Kaelen decided to make his way toward the Shadow Sweets Bakery to check up on Syra, his thrall, and take Seraphis there for some snacks. She’d been asking for sweets all morning, and he figured it was a good excuse to stop by. The truth was, Kaelen had something else on his mind. He wanted to tell Loren how he felt about her, but every time he tried, the words would slip away. Maybe Loren already knew, anyway, but that didn’t make it easier for him. For now, he decided to keep it to himself.
As Kaelen entered the bakery, the warm smell of sugar and freshly baked pastries filled the air. Behind the counter, Ronan was busy with a customer, but he spotted Kaelen and gave him a nod.
Across the room, Kaelen saw Trap Icy and Kunai sitting at one of the booths, chilling and enjoying what looked like ice cream. Maya was sitting beside them, casually smoking a blunt, her gaze relaxed but sharp. She glanced up when Kaelen approached and, with a small smirk, said, "Syra's in the back with Jason and Bolt."
Curious, Kaelen decided to check up on them. He made his way to the back, where the familiar sounds of thumping reached his ears. As he opened the door, Kaelen’s eyes widened in disbelief. There, in the backroom, Syra was recording Jason, Annie, Bolt, and Mira in what looked unmistakably like an orgy.
Kaelen mentally slapped himself. How could I have forgotten about Jason’s side hustle? he thought. He quickly shut the door, his face flushed with embarrassment. From the other side, he could hear Annie and Mira laughing, while Jason hushed them, clearly trying to keep it low-key.
As Kaelen turned to leave, he saw Loren watching him from the hallway, a strange look on her face. It was almost like she wanted to say something, but before she could, Seraphis stepped up behind him, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
"Bonded, do you want to mate?" she asked, her voice teasing.
It took Kaelen a moment to register what she said before the nanite chimed in his mind:
Host: Recommended accept. Host: Decline critical failure.
Ignoring the nanite’s input, Kaelen stood his ground and said, "Make me."
Seraphis burst out laughing, her voice echoing through the hall. "My pride won't let me enjoy your ignorance, doppledragon."
Stolen novel; please report.
That last word stung more than Kaelen expected. He was no real dragon, just someone who could shift into one thanks to his bond with Seraphis. He couldn’t help but feel like a lesser version of what he had the potential to be. Shaking it off, he decided to refocus his energy on the Black Fang tonight.
Later that evening, Kaelen stood in the heart of the Black Fang, overseeing the preparations for the night. The club was alive with activity, the sound of people moving about, setting up the stage, and testing the sound system filling the air. Trap Icy, Kunai, Oy Yo, Draken, and Vex were already lounging near the VIP section, while Elara, Jason, Bolt, Glitch, Patch, and Surge handled the rest of the setup.
Valerian had sent a couple of his fledglings to help out as extra security, and Don Cappo had sent his best bartenders and bouncers to make sure the night ran smoothly. Kaelen felt a deep sense of satisfaction watching it all come together. Tonight was going to be big.
As the club finally opened, a massive crowd was already gathered outside, stretching down the block. Kaelen let them in one by one, watching the energy in the room build to a fever pitch as the night got started.
After a while, the Shadow Syndicate arrived. They were the main act tonight. Kaelen set up the stage, his heart racing with excitement as they stepped up to perform.
The lights dimmed, and the bass dropped, the room shaking as the first track hit. The Shadow Syndicate started with an aggressive opener, their verses sharp, cutting through the air like knives. Their flow was relentless, each member taking turns on the mic, weaving in and out of the beat.
Their second song, titled "Concrete Jungle," was a gritty reflection on street life, the lyrics raw and unfiltered:
"Ain’t no kings in the shadows, just beasts on the prowl
Hustle hard for tomorrow, can’t rest now
Blood on the hands, money in the bag
Survival of the real, while the weak get tagged."
The crowd was eating it up, the energy in the room electric. The Syndicate followed up with a few more tracks, each one heavier than the last. The final song, "No Gods, No Masters," was a rebellious anthem, their performance full of fire and fury. By the time they finished their fourth or fifth song, the audience was roaring in approval.
Next up, Oy Yo and Trap Icy took the stage. Oy Yo’s unique style combined raw energy with smooth flow, while Trap Icy brought her signature attitude and fierce bars. As they performed, Seraphis joined them on stage, dancing to the beat, her movements fluid and hypnotic.
The crowd went wild as Seraphis’s pink scales glimmered under the lights, her presence commanding and magnetic. Trap Icy’s voice boomed through the speakers, her rhymes sharp:
"Icy like a queen but I strike like a serpent
Venom in my veins, but my heart stay certain
Rollin' with my Kenku, we cut through the noise
Ain’t no fakes in my circle, just killers with poise."
The night continued, and Kaelen found himself standing back, watching it all unfold. He couldn’t help but feel proud of how far the Black Fang had come. This was only the beginning.