Bound by Prince of Darkness

In Control

Maya and Anya arrived at Blue Moon, a notorious nightclub nestled between realms, where supernatural creatures of all kinds, vampires, werewolves, dragons, humans and more, mingled in the neon haze. The club pulsed with energy as rhythmic beats throbbed through the air, and flashes of colorful light streaked across the sleek, modern interior. As they approached the entrance, Maya caught sight of her royal security guard, who followed at a discreet distance. She stopped and turned to him.

“Lay low,” Maya instructed, her voice firm. “No interfering unless it’s life or death.”

The guard frowned, clearly unhappy with her demand, but nodded reluctantly. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Maya sighed, already feeling the weight of royal expectations pressing down on her. But not tonight. Tonight, she was just Maya. As they made their way into the club, she cast off the lingering tension and let the night take hold. The moment they stepped inside, the air shifted, eyes turned to them, hungry gazes from all corners of the room as creatures of various realms took in the sight of the two young attractive young women.

Both Maya and Anya could feel the intensity of the attention, but they ignored it, making a beeline for the bar. The counter was lined with all manner of beings, some nursing brightly colored drinks while others leaned in close to their companions, lost in conversation or something more. As the two girls slid onto their stools, the bartender, a tall, sleek vampire with silver eyes and an easy smile, stepped up to them.

“What can I get you?” he asked, his voice a low purr that somehow carried over the pounding music.

Anya shifted nervously. “Just a Coke, please.”

Maya rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively. “Scrap that,” she said, smirking. “We’ll take two of your best cocktails.”

Anya’s eyes widened in protest. “What are you doing? We’re not drinking!”

Maya turned to her with a determined look, her voice firm but not unkind. “Tonight, we are. We’ve lived our lives by every single rule in the book, Anya. But look where that’s gotten us. We still got screwed over, so what’s the point? It’s time to live a little.”

Anya hesitated, clearly torn. “Is this about your tattoo? Because if it is …”

Maya cut her off quickly, her expression tightening for a moment. “I don’t want to talk about that. Not tonight.” She took a breath, softening. “Tonight is about us. We’re going to drink these cocktails, dance until we can’t feel our feet, and have the time of our lives. Maybe we’ll even find some company along the way. So ... let’s go.”

Anya pursed her lips, still uncertain, but seeing the determination in Maya’s eyes, she finally relented. “Alright,” she said with a small smile. “But don’t blame me if we end up in trouble.”

“Trouble?” Maya grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Anya, trouble is exactly what I’m hoping for.”

The bartender returned, placing two vibrant cocktails in front of them, the drinks swirling with a faint, magical glow. Maya raised her glass and nodded toward Anya. “To us,” she said, clinking their glasses together.

“To us,” Anya echoed, though there was a hint of nervousness in her voice. She took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise at the sweet, intoxicating flavor. “Wow... that’s actually really good.”

“Told you.” Maya grinned before taking a long sip, the cool liquid sliding down her throat and bringing with it a sense of freedom she never felt.

As they sat at the bar, slowly relaxing into the rhythm of the club, the night seemed to stretch out before them, full of possibilities. The crowd around them pulsed with life, and Maya could feel the magic in the air, a mix of power, desire, and something darker lurking beneath the surface.

Anya leaned closer, glancing at the dance floor where beings of all shapes and sizes moved to the hypnotic beat. “You really think we’ll find company here?” she asked, half-joking.

Maya smirked. “Why not? There are plenty of... interesting options.”

Anya chuckled, her earlier nerves beginning to fade as the alcohol worked its magic. “I don’t know if I’m ready for ‘company,’ but... I’m with you.”

“Good,” Maya said, standing up and grabbing Anya’s hand. “Then let’s dance.”

They made their way to the dance floor, the music washing over them like a wave. The beat was intoxicating, and soon, they were lost in the rhythm, moving together with the flow of the crowd. Maya felt a strange sense of release, the weight of her responsibilities and the looming threat of Tay fading into the background. Here, under the flashing lights and the pulse of the music, she felt free, if only for a moment.

But as she danced, Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her, intently. It wasn’t the usual hungry gaze of the club’s patrons; this was something different, something more focused, more dangerous. She tried to push the feeling away, telling herself it was just her imagination. But deep down, she knew better.

It didn’t take long for the inevitable to happen, males of various species began approaching Maya and Anya, drawn to their beauty, the air of confidence they exuded, and, of course, the mystery of two young women drinking and laughing in a place like Blue Moon. Shifters with wolfish grins, fae with eyes that glimmered with secrets, and even a few vampires with their brooding charm, all tried their luck.

They deflected the advances with giggles and teasing smiles, then drifted back to the dance floor for another round. The music wrapped around them, the beat coursing through their veins, until their heads spun with adrenaline and alcohol alike.

Returning to the bar, still giggling and breathless, Maya flagged down the bartender again. “Two more of your best cocktails,” she called out, her voice light and carefree.

The bartender nodded and set to work. The previous drinks had loosened them up, the sharp edges of reality smoothed out by the haze of alcohol. Anya, usually quiet and reserved, seemed more relaxed than Maya had ever seen her.

“You were right,” Anya said suddenly, her words tumbling out as they leaned against the bar, waiting for their drinks.

“About what?” Maya asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

“Your brother,” Anya said, her voice soft but filled with emotion. “I fell in love with him like an i***t. And I knew, God, I knew this would happen. That one day he’d find his mate, and everything would change. But I still can’t believe it’s Rebecca. Of all the beings in this world... it’s her.”

Maya looked at her friend sympathetically. She’d warned Anya countless times not to get too attached to Kaian.

“Rebecca seems decent enough,” Maya replied cautiously, trying not to stir the pot.

“Decent, my arse,” Anya muttered, rolling her eyes. “She’s always had a superiority complex. And now, mated to your brother? Her ego’s through the roof.”

Before Maya could respond, a voice suddenly cut in from behind them, smooth and teasing. “Is that jealousy I hear, Anya? Green doesn’t suit you.”

Both girls turned, surprised, and found themselves face-to-face with none other than Axel Laurent, crown prince of the vampire kingdom, and Maya’s nephew. His dark hair fell in perfect waves, his sharp features highlighted by the dim club lighting, and his crimson eyes sparkled with mischief as he grinned at them.

“Axel! What are you doing here?” Maya shouted, delighted as she threw her arms around him in a quick hug. Axel hugged her back, laughing.

“I came here to have some fun,” Axel said, his voice dripping with amusement. “But I never expected to find you two here... dressed like this. Not very royal behaviour.” He winked at both of them, his eyes lingering playfully on Maya’s short pink dress, before measuring Anya with a playful loook.

Maya smirked. “We’re just here to have a good time, Axel. No rules tonight.”

“Can I join you girls, then?” Axel asked, leaning casually against the bar, still grinning. “I could use a little mischief.”

Maya tilted her head thoughtfully, then grinned. “You can, on one condition.”

“Anything,” Axel replied with mock seriousness.

“What happens here stays here. And you don’t interfere with my … choices. Understood?” She raised an eyebrow, her expression daring him to disagree.

Axel laughed, a deep, rich sound. “Deal. I won’t say a word to anyone.”

“Good.” Maya clinked her glass against his, then turned to Anya, who was staring at Axel with wide eyes. “What do you say, Anya? Are we letting him tag along?”

Anya blushed slightly, still a bit flustered from their earlier conversation, but she nodded with a shy smile. “Sure. It’s... good to see you, … Axel.”

For whatever reason, Axel’s presence always unsettled her, as he always liked to put her in difficult situations which she found irritating, much to his amusement.

“Likewise,” Axel said, giving her a charming smile. Then he gestured upstairs. “I’ve got a VIP section if you want to join me. A nice table, great view, and even better drinks. What do you think?”

Maya glanced at Anya, who shrugged. “Why not?” she said, her earlier tension melting away. “Let’s live a little.”

With that, they followed Axel to the stairs leading to the VIP section. The crowd parted easily for him, recognizing the vampire prince immediately. Maya felt a thrill as they ascended, her heart pounding in time with the music. This night was about forgetting everything: Tay, Kaian, Rebecca, and the looming contract over her soul. For once, she wanted to feel normal, to have fun, and maybe even flirt with danger.

As they reached Axel’s private table, Maya took a deep breath, feeling the excitement bubble up inside her. Tonight, she was just Maya. No titles, no burdens, no demons.

As the night progressed, the alcohol in their veins began to dull the sharp edges of caution, and both Maya and Anya found themselves sinking deeper into the rhythm of the club.

But it didn’t take long before the attention they’d been deflecting earlier came back in full force.

Maya was lost in the beat, her body swaying with the music, her mind blissfully blank, when suddenly, she felt two strong hands on her waist. Startled, she spun around, irritation flashing in her eyes. No one had dared to touch her so boldly all night. Whoever it was had some nerve.

But when she turned, she was met with a pair of smouldering, dark eyes.

The young man standing before her was tall, muscular, and quite handsome. His chiselled jawline and tousled dark hair gave him an air of effortless danger, and the way his intense gaze locked onto hers sent a shiver down her spine. His body was close, too close, and she could feel the heat radiating from him, the unmistakable desire in his eyes.

Her first instinct was to push him away, to reassert control over the situation, as she never allowed any male to be so close to her. But tonight she didn’t pull away, as she was determined to go ahead with her plan. To hell with Tay and his ownership! She didn’t even speak. Instead, she allowed the tension to build between them, her heart pounding in sync with the bass that thudded through the club.

Without a word, they fell into sync. The music swirled around them as they danced, their bodies pressed together in a sensual grind. Every movement was electric, charged with unspoken desire, and for a second she became rigid when she felt his hard erection pressing her from behind. His hands slid over her hips, pulling her closer, and Maya found herself responding without thinking. She wasn’t the one in control anymore, and for once, it felt... liberating.

Leaning in, his breath warm against her ear, the man whispered, his voice low and thick with seduction, "Let’s get out of here, little seductress."

The words sent a jolt of adrenaline through her, her pulse quickening as she registered the intensity behind his proposition. For a moment, Maya hesitated, her mind battling between rationality and the wild, reckless energy that had taken hold of her tonight. This wasn’t like her, and yet, she decided to play along.

Taking a long, steadying breath, she turned to face him fully, her eyes locking onto his with newfound determination. She could feel his arousal, the hunger in his gaze, and something inside her snapped, a reckless part of her giving in to the moment.

"Lead the way," she replied, her voice breathless, tinged with the same thrill she felt surging through her veins.

A smirk curved the man’s lips as he grabbed her hand, guiding her through the crowded club, the pulsating lights casting them in a dizzying array of colors as they made their way toward the exit. Maya followed him, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind clouded by the intoxicating rush of adrenaline and alcohol.

She knew this was reckless. Dangerous, even. But right now, none of that mattered.

For tonight, she was in control.