~6.

[NOAH]

The curtain shifted again and a small group emerged alongside Nyx.

Two more hosts, dressed in variations of silk and lace, masks gleaming under the low light.

Brandon’s eyes lit up.

“Oh, now this is what I was talking about.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly did you order?”

Hart leaned back, clearly entertained. “Something memorable.”

“That tells me nothing.”

“It’s better if you experience it,” Brandon added with a grin.

Noah’s expression darkened. “I dislike surprises.”

“Yes,” Hart said dryly. “We know.”

Nyx approached the table once more, tray now replaced with something… different.

A slender glass decanter filled with a deep crimson liquid.

Two shot glasses.

And a third placed directly in front of Noah.

“This is part of our private service selection,” Nyx explained . “A curated experience for guests seeking something beyond the ordinary.”

Noah didn’t touch the glass.

“Define beyond the ordinary,” he said.

Nyx’s lips curved faintly. “An indulgence of the human senses.”

Brandon laughed. “See? I told you—worth it.”

Noah’s eye twitched.

Nyx poured the liquid slowly.

The scent hit first.

Rich. Sweet.

It was not just alcohol, it was something heavier.

Noah’s fingers tapped once against the table. “What is it?”

“A house specialty,” Nyx replied. “Perfectly safe.”

That didn’t reassure him.

“It’s called Lilith’s essence”

“And them…?” Noah asked, gaze flicking briefly to the hosts behind him.

“Part of the experience,” Nyx said.

One of the other servers moved behind Brandon, leaning in just enough to murmur something in his ear. Brandon laughed again, clearly enjoying himself.

Hart wasn’t far behind.

Noah, however, remained still.

Nyx stepped closer.

“Will you be joining them, sir?” he asked quietly.

Noah met his gaze.

Those mismatched eyes again.

“I don’t indulge in… distractions,” Noah replied.

Nyx tilted his head slightly.”Define distractions”

Noah’s lip twitched this time

This sneaky brat. He thought to himself.

“A derailment of the human senses”

A pause.

Nyx leaned in just slightly, close enough that only Noah could hear his voice;

“Sometimes a little distractions is what the human senses need” he whispered and planted a soft kiss on his jaw

Noah stiffened.

“Why was I assigned a male host?”

Behind him, Brandon groaned dramatically. “Caldwell, stop interrogating the poor guy and drink.”

Hart added, “Or at least pretend you’re enjoying yourself. You’re killing the mood.”

Noah didn’t look away from Nyx.

“Am I?” he said quietly.

Nyx’s lips curved again.

“Perhaps not,” he murmured.

“I can have myself swapped with your preference” Nyx tapped his chin and poured the alcohol into the shot glass. “…but I must do what I was paid for”

Noah watched frozen as the male host crawled under the table, his movements fluid like a snake’s.

Pale hands wrapped and spread Noah’s thighs apart.

The shot glass was placed in between them and Nyx dipped his head down, licking at the glass shot before securing the glass, tipping it up and holding the liquid in his mouth.

Before Noah could recover, he shot up, startling the man. Seizing his surprised state, Nyx forced the liquid down his throat.

“Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.”

He turned.

Sliding over Noah’s lap and headed out.

“Wait.”

The word slipped out before he could stop it.

Nyx paused and slowly turned back.

“Yes, sir?”

Noah hesitated.

Then he picked up the glass and refilled it.

Brandon let out a triumphant laugh. “There he is!”

Hart smirked. “The Buddhist monk of old West Virginia is finally cracking. Praise be!”

Noah ignored them.

His gaze remained fixed on Nyx.

“Well?” he taunted, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Nyx held his eyes.

Interest.

“Well,” Nyx replied softly.

As the albino settled into his laps, he had the distinct, unsettling feeling—that he had just stepped into something he would not be able to step out of.