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“I’m not sure exactly. Just talking. I learned… a lot about this place, and him. What I haven’t figured out is why. I have a feeling he doesn’t do anything without purpose, and after what he showed me tonight, well I can’t imagine he has any more skeletons in his closet. Honestly it’s weird; sometimes I think he’s the most authentic person I’ve ever met. Other times I’m sure it’s all an elaborate lie, a web of words to ensnare me before realize I’m already caught.”
“Shit, Em.”
“Yeah I know. It rubs off I guess. Also I’m tipsy.”
“Well that makes two of us,” Trevor said, finishing his beer to grab the one Luke returned with. The sweet scent kept grabbing my attention, to the elixir in my pocket. I hadn’t had any for days, and even though I’m sure the scent was subtle, its beacon was incessant. I needed to get rid of the temptation.
“Let’s go find Camina,” I said. “I’ve got something for her.”
“But what’s our move?” Trevor asked.
“Give me another day,” I said. “Then we’ll all decide together.”
“Did he say it was my idea?” Luke piped up behind us. “For the record, I think it’s insane. You both are. You can’t go back for him, it’s suicide. It’s better if you just leave him there. He’d never know.”
“I’d know,” I scowled.
“I mean, you did kill his father. That’s not easy to forgive, right? And he told you to leave him behind.”
“He also told me to meet him in the citadel.” Luke shrugged with a careless grin. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if he believed anything he was saying, or if he just liked to piss people off.
I followed his eyes to a group of girls in tight sparkly dresses. They were rushing across the street, with panic on their faces. Something was wrong. A few people were standing in front of a dance club with flashing lights, that smelled heavily of booze and sweat.
A woman under the streetlight caught eyes with me. She was covered in glowing neon body paint, that shimmered in the shadows. I thought I saw her jerk her head inside, before she put out a cigarette with her heel and headed up the street.
Inside, people were dancing inside under black lights, which made them look like writhing fluorescent skeletons. The music was heavy with bass and euphoric vocals. But one side of the room was standing still, craning their necks towards the back or walking away nervously to join the crowd outside.
We pushed our way past a pair of bodyguards into a private lounge area. Some kind of exclusive gentleman’s club, with fancy whiskey and expensive furniture. Camina was sprawled out on a couch, her bare feet up on the table. Her blonde hair was wild and her eyes nearly manic, and wearing only jean shorts and a black T-shirt. She took a long drag on a cigar, with a strong scent of elixir; harsh and smoky, but unmistakable.
I heard moaning and looked past her to the man on the floor, then found three other bodies, tangled under an overturned table and broken glass. Two of the men had visible bruises, but they all seemed to be alive.
My pulse spiked, remembering Augustine’s warnings.
“Where did you get that?” I asked, batting the cigar out of her hand. It landed on the rug, smoldering, but Luke picked it up before it could start a fire. “Camina what did you do?”
As if on cue, our exit was blocked by a row of guards, before Augustine stepped through them like a summoned demon.
“It’s not her fault,” I said, standing in front of Camina. “She didn’t know the rules. I didn’t tell her. That’s on me.”
“All transgressions have a cost,” Augustine said. But his expression was stern and caged. There was a tense moment, as I pondered violence, and wondered what the punishment would be.
“Relax,” a new voice chimed in. Tate, wearing a sequined dress, was sitting on one of the men. He protested weakly as she let go of his wrist. Her chin and the top of her dress were stained with fresh blood, which made her white fangs stand out like pearls.
“He bet he could make her smile. She bet she could beat him up, and all of his friends, for one of his fancy cigars. I bet on her, and she won; I’m currently extracting my payment from this gentleman. See? No big deal. And all perfectly legal.”
“Is that what happened?” Augustine looked at the men with piercing eyes. None had the courage to refuse Tate’s story.
“We’re having quite a riot, actually,” Tate said, glancing up at me. “I thought you were the interesting one, but your friend is much more my speed.”
“Why don’t we settle this later,” Augustine said, grabbing her arm. She jerked back and then shoved him away, so hard he stumbled.
“Why waste time?” Tate said. “Camina filled me in, your little collection of refugees need a ride home. You won’t loan them a vehicle, stingy bastard. Trying to extort them, no doubt. But I’d be happy to make things interesting. I’ll even loan you one of my cars. If you win, keep the car. If I win—”
“I’ve seen what happens when you win,” I said. “And we don’t drive in the compounds.”
“I can drive,” Trevor offered. “Damien taught me.” I glared at him. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Trevor said. “Is this any less risky than our other options?” Luke sat on the edge of the couch, took a drag from the spiked cigar, and then passed it back to Camina.
