Fae by Jennifer Bene Page B

because it would make anyone feel a little invincible, a little brave, a little wild. At low levels it would make them hot, and the heat would spread out to their limbs and made their mind fuzzy. When they built them up, or when Fae took a dose as large as she’d just drank, it was much stronger. It made you want to laugh, and dance, and after a while it made you want to climb into bed with the nearest option as the heat focused between your thighs and became a pounding need.

“Good luck tonight.” Ebere had stepped up right behind Fae, and she snapped her head up from looking into the empty glass, waiting for the heat to wash over her.
    “You too, Eb, keep yourself safe.” Fae smiled and Ebere gripped her hand.
    “How about you focus on keeping yourself safe tonight, eh?” She grinned before letting go and turning around to face Butler who had stepped back into the kitchen. Just as he clapped his hands together and held the door open for them, heat blossomed in Fae’s belly and spiraled up her back.
    It was time for the party.

Chapter Six
    Ráj Manor, Caledon, Ontario
    Walking across the cold tile of the foyer felt good on Fae’s feet. Her skin was flushed from the Oblivion and the heat made her contemplate what laying down in the foot of snow outside would feel like. There was music coming from the closed doors to the parlor, mostly instrumental with a heavy bass line that could be felt through the floor. As the group of slaves got closer to the doors, Butler opened one side and hypnotic wordless vocals could be heard intermingled with the music.
    The parlor was a huge room with a wall of windows along the front of the house, and fire reflected in the windows from the large fireplace. It was all dark wood and expensive leather chairs and couches. Thick curtains hung by the windows, but they were pulled away so that the snow could be seen outside. Most of the guests had removed their jackets and were lounging around the room in their button-downs. Some had already rolled their sleeves up to adjust to the warmth of the room, but for those high on Oblivion the heat was dizzying. Fae’s blood flushed in her cheeks as the guests turned like wolves catching the scent of sheep.
    She took deep, steadying breaths to try and counter the early effects of the Oblivion. Her skin was breaking out in a sheen of sweat, her pulse was pounding just under her skin, and even the brush of the dress against her body had her tingling like static rushing over her.
    Dim lamps had been placed around the room, but they allowed for plenty of dark corners. The pool table in one corner was being set up for a game and cigars were being passed out to the guests.
    Caridee found her favorite place behind the bar in the corner, swaying to the beat as the Oblivion took its hold. She was already leaning across the bar to smile at the guest in front of her before she made his drink. The best way to get the night over was to dive in, so Fae walked forward until one of the men at the pool table waved her over. She let the false smile slip over her lips, letting her hips roll as she walked towards him.
    “Hello.” She tilted her head as she stopped next to him. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled. He was a larger man with curly dark hair and Fae didn’t resist the urge to return the favor, reaching forward to run her hand through his hair. The brief contact was already sending static-like tingles across her skin.
    “Want to help us play?” he asked and Fae smiled. “I’ll take that smile as a yes. Rack it up!”
    Fae grabbed a pool cue and watched as the other man set up the game. For a moment she considered breaking the cue and killing the four men standing around the table, way before Nikola could stop her with a direct command. It would be exhilarating to do it, to feel the rush of battle again, but it would be a short-lived victory followed by so much pain – and it was the exact opposite of what Ebere had asked her to