“How is it that you know everything?” I exclaim, and she gives me a furtive smile and wink.
“Hey, dive bar is a little harsh. It’s a respectable establishment,” Malachi says, and now I’m laughing because I know he’s lying.
“If by respectable, you mean they don’t ask questions and the drinks are strong enough to strip paint,” Cade adds with a grin.
“Exactly my point,” Malachi says. “Very respectable.”
“Are we talking about the same place where someone allegedly punched a hole through the wall last month?” Alex asks, raising an eyebrow.
“That was an accident,” Dante says quietly, and everyone turns to stare at him. “What? The guy was really annoying.”
“Let’s meet up in the garage in two hours,” Malachi says, and Nasha pulls the towel that’s wrapped around her neck off and snaps it on Dante’s back.
“Yeah, because you all need a shower. You stink,” she says, flashing all of her teeth at him, and it’s the first time I notice there may be a little chemistry between those two.
Dante’s dirty-blond hair falls into his eyes as he lunges for Nasha, but she squeals with laughter and dodges out of his reach, darting toward the door with him in hot pursuit.
All I hear is her squeal disappearing down the hallway, causing me to giggle and shake my head. When I look back at Aurora, she raises her eyebrows, then laughs.
“Well, that’s new,” she says, gathering up her water bottle and towel. “Though, I guess it makes sense. They’ve been partnering up a lot during training.”
“I know, right? I was starting to wonder if I was imagining things,” I say, watching the doorway where they disappeared. “They’re actually kind of cute together.”
“Dante needs someone who can keep him on his toes,” Cade adds, chuckling. “Nasha’s definitely got the personalityfor it.”
“Speaking of keeping people on their toes,” Aurora says with a mischievous grin, “I should probably warn you all that I’ve heard District Blackout has karaoke nights.”
The collective groan from everyone makes me laugh even harder. “Please tell me it’s not karaoke night tonight.”
“Oh, I hope it is,” Aurora says, looking far too pleased with herself.
“I’m suddenly rethinking this whole team bonding idea,” Alex mutters, but he’s smiling as he heads toward the door.
By the timewe all squeeze into one of the larger SUVs and get going, it’s fully night out, and the moon is visible. Despite the snow on the ground, it’s a clear night with cool, crisp air. I watch out the window as we drive away from all the housing and into… well, nothing. We pass snow-covered field after snow-covered field, away from all the lights of the town. The stars look beautiful this far out here, away from all the light pollution.
“I wish Bash had come out with us tonight,” Aurora says from behind me, and I do too. He’s been working so hard lately.
“He’s in the zone right now, and you know how he gets when he’s focused,” Cade says.
“Is this place in the middle of nowhere or what?” I ask from the front seat, looking over at Malachi, who’s driving.
“We’re almost there, but we like to keep things low-key, and this place is a Solace favorite around here,” he says, not taking his eyes off the road.
I can see a flickering light in the distance, and as we get closer, I make out a motel. Its sign is only half lit up, and the parking lot is empty except for one car covered in a heaping pile of snow like it hasn’t moved in a long time. The single-laneroad stretches as far as I can see in both directions. On the right, we have the creepy motel, and on the left, I see our bar as we pull into the parking lot.
A neon beer-mug icon still clings to life, glowing faint blue, but right above it hangs a wooden placard that reads, “DISTRICT BLACKOUT.” The letters are uneven, like they were carved with a dull knife. The irony of a glowing sign under the word “Blackout” isn’t lost on anyone.
“This place looks like it’s one health inspection away from being condemned,” Aurora observes cheerfully from the back seat.
“That’s part of its charm,” Cade says, already unbuckling his seatbelt. “Wait until you see the inside.”
I can hear muffled music thumping through the walls and see warm-yellow light spilling from the windows. Despite the rundown exterior, there’s something welcoming about it, like finding civilization in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
“Last chance to back out,” Malachi says as he turns off the engine.
“Are you kidding?” I say, opening my door to the crisp night air. “After that buildup? I’m definitely curious now.”
Dante darts ahead, his boots crunching over the snow-packed steps before he swings the door wide, his grin sharp in the glow of the sign above. He does a ridiculous bow as Nasha walks in, and she rolls her eyes but can’t quite hide her smile. Malachi’s arm slides around my waist, his warmth seeping through my coat as he guides me inside. The heavy metal door groans shut behind us with a sound like rust grinding against rust.
