They said nothing, just moved past her. After a brief moment, a set of curtains opened ahead of her, and she was let into an unfamiliar world colored in red, full of gems and feathers and burning lights. The floor of the club was packed with people. A stage towered over the crowd, framed with crimson curtains and blazing bulbs. Women danced there, dressed in shimmering bras, fishnet stockings, and enormous headpieces. They were glamorous, synchronized, and erotic, swaying to sensual music.

Persephone stood frozen, entranced.

The air around her was hot, heavy, and scented with vanilla. She inhaled it, and it filled her veins like her magic, shivering through her body, heating her skin. She rolled her neck and shoulders, loosening tense muscles, relaxing into the music. The part of her mind that told her to be on edge was fading.

A hand slipped into hers and she twisted to find Leuce standing behind her. She didn’t speak, just pulled Persephone along the back wall into a darkened hallway.

“This place—” Persephone breathed.

“Is meant to ensnare, Persephone,” Leuce placed her hands on either side of the goddess’s face. “Keep your wits about you and focus on your task. The air here is toxic. It will draw you in, a current you can’t escape.”

“That would have been great information to have before I got here,” she said, a little irritated.

The nymph smiled. “There’s nothing I could have done to prepare you. You are either strong-willed or not. It’s how they will choose you.”

Persephone focused on the nymph. Her ice-white eyes were intense. It was then she noted how the girl was dressed. Her white hair was curled and styled. She wore bright red lipstick, and her outfit was a short silver tassel dress that shimmered like all the stars in the sky. She looked like one of the dancers on stage.

“You work here?”

Again, it was information she would have liked to have before arriving here, but Leuce didn’t seem to think it was important.

“Focus on your task, Persephone. You wanted this, remember?”

That almost sounded like a threat.

She glared at the woman, eyes flashing. She suddenly wished to remind Leuce of who she really was.

“Then tell me what to do. How do I ensure they see me?”

“You dance,” Leuce answered. “If they’re interested, they’ll come to you.”

Persephone glanced over her shoulder where hundreds of people were crammed together on the floor.

“Are you telling me all these people are here for the same thing?”

“Not the same thing,” she said. “But they’re here because they want something.”

“Leuce, what else goes on here other than illegal magic?”

“That’s not a conversation you want to have, Persephone. Trust me.”