Free Levet by Alexandra Ivy

all pretense of civilization came to an end.
    Down in the darkness the demons were encouraged to come out and play with wild abandon.
    And no one, absolutely no one, could play as rough and wild and downright nasty as demons.
    Standing in the shadows, Santiago, a tall, exquisitely handsome vampire with long, raven hair, dark eyes and distinctly Spanish features allowed his gaze to skim over his domain.
    The circular room was the size of a large auditorium and made of black marble with a series of tiers that formed terraces going downward. On each tier were a number of steel tables and stools that were bolted to the marble. Narrow staircases led to a pit built in the middle of the lowest floor and filled with sand.
    The overhead chandeliers spilled small pools of light near the tables, while keeping enough darkness for those guests who preferred to remain concealed.
    Not that there was a need for secrecy in the club.
    The crowd was made up of vamps, Weres, and fairies, along with several trolls, an orc, and the rare Sylvermysts (the dark fey who’d recently revealed their presence in the world). They came to fight in the pit for a chance at fleeting glory. Or to indulge in the pleasures his various hosts and hostesses offered, whether it was feeding or sex.
    None of them were known for their modesty.
    Especially when they were in the mood to celebrate.
    Santiago grimaced, his frigid power lashing through the air to send several young Weres scurrying across the crowded room.
    He understood their jubilation.
    It wasn’t every day that an evil deity was destroyed, the hordes of hell turned away, and Armageddon adverted.
    But after a month of enduring the endless happy happy, joy joy, his own mood was tilting toward homicidal.
    Well, perhaps it was more than just tilting, he grimly conceded as a tableful of trolls broke into a violent brawl, knocking each other over the railing and onto the Weres seated below.
    The domino effect was instantaneous.
    With infuriated growls the Weres shifted, tearing into the trolls. At the same time the nearby Sylvermysts leaped into the growing fight, the herb scent of their blood swiftly filling the air.
    His massive fangs ached with the need to join in the melee. Perhaps a good old-fashioned beat-down would ease his choking frustration.
    Unfortunately, his clan chief, Viper, had trusted him to manage the popular club. Which meant no extracurricular bloodbaths. No matter what the temptation.
    Buzz kill.
    Watching his well-trained bouncers move to put an end to the fight, Santiago turned his head as the smell of blood was replaced by the rich aroma of plums.
    His lips curled as lust, rather than violence, abruptly filled the air.
    Understandable.
    Tonya could make a man drool at a hundred paces.
    Stunningly beautiful with pale skin and slanted emerald eyes, the imp could also claim perfect curves and a stunning mane of red hair. But Santiago hadn’t chosen her as his most trusted assistant because of her outrageous sex appeal.
    Like all imps, she possessed a talent for business and the ability to create powerful illusions. She could also hex objects, although Santiago made sure that particular talent was only used on the humans who patronized the tea shop next door. Most demons were immune to fey magic, but Tonya had royal blood and her powers were far more addictive than most.
    His loyal customers would never return if they suspected he allowed them to be enthralled by the beautiful imp.
    Wearing a silver dress that was designed to tempt rather than cover, she came to a halt at his side, a smile curving her lush lips even as her shrewd gaze monitored the hosts and hostesses who strolled through the room offering their services.
    â€œA nice crowd,” she murmured.
    Santiago grimaced. Unlike his assistant, he was wearing plain black jeans and a dark T-shirt that clung to his wide chest. And, of course, he’d accessorized the casual attire with a massive sword strapped to his back