“Whatever the hell that means,” I mumbled. Was he staying in the hall because I asked or because he didn’t want to watch me? Whatever the case, I needed to stop that line of thought immediately. Suddenly Dullahan turned around and came back, his face serious as he got in close.

“One thing for me, get the gold off her. Then everything will be fine,” he said, his eyes boring into mine for confirmation.

“Yes sir,” I said. His eyes dipped to my mouth and he gave one curt nod before standing back at his full height and stomping off again. The crowd parted for him. I watched his head above all the others as he moved towards the back elevators to go up to the rooms.

Dullahan had never told me, but I’d figured out he had weaknesses. He couldn't stand gold and I surmised that might be why he held such high hatred for leprechauns. They were always surrounded by it. I wasn’t sure what it did to him, all I knew is he took great pains to stay as far as possible from any gold.

My attention came back to the room when a woman came strutting in on stiletto heels. Puca was practically falling over himself as he hung off her. I scoffed. He was terrible at controlling his lust. He was a complete hedonist, unable to help the pull he felt towards amusement and pleasure. A terrible person for me to be around. It almost felt cruel because the thing couldn’t help but always slink closer in every room we were in.

It was comical how he paraded around me with his shoulders back, his head held high, a wide regal smile on his face as if he were the king of our group. He’d circle around me with jabs, poking and prodding, trying to dance with the cobra without getting bit. He was like a child instead of an ancient being.

Last night hadn’t worked out bad though. I was able to take a little taste and pull back. Maybe he could be a regular snack in between meals.

Then again, he ate people.

People turned to look as Lacey glided smoothly into the room. She attracted attention with her presence. My eyes trailed over her. Everything she wore was expensive and gaudy—a hot pink faux fur coat, rings on every finger, ears dripping gold. Her bright multicolored hair bounced in loose waves above her shoulders as her startling green eyes scanned the room with keen intelligence. She smiled slyly at the collection of people watching her, her eyes flaring into a glow for the briefest moment.

I swallowed as I followed the long length of her legs up to the edge of her little black dress. Her calves flexed as she took long strides in her heels. Her thighs were milky and large. I could grab them roughly in my palms in big handfuls.

I shook my head and began counting the jewelry I needed to remove. It all looked gold.