Men, women, even the bouncers at the door stopped to gape at me. The damn platform sandals exaggerated the cat walk my tigress naturally gave me. I hoped that was the reason they stared and not, absolutely not, because I was flashing a nipple.

Emme followed behind me, mimicking my movements…until she tripped walking in and landed face-first.

“Keep going,” Agnes urged. “She’s not worthy of your—”

“I get it,” I said through my teeth. “Just shut up and let me work.”

My eyes swept the area. Talk about sensory overload. The club was a massive sea of wall-to-wall people twerking. Red lasers cut through the dry-ice fog in time with a very obnoxious house mix. People screamed for the hell of it, or to seek the attention they desperately seemed to need.

I couldn’t wait to get out of there, but for that to happen I needed to find Dilip, and in this environment that was easier said than done. As much height as my platform sandals gave me, I couldn’t see over anyone’s head. Damnit, where was our inside man? “Agnes, I’m going to need some help here. Send in our guy.” She didn’t answer. “Agnes?”

“He’s gone.”

I played with my hair, trying not to react. “Out of the club?”

She huffed, but this time with worry. “I don’t know. He’s not responding.”

I tossed back my long hair, straightened within an inch of its life. “Are you sure he was already inside?”

“Yes. He was just on the line with Umar. But we can’t wait. Find Dilip.”

That was definitely going to be a problem. As it was, I could barely see past the wall of sweat-soaked clubbers dancing in front of me. “You sure he’s definitely here?”

“Yes. The mongrels spotted him walking in and are guarding all the exits.”

“Okay. Ten-four,” I said.

“Did you just say ten-four?”

“Oh, just cut me some slack, Agnes.”

Tye, a werelion and friend, passed me. He must have been one of those positioned to guard my back. Relief washed over me. I no longer felt so alone.

I didn’t think he noticed me until a deafening crash alerted me that he’d smacked right into a support beam. I glanced over my shoulder. Blood poured down his face and onto his gray T-shirt. He’d broken his nose, but he was too busy gawking at me to wipe it.

“Damn,” he said.

“Shit,” I muttered.

I hurried away from him, blushing. That earned me a bitchy reprimand from Agnes. “For the love of everything holy. Dilip doesn’t want a fucking virgin. He wants someone to ride him until his balls dangle to his knees. Get into character or kiss Shah goodbye!”

“I’m trying,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

I was moving so quickly I almost barreled into Shayna, who was carrying a tray full of drinks and wearing a small black skirt and tank. “Sorry, dude,” she said, apologizing. She skipped along without so much as a glance back to a table full of men waving to her. I paused. My own sister didn’t even recognize me. I must have dove headfirst out of Semi-Appropriate Street way into Slutville Lane with this damn dress.

“Celia, move,” Agnes snapped in my ear.

With a huff, I continued forward, using my annoyance to feign superiority. The horde of clubbers parted, allowing me through. When I was well into the center of the dance floor, I spotted Taran dancing in a cage elevated several feet from the floor. A tiny pair of leather shorts, a bustier, and thigh-high leather boots made up her uniform. Black elbow-length leather gloves covered both of her arms. If girlfriend was worried about chafing in those shorts, she didn’t show it. Taran wasn’t simply playing a role—she was owning it.

Several men circled the cage, urging her seductive shimmies when the sharp scent of fury stung my nose. I turned in the direction of the scent. Gemini and Koda sat at a table in the VIP section. Koda leaned toward him, saying something I didn’t catch.

His words to Gemini seemed to go unnoticed. Gemini was fixated on Taran, and furious at the men reaching in to stroke her legs. I knew he was moments from acting. I hurried forward to Taran’s cage.

I smiled and pretended to knock. She kicked open her cage and bent forward, draping her arm around my shoulders and allowing her long dark hair to partially cover us. The men around us cheered, assuming we were kissing.

Nice. Just nice.

She spoke fast. “Both our inside contacts are dead—including the guy who was supposed to bring you to Dilip. They just found their headless bodies covered with bite marks in the alleyway.”

“Vamps?”

“No. Small bites as if eaten by rats—it’s up to you to get Dilip’s attention. He’s in the opposite corner. VIP section. Right side.”

“Gemini’s watching you and he’s really pissed,” I warned.

“I don’t give a shit,” she said.

She abruptly released me and grabbed the guy closest to her by the collar, kissing him hard. The kiss was brief and closed-mouth, but it was still a kiss in front of her furious mate.

“Get me a drink,” she ordered. She scratched between her breasts and then returned to her seductive dance.

“Do you want a drink?” his buddy asked me as Taran’s new friend raced off.

I ignored him and moved fast. What the hell? I knew Taran was playing a role, but Gem was seconds from mauling someone.

I moved in the direction Taran indicated, taking my time to get into character. I licked my lips, added more sway to my walk, and tossed my hair. “Did you get that?” I muttered.

“Yes. And now we lost Umar the same way.”

My steps slowed. “I just left him.”

“I know. Shah must know Dilip’s enemies are here. He’s trying to protect him.”

“I can see that, but what’s up with the bite marks?”

“Who the hell knows? Dilip must be getting more creative with how he orders Shah to kill for him.”

“Asshole.”

“Yes, he is. But try not to see him as such. Your magic and your intentions for the greater good may be enough to keep Shah from recognizing you as Dilip’s enemy. But the more you want to hurt him, the quicker that can change. Focus on stopping him and snatching his phone and you should be okay. Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I muttered.

“Just find Dilip, Celia. We’re running out of time.”