“Can I set the table or something?” Fergus appeared at the counter once again. “I feel useless sitting here.” I handed him a stack of plates.
As he walked around laying out the dinnerware, I heard Craton ask, “Hey man, do I know you from somewhere?” I strained my ears to hear his reply.
“I don’t think so,” Fergus answered coldly. “People always say I have a familiar face.” The second knock on the door interrupted my eavesdropping.
“Vorie’s here!” Lane called from the living room.
“Guess what Brayson found.” Vorie excitedly ran to the kitchen carrying two bottles filled with brown liquid. “Tequila!” She wiggled her eyebrows at me while smiling.
I’d had cheap wine, home brewed beer, and some weird liquor called moonshine. I’d never had real tequila before and I’m pretty sure none of my friends had either. Genie shrieked in excitement as she ran to get the glasses. Vorie poured us each a shot and handed them out around the room.
“To Genie,” Lane said as he raised his cup. “One more day and you’ll be a free woman.” We toasted and then downed our drinks. The liquid burned my mouth and made my eyes water. I set down my glass laughing as I watched everyone coughing to clear their throats.
“That’s good stuff,” Genie said as she leaned casually against Craton.
“I need something to eat,” Vorie gagged. “Like right now, before I vomit.”
*
“Fergus, tomorrow night we are going to Dives?” Genie blew a kiss to Craton as she handed him the casserole dish. “Would you be able to come with us?”
A cloud passed over Fergus’ eyes and he looked down to his food. “Fawn mentioned that to me. No, I won’t be able to make it. I’m sorry.”
I held my fork covered in noodles suspended in the air and placed my elbow on the table. “Fergus doesn’t like Dives. He doesn’t think we should go.”
“Oh, you’ve been there then?” Genie smiled at him, ignoring half of what I said.
“Are you sure I don’t know you?” Craton had been studying Fergus’ face. “Maybe I’ve seen you at the club.”
“I did maintenance there a long time ago. It’s possible that you saw me in passing.” Fergus took a bite of his food. “This is really good. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”
“Maintenance?” Brayson asked. “What kind of maintenance?” The smile spread across my cheeks. He might be able to dodge my questions, but my friends would drag the truth out of him.
“Just maintenance,” Fergus shrugged.
Brayson set down his fork and raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to have to tell me more than that. What maintenance is there to do on an imaginary building?”
Fergus’ face was expressionless. I waited on the edge of my seat for the answer, kicking myself for not asking that in the first place.
“Forgive him,” Vorie laughed. “He is an architect. He gets serious about his projects.” She placed her hand gently on Brayson’s forearm. “I’m sure Fergus is nervous enough as it is. We don’t have to interrogate him.”
“It’s fine,” Fergus finally spoke. “My job is to maintain the people.” The room went silent and the gears in my head began to turn.
“You’re a part of the mafia then.” I stared at him in disbelief.
“Aren’t we all?” Fergus asked.
“We definitely didn’t choose this life,” Genie laughed.
“I didn’t either.” Fergus shook his head sadly. “They conscripted me when I was young. I didn’t grow up in an orphanage, but my mother died when I was a kid. My family gave me to them before I started school, and the mafia gave me a job.”
“Essentially, you’re just a bouncer,” Vorie smiled as she tried to keep the conversation lighthearted.
“Something like that.” Fergus turned to Brayson. “You’re an architect? Where did you go to school?”
“He didn’t,” Vorie beamed as she squeezed her fiancés arm. “He grew up in the orphanage with us, but he is a prodigy.”
Brayson softly touched Vorie’s hand. “It was an accident. I created this garden walking through the realm when I was a teenager. They pulled me out of service and tested me for a few years before realizing that manifesting worlds came naturally to me. I just got promoted to an architect position a few weeks ago. There is still a lot to learn.”
I watched Fergus intently throughout the rest of dinner. He seemed at ease and comfortable. By the time Genie poured our third shots, I’d forgotten why I was mad at him in the first place. We danced to music and ate cherry cobbler in the living room while Genie regaled us with stories from her working days. The night grew late and Fergus came over to tell me good-bye.
“Want to walk me to the portal?” He leaned against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets.
“Fawn hates the dark.” Genie put her arm around his shoulders and leaned unsteadily against him. “Don’t make her go out there.”
“You hate the dark?” Fergus cocked his head to the side, and I turned to glare at my friend.
She stared back at me with glassy eyes. “What?” she giggled. “You do hate the dark. He should know that if he is going to keep coming around.”
“I’ll walk you down the steps,” I said as I threw open the door. The breeze from the stairwell tickled my skin and the stillness of the space outside my home made me realize I was much drunker than I thought I was. I grabbed onto the banister as I walked.
“Are you okay?” Fergus’ face was full of his usual concern.
“I’m fine.” I rolled my eyes as I stressed the word. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
“You should get some rest,” Fergus sighed. “Sorry for crashing the party by the way.”
“You didn’t have a choice.” We reached the bottom step and I leaned against the wall. “Genie doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“She also seems fine giving out your secrets,” he said playfully. “Why are you afraid of the dark?”
“It’s not that I’m afraid.” I looked up to the sliver of black sky. “I just don’t like the shadows that hang out in dark alleys.” The image of my childhood monster flashed in my mind. “I’m also not liking Genie right now.”
“I like your friends,” he chuckled. “But I really don’t think you all should go to Dives tomorrow.”
“Did you not hear what I just said? Even if I didn’t want to go, there is no way I’d get out of going to Genie’s grand event.”
Fergus looked out at the empty street. “I figured as much. Just keep your head down there and don’t talk to the people. They aren’t like you.”
“And what am I like?” I puffed out my chest as I forced myself to stand up straight.
Fergus smiled. “You are perfect Fawn. They are nowhere near your league.” Sighing loudly, I fell back against the wall. I’d totally set myself up for that response. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I work for the mafia. I didn’t want you to think less of me. It’s just a job though. I don’t even get paid that well. Now that it’s out in the open, no more secrets. I promise.”
I nodded my head. The effects of the tequila were beginning to fade, and I suddenly remembered why I was upset. “What are we going to do about the spirit woman?”
“I’m trying to get her to talk to me,” he said as he looked down to his feet. “If I can coax her out in the open, I might be able to get her to move on. So far, she doesn’t want to communicate, but give it some time. I’m sure she’ll come around.”
I shivered and wrapped my arms over my body. “What can I do to help? Maybe I can get her to talk to me.”
Fergus leaned down and gently kissed my cheek. “That might work,” he smiled. “For now, why don’t you get inside where it is safe and warm.”
I watched him walk away down the darkened street for a moment before racing back up the stairs to the laughter of my friends.
*
“What are your plans today?” Vorie wore loose sweatpants and pulled her messy hair back into a
braid. She jumped onto my bed and buried herself into the blankets next to me. She and Brayson slept on the couch last night after staying too late for the party.
“I think I’m going to read more about gardening.” I smiled up at her happy face. Her cheeks always had the slightest tint of pink like she couldn’t wait to share her excitement with someone. “Do you know that we might be able to sprout some beans from the dried ones we get in bags?”
“Seriously?” Vorie took the top book from my bedside stack and began to flip through the pages. “We’ve been talking so much about how to get seeds. This is awesome. Let’s grow beans!”
I laughed as I sat up in the bed. “Well what did you think about Fergus?” I asked. Vorie’s face dropped for a moment. “You didn’t like him?” I nudged her with my shoulder, and she scooted closer to me.
“It’s not that,” she said. “It’s just, well, Brayson doesn’t like him. Do you like him? Does he make you happy?”
“I don’t know,” I yawned. “Something is off. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“Always trust your instincts,” Vorie said softly. “I feel the same way about him, like I’m just not sure what to think yet. If he treats you well though, and makes you happy, then I definitely approve.”
“What are you two going to do today?” I took the book back from her hands.
“Brayson has to run into work for a little bit so we are going to head home soon. I’ll get caught up on some reading too, then I’ll get dressed up all fancy and meet you guys at the portal tonight.” She got up from my bed and walked over to the door. I pulled the blanket back around me and opened the gardening book.
“Hey Fawn,” Vorie paused before leaving the room. “You deserve to be happy. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.”
“I’ll be happy when we get out of this wasteland,” I laughed.
“I know.” Vorie smiled her big, beautiful smile. “I can’t wait either.”
Chapter 17
∞
“We are going to be late!” Genie anxiously paced back and forth on the sidewalk outside of the portal. She looked stunning in the floor length lace gown with her hair extensions cascading down her shoulders in wavy curls. Her makeup was simple, but I knew she was waiting to buy a bunch of glamour once we crossed into the realm.
“And I can’t believe you didn’t wear the green dress.” She stopped pacing and turned her frustration onto me. I ran my hands down the flowing black silk that bunched around my waist and whispered against my ankles.
“I feel prettier in this one,” I shrugged.
“She looks amazing,” Lane smiled. “You both do.”
“Where are you guys going tonight?” Ruth asked from her seat on the ground.
“Great,” Genie groaned. “Now the Can’t Commits are talking to us.”
“The can’t what?” Ruth looked up to me and I put a finger over my lips to silence her.
“I told Craton we’d meet him at 7 o’clock and it’s already five minutes past.” Angry tears welled in Genie’s eyes.
“Don’t cry sweetie.” Lane grabbed both of her shoulders and shook her gently. “Your eyes will get puffy.”
“Let’s just go,” I said. “Vorie told me Brayson had to work for a bit, maybe he is running late. They bought their own tickets anyway, so they don’t need us to get them in. We’ll just meet them there.”
Genie blinked to dry her eyes. “You’re right. Vorie wouldn’t want us to wait out here.” She cast a side glance to Ruth. “Let’s go party!” Genie raised her arms in the air, shaking them wildly, as she entered the portal. I dutifully followed her, taking one last look over my shoulder to see if Vorie and Brayson were coming.
*
Craton met us in the hall of the realm. His eyes lit up when he saw Genie. “You look beautiful tonight babe.”
“Ha,” Genie laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” She raced over to the walls with the glamour displays and began swiping her tracker like a madwoman. When her tirade ended, she looked like a fairy tale princess. Her makeup was porcelain with artfully painted eyes and lips. She wore a jeweled crown with a single gem dropping onto her forehead. Seven-foot-tall butterfly wings with pale yellows against shimmering blues curled and danced in an ethereal breeze on her back. Wisps of green and purple smoke trailed behind her, illuminating the outfit and silhouetting her frame.
“I’m ready,” she breathed out in excitement as she spun herself around in front of the mirror. I grabbed a simple pansy flower and tucked it behind my ear. “Apparently Fawn is ready too.” Genie smiled one of her genuine smiles, letting me know that she was okay with my simplicity tonight.
*
Dives was anything but simple though, and I instantly felt underdressed. The room was huge, like a palace, with intricately carved walls of stone. Tables covered in white silk circled around a central ballroom floor. Fairy lights and cherry blossoms hung suspended in midair above our heads.
The people were a mess of glamour sporting garish masquerade masks or presenting as half animal creatures. A man with horse legs almost ran me over as he and his date, a woman draped in Victorian regalia, made their way to a table.
“Why don’t we have this type of glamour?” Lane whispered in my ear.
“We probably can’t afford it, that’s why.” I stood in awe of the spectacle before me. Craton ushered us to a table. I was suddenly grateful for my outfit because I just seemed to fade into the crowd, but I noticed looks of disapproval cast in Genie’s direction. She held her head high and marched past them all while laughing merrily.
“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Genie said as we took our seats. “What does everyone want?”
“I’ll go get them.” Craton pulled out her chair.
“I’ve got this.” She laid a hand against his chest. “I’ll just get the first round. Besides, I want to check this place out.”
Craton nervously watched her saunter away with her wings brushing through the throngs of people sitting at the tables.
“She’ll be fine,” I reassured him. “Genie doesn’t care what people think.”
“I know.” Craton reluctantly turned away. “Actually, while she is gone, there is something I need to tell you Fawn.” I gave him my full attention. “I don’t want to bring up any problems on her special night, but I did some asking around because I was sure I knew your friend from somewhere. Turns out that Fergus guy was two classes above me in prep school at the southeast institute. My buddy says he was there all four years.”
“Drama!” Lane’s eyes were wide. “Didn’t Fergus say he didn’t go to school? The mafia wouldn’t pay for something like that.”
I lowered my eyes to hide my embarrassment. “He says a lot of things that don’t add up.”
“Didn’t he say he worked here too?” Lane looked around the room. “Want me to dig up some more dirt?”
“Not tonight,” I shook my head. “This is Genie’s night. I don’t want to ruin it.”
Genie returned with the drinks. “Gin for you.” She handed a glass to Lane. “Beer for my love. Mai Tai for me. Water for Fawn.” I took the glass gratefully from her. “Just because I’m not paying for something you don’t even want,” she winked.
We cheered to Genie’s freedom. I glanced over to the entrance to see if Vorie and Brayson had arrived. After Genie finished her drink, she dragged Craton onto the dance floor.
Lane picked up his glass. “I need a refill,” he said conspiratorially.
“Don’t cause any problems,” I warned him.
“I just want to ask the bartender a question or two,” he smiled.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the untouched glass of water in front of me. What was taking Vorie so long?
“You know there are plenty of other places to not drink your water.” Alister. His voice made the hairs on my skin stand up. I whipped my head to the side to see him pull out the empty chair and sit down beside me.
“What are you doi
ng here? Did you follow me?”
His green eyes shone with specks of gold catching the reflection from the fairy lights. His face was so close to mine that I moved back my chair.
Alister shook his head. “No little deer. You don’t get to be scared. You came to my neck of the woods. What are you doing here?”
I looked around the room. Craton was twirling Genie around in the middle of the dancing crowd. Lane leaned seductively against the bar counter speaking with the bouncer. Vorie and Brayson still hadn’t shown up. My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t know if I wanted my friends to come back or to protect them from ever meeting this man.
“Just out having a good time.” I tried to relax my voice. The less he knew about me, the better.
“I seriously doubt that,” Alister chuckled.
“And why is that?” I shot him a cold glance.
Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he leaned back in his seat. “Because you are sitting here all alone, looking like you want to disappear, and you haven’t touched your water.”
My heart began to beat faster. “I don’t drink.”
“Not even water?” He winked playfully.
“Okay. I am so fed up with everyone being able to wink that well. What am I doing wrong?” Yeah, I don’t know where that came from either.
Alister bit his lip to tone down his smile. “Why don’t you show me how you wink, and I’ll see what I can do to help?” I tried my very best wink and he burst into laughter while clutching his side.
“You don’t have to be so rude.” I crossed my arms.
“I apologize.” Alister stopped laughing. “My advice is to never try to wink again.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled and reached for my glass.
“Why water?” he asked.
“It all tastes the same in the realm. I’d rather not waste credits on something fake.”
Alister’s face was suddenly very grave. “You are the same as me.”
“I seriously doubt that,” I smirked.
“You must be. We don’t feel the effects of the realm. Can you see through the glamour too?” His voice sounded urgent.
The Nocere: A Haunting Dystopian Tale Book 1 Page 9