Illyana’s POV
The heavy doors of the club swung shut behind us as we followed the bouncer upon his return, cutting off the noise of the street and plunging us into a world of pulsating music and flashing lights. The scent of cigarette smoke and expensive cologne hung heavy in the air, a heady mix that made my head spin.
The bouncer led us through the shadowy corridors, the music fading with each step, replaced by a hushed silence that felt even more ominous. He stopped before a heavy wooden door, its surface adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to writhe in the dim light. Two sharp raps, then he stepped aside, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond my shoulder.
"Wait here," he grunted, disappearing back into the club's depths.
Silence pressed in on us, broken only by the muffled thud o
