Rite of Passage
A half-moon hung in the clear night sky, a silvery spotlight to a carnival of sin. Destiny strolled down the packed sidewalk along the Vegas Strip, weaving through crowds of tourists to meet her sister at Indulgence. The secret sex club was hidden in plain sight among the flashing distractions, fronted by a burlesque show with an excellent bar and lounge.
It was owned and operated by the Hades Underground, a network of illegal and often illicit businesses run by Asmodeus’s lot. They catered to humans from every walk of life, indiscriminate with their skills of temptation and vices of choice. Gambling, alcohol, sex, drugs, it didn’t matter. If it could be feened for to the point of addiction, best believe it belonged to a demon of Lust.
It wasn’t the kind of place Destiny Cole should ever be found. She was as high society as one could get; not just old money, but ancient. Older than the Rothschild’s and once glorious Vanderbilt’s. Her family had simply never sought the limelight because they weren’t human. They were one of the most powerful covens of supernatural witches in the world.
The discrete signage and hidden symbols weren’t the only things that alerted Destiny to the club’s entrance, it was the energy. Pure lust washed over her before she even opened the door and stepped inside. She admired the wide space that opened to higher ceilings closer to the stage. The woodwork and use of reds and golds in the décor lent the club an old-world glamour without feeling stuffy.
A provocative song played for the burlesque dancer performing her routine on stage, and the lounge was packed with singles and couples, alike. That was the beauty of their modern times, but it wasn’t the source of the lustful energy. Destiny suspected that came from the hidden rooms where pure, unadulterated sex was currently happening in various degrees.
She spotted her sister sitting at the bar, facing the stage while sipping a cocktail from stemware. Harmony had glamoured her hair blond, and it looked good with the sheath dress of pale pink that shimmered under the warm lights.
“You’re gorgeous, sis, but you do realize it’s too late in the day for mimosas?” Destiny greeted, as she claimed the stool beside her.
Harmony beamed at her, taking in Destiny’s little black dress. “No, darling, I’m a goddess, it’s Ambrosia,” she corrected. “And you’re looking exceptionally hot, as well, by the way. College life agreed with you.”
At the moment they were practically opposites. Destiny’s hair was still her natural dark mahogany and fell in luxurious waves. And where Harmony’s eyes were a crystalline blue that made her look like a sex goddess, Destiny’s were emerald green and feline shaped, making her look like a trouble maker.
“A means to an end. I’m happy to be home,” she replied sincerely. “So, what are we doing here?”
“Waiting for an invitation,” Harmony answered.
Destiny let her head fall back before turning her stool sideways to speak to the bartender. “Can I get an Irish whiskey, please?” she ordered. “Neat.”
Harmony chuckled. “Don’t sound so enthused, sis.”
“I can think of a million other things I’d rather be doing right now,” Destiny said. “Is this really your idea of a homecoming present?”
“Absolutely.” Harmony continued to smile, a secretive gleam in her eyes. “Consider it part of your initiation into full adulthood. Some people have debutante balls, others go out on their twenty-first birthday and get wasted. We’re not those people.”
“I totally went out and got wasted on my twenty-first birthday,” Destiny argued. “You know how Ivy League students are. Like regular students, only hyped up on adrenaline boosters and with unlimited funds.”
“You know what I meant. Most people stop there because it’s the legal age for everything,” Harmony elaborated. “But full induction into adulthood comes with graduating university and your intermediate magical studies, not getting your driver’s license turned horizontally.”
“So, I have to get invited to join an orgy happening in the back of a club run by a secret society?” Destiny hazarded dryly, giving her sister a dubious look. “Did you skip college?”
Harmony laughed. “Just wait. You’ll see.”
They didn’t have to wait long. Destiny had barely taken two sips of her whiskey before their invitation appeared in an expensive suit. He looked like a man, but his aura was as black and smoky as the hell he’d climbed out of.
“Ladies, greetings.” He smiled, desire gleaming in his eyes. “Your car is waiting.”
“Car?” Destiny hesitated, looking to her sister.
“Drink up.” Harmony winked.
Destiny downed her whiskey, then followed her sister and the demon out the back entrance to an all-black sedan waiting for them. The demon opened the door and gestured for them to climb in.
“Enjoy your evening, Serpens,” he said before closing the door.
