¤Victor¤

How did I even get here? All I wanted to do was find a way for all of us to work together without trying to rip each other's head off. I figured getting the nymphs on my side would be easier than trying for the vamps or the wolves. Not to mention the fact that they naturally hate each other. And of course this would be the one time Kota and I would have a difference in opinion when it comes to the supernatural world. He's out trying to get the wolves on our side by reuniting with that Nathan guy. Not really sure what his part is in the pact since Silas seems to be Norths beta, but whatever.

For the first time in our coven, Kota and I agreed to disagree. He went after the wolves, and I went after the nymphs. Finding their phone numbers was easy. A walk in the park without having to break a magical sweat. Of course, that may have something to do with being a minor computer genius, but I digress. So getting their numbers was easy. Convincing them to meet with me, piece of cake. I'm a warlock, typically unthreatening to nymphs, plus I had nothing against the guys. So they agreed to meet for dinner since Sang's workouts were apparently "causing them to lose weight at an abnormally fast rate". Their words, not mine. I didn't buy it, but I wasn't going to call them out on it.

So I drove home with Kota, changed clothes, and then drove out to the diner that Luke's uncle owns. So like I said, getting them to meet with me was easy. Convincing them that we all needed to come together as a team...not so much. Luke and Gabriel didn't even so much as want to hear North's name, let alone listen to why it would be beneficial to put aside their differences. And when I asked what those differences were, I got subjected to a whole speech familial loyalty that didn't really tell me anything at all.

After Luke finished his third desert, he announced that Sang's workouts, coupled with my mentioning his brother when he wasn't around had put him in a bad mood. Which prompted Gabriel into saying that if I really wanted to get to know them, I'd go out with them to a nightclub to help get their minds off today's events.

So in hindsight, I know how I got here, I just don't know how the hell I let it happen. Clubs aren't my scene. But here I am, in a booth, in a dimly lit club with Luke and Gabriel, with music blasting, a Raven haired girl hitting on Luke, and I'm bored out of my mind.

That is, until my gaze snags on Sang at the bar.

This past week training with James and Sang hasn't actually been that bad for me. I mean, I'm nowhere near as athletic as the vamps or the wolves, but I can hold my own better than the nymphs...slightly better at least. And they have amazing technique that I can definitely learn from. I'm not sure why everyone's putting up such a big fight about what is essentially only them trying to make us better so we don't die when we finally go up against this monster of a süp.

Normally when I see Sang, she's relaxed in loose clothes, her aura's usually a calm pink with light blue tones. Tonight, she's the complete opposite. An alluring midnight blue dress is loosely wrapped around her small body, outlining every curve she has. Her hair hangs in loose waves down her back, and her legs look a mile long in the white ankle boots with a heel thin enough to make me wonder how she hasn't broken her ankle yet. She looks absolutely amazing, and the bright red aura that surrounds her only enhances her good looks. But it does concern me.

There's a woman standing in front of her, curling Sang's hair around her finger and touching her face. To my knowledge Sang isn't into women. So what exactly is she doing? Her heels put her slightly taller than Sang's seated position, and her hair is short and spiky.

My gaze stays glued to them as she looks behind her before stepping fully into Sang's line of view.

"That's odd," I murmur.

"What, Luke?" Gabe scoffs. "Nah, that's normal. Chicks dig the hair."

My eyebrows furrow as I turn my head to see what he's talking about. The raven haired girl who walked over a few moments ago is now sitting on Luke's lap, running her hands through his hair. And Luke, well...he's kind of just, sitting there. His brown eyes are a bit dull as he looks at her, listening intently to whatever she's saying to him.

A faint hint of magic drifting on the air hits my senses and my eyes narrow at the mystery girl.

"Gbae, you don't know her?"

"Nah, I doubt Luke does either," he stops to chuckle. "But that will change soon enough."

Gabriel's exuberant outlook on the situation aside, I don't think this girl is up to anything good. If she has to use magic to get Luke to look at her this way, then chances are we can't trust her as far as we can throw her.

¤Sang¤

As Karen's magic pushes harder into my psyche, trying to force its will upon me, I decide that the only way I can get myself—and the guys—out of this without alerting the humans, will be to play along. I lower my eyelids as I force my gaze to go glassy as I meet her stare.

"You have such pretty eyes, Karen," I make myself say in the most lovestruck voice imaginable. It almost makes me sick actually.

"That's better." Karen turns to look over her shoulder, a triumphant smile on her mouth. "Now why don't we go see what's taking my friend so long."

"Whatever you say, beautiful."

I stand to follow her across the room, and gag as soon as her back is turned. Ugh, who knew this chick would be one of those power abusive wackos. And to think, she seemed so nice when I was helping out with that God forsaken high school a few years ago. I wonder if she even knew the full extent of her power by then?

When we step up to the table, I can tell that whoever Karen's friend is, she has Luke firmly under her spell. Double fuck. That's going to make getting them out of here harder than I thought.

I make sure to stand a little behind Karen so that I don't have to constantly keep up the sickening enamored routine. Gabriel's eyes widen when he catches sight of me behind Karen, but a subtle shake of my head stops him from outting me. Victor just looks me over with a shrewd gaze, his fiery eyes moving rapidly between myself, Luke, and the women whose attentions we've seem to have caught.

"Jade," Karen says sharply. "I'm ready to go."

Jade stops whispering in Luke's ear long enough to look up at Karen with slight annoyance. Unfortunately it does nothing to detract from her beauty. With porcelain smooth skin, sharp cheekbones, chocolate brown eyes, long black lashes, bee stung lips and her sin black hair, she's flawless. Too bad she's essentially trying to rape on of my best friends. Gonna have to kick her ass for that.

"She's who you want?"

I fight myself to keep from bristling at her tone. I'm going for stealth. Pushing Karen aside to punch Barbie bitch in the face wouldn't be very stealthy. Why the hell did James have to choose now of all times to go fucking feed. Ugh, men.

"At least I didn't switch genders."

Ooo, cat fight. Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought.

"What in the ever loving fuck is going on here?" Gabriel's aggressive tone comes across the music loud and clear, catching both women's attention.

"What's happening," Karen says in a sickly sweet voice. "Is us leaving. And you two are going to sit here like good little boys and not do a damn thing to stop it."

I can feel the signature sign of her pushing her magic at them, but unlike with humans, she actually has to touch them for her powers to take effect. As soon as I see Gabriel gearing up to rip into her, I signal him to stand down, which he does reluctantly as Jade and Luke stand from the booth.

I reapply my smitten facade as Karen turns to face me, caressing my face once more before leading us out of the club. Here's hoping that time in college gave me enough experience to pull this off.

**A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed! Sorry it took so long, but there's a legitimate reason. My first book is now available for pre-order and will be releasing this Friday! I can't tell you guys how unbelievably happy I am that it's out there and how much I appreciate you guys for sticking with me. You can find my book, as well as my book group and website at the links below!**

www.books2read.com/musicinthemadness

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