Page 75 of Dark Verse

“Now, it’s not one of ours,” Knox says to the crowd, “But it’s absolutely a favorite of every person on stage right now.”

He plays the opening chords to one of Cinder and Cress’s biggest hits, Lord of Population.

The audience’s energy begins to climb again. However, I’m unsure whether it’s because they enjoy the song or because they’re just happy for the Nightshades to keep playing. It’s just me and the piano, the keys slightly warped and a little yellow from years of use. That little critic in the back of my head starts making herself known, but I shut her up by bracing my fingers and thundering them down onto the keys.

I let myself get lost in the chords, playing backup to Cash as he smashes his way through every challenging rhythmic stretch. Playing call and response to Octavia’s improvised moments. Bouncing along with Zeke in my seat. Listening as Knox draws out every last bit of energy from the crowd with his voice.

The sound the audience makes as we finish is something I’ve never heard before as a classical piano performer. I’m accustomed to the polite applause of a classical music attendee. Not the complete wallop I feel in my chest as the crowd goes wild.

The Nightshades usually take the back exit after their last song, but tonight they go back into the crowd. I watch with immense pride as they shake hands, take photos, sign more shirts and CDs and arms and…oh good God. I watch as Knox signs most of a woman’s chest. I try to see if I recognize her from previous shows, but the angle of her face and the length of her hair block my view of her features.

I hope that’s not permanent ink.

I know they’ll be some time. The mob is thick around all four of them, so I slip backstage.

“Well damn, girl,” Hendrix says, and my smile widens. “Did not know you could play like that.”

“Thanks. I don’t play much for people.”

“Hope that changes soon.” He sticks out his hand. “It was a pleasure working with you.”

I take his hand. “And you.”

I take some time saying goodbye to the backstage crew and front of house. All the goodbyes feel weighty on my shoulders, but it’s only because, more than any other venue I’ve worked with before, I want this one to succeed. It’s been my most challenging assignment to date, and I’ve grown to care for the staff as well as some of the residents who have attended multiple shows over just the last four weeks. I will never forget the look on Miguel and Elena’s faces as Knox introduced Leo to every other member of the Nightshades. I could almost see the glow they both had, coming from within, as they met their favorite band and shared a special moment with their son. It’s moments like those that I live for, and I want this place to be open for years to come.

It’s well past eleven when the final ticket holders leave, and the Nightshades can pack their instruments and a few pieces of their gear they always take home between shows. It’s late August, but when the sun is long gone, a dampness hangs in the air from the evening rain showers. I join Knox and the others outside.

Knox pulls me into a hug the moment he sees me, our bodies pressing together in a way that makes my insides tremble.

“You did amazing, Venny,” he says.

“So good,” Zeke says.

“Agreed,” Cash adds from the other side of the van.

“Yeah?” I say, my fingers skimming across Knox’s shoulders.

I don’t even pretend like my intention isn’t to grab his ass as my hand falls into his back pocket. I’m distracted as the tips of my fingers run into something plastic. I pull at it, thinking it’s his credit card or something along that line.

Instead, when I bring the plastic out and we look at it together, I recognize it as something else entirely.

“What is that?” Knox asks.

“An iFind tag.”

He looks confused. “Was that in my pocket?”

“Yeah.”

His expression darkens. “What…”

“The fuck,” I finish the idea.

“What’s up?” Zeke asks, looking up from what he’s doing.

“Raven, please tell me you’ve become suddenly more clingy than I could have ever imagined and you put that there.”

I shake my head slowly.