Page 66 of Cosplay & Consequences

“Is Paige still freaking out?” Jess asked cautiously.

“That’s putting it mildly,” I said, scrolling through the messages which were full of question marks and threats of bodily harm if I didn’t reply.

I sent Paige a text back saying we were on Faye’s trail and would update her soon. I slumped up against the wall, with a sigh of frustration.

Jess’s hand found her way into mine, and then she pulled my face down toward hers. She stood in front of me with a small smile, radiating reassurance. “We’re going to find her. And she’s going to be okay.”

I took another breath, and the pit in my stomach didn’t feel quite as bottomless. “Thank you.”

Her small smile became fully crooked as she tugged my hand, leading me away. “C’mon. Let's find some werewolves.”

I frowned. “Werewolves? Why are we looking for werewolves?”

Jessica let out a long sigh. “I have so much to teach you.”

Jess

We had just arrived at the Lycan party when I got a message from Bray. It linked to an InstaPost from Cam’s account: a selfie with her “besties” at the Bard’s Lament. Sure enough, Faye was in the photo, but Bray followed it up saying the event was packed and couldn’t find her anywhere.

When we got to Bard’s Lament, the room was crowded with cosplayers and staff. The stage had been set up for anyone to sign up to sing. As we walked in, two girls dressed as elves were singing a Brit Lohan song, deliberately butchering it while the crowd jeered.

The amount of people crammed into the room was unbelievable. Seeing the crowd, I knew someone at the door wasn’t paying attention to the number of people they had let in. I scanned the swarm of people, but couldn’t find Faye anywhere, and I could tell Danny was getting tense.

“The crowd is insane. How are we going to find her here?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Haven’t found her!” Brayonna announced as she grabbed us both by the arms. “But there’s one vantage point we might be able to use.”

“Where?” Danny asked.

Bray smirked and pointed at the stage.

The girls finished their song to a chorus of boos as a man dressed in a jester’s outfit took their microphones. “Everyone give a round of… okay, I’m not going to ask for applause for them.”

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Next up on the stage is Bennet!”

Danny blinked. “Is Bennet going up there?”

Bray shook her head and pointed at a table where her husband was passed out. “My man is a lightweight. Two whiskey sours, and it’s nap time. But if you want to take his place…”

“Bennet! Where are you, Bennet?”

Danny rolled his eyes and threw his arm up in the air. “Here!” he shouted, forcing his way through the crowd.

I gave Bray a side glance. “Did you get your husband skunked when I texted you in case this would happen?”

Bray feigned innocence. “Who? Me? Manipulating my husband to see if your hot off-Broadway star can sing?”

“Everybody give it up for Bennet!” the jester shouted as Danny got on stage and waved to the crowd. The opening chords to a familiar song kicked in. Bray and I burst into laughter.

“Kismet Sizzle?!” Danny shouted, glaring at the unconscious Bennet. “Really?!”

“I don’t know if I should hug you or hate you right now,” I said to Bray.

Brayonna let out a villainous cackle. “Shut up and give me a hug. You know you love me.”

The music kicked in hard, and Danny began to sing. His rich baritone voice filled the room, beautiful and glorious. The half-drunk crowd suddenly had his attention.