Simon stood frozen, pinned by the oppressive weight of Cassian's gaze. The air in the club's VIP room felt thick, charged with an energy that made his skin prickle. Cassian, with his sharp smile and eyes glowing like embers, leaned toward him.
"So, rookie," the vampire said, his voice smooth but heavy with an authority that rattled Simon's bones. "Clara, huh? That's all you want? Her soul? You could ask for so much more…"
Simon clenched his teeth, feeling the faint hum of the Ghost System in his mind.
"I just want Clara's soul. That's it," he replied, his tone steady despite the chill creeping down his spine.
Cassian tilted his head, like a predator sizing up its prey. His smile didn't waver, but there was something in his eyes—a mix of amusement and danger—that made Simon want to back away. Yet the vampire only laughed, a deep sound that filled the room.
"Straight to the point. I like that," Cassian said, rising from his chair with an almost unnatural grace. "You've got guts, rookie. And for now, you've earned my respect."
He paused, stepping closer until their faces were inches apart.
"You're welcome here anytime. This club's always open to those who know how to play… But watch out for Clara. Wandering souls with unfinished business are the most dangerous."
Simon swallowed hard, the weight of those words hitting like a carved warning. Before he could respond, Cassian turned and opened the VIP room door, gesturing for him to leave.
"Go on, rookie. Savor your win. For now."
Simon stepped out, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and adrenaline.
'I did it. I won. I paid my debt to Clara.' But Cassian's words echoed in his mind, planting a seed of doubt. What did the vampire know about the redhead that he didn't?
The club's dance floor was at its peak, with strobe lights slicing through the darkness and figures moving to a beat that seemed to pulse in the soul.
Simon pushed forward, still rattled from his encounter with Cassian, when he bumped into someone. A girl, facing away, spun around sharply, her purple eyes flashing with irritation.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" she snapped, her voice cutting. But when she saw him, her expression shifted, as if she recognized something in him.
Her dark hair fell in messy waves, and there was something ethereal about her movements, like she wasn't fully tethered to the physical world.
Simon recognized her instantly: the girl he'd seen earlier in the club, the one who seemed to vanish into the crowd.
"Sorry, I…" he started, but she cut him off, narrowing her eyes.
"Wait… You shouldn't be here. You're a hum—" Her voice broke off as Simon, a knot tightening in his stomach, gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to a quieter corner of the club, away from prying eyes.
"Please," he whispered, his voice low but urgent. "Don't say anything. I don't want trouble."
The girl eyed him with a mix of curiosity and caution but didn't pull away.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone softer now, almost concerned. "Anyone in this place would try to kill you… or worse, snag your soul if they knew what you are."
Simon let out a nervous laugh, drumming his fingers against his leg to steady himself.
"Trust me, I've figured out this place is a death trap. But I'm fine, okay? Just… keep it quiet."
She tilted her head, studying him with a mischievous grin.
"Alright, I can keep a secret. I'm Aisling, by the way." Her words came out in a rapid, playful rush, her movements constant, almost fidgety, like she couldn't stay still.
"And before you ask, I'm not a ghost, even if I look like one. I'm a Leanan Sidhe, kind of a… muse, I guess. Straight out of old Irish tales. I inspire humans, make 'em shine… and, well, I'm here 'cause I love the vibe of this place. Plus, you can't beat the snacks around here! This city's always got…" She trailed off abruptly, as if realizing she'd said too much, and giggled, quickly changing the subject.
"And you're… what? A human who can waltz into a place like this? That's a new one."
Simon blinked, his fingers pausing as he processed her words, caught up in Aisling's infectious energy.
"I'm Simon. And, uh… let's just say I'm here doing a favor." He didn't want to spill more, but something about Aisling's hyperactivity and scattered charm put him at ease.
"A favor, huh?" Aisling said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Sounds like trouble. But you know what? I like you. Not every day you meet a guy who struts through a monster-filled club like it's no big deal."
She giggled, her eyes glinting with a sharpness that belied her carefree vibe.
The conversation flowed easily, and Simon found himself laughing at Aisling's quips, her thoughts jumping from one topic to the next like a spark.
For a moment, he forgot the danger around him. Until a familiar presence snapped him out of it.
"Rookie," Cassian said, appearing at his side with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He leaned in, his voice low and laced with a warning dressed as a joke.
"Don't stir up trouble in my club. Quit chatting up muses before your girlfriend gets… inventive. Knowing Clara, she'd probably find a way to snuff out even a Leanan Sidhe's spark." He let out a laugh, but his words left a chilling echo. Then he turned to Aisling, his tone sharpening. "And you, get back to work. The kid's under my protection."
Aisling rolled her eyes, but her grin didn't fade.
"Yeah, yeah, boss," she shot back playfully, winking at Simon before slipping into the crowd.
'Why would I need protection…? She seems harmless,' Simon thought, before turning around.
And there, across the club, he saw her. Clara. Her eyes glowed a fierce red, her crimson hair blazing under the lights.
The shadows around her twisted, taking on terrifying shapes, as if bending to her mood. Her voice cut through his mind via the Ghost System, cold and sharp:
"Done yet? Time to go."
Simon felt a shiver.
"Uh, yeah, sure," he mumbled. He glanced back to where Aisling had been, but she'd already melted into the crowd.
He gave Cassian an awkward wave, the vampire flashing one last razor-sharp smile.
"Come back anytime, rookie. There's always a seat at the table for you."
Simon forced a grin and walked off, feeling Cassian's gaze on his back. He found Clara near the threshold to the real world, a barely visible portal humming with strange energy. She stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"Thanks," Clara said suddenly, her voice softer than usual. "For what you did back there. I know it wasn't easy."
Simon scratched the back of his neck, uneasy.
"Yeah, well… I couldn't leave you stuck with that guy, could I? But, hey, how'd you end up losing your soul to Cassian?"
Clara looked away, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"It was stupid," she admitted finally. "When I was alive, I didn't believe in this stuff. Vampires, souls, contracts… I thought it was a game. Cassian challenged me to a bet. I had nothing to offer, so I wagered my soul, thinking it wasn't real. But when I died…" Her voice faded, her eyes hardening. "He preys on people like me. The ones who don't believe."
Simon frowned, piecing it together.
"So that's why you needed me. You couldn't face him directly."
Clara nodded, but her expression shifted, sharpening.
"By the way, I didn't like how you were talking to that girl back there. Aisling, right? I don't know what's up with you two, but I'm not a fan."
Simon blinked, caught off guard.
"What? We were just talking. Why do you care?"
Clara crossed her arms, looking away with a expression that didn't quite sell it.
"It's just… I don't want you making Katherine look bad, you know? If she saw you like that, she'd think you're flirting with every girl in sight." Her words came out fast, almost forced, a slight blush betraying her.
Simon's cheeks warmed.
"Katherine? Seriously? We're not…" He shook his head, chuckling softly. "We're not a couple, Clara."
She glanced at him sideways, saying nothing, and they stood in silence by the threshold.
The real world was just a step away, but for a moment, neither moved, caught in the tension of unspoken words.