The Velvet Grotto smelled like expensive cigars and the kind of cruelty only the rich could afford. In the center of the VIP lounge, the bass from the speakers thudded like a slow, heavy heartbeat against the marble floors.
Silas Vance was on his knees.
A month ago, his name was enough to make boards of directors tremble. Now, the "Blood Merchant" was a toy. His designer shirt was shredded at the shoulder, and he wore a heavy leather harness over his chest—a server's rig forced on him by the men who had dismantled his life.
"You missed a spot, Silas," Kael sneered. He sat on a plush velvet sofa, his polished leather shoe resting firmly on Silas's thigh. "Scrub harder. I want to see my reflection in these boots."
Beside him, Lily leaned back, her white lace dress a bright, fake stain in the dim room. She sipped a cocktail that cost more than a month's rent in the slums. "Oh, Kael, don't be so mean. He's probably just tired. It's hard work being a dog, isn't it, Silas?"
Silas didn't look up. His dark hair fell over his eyes, hiding the raw, murderous hunger in his pupils. His hands, scarred and rough, gripped a damp cloth. He was a caged beast, waiting for the final blow that would make him snap.
"Hey, look at that," Toby shouted from the bar, pointing toward the entrance.
Reid, Arya's ex, turned around, his drink halfway to his mouth. "Who? Another one of Silas's bankrupt friends?"
"No," Leo gasped, his eyes wide. "Look."
The heavy oak doors swung open, and the air in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Arya stepped into the light.
The emerald silk of her dress clung to her body like a second skin, the backless design showing off the flawless line of her spine. Gold chains glinted against her neck, and her dark hair flowed over her shoulders in rich, heavy waves. Without her glasses, her golden eyes were sharp and freezing.
Reid's glass slipped, shattering on the marble. "Arya?" he whispered. "No. That's not possible."
Kael stood up, his shoe sliding off Silas's leg. He didn't recognize the "bland" assistant he had fired hours ago. All he saw was a woman who looked like she owned the city. Arya didn't look at Reid or Kael. She walked straight past the billionaires, her heels clicking against the floor like a countdown. She stopped right in front of Silas.
"Stand up," she said. Her voice was smooth, like velvet wrapped around steel.
Silas froze. He looked up, his eyes bloodshot and hollow. He saw a vision in green—a woman too bright for a place this dark. "I don't... I don't know you," he rasped.
"You don't need to," Arya replied. She reached down, her fingers catching his chin and forcing him to meet her gaze. "I'm the person who just bought your life."
"Arya!" Kael shouted, finally finding his voice. "Where did you get that dress? Where did you get the nerve to come back here?"
Lily's "pure" face twisted with jealousy. "Arya, stop playing dress-up. You're a thief. Get out before we have security throw you out again."
Arya turned her head slowly. She looked at Lily, then at Kael. A mocking smile touched her lips. She pulled a sleek, black tablet from her clutch and tossed it onto the table. It slid across the glass, displaying a single line of text: [Debt Transfer Successful. New Creditor: ARYA.]
"Silas Vance doesn't owe you a cent, Kael," Arya said. "I bought his contracts. I bought his debts. And as of sixty seconds ago, I bought this club. Security. These people are trespassing. Throw them out."
The bouncers didn't hesitate. They grabbed Kael and Reid by the arms. Lily screamed as she was dragged away, her mask finally crumbling. As the room cleared, Arya turned back to Silas. He was standing now, towering over her. He was a mess—bruised and humiliated—but as his eyes locked onto hers, the "Blood Merchant" began to wake up.
He reached out, his hand trembling as he gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him. "You bought me," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. "Why?"
"Because," Arya said, her hand resting over his racing heart. "I need a partner to help me burn this city down. And I think you're perfect for the job."