ACE DOWNED HIS sixth shot of bourbon, stacking it atop his neatly designed pyramid.
He inhaled, taking in the scent of tobacco and alcohol that floated in the air around the bar. His eyes roamed lazily over the dance floor, listening to the upbeat music that blasted from the speakers.
Then he saw the girl.
She appeared to be about fifteen, with long, straight locks of hair that were restrained in a neat ponytail. Her eyes were a glimmering blue, fixed in an expression of anger as they moved over the inhabitants of the bar.
He chuckled, leaning back in his booth.
Tonight held some fun in store.

CIRI GLARED AT the boy, lowering her hand to swing gently at her side. Invisible to those surrounding her, a katana hung from her right hip, the hilt as black as the blade.
She was a Sight Demon, able to control what people saw. She glanced down at her weapon, viewing it as two layers: one showed her katana, the other showed only her jeans.
She exhaled, before beginning to chew on her lip.
How should she capture him? Attack first? Watch and study him?
She opted for the latter, slipping into an unoccupied booth that gave her a full view of both the back door and main entrance, as well as an eye on him.
She ordered a raspberry margarita, relaxing in her seat, her eyes intent.
He was around seventeen, she knew, but he was taller than she expected. Spikes of jet black hair stood haphazardly, making his pale face all the more colourless. He had emerald green eyes that stood out against his complexion. They were half closed, accompanying a small grin that reminded her of someone remembering a private joke.
She drummed her fingers on the table, agitated. Come on, call over another distraction.
He was going to be a pain to kill. He could create physical shields - no neat decapitation then. And he had eluded them for over two years. He knew the usual procedure: wait until he was in the open, then go for the main organs.
A tall, dark man in his late thirties gave a roaring laugh, sliding into the booth with the boy. Surprise gripped Ciri, tinged with a hint of worry. He had an accomplice?
She swore softly, clenching her fists. Another one to kill. He was obviously a Demon - the boy wouldn't converse with humans - but what was his talent?
Without knowing, it would be risky. He could be a Speed Demon, but his well-muscled frame suggested he was a Strength Demon.
Either way, she wasn't going to risk her life on a pigheaded brat.
Time for a new approach.
Ciri breathed deeply, closing her eyes. Slowly, she altered her appearance.
She wasn't really changing anything, but the people around her would see her as a cute, blonde beauty, with generous curves in a tight black dress. She would appear no older than sixteen.
Beside her, would sit a giggly, dark-haired Asian girl in a black dress that barely cleared her hips.
Ciri put on a sweet smile, standing up, her drink in hand. Her non-existent friend followed, the pink umbrella in her scotch rolling around the rim of her drink.
She stopped at the boy's table, flashing them a perfect white smile.
"Hi, I'm Sarah, and this is my friend Olivia. We're looking for two handsome guys to take us home."
On cue, Olivia giggled, looking through slanted eyes at the man. She played with her umbrella, swishing ice cubes around.
He leaned forwards, smiling. "Well, you've found them. I'm Rem and this is Ace. Have a seat - you need to finish your drinks."
Olivia giggled again, sliding in next to him as he made room.
Ace smiled, his eyes alight. He shifted over, and Ciri lowered her self down, surprised that Rem hadn't used a fake name for Ace.
There was a small one-walled pyramid in the centre, constructed of upturned shot glasses.
"Neat," she said, leaning into him. "Are you going to take me home?"
Ace matched her sexy smile, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Why don't you have another drink first?"
Her margarita was full. She glanced up at him, frowning.
"Try something a little stronger," he suggested, motioning a waiter over. "Four bourbon shots, please."
The waiter nodded, walking off.
Ciri laughed at him. "Olivia won't drink one! She's got a scotch! If she drinks anymore, she'll fall over!"
"They're not for her," he said, his eyes falling on Olivia, before returning to Ciri. "We're gonna have them."
He was trying to get her drunk, Ciri realised with a jolt. Which either meant he knew who she was, or he was just taking advantage of a hot blonde that happened to walk his way.
If she tried to stab him now, he'd attack. No way was she going to die.
"Sweet," she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.
"One, two," Rem chanted, raising his drink at the same time as Olivia. "Three!"
They chugged on their drinks, before slamming them on the table. Rem won.
Olivia burst into a fit of soundless laughter, which Rem joined in to.
The waiter returned with their drinks, and Ace scooped one up instantly. Ciri copied him, and they both took a quick gulp.
Ciri dreaded the affect the alcohol would have on her as she added her glass to the pyramid.
Ace took another, placing both his neatly on the structure.
He pushed the other towards her, inviting her to take it.
She did, raising it to her lips. It never entered her mouth. To the boys at the table with her, it did. She used her talent to alter the boys' vision.
She put it back on table, seemingly empty, and licked her lips.
"Come on, baby, let's dance," she said, jumping up, and dragging Ace out of the booth after her, eyes flashing with excitement.
"Wow, how many drinks did you have?" he asked, but followed her to the dance floor.
She laughed as he spun her around, a small smile playing on his lips.
Music pounded in her ears, making them throb. She pushed herself up against Ace, hands linked around his neck.