"Hey, you! New girl!"
I turned toward the voice.
"VIP. Now!"
I took one last look at myself in the mirror.
Tonight, I wasn't Rita Stevens.
Tonight, I was Rita Rain.
My short green wig framed my face with an edgy cut that made me look nothing like the girl I'd been growing up.
My outfit was all black leather.
A fitted leather shirt with a zipper that held everything together.
A tiny leather skirt.
Neon-green stockings wrapped around my legs.
And combat boots that completed the look.
Edgy.
Sexy.
Dangerous.
At least, that's what I was going for.
And judging by the looks I was getting?
I had nailed it.
My confidence soared.
It was my first night working at The Circle, and everyone here was beautiful.
Beautiful vampires.
Beautiful blood servants.
Beautiful dancers.
But I had already noticed something.
I stood out.
I could see blood servants carrying glasses of blood to their vampire masters while subtly positioning themselves between their masters and me.
I couldn't help but smile.
Hehe.
It was kind of amusing.
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
My smile disappeared.
Manager Zhi stood beside me with a warning look.
"Behave. We have a very special guest tonight, and he specifically requested you."
My confidence immediately dropped about ten points.
"Yes, Mr. Zhi."
He looked me over.
"And don't offend him."
"I understand."
I hesitated before asking the question that had been bothering me.
"Who is the big boss?"
Zhi stared at me.
"Master Ezra."
"WHAT?!"
I nearly tripped over my own boots.
My confidence vanished.
Completely.
Who didn't know Ezra Vlancur?
He was the first son of Doran Vlancur, one of the most powerful business tycoons in Asteria.
The Vlancurs were one of the Three Great Families.
The Vlancurs.
The Santonis.
The Cruels.
Three ancient vampire bloodlines.
Three families that had existed long before most humans even knew vampires were real.
And Ezra Vlancur?
He was infamous.
Cold.
Ruthless.
Unpredictable.
And known for having a terrible temper.
"He'll kill me."
I grabbed Zhi's arm.
"I can't go."
Zhi sighed.
"Listen. When you asked for this job, I told you exactly what The Circle was."
He gestured toward the club around us.
"We entertain the most powerful elites in Asteria. They come here expecting to be served according to their every whim."
"But—"
"You stood out too much on your first night."
I looked down at my outfit.
Okay.
Fair.
"If you please him, he could become your patron."
My stomach tightened.
A patron.
That was exactly what I needed.
Someone powerful enough to help me find the vampire who hurt Eliot.
Zhi continued.
"Your beauty is what got you the job."
He pointed toward the VIP hallway.
"Now use it."
I swallowed.
"Use my charm."
"Exactly."
I stared at the VIP door.
I curse myself for being so beautiful.
Then I started walking.
Every step toward that door made my heart beat faster.
But I couldn't turn around.
Not now.
Not when I was this close.
If Ezra Vlancur really could help me find the vampire who hurt Eliot…
I had to take the chance.
Even if it killed me.