My head swiveled around as I looked at the room. Unfortunately, there were no notebooks lying around titled “Evil Villain’s Plot” or “How Lacey Can Get Out of This One”. However, it was no standard bedroom.

“What the fuck,” I hissed, noticing a wall with chains attached. “Kinky bastards,” I grumbled, looking over the place with a thorough eye but other than the chains—and a few strategically placed handcuffs on the bed—there wasn’t anything else of interest.

Then, finally, my brain started to work again and I patted my coat pocket, laughing as I felt a hard block that I quickly dove into the pocket to get. I pulled my phone out, holding it in front of my face with a wide smile.

“You can’t capture a leprechaun, fuckers. I don’t care who you are.” I gave a self-satisfied laugh as I unlocked the phone and scrolled to my numbers. My finger hovered over my sister’s but what good would that do me? She lived in London—not much help. I huffed and scrolled more, coming to the very sharp realization that I had no one close to me.

This wasn’t surprising but for the first time, I allowed that knowledge to settle into a negative feeling, instead of just pushing it off. I didn’t like being close to others. How could I? I was a greed-driven, thrill-seeking woman. That wasn’t really a personality suited for long term healthy relationships.

That wasn’t really the entire truth though. It wasn’t the reason I didn’t have friends, minus one cryptic Rabbit God who I traded lucky objects to for fae vapor. I didn’t have friends because…well because I was me and I knew people could only handle me in small doses. I was a sideshow act in their life—the performer they watched with a smile from a distance.

“Ugh, not the time for this, Lacey. Keep it together,” I grumbled, finally figuring out who I should call to handle Dullahan. I looked up the number to the very building I was in. Viktor owned it and was supernatural. He controlled the security and had the keys to every room. This was perfect. This was good luck—meeting the man who could put this disastrous attempted kidnapping to rest with a snap of his fingers.

“Plutus Casino, how may I help you today?” A smooth voice came through the phone.

“I need to talk to Viktor. I’m his friend, Lacey Flanagan,” I said quickly, moving towards the room’s bathroom and closing myself in. The person was silent for a moment and I thought they might deny me.

“One moment please,” she finally offered before putting me on hold. I cracked the door back open when I thought I heard movement but there was nothing. What kind of idiot doesn’t check for a phone?

“Lacey, where are you? The event has already started,” the crisp voice of Viktor came over the line and I sagged in relief, a smile stretching across my face.

“I’ve been locked in a bedroom in the penthouse by two supernaturals,” I said, slipping back out of the bathroom with a smile. This would all be over soon and I couldn’t wait to see the shock on their faces when they realized I’d won and they’d failed. Once again and forever, I’d always be the victor–hah!