Lights, Cameras, Grand Opening!

MADDIE

I felt like a fucking movie star.

Spotlights lit up the sky, limos pulled to the front of the casino, and everyone’s attention was on ~me~.

Okay…maybe not just me.

But with the grand opening of the casino came the glory and the adulation. If this thing really did go off without a hitch, we were sitting on an instant gold mine.

The lobby was filled with people, most of them already indulging in a game or two. If the crowd kept up, we would be packed to capacity by the end of the night.

Loch and Hael were nowhere to be seen—likely either schmoozing with partiers or watching the festivities from their private boardroom.

I felt a pat on my shoulder and noticed Harry rushing by. He gave me a thumbs-up as he shot past me, heading toward the VIP section.

A waiter passed by, and I grabbed a flute of champagne off his tray. I admired the way the golden bubbles accentuated my emerald green cocktail dress in their reflection. The dress was highlighted with gold trim and a long slit up the side exposed my leg.

I downed the glass and set it aside, only to grab another as a different waiter passed by.

Everything was going surprisingly well for such an extravagant opening, and it had me slightly on edge.

~Nothing ever works out this well…~

I shook away the thought as a fresh wave of hors d’oeuvres infiltrated the lobby.

Guests oohed and aahed at the selection. Darshan and his crew were cooking up a master class in finger foods.

I was able to take a glance at the menu and couldn’t pronounce half the options… Tonight’s feast would be absolutely tits!

“You look gorgeous,” Silver’s voice suddenly called out beside me.

To my surprise, Storm and Silver were standing with champagne glasses in hand, dressed to the absolute nines.

Silver wore a tight—cough—silver sequined dress that sparkled in the light.

I gave her a hug and felt the weight of her dress. After a second glance, I realized the sequins were actually diamonds.

Storm was just as impressive, wearing a jet-black suit with diamonds lining the lapels and buttons. His white beard was trimmed neatly, and his long hair was tied up in a bun.

For beings over a thousand years old, they both looked damn good…

“I can’t believe you both made it! Do dragons like to play the slots?”

Silver and Storm laughed at my silly joke before finishing off their champagne.

“If there’s money involved,” Silver said, “then dragons are always interested.”

“We’ll see you around,” Storm added. “Hopefully after we’ve hit the jackpot.”

I watched them walk away until they were lost in the crowd.

A woman with purple hair was leading a young man with a collar around the room. I rolled my eyes as they made their way toward me.

“Hey, sis,” Adara said with a smirk. “Heard you broke in the VIP room for us.”

~Loch and Hael can’t keep a fucking secret.~

I smiled, even though my first inclination was to groan and roll my eyes again. I nodded to Darren, who kept looking around at the casino in awe.

“Congratulations, Maddie!” he exclaimed. “This place is absolutely incredible. It’ll be bigger than Club Emerald in no time.”

Adara grabbed the leash connected to Darren’s collar and tugged hard.

“That’s enough talking,” she said huskily. “The VIP lounge is calling.”

“They’re an ~interesting~ couple,” Dane said warily, appearing at my side. Aneurin was right next to him sharing a similar expression of unease.

I hadn’t seen them since we were last in the Skeleton Quarter.

Dane and Aneurin were looking sharp in suits while Summer dazzled on their arms, wearing a flowing tangerine dress.

“What would it take to get you to wear a collar?” Aneurin asked his mate.

Summer blushed as she gave both of them kisses.

“Why would I need something like that when I have ~this~.”

She pointed to the pendant on her necklace. The diamond that hung on the gold chain was beyond compare. I’d never seen a piece of jewelry so dazzlingly beautiful.

“I hope that you all have a great night,” I said. “If you need anything at all, come find me.”

“It’s nice to have friends in such high places,” Dane teased.

“Give me a few more hours,” I replied. “Then I’ll be on top of the world.”

Damn, it felt good to be on top. Did Loch and Hael ~always~ feel this way?

I continued my walk through the lobby, surrounded on all sides by people. But there was still someone I’d yet to see…

I pulled out my phone and checked again: still no sign of Zayda, and she’d never responded to my texts.

Was it possible she didn’t want anything to do with me?

ZAYDA

The spotlights shot into the air, lighting up the night sky.

I stared at the open mouth of the dragon’s head, the yellow eyes looking into my soul. Lifelike fangs and scales highlighted just how much was put into this new venture.

Unlike the people streaming inside, I was still unsure whether I should join the party or disappear into the night.

I hadn’t responded to Maddie’s texts, and for all she knew I was back at Xander U.

As a chilly breeze blew down the street, I pulled the fur shawl around my shoulders. If I went home now, the evening spent getting ready would have been for nothing.

“Name?” the bouncer asked.

“Zayda.”

The burly man looked me over before checking the list. Finally, he stepped aside and pulled back the velvet rope that was cordoning the entrance.

I stepped inside, and what I saw took my breath away.

Everything was lit up so brightly that it felt as if the room was on ~fire~.

Even though I’d put on my best dress and shawl, I still felt underdressed compared to the high rollers at the casino.

I had only taken a few steps into the lobby when a young woman with red hair caught my attention.

Maddie stopped in mid-stride and turned to look at me as if she could feel my presence.

She looked surprised and more than a little uncomfortable. But after a few seconds, she smiled.

I walked toward her and hugged her in a light embrace. It seemed like she was hesitant to return the hug, but eventually, she did.

“Zayda!” she squealed. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

I looked at her cautiously, not wanting to let my guard down so quickly.

“It’s good to be here,” I replied. “You look great.”

Maddie looked at her dress before shaking her head fervently.

“Nothing like you,” she said. “You’re absolutely stunning.”

I knew she was lying. My belly stuck out like a sore thumb, and I was having trouble walking in my new heels.

But it was nice to hear it from her, regardless of whether she was telling the truth. Just like I was glad to have been invited, even if I didn’t feel like I belonged.

Maddie put her hand on my back and began to lead me to a less crowded area.

Outside of the main lobby, I felt like I could finally breathe a little.

“How have you been?” she asked.

There were a few moments of silence before I shrugged.

“Things have been difficult,” I admitted, without getting into too much detail. “I’ve been able to keep him…awake…and that’s a blessing in and of itself.”

Maddie’s eyes betrayed her smile. I could tell she didn’t believe that anything about my life was a blessing.

But as she reached out and touched my arm, I felt energy pass from her to me. There was still warmth and caring between us. It’d just gotten lost in all the bullshit.

“I’m glad that you’re doing good,” she said. “We’re still friends, no matter what happened. And the baby looks like it’s about ready to burst out now!”

I laughed and patted my massive bump.

“If it did happen now, I don’t think I’d be surprised.”

Maddie looked as if she was starting to loosen up around me when Loch and Hael appeared out of nowhere.

“May we steal you for a little while?” Hael asked.

“We had fun watching the partyers,” Loch added. “But now it’s time for ~us~ to have some fun.”

They grabbed Maddie and motioned for her to join them.

“I’m sorry, Zayda,” she said as she was pulled away. “It’s so great seeing you!”

I waved, but it was too late. Maddie was already lost to the crowd.

After a few moments of silently sitting in a chair in the corner, I decided it would be best to leave.

“I thought I saw you,” Storm’s said, accosting me before I could get up.

I sighed, suddenly feeling weak and tired.

“I don’t want to talk about curses or babies,” I warned. “Tonight is supposed to help me forget all of that for at least a few hours.”

“I understand your weariness,” he replied. “But, I’ve had troubling visions regarding your baby.”

Great…more visions.

I stood up and began to head toward the still-growing crowd, but was stopped by Storm’s strong hand.

“If you continue down this path, you will end up in the same situation as Freesia. And that would spell doom for all dragons.”

I spun around and glared into Storm’s eyes.

“I don’t give a damn about your concerns,” I replied. “And I’m nothing like Freesia. I’m not a murderer!”

The music playing from the speakers mixed with the noise of the crowd. Suddenly, everything in my field of vision began to shrink into a small tunnel. Every step I took felt less and less confident.

I’d had enough. Without wasting any more time, I ran toward the fresh night air and didn’t look back.

MADDIE

Loch held up the dice to my lips, and I blew seductively.

“Let’s go lucky number seven,” I shouted.

Loch tossed the dice on the table, and the anticipation was exhilarating. When they rolled to a stop, I started to jump with joy.

“Seven it is,” the dealer called out. “The lady’s on a roll.”

Loch grumbled under his breath, annoyed that all of the attention was falling on me. I gave him a kiss and then felt Hael’s presence on my other side.

Without a word, I turned and kissed him hard, reveling in cheers from the crowd.

If this was what owning a casino was like, I didn’t think I’d ever want to go home…

I looked for a waiter carrying champagne, but what I saw instead caused me to gasp.

A shock of blue hair was moving through the crowd…hair that looked similar to ~Nautica’s~.

My stomach began to sink as it tightened into a knot.

I took off without telling my mates, eyes searching for the blue hair.

Every step I took was impeded by the raucous crowd, and soon I was lost in the throng of people.

~Maybe it was just a ghost.~

Suddenly, I heard a commotion from the far side of the casino floor. A young man with brown hair was standing on a table, holding what looked to be a ~sword~ high in the air.

“For Xander!” the man said.

Seconds later, the casino lobby was filled with swords pointed to the ceiling.

“For Xander!” voices cried back.

Glamorous suits and dresses were ripped away, revealing clothing painted with the symbol of Freesia’s Rock.

“Slayers attack!”

Without warning, the crowd erupted into chaos. People were screaming and running, not caring who they took down.

Several guests were knocked to the ground and trampled on as everyone stampeded for the exits.

A scream nearby pierced the air, sending chills down my spine.

I searched the area for the owner of the voice and found a woman lying in a pool of blood.

“Adara!” I shrieked, running toward her.

I held her head in my hands as her blood continued to blossom out from beneath her body, spreading across the tiled floor.