost like they'd forgotten how to be human and treat others that way too. I turned to Rhode to confirm, but she was completely dazed, staring off into space.

These little episodes were happening to her more and more lately, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about her. She spent half her time in the ER dealing with all kinds of gnarly things and the other half stuck in her head in a dream she never wished she had. I wanted to help her, but I had no idea what to do. Deep down, I knew I had to figure it the hell out.

"Rhode?" I nudged her. "Dreaming again?"

I tried to keep my voice calm. We were out for a fun night. None of us wanted to deal with our own bullshit.

She pointed one finger at something over my shoulder. "Dibs."

I glanced in the direction she pointed and froze. Damnnnnn.I whistled under my breath. Saphira sighed. There was no doubt about it, the guy was gorgeous. He wore black pants and a loose cream blouse that made him look like a pirate. Rhode didn't even hide her interest. Hell, I wouldn't have either.

He stopped right in front of her and held out his hand. "Dance with me?"

I was about to shove her toward him when she took it and he led her out onto the floor. Saphira chuckled. "I thought we were hanging out tonight, but even I would ditch us for that."

I nodded. "We need a little of that ourselves."

"Tell me about it." She nodded to the beat of the music.

My mind went back to the gorgeous guy I'd seen in the hall. He was there one minute and gone the next, all because I'd been distracted by shark guy rolling around on the floor at my feet. I groaned. "I might have possibly seen the most beautiful guy ever just outside the elevator."

She leaned in. "Tell me more."

"It was only for a second, but he had dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was there one minute and gone the next. If ever there was a guy to get my interest tonight . . . it'd be him."

She glanced around the club. "So, where is he?"

"I have no idea, but I'd love to find out." I took a sip of my drink and chuckled.

Saphira smacked her empty glass on the table and grinned. "When I get back from the bathroom, the hunt begins."

"Do you want me to go with you?" It was almost a rule to never go to the bathroom alone.

She shook her head. "Those damn lines are always too long. Keep an eye on Rhode with that potential stalker. I'll be right back."

"Okay, but if you're not back in like ten minutes, I'm going in after you."

She rolled her eyes and sauntered away. "Yes, mommmmm."

I glanced out to the dance floor where I saw Rhode pressed up against Mr. Hottie and smirked. It was about time she had some fun. I was about to take another sip when the guy from outside the elevator appeared right across from me. He rested his arms on the table and just stared. He was beautiful in a deadly kind of way, with his long midnight hair and piercing sapphire eyes. His face was all hard angles and smoldering good looks. I waited for him to say something, to invite me to dance or even buy me a drink.

When he said nothing, I sighed. "If you want the table, you're gonna have to wait."

He arched an eyebrow, and his lip curled in a cruel smirk. A chill ran down my spine, and I took a small step back, but he was around the table and in my face in seconds. He wrapped his hands around my wrist and yanked me toward him. My body slammed into his, and he held me there for a second, staring down at me.

My heart hammered in my chest. I jerked my arm back, but he didn't budge. He towered over me, all big and menacing. The smell of ash and dust filled my senses, and I pulled back even harder, trying to free my hand. A humorless chuckle escaped his lips, and he turned toward the dark trees in the corner of the room. I grabbed my glass off the table and waited for my moment to use it as a weapon.

He dragged me away from the table and into the thick of the crowd. I turned trying to find Rhode but there were too many people between us now. He was too big, too strong. People packed in around each other. Even though I was surrounded I never felt so alone. I raised my glass up and slammed it into the bare skin of his forearm. Glass shattered in my hand and across his skin. I felt the skin across my palm slice, and warm blood trickled down my fingers. A deep cut marred his skin and his own blood dripped down, yet his grip didn't loosen. Pins and needles pricked at my fingers with every passing second. His hand heated, and I felt my skin burn under his touch. When I glanced down again, the cut he had looked like it'd been burned shut. I closed my bloody hand into a fist and swung for his throat. He tipped his head back and caught my fist with his other hand. Hot! His grasp was so hot my skin it felt like I held it over a flame. I cried out, but the music was too loud and no one would hear me.

"Scream for me." He let my hand loose and hissed in my ear.

I pressed my lips together even as my stomach rolled. Scream for you? I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.My eyes darted around the room, searching out Rhode or even Saphira, but I couldn't see them. He'd pulled me past the dance floor now and toward a dark back corner of the club where fake trees stood too close together. I fumbled for my cell, trying to hit either of their numbers in my pocket. He grabbed my arm, and my cell flew from my pocket. It tumbled toward the ground covered in the drops of blood from my hand. He waved his hand and a sharp gust of wind caught my phone and sent it flying out the entrance like a leaf in the wind.

How the hell did he do that!?

I kicked out, connecting with the side of his knee. He didn't even flinch. He yanked me hard, and I flew into the side of a table and smacked my ribs against the corner. I winced as pain shot up my side. Yet I looked like any other drunk partygoer tripping and dancing. He wrapped his hand around my upper arms and threw me into a thick batch of trees where not even the purple laser lights would touch. I threw my arms out and caught myself and tried to stumble out to the crowd. A thick hand wound through my hair and around my curls and dragged me back even harder. Strands of my hair ripped from my head, and he shoved me toward the dark wall.

My cheek smacked it first, and I spun around trying to fight him off, but his hand caught around my throat and pinned me to the wall. He squeezed even harder, and the breath froze in my lungs. I felt him move in closer. Just when I thought he'd reach for my clothing and tear at it, he threw me toward the corner. I sucked in a ragged breath and waited for my face to hit the wall. Instead, I fell forward and felt myself being dragged through it. Dark-gray mist surrounded me as my stomach dropped and my head spun.

FALLING! I'M FALLING! My body spun feet over head, and I free-fell into oblivion for long moments. I slammed into the ground and skidded across what felt like tiny bladed rocks. I came to a halt and groaned as all kinds of aches covered me from head to toe. The temperature dropped, and everything felt wrong . . . completely wrong.

"What the hell happened?"

I peeked my eyes open, and he stood over me—tall and terrible with that sneer on his perfect face. "Welcome to Isramorta."