A faint trail of smoke curled through the dimly lit room. The scent of something rich and unfamiliar lingered in the air, mixing with the remnants of st night’s passion.

  I stirred, stretching against the silk sheets, my body still thrumming with the aftershocks of pleasure. But I wasn’t alone.

  Beside me, lounging with effortless dominance, was him.

  The monster who had bought my time.

  His scaled fingers held a long-stemmed pipe, a faint ember glowing at the tip as he exhaled a slow plume of smoke. His reptilian eyes, slit-pupiled and intelligent, slid toward me as I sat up.

  “Awake at st,” he murmured, amusement cing his deep voice.

  I stretched, letting my hair cascade over my shoulders. “You’re still here,” I noted, tilting my head.

  He chuckled, taking another draw from his pipe. “I enjoy my time with good company.” His sharp teeth glinted as he smirked. “And you… you are quite the investment.”

  I hummed, shifting to face him. “Tell me something, then. Since you seem to be well-connected…”

  His eyes flicked to me, waiting.

  I leaned in, voice lowering. “What do you know about the so-called hero?”

  The air grew tense.

  His cws tightened slightly on his pipe before he let out a slow, measured breath. A flicker of hatred burned in his gaze.

  “That pig,” he spat, his voice losing its zy amusement. “He parades around as a savior, but all he does is trample over those he sees as beneath him.” He exhaled sharply. “Demi-humans that aren’t his pretty little monsters? We’re nothing to him. Less than nothing.”

  Interesting.

  So it wasn’t just me who had a grudge.

  His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why do you ask?”

  I offered a slow, knowing smile. “Let’s just say I have… unfinished business with him.”

  His stare lingered before his smirk returned. “I like you, Echidna.” He reached out, his cwed fingers trailing lightly down my arm. “I think I’d like to keep you.”

  I arched a brow. “Oh?”

  “Be my exclusive.” His voice was smooth, but there was a possessiveness beneath it. “I’ll pay you handsomely—far more than the others. No one else touches you.”

  It was an appealing offer. Steady income, a powerful patron, and a growing network of influence.

  I pretended to consider, tapping a finger against my lips. “Well, since you asked so nicely…” I smirked. “I accept.”

  His grin widened, fshing sharp teeth. “Good girl.”

  A Rival

  Returning to the club ter that night, I noticed the shift immediately. More eyes on me. More whispers. Not just from customers. From the other dancers. One, in particur.

  She was waiting for me as I stepped backstage—a tall, elegant dark elf with tanned skin and piercing golden eyes. Someone used to being the center of attention.

  She crossed her arms, looking me up and down. “So. You’re the one taking all the best clients.”

  I arched a brow, unfazed. “Jealous?”

  Her lips curled. “I don’t like competition.”

  “Well, that’s unfortunate,” I said sweetly, “because I’m not going anywhere.”

  Tension crackled between us.

  Before it could escate, the owner’s voice cut in. “Alright girls. That’s enough.”

  We both turned as he stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. Judging. Calcuting.

  “This club thrives on its best performers. But we can’t have dancers undermining each other.” He leaned against the doorway, expression cool. “So let’s settle this properly.”

  His smirk widened.

  “A competition.”

  I tilted my head. “What kind?”

  “A battle of talent and appeal,” he said smoothly. “You’ll both perform. The audience will decide.”

  He let the words sink in before adding, “The loser? Takes a year off.”

  The dark elf’s golden eyes gleamed. “Fine by me.”

  I smirked, stretching my fingers. “Sounds fun.”

  Let the games begin.

  Echidna wasn’t about to go into this competition blind.

  The dark elf—Vey—had been the star of the club before she arrived. That kind of position wasn’t earned through looks alone. She had skill. She had experience.

  But Echidna had something else.

  A past life full of discipline, talent, and a reputation for being untouchable.

  So, she started digging.

  She listened. She watched. She talked to the other dancers, the staff, even some of the regurs. A few drinks and a few well-pced questions ter, she had her answer.

  Vey was a master of illusion-based performances.

  She didn’t just dance—she made people believe in fantasies. With her magic, she could shift the stage into different worlds, ensnaring her audience in a dreamlike trance.

  A strong competitor.

  But Echidna wasn’t pnning to py by Vey’s rules.

  If Vey was an illusionist, Echidna would be the real thing.

  She wasn’t just a dancer.

  She had presence. She had control. She had the ability to command an entire room with a single step.

  And in her past life?

  She had led assemblies. Given speeches. Stood above the rest as the epitome of grace, poise, and intelligence.

  She would turn the stage into her podium.

  Her performance wouldn’t just be seductive—it would be imposing, awe-inspiring.

  She would remind the audience that she wasn’t just a dancer.

  She was a queen.