Of Serpents and Ruins by Jessica M. Butler EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Authors: Jessica M. Butler
- Language: English
- Genre: Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 8.1 MB
- Price: Free
STELLA
There had never been a point in my life when things felt…right.
Now here I was in Vegas, with bright lights, chaotic chatter, and
a horrible pit in my stomach.
Something bad was going to happen.
Oh, enough of that.
I massaged my temples with the tips of my fingers. Nothing bad was
going to happen. Evera, one of my few friends who kept in touch from time
to time, had called to say she was in Vegas and had a hunch I might be there
too since I often headed west in the autumn. Sure enough, she’d been right,
so we’d agreed to get drinks at a party in a bar called The Portal.
Nothing bad was going to happen.
Not even if this hotel lobby threatened to overwhelm my senses.
Was I even in the right place?
Intricate mosaic tiles adorned the floor, and warm light flowed from the
glittering crystal chandeliers. A pianist in a suit sat on a red velvet bench,
swaying in time to the music as his fingers danced across the keys in a
soothing yet sophisticated song that was sharply at odds with the hustling
hum of guests and ringing bells of gambling games farther away.
Taking a deep breath, I noted so many scents: polished leather,
magnolias and rum, woodsy cigars, lily of the valley and freesia, rosemary
and cucumber water, fresh bread, rich dark wines, and amber whiskeys. So
much, all clawing for my attention.
And, of course, I’d chosen to walk through a super-fancy hotel casino—
in my fuzzy, soft triceratops hoodie and Starry Night leggings and sneakers.
Still, it was Vegas on Halloween, so most folks didn’t pay me much
mind.
So many costumes, though. Mostly elegant with long lines and crisp
colors. There might have been a formal gala tonight by the looks of some of
the dresses.
I neared the large marble sculpture of a waltzing couple. Evera was
supposed to meet me here. Wow—there were so many more people here
than I’d expected. Guess I should have thought more about what Halloween
in Vegas was like.
Last year, Evera and I had both wound up as waitresses in a themed
diner. Making friends wasn’t usually something I did, not because I didn’t
like people but because eventually I just bled awkwardness and sadness.
That never bothered Evera. She was as kind as she was beautiful, and she
could convince me to do almost anything. That included coming out for a
party at this bar.
“Stella!” Evera’s cheerful voice cut through the smoky haze of strangers
milling about. She wore a Red Riding Hood costume that set off her golden
skin and dark hair to full advantage, her emerald-green eyes sparkling.
I bounced forward and hugged her, her arms already circling me. “Hey!
You didn’t mention how huge this party would be. I mean seriously, it’s like
everyone is here!”
“They probably dropped a flier under every possible door.” She
chuckled with a shrug. “I’m surprised you didn’t get one.”
I hesitated, wondering if I’d just missed it. I’d been feeling so off lately.
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