Page 60 of Dream in Darkness
Long white waves flow down a slightly muscular back. Unlike Tempest and I, who are strong and buff, Phaelyn is softer.
“How is Nico?” she asks, and Draven and Gemma smile like two proud parents. They’re settling into their new role well.
“He’s excellent. Yasmeena’s fiancé is currently watching him,” he shares, and my mind starts picturing Tempest again.
Maybe she has Nico slung over her shoulders, enjoying the carnival with him. Or maybe she’s pacing a room, stressed about having to deal with the small child. I hope it’s the former and not the latter.
“Good, I’m glad to hear that,” she says, and then drops into a whisper. “I’m currently developing a mission. The only person who knows about it is Zada, so I would appreciate you not telling your leaders just yet.”
We all nod in a silent agreement.
“I’m working on a covert operation. I don’t know how many carnies I’d need to borrow, maybe a handful? We’d be going undercover on Avaricia—specifically to Hel’s Casino. I want to take the money Micha has been stealing and return it to his citizens,” she explains, and I freeze.
I’m terrified and impressed. It could cause a lot of problems. If Micha found out who did it, a war could come out of this, but it would also do so much good.
“It’s like Ocean’s Eleven!” Gemma says excitedly.
“Lower your voice,” Draven practically hisses. “No one understands your Earthly references, my butterfly.”
She scowls at him. “What about Robin Hood?”
“Not a fucking clue, babes,” Reina says, and I fight back a giggle.
“We’re doing a heist. A charity heist,” Gemma finally says, defeated.
Phaelyn nods. “Maybe. Not anytime soon, though. Ihave a lot of things to work through first. Fix your turf war and then we’ll talk? I’d love updates on Nico as well if I could.”
“Understood,” Draven says. “I love you. Stay safe and have fun planning your dance club. Be nice to my wife.”
Draven stands up and kisses Phaelyn’s forehead before moving back to Gemma and kissing her on the cheek. Absinthe and I follow out of the room, leaving Reina with the other two to finish their next set of plans.
“I’m going to speak with Luc regarding Josina and Cavan. We can’t keep letting them get away with these atrocities,” Draven says, and I salute him goodbye.
The hallway is quiet—so quiet I can hear the slow beating of my heart. The adrenaline of the last few hours has finally started to wear off, leaving exhaustion in its wake.
“They’ll serve us dinner in a few hours.” Absinthe isn’t wearing her usual jester makeup or outfit, and it’s jarring to see her appear so normal, decked in a grey suit that fits her feminine curves just right. Her skin is a lovely, medium pink. Not deep, but not pale. She’s beautiful.
It’s like a stripped down version of the half-demon I’m used to. Absinthe’s carnival persona is fun, but I like this too. It’s more authentic.
“Sounds good. Do you want to go out on one of the balconies with me?” I ask, and she nods.
Portraits and decorative figures border the corridor as we make our way down to a balcony entrance. I stop and take in some of the art. Heavy, gilded frames hold paintings of important events in Hel’s history.
Hel prior to The Convergence. The battle between Lucifer and the League of the Seraphim. Beelzebub’s first birthday celebration.
The last one gives me pause, but I guess if I were leader of an entire planet, I’d do whatever I wanted, too.
There is a gaudy, grotesque statue of a dying helhorse, and I shiver at the sight
I would think in the hundreds of years Luc has had todecorate this place, he would’ve developed a better sense of style. It’s clear he’s chosen some of the pieces, and the Queen Mother has too, but other choices feel out of touch and antiquated, likely having belonged to Lucifer or even their predecessors before him.
Continuing down the dark marble floors, I follow Absinthe through a set of doors and out onto a balcony.
I know we’re safe. Logically, I know there’s no one around, but I still feel like eyes are watching me, tracking every movement.
The wind whistles a little too loudly, and there are fairy-like figures out at sea, beckoning us to jump—beckoning for us to join them.
“It’s beautiful, but also really creepy out here,” I confess, knowing the songs calling out to us are from the voices of souls.
