“Are you drunk?”
Rella was jerked out of her reverie by her father’s abrupt appearance. “Excuse me?”
Phoenix jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the club’s stage. A tech crew was busy setting it up for the night’s rave event, a couple of the laborers bickering over where a missing amp was.
“I told you to make sure all our sound equipment was on the floor and available to them,” he waved a hand in disgust at her. “You’ve been cleaning the same cup for the last 10 minutes. Do I need to call Jess to fill in for you?”
Rella put away the cup she’d been cleaning and turned back to her dad with an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind.” She explained.
With a sigh, Phoenix rounded the bar and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Look, I get it. Classes start in three days and the anticipation is unsettling. But I really need you to either put that at the back of your mind, or call in some backup.”
“I’ll go grab the gear, send a couple of the guys to help since they’re already using the dolly.” She said, walking towards the storage close.
“Thank you!”
The club had been abuzz since early afternoon. Pandora was known for hosting popular events and rave night was top five. The building had two floors, the second level reserved for VIP parties where the patrons could look over a railing at the dancing crowd. A small group from tech worked on new multicolored lights that dotted the ceiling, while another set up fog machines into the corners of the club.
Usually, Rella would join in on the excitement and be on top of all the prep. But for the past day and half the only thing on her mind was the last time she’d seen Arkadiy.
After he blew her off for his meeting, he stopped answering her messages altogether. Earlier this morning she’d arrived to his office for their scheduled meetup only to have Claudia turn her away without any explanation, so she drove straight to work.
A part of Rella started to feel foolish for having been so naïve and willing to trust Arkadiy.
The bigger part of her was genuinely worried for him and wanted to know if he was ok. What if the Grand Council had caught wind of her already? They could have imprisoned the headmaster for treason and they’d be coming for her next.
On the other hand, with how ruthless the GC was with their citizens, Rella was sure that if they were involved she would have been swept up by them by now. Whatever was keeping Arkadiy from answering her had to be important.
In the meantime, she was struggling to keep her thoughts in order long enough to get her job done properly. Phoenix was always antsy when it came to prepping for the events he hosted. But Rella could feel his worried gaze on the back of her neck as she walked away from him.
Eventually she was going to have to tell him the truth. The more she thought about it the more she realized that she was putting Phoenix and his business at risk. He had every right to know that he was employing a Traveler…an untrained one at that.
Rella unlocked the door to the storage room and began pulling everything she needed. Behind her she could hear a couple crew members arrive, chattering away about their latest hookup. She ignored their banter and shoved a speaker into the arms of the man closest to her.
“That connects to stage right. I’ll be up to help in a minute.” She said.
Before he left she noticed the two exchange looks of irritation. Brushing it off as nothing, Rella grabbed two amps and dragged them out of the closet. She glared at the crew member when he made no move to help.
The name stitched to his work shirt said his name was Aaron. He had a mop of curly brown hair that hung just above his ice blue eyes. The leather vest he wore exposed a sturdy chest with corded muscles. A symbol branded above his heart implied he belonged to the local wolf pack, the Blue Moon.
Known for being heavily patriarchal, the males of the pack didn’t take well to a woman ordering them around. Especially an outsider.
He curled his lip and walked past her making sure to bump her shoulder.
“Oh, hell no,” Rella let go of her speaker and spun on him. “Touch me again and you’ll be out of a job and banned from the premises. Got it?” She snapped.
The lycan stopped in his tracks and glowered at her over his shoulder. “I don’t take orders from slimy Travelers, bitch.”
Rella felt the color drain from her face and her body instantly go cold. “What are you talking about?” She asked numbly.
Aaron’s nostrils flared and his face contorted into disgust. He dropped his amp and stalked towards her, making her take a step back in apprehension. “A Traveler and a liar,” He snarled. “I should just kill you where you stand.”
“You need to back off,” She warned, keeping her distance.
How did he know? She hadn’t used magic in days.
Aaron’s eyes darkened with each step he took. He was mere feet away from her when his nostrils flared again, his hand slapping to his face. “Gods, you Traveler’s reek like death.” He groaned behind his hand. “The GC should have rounded you all up and destroyed you when they had the chance.”
The threat of her being ratted out to them was the only thing keeping Rella from arguing any further. She had forgotten that the GC had once employed lycans from various packs to help in hunting down Travelers. “Look, I swear I didn’t mean to offend.” She assured hesitantly. “I’ll stay away. I’m just here to work.”
With a scoff, Aaron rolled his eyes and turned to leave, only pausing to pick up his discarded amp.
Once she was sure he was gone, Rella stumbled against a wall and slid to the ground. She hugged her knees to her chest and let out a strangled sob. That was the closest she’d ever been to being exposed. Her chest constricted in panic as she imagined Aaron reporting her to the GC.
Travelers may be allowed to walk the world with everyone else, but they still had little to no protection. Too many loopholes existed in current laws that excluded them from basic rights. The murder of a Traveler could easily be swept under the rug and no one would care.
If Rella wasn’t careful tonight she could piss off the wrong crowd and the club would be shut down and she could say goodbye to freedom.
Taking in deep breaths, she waited until her heart stopped racing then slowly made her way back out to the stage. Keeping her head low she helped the crew finish setting up the stage and DJ booth. Aaron and his friend glared daggers at her the entire time making sure to stay far away from her.
No one treated her any different than before, making her assume they’d kept their discovery to themselves. It helped to ease her tension but not by much.
Everything went on without a hitch. By the time the sun was setting the tech crew was leaving and the servers and bartenders were clocking in. When the last van sped out of the parking lot Rella finally eased in to her job. The fact that Aaron and his friend left without causing any more trouble had Rella partially convinced all was well.
The encounter with them had left her wary of who she could trust.
Phoenix encouraged everyone to dress for the event so she took the opportunity to run into the dressing room and slip into her rave wear. The girls she worked with welcomed her in with cheers, all of them excited for the night. Rella easily slipped into conversation with them as she changed clothes.
They talked about everything and nothing, the familiar routine wiping away the rest of her anxiety.
“My dog ate my fishnets again!”
“Girl, just put your clothes in a hamper like a normal person.”
“Who took my highlighter?!”
“Sorry babe, you lent it to me I forgot.”
“I heard the college students are coming in for one last bash before school starts.”
“Oooh, maybe we’ll finally get lucky with a mage that knows their stuff.”
The girls giggled as they all openly fantasized about their dream person.
“Rella, don’t you start next week?” Asked Savannah, a bombshell blonde with a figure that made every head turn.
The noise level in the room died down as most of the girls’ attention turned towards her. “Uh, yeah,” she said, clearing her throat. “I actually started private classes with one of their staff.”
It wasn’t a total lie. Still, guilt gnawed at her as she was once again reminded that it was time to tell her father.
“Mm, you have to tell us about the headmaster when you meet him.” Gushed Savannah. “He was on the news this morning and I about died.”
Rella had to stop herself from reacting in a way that would invite too many questions from the girls. Staring at herself in the mirror, she applied her makeup and asked nonchalantly, “What was he featured for?”
“I don’t know, something about a meeting he went to that was in a different realm. He’s supposed to return tomorrow with some important news.”
The topic switched quickly to shoes and Rella slowly let out a sigh of relief. No wonder Arkadiy hadn’t responded to her messages, he had yet to receive them. Technology didn’t transfer well between realms, making it close to impossible for proper communication.
Hopefully she heard from him by tomorrow. She was just happy to hear he was safe.
One by one the girls finished up and left the dressing room. Rella dabbed some glitter on her cheeks to finish off her look then made a beeline for the bar, the club walls already vibrating from the bass of the music.
A long line awaited her, the bartenders swamped with orders. She slipped into manager mode and barked at the patrons to separate into five lines to keep the bar organized. Within minutes she fell into routine and was mixing drinks while taking orders. Everything was going well, a grin on her face as her regulars made an appearance. Soon everyone was on the floor dancing, the line dwindling to a few patrons that were taking it easy and sipping at their drinks.
It slowed down enough that she encouraged her coworkers to go on the floor and dance for a song or two.
Left alone with no pending orders, Rella poured herself some sprite and sipped at it as she leaned into the bar. The DJ for the night was on point making everyone sway and grind.
Savannah pulled herself away from the crowd and walked up to the bar with an empty server’s tray. “I need 8 rounds of Haku vodka straight for VIP.” She shouted over the music.
Rella nodded and pulled out the glasses from underneath the bar then turned to grab the bottle from the shelf behind her. She shook the liquor with ice before pouring it and garnishing each of them with a lemon peel.
“Have you gone out there yet?” Asked Savannah as she took the drinks from her and placed them on the tray.
“Just waiting for someone to switch places with me.” Laughed Rella.
“I need a break after this order, I’ll come back and tag you out!”
They may not be best friends, but the girls she worked with were all dolls. Every one treated each other like family. The thought had Rella swaying in place with glee. She was wiping down the bar when a customer walked up to it.
“What’s your poison?” Asked Rella.
The man looked her up and down with a grin, his green eyes flashing with heat. “A double shot of El Dorado rum and a dance.” He said smoothly just as Savannah returned.
Rella poured him his drink and was about to decline when Savannah hip bumped her out the way. “She accepts!” She gushed, earning herself an incredulous look from Rella. The glare went unnoticed as the server ushered her from behind the bar. “You two have fun!”
“Thanks,” Rella said with sarMattm. She turned to face her new dance partner with feigned enthusiasm. “Let’s go then.”
The man held out a hand to lead her on to the floor. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Rella grabbed his wrist and led him herself, shoving her way past the gyrating bodies.
When she was as close to the stage as she wanted to be she held up her partners arm and began to sway against him. Rella had no problem dancing on her own, but she had to give Savannah props for hooking her up with someone that knew what to do.
Between the heavy bass and his moves, her body started to loosen up and her thoughts scattered. All she felt was the music, her fears disappearing with each pulse. The crowd blurred until her only focus was dancing. Her pulse picked up in pace, her nerves aflame. Nothing mattered anymore as the music thudded in her chest.
A hand gripped her hip and brought her close to a wiry frame. Slowly the hand left her hip and caressed her side, goosebumps dotting her skin. Her head lolled backwards against his chest, a sweet scent emanating from him. Instantly her body reacted, her skin turning so sensitive she could feel his breath at the crook of her neck.
Rella turned to face her dance partner with a languid grin, his body awash with flashing multicolored lights. She trailed a hand up his arm until her fingers tangled into his curls. He bit his lip as he swayed against her, his body glistening with a sheen of sweat. His head tilted forward, the light in his eyes dimming.
Parting her lips, Rella breathed him in, her head going fuzzy with intoxication. The man moved closer, his hips now against hers. Her hand pushed down on his head, bringing him close enough that his lip hovered over hers. She closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply, his scent melting her bones.
“Take me,” He begged in a whisper, his breath tickling her face. Despite the pounding music Rella could hear every word.
It was like throwing gasoline into a fire. She maintained a grip on his hair while her free hand dug its fingers into his hip. When her eyes snapped open again everything was sharper and more vivid. His presence assaulted her senses, a carnal hunger growing in a way she hadn’t felt in days. She managed to catch herself just as her head was tilting up to meet her partners lips.
All of it felt wrong.
This wasn’t what she wanted. Her ears began to ring as a primal urge unfurled in her chest. Her body wanted to take the plunge but he was the last thing she desired.
Everything about him suddenly felt off. He had stopped dancing moments ago, only moving with her direction. His dull eyes remained locked on her lips, his breath coming out in short pants. The hair in her hand no longer felt soft, making her jerk away from him. He just stood there staring at her, waiting for orders.
The man was already half gone, his face pale.
With a strangled cry, Rella left him on the floor and scurried past the bar straight to the empty kitchen. On rave nights, Phoenix always opted for a small menu of snacks and finger foods that didn’t require a full kitchen, which Rella was more than grateful for at the moment. The door swung wildly behind her, none of the lights on, which she preferred. She let out a deep breath and clutched her chest.
Never had she felt such fear over the unknown. Everything on the floor was all enhanced by her seal, she was sure of it. And the closer she’d gotten to her dance partner, the more the seal took without her realizing. The worst part about it all was that she wanted more. It was hard to think past the lust that coursed through her, her hands balling up into fists as she took in deep breaths.
Maybe she should have taken up Phoenix’s offer and gone home after all. She’d pushed it off for long enough, it was definitely time to tell him everything. This could happen again and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop herself. Her “issues” have been compromised twice in one day. The guilt of keeping him at risk was eating her alive.
What would Arkadiy tell her to do?
Running a hand through her hair, Rella collected herself and pulled out her phone. Her last four messages flashed on screen, all of them left on delivered. Regardless, she typed away her current predicament, hoping Arkadiy would finally see and answer her. She turned as she pressed send and bumped in to a sturdy chest.
A hand clamped painfully around her mouth before she could apologize.
“Make a sound and we’ll snap your neck. We don’t need you alive for this.” Aaron rumbled in her ear. All she could see was his silhouette as he roughly shoved her back up against a wall.
“Hurry up! Matt wants to leave now,” another voice hissed from the shadows.
Rella struggled briefly before metal cuffs clamped around her wrists. She gasped for breath as her energy was instantly sucked out of her. Her legs crumpled underneath her weight, Aaron grabbing her by the back of her neck until she adjusted to the effects of her shackles.
Ice cold fear spread through Rella, but there was nothing she could do. The cuffs she wore were designed by the Grand Council to drain just enough magic that the victim couldn’t effectively use it. They also granted its user full control of whoever wore them. Currently anyone could tell her to jump off a bridge and she’d have no choice but to do so. No matter what Rella tried to do, she couldn’t make her body move.
“Walk out back,” ordered Aaron, letting go of her.
She wanted to tell him to drop dead, but her body did as it was told, one leg moving in front of the other and taking her through the kitchen exit. A black sedan with heavily tinted windows was waiting in the alley, the lights off but the car rumbling in idle. A door swung open, Aaron ordering her to get in the back. He slid in beside her, slamming the door shut.
“Shit,” Matt, the driver, snapped. He rammed the car in to gear and peeled out of the alleyway, a woman screaming shrilly for them to stop.
“Head straight to Jarek’s,” Barked Aaron. “I already put the siphon cuffs on her. She’ll be half dead by the time we get there.”
Realization dawned on her as Aaron muttered a spell that activated her cuffs, the metal glowing with a dull blue light.
Siphon cuffs went above and beyond what the official GC shackles did and could collect the magic it drained, allowing anyone to use its reservoir. However, the process worked best by draining the life essence out of the person wearing the cuffs.
Rella’s heart palpitated as she felt herself grow weaker, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as it fell back.
“Jarek is going to pay thousands for this,” Aaron sneered. “This has got to be the strongest batch yet.”
In the front seat both the driver and passenger swore loudly as the car jerked to the right and swerved around a sharp turn. It began to speed, Rella sliding into Aaron limply. He shoved her to the other side of the car looking absolutely revolted at having to touch her any more than he needed to.
“What the hell are you doing?” He asked the driver through clenched teeth.
All Rella could do was stare at him, her anger overriding her fear and confusion. How many times had Aaron done this for it too have gone so smoothly? She hated that she hadn’t drop kicked him when she had a chance. The damn seal had been the only thing on her mind, she never should have let her guard down.
“There’s someone following us!” Barked Matt. The car tires squealed as he took another sharp turn towards the city’s underground tunnels. He sped past civilian traffic, never staying within a lane. “Nate, grab the bomber from the glove compartment.”
From her angle all Rella could see in the sedans exterior mirror was a sleek convertible copying their erratic driving through the tunnels. They continued weaving through traffic until they were encroaching on the exit to the one of the bridges leading out of Neoridia.
Nate did as he was told, pulling out a small metal sphere and twisting it in half until it clicked. Rella’s fury mounted as she recognized the device, her breath coming out in angry pants. If he threw the bomber, whoever was following was going to be assaulted by a blinding flash followed by millions of metal bb pellets that had as much force behind it as a bullet from a handgun.
A throbbing pressure built up in Rella’s throat as she struggled to get enough energy to form words. The world seemed to slow as she focused on the bomber in Nate’s hands. Sweat trickled down her brow and into her eyes, the sting forgotten as she grit her teeth so hard her jaw popped. The cuffs glowed brightly as her magic fought against the seal and seeped through the cracks, pooling in to her chest until it suffocated her. The primal urge from earlier returned, only this time, it wanted blood.
Nate rolled his window down and cocked his arm back. Just as the bomber was flying from his hand and out the window, Rella let out a bellow that she felt from the depths of her soul. A pulse of energy left her body, the bomber igniting in front of Nate’s face.
Matt lost control as the bb’s ricocheted within the car, Nate slumping over as a few embedded themselves in his head. Rella slammed in to her window and was left in a daze, the swell of magic disappearing as the cuffs continued to drain her. Aaron had his arms up protecting his face and head, his body rocking against the driver’s seat as Matt fought for control. The rear windows shattered, the flying pieces of shards slicing Rella’s exposed skin.
The sedan fishtailed then spun in a circle before shrieking to a stop. Civilians honked their horns angrily as they narrowly avoided crashing into them. Matt jerked in his seat and turned to her with a wild look just as Aaron grabbed a fistful of her hair and slam her head into the window hard enough to bust open her lip.
“Can you still drive?” He yelled at Matt.
“I—Christ, man, she killed Nate! Why didn’t the cuffs work?!”
Behind them the silver convertible screeched to a stop. Aaron slapped the back of Matt’s seat and urged him to get back into gear. The sedan peeled out of its spot, Rella catching a glimpse of who had been following them. Her eyes pricked with tears of relief as she saw Claudia aim her hands, her face pinched with determination.
The crunch of metal drowned the sound of Matt’s shouts of alarm as he stomped on the gas. As they sped out of the tunnels and on to the bridge Aaron’s door tore away along with him. The sound of his agonized screams cut off quickly as the car lurched forward and far from Claudia’s reach.
Rella cried out in frustration and lurched herself forward clawing at Matt’s arms. He pummeled her face with his elbow but she didn’t care. She made a grab for the steering wheel causing them to clip the back end of a commercial truck. Their car veered out of lane and scraped against the bridges cement rails.
“You psycho bitch, you’re gonna kill us both!” Yelled Matt.
She was so drained she didn’t care. The promise of taking him down with her was the only thing that kept her going. The cuffs had done their job and she was done for anyway.
Gathering the last of her strength, Rella pulled away from him before she wrapped the chain links around his neck. With a scream of pain, she spun herself around until her wrists and chains were crossed before she dropped her full weight to the floor of the car.
The choking sounds coming from him were music to her ears, the car jerking from side to side as he fought against her grip. She pulled at the chains, the cuffs cutting off the blood flow to her hands. There was nothing else she could do. Her heart skipped erratically and her vision darkened. Tears streamed down her face in hot rivulets, her teeth bared as she used the last of her strength to yank her chains forward, Matt’s throat collapsing and killing him instantly.
Rella was so far gone she barely felt her body get tossed around as the sedan spun out in to traffic uncontrollably. Bones snapped and her head whipped around wildly. The world went upside down and she felt herself flailing as the sedan rolled over twice. Then, everything went dark and all she could hear were screams.
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