I grinned at Selwyn and gestured to the heavy wooden doors we stood in front of. The infamous Dusk Blush. Even in the wealthy district, the establishment stood apart, a gaudy monument to excess and indulgence. Pink dominated every inch of the fa?ade. I had to admire the branding. No one could mistake this place for anything else.

  "I believe this is your domain? After you, brother."

  Selwyn looked up at the exterior, his shoulders tensing. He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to push the doors open. I moved to follow, letting out a hoot of laughter as the doors began to shut again in my face. I ducked through before they could close on me.

  "Really brother? So petty. What's gotten under your skin?"

  My heartbeat quickened with anticipation as we entered. Inside the air carried scents of expensive liquor, subtle perfumes, and something earthy beneath it all. Nothing like my usual haunts, but it had an allure I couldn't deny.

  Ignoring my question, Selwyn headed straight for the bar where a demon woman stood. I froze mid-step, the calculated approach I'd been silently rehearsing vanishing from my mind entirely. Her skin was a deep rose-pink, rich and vibrant in the bar's warm light. Golden hair cascaded down her back, catching firelight with every subtle movement. She wore authority as comfortably as the velvet dress that hugged her form.

  Her cut horns were smooth, elegant rises from her hairline, not hidden or disguised but displayed with defiance.

  A human male and a young demon girl sat at the bar, hanging on her every word. She lifted her gaze to acknowledge us, holding up one finger in a silent request for us to wait.

  After a moment more of conversation, the man and the other young lady stood. Taking his hand, she led him through a side door, deeper into the building. I caught a glimpse of a corridor lined with doors before it closed behind them.

  As the door clicked shut, the woman turned her attention to us. Her first glance was assessing, those golden eyes sweeping over me like a physical touch. There was no attempt to soften the inspection, no pretense of coy interest. I was being evaluated, my wealth, my danger, my potential. It should have offended me. Instead, I found myself straightening under her gaze, wanting to meet whatever standard she was measuring.

  When her focus shifted to Selwyn, something changed. The hard edges of her expression gentled, replaced by genuine warmth and a hint of playful affection.

  "You know that you don't get a discount for being a frequent customer." Her voice was rich and melodic, with an accent that curved around the words.

  "Don't I know it. If anything, it costs me more." Selwyn chuckled good-naturedly.

  She noticed me standing beside him, her gaze shifting with interest. She laid her hands on the bench, the top of her dress gaping open as she leaned forward, her eyes trained on me.

  "You're new. I'm Annabeth, Mistress of the Dusk Blush." A pause, her gaze intensifying. "And I do mean that quite seriously."

  "What, blush?"

  "Mistress." Her chin lifted as she held my gaze, a challenge in her eyes.

  I stepped forward, offering my hand to her. "Jacobi Velez, Selwyn's brother."

  Annabeth shook my hand and let her eyes linger over me. "His big brother?" She let her claws dig lightly into the flesh of my hand.

  I arched an eyebrow at her, and she gave me an open, innocent look that didn't match the predatory gleam in her eyes. My pulse quickened at the calculated risk she was taking, marking my skin while maintaining plausible deniability.

  Selwyn cleared his throat and we dropped our hands with a quick shared grin. I tucked away the memory of her touch for later consideration.

  "I'd like to have a chat with you at some point, Annabeth. Perhaps when we're not in the middle of family drama." My voice came out lower than I intended, carrying a weight that surprised even me.

  "Pillow talk? I'm all yours, sweetheart." Her voice was honey-sweet, eyes remaining sharp.

  I gave a little laugh.

  Annabeth turned her attention to both of us. "What are you boys in the mood for today? I guarantee whatever it is, we have something suitable for those desires." She turned to face Selwyn, eyes flicking back to me, curious and probing.

  Selwyn's shoulders stiffened. "Just business today. We are looking for someone. We were told that they might have come here."

  Annabeth's posture shifted, her guard rising. "There's a couple of problems with that. First of all, I would need far more information, and would I betray my clients' trust and give you information on them?"

  I noticed Selwyn's fists clench at his sides, the knuckles whitening. His patience was wearing thin. I stepped forward, inserting myself between them. "We are looking after one of our assets, and it's a demon."

  Both of us were taken aback by the peal of bitter laughter that escaped Annabeth. Her amusement seemed genuine, if tinged with anger.

  "Typical humans. We don't all know each other! Even in this city, there are hundreds of Naerithi that I haven't met."

  "As for your asset..." She bit the word out as though it tasted foul on her tongue. "Perhaps you should take better care of your things."

  I held her gaze as Selwyn let out a frustrated sound from between his gritted teeth. The tension in the room thickened.

  Her eyes narrowed, voice cooling to winter. "And it's not 'demon.' We are Naerithi. I won't continue this conversation if you can't manage that basic courtesy."

  I paused, something in her tone making me reconsider my usual patterns of speech. It wasn't just about getting information anymore, I wanted her respect, strange as that realization was.

  I measured my words carefully, watching her reaction. "You may not know everyone, but do you know a Naerithi named Joy?"

  A small smirk crawled onto my face as I saw recognition flicker in Annabeth's eyes, though she kept her expression even. Her pupils dilated slightly, clear as day.

  "Remind me to invite you to my next cards night, Miss Annabeth. Your tells are as clear as any I've ever seen."

  Annabeth averted her gaze from us, and while she shrugged nonchalantly, I noted her claws digging into her arms as she looked away. The gesture was achingly familiar.

  "She does that too. When she's upset." I pointed to her upper arms, where her claws dug into flesh. "Can you help us?"

  "I don't know where she has gone. She was here days ago. But I wouldn't tell you if I did know." Annabeth dropped her arms, letting them hit her sides, her expression hardening.

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  Selwyn tilted his head back, looking up at the rafters. I could see the veins pulsing at the side of his neck as he tried to keep his temper under control. This wasn't his usual frustration, there was a darkness simmering beneath his skin that I'd rarely glimpsed before. My gentle brother was capable of violence when pushed too far, and we were rapidly approaching that line.

  "Annabeth," I stepped forward, trying to casually position myself between her and Selwyn. "We know what she is doing, and we know why, but we can't let her..."

  I was cut off by the front door opening behind me. What caught my attention, however, was the splash of rainbow light that glittered against the bar and the far wall, early afternoon sunlight reflecting through sparkling gems. My heart leapt.

  I turned, hope quickening my pulse. Three Naerithi forms stood in the doorframe, silhouetted against the sunlight. None of them had Joy's distinctive white hair. Disappointment crashed through me, followed by a surge of renewed determination.

  Annabeth took the opportunity to move back behind the bar, putting space and solid objects between herself and us. A strategic move.

  The laughter of the Naerithi women entering the building was cut off by a glare from Annabeth. "You know better than to come through the front."

  "We're sorry Annabeth! We didn't think there would be anyone here this early." One of the women stepped forward, her single broken horn distinct against her silhouette.

  Annabeth waved her hand at us dismissively. "They're not paying customers. Obey my rules next time."

  Another of the Naerithi stepped forward, walking towards Selwyn with a familiar sway to her hips. "Oh, this one certainly is a customer."

  Selwyn's jaw tightened visibly. "Not now, Jessie."

  Jessie tilted her head at Selwyn coquettishly. But then my attention was drawn to something around her neck, a glint of purple that made my blood run cold. My vision narrowed, focusing on that shimmer of light.

  "You. Come here." My voice emerged softer than usual, dangerous in its quietness. I felt a change come over me, something primal rising to the surface.

  Jessie looked at me, her eyes searching for recognition. Finding none, she stepped up to me anyway. I could see Annabeth move out from behind the bar again, starting towards us with alarm in her eyes.

  My hand lashed out and grabbed Jessie around the throat, but my grip was loose. She didn't try to escape, but just watched me with wary eyes. Presumably she'd had worse done by clients. A dark flash in my mind wondered just how far she'd let me get, and my grip tightened slightly in response before I caught myself.

  I shot a quick glare at Annabeth. "Care to explain this?"

  I tilted Jessie's head back, revealing the familiar purple Garrthor gem-studded collar sparkling around her neck. Joy's collar. My collar. The one I had placed around Joy's throat myself, the one that marked her as mine.

  My chest tightened painfully. What had happened to Joy?

  Annabeth stepped up next to me, and her eyes moved from the Velez crest pendant on the collar to the matching crest ring on the hand I had around Jessie's throat. Understanding dawned in her expression.

  She turned her head to look at me, and I could see an uneasiness in her eyes. "Keep holding her."

  Annabeth moved behind Jessie and unbuckled the collar from her neck. Her hands brushed against my fingers as my grip remained firm around Jessie's throat. Annabeth looked up and met my eyes, something unspoken passing between us. She reached over Jessie's shoulder and handed me the collar.

  I released Jessie's throat, taking the collar with trembling fingers. My angry glare moved between both women, demanding answers.

  We all jumped as a harsh scraping sound echoed through the room. Selwyn had dragged two chairs up behind us, slamming them down into place with a loud bang. His patience had clearly run out.

  I barely recognized my brother in that moment. The gentle, hesitant Selwyn had vanished, replaced by someone harder, colder. His eyes were flat, his movements precise and threatening. It was like watching a mask slip, revealing something primal beneath.

  I nodded to him and then crossed my arms, the collar clutched tightly in my fist. "Sit."

  Jessie immediately dropped into the seat behind her. I looked over to Annabeth, gesturing to the chair behind her. "You too."

  "Explain. Quickly." My voice was low, controlled. Inside, I was anything but.

  Jessie's eyes were fixed on the ground. I stepped forward, kneeling in front of her, moving into her downcast gaze. "Where did you get that collar?"

  "It was a gift. I didn't steal it." Jessie's teeth worried at her bottom lip, fingers twisting together in her lap.

  "You know we don't accept gifts, Jessie. The customers pay the agreed price, that's it." She turned back to look at me, expression serious. "Gifts lead to hostility between the girls. Things are kept fair here between everyone."

  I nodded, understanding the business logic, but my focus remained singular. "Again, where did you get that collar? From whom?"

  Jessie clutched a hand around her throat where the collar had previously been, as though protecting herself.

  "Dario Montilio."

  The name meant nothing to me, but I committed it to memory. I shot a look at Annabeth who shook her head.

  "I don't know that name."

  "He's not a customer here. We meet at his place. He's sweet." Jessie sulked back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Annabeth jumped to her feet and spun around to look at Jessie, genuine anger flashing across her face.

  "Jessie! You CAN'T take on private clients!"

  "Apparently I can." Jessie tossed her head, defiance in every line of her body.

  "Didn't you notice the Velez crest? Of course it was stolen!"

  "It was a gift to me. I didn't steal it."

  The scene resembled a teenager being scolded by her parents. But that observation floated distant in my mind, secondary to the cold fear spreading through me. If Joy's collar was here, where was she? What had happened to her?

  I shook my head, forcing clarity into my thoughts. "No, this is actually good."

  Standing, I looked down at the girl and nodded to Selwyn, who moved up behind the chair, looming over it. Jessie had the good grace to look uncomfortable, trapped between us.

  "So, little one, where does this man live?"

  Jessie looked around at the three of us standing over her, a panicked expression on her face. Jessie's eyes widened in panic. She pointed at Annabeth. "You said we don't betray a client's trust!"

  Annabeth paused, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she organized her thoughts. Frustration was clear on her face.

  "Jessie, he's not my client, and you're no longer my employee. You don't follow my rules, you're no longer protected by my name. Answer the question."

  I studied Annabeth's expression, noting her ease in discarding what should have been a valuable asset.

  Annabeth grabbed Jessie's arm and yanked her to her feet. "Now, get out and show these gentlemen where Mister Montilio lives."

  She propelled the girl towards the door, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched Jessie stumble against the still-open door frame. "Don't you ever dare to come back through my doorway."

  I glanced at Selwyn, and we raised our eyebrows at each other before stepping forward to stand on either side of Annabeth.

  "I would suggest not running. It doesn't usually end well." My voice dropped to a cold whisper.

  "Come on, when we know what's going on, we can go our separate ways." Selwyn walked up to Jessie, who stood leaning against the doorframe, and took her by the arm.

  I turned and gave Annabeth a tight smile. A distant part of me regretted that our first meeting had to be under these circumstances. There was something compelling about her, something I wanted to explore further.

  "Come back again in better circumstances. I'll give you a proper apology for this trouble." Her lips brushed my cheek, lingering a moment too long. The warmth of her breath caressed my ear.

  "What are you two doing just standing around? Go get ready for work! We're a girl down tonight." She winked at me as she turned and walked back to her place behind the bar, calling out to the two other Naerithi girls who had come in with Jessie.

  I joined Selwyn and Jessie in the doorway, the collar heavy in my hand. With a final glance over my shoulder at Annabeth, we walked out into the late afternoon sun, letting the door shut behind us.

  As we stepped into the street, I tucked Joy's collar carefully into my inner pocket. The weight of it felt wrong in my hand rather than around her neck.

  "Where to now?" Selwyn asked Jessie, his voice still carrying that unfamiliar edge.

  As the Naerithi girl began to stammer out directions, I found myself staring down at my hands. Joy's collar had been taken. Stolen. The thought of what might have happened to allow that theft made my blood run cold. Joy wouldn't surrender it. The collar was more than ownership—it was a promise between us.Wasn’t it?

  I looked up, darkness settling over me like a second skin. "...take you there," Jessie was saying, her voice thin with fear.

  "Let's not waste any more time, then. Lead the way." I took a step closer, finding a strange calm in my growing rage.

  The afternoon sun seemed suddenly dimmer, the streets longer and more treacherous. Whatever lightheartedness I'd felt during our search was gone. In its place was a growing certainty that when we found Joy, everything would change. I only hoped we weren't too late.