Chapter 26 #2
My stomach churned, but it was too late now.
I took a steadying breath before nodding and stepping out into the hallway.
I started up the stairs to the mess hall, trying to walk quickly and avoid any direct eye contact. But that was difficult seeing as my legs were still stiff from conditioning. A part of me wondered if I’d make it through the night in these shoes.
We’d better be going to a place where sitting is encouraged.
A few members of infantry were sitting at a couch at the top of the stairs.
Their eyes fell on me as I stepped through the doorway.
I tried to tune out their whispers as I walked in between the mess hall’s tables, through the bodies of people eating, writing letters, and having conversations amongst themselves.
A few of them turned their attention to me as my shoes made clicking noises that sounded gravely different from the boots that normally echoed through this place.
A wince shuddered through me as I heard a whistle from somewhere behind, but I didn’t let myself turn around. The lobby was only a few more steps ahead. I could feel the eyes burning holes in my back.
I collected myself and brushed past the gates, savoring the cool chill from the breeze. Osta, Raine and Briar were still talking amongst themselves. From the outside, one might have thought they had known each other for years.
Briar noticed me walking towards them, and his jaw dropped.
“Riftborne, is that you?” Raine asked, shock lacing her tone. I shook my head and looked at Osta, taking the last few steps towards them.
“It’s all Osta.” I rolled my eyes and threw my arm around the shoulders of my oldest friend. She was just grinning at me in self-satisfaction.
“It’s new. I just finished making it last week at the shop,” she said. “I knew you should be the one to wear it. Although I’m holding back nauseating jealousy! It’s a great dress.”
“I had no idea your hair was so curly,” Raine said.
“I usually don’t wear it down like this.” I tugged at one of the curls, pulling until it bounced back into place.
“Well. You should. If I had your hair, I’d wear it like that every day. It’s enchanting. It’s like the texture has no weight, like it’s floating,” Briar mused before hooking arms with Osta.
Clearly those two were hitting it off.
“So did you decide on a plan?” I asked. Osta’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Raine and Briar before turning to me, a mischievous grin sprawled across her face.
Oh Esprithe, what had she managed?
“I got us into the Enclave,” she squealed.
“The Enclave? How is that possible?” I questioned nervously.
It was one of the Apothecary’s biggest clients, so I was all too aware of the types of elixirs they provided their patrons.
The establishment was a mystery for most of Luminaria—a members-only club that catered almost exclusively to the elite. I gulped.
“Shun is best friends with the hostess working tonight. He was able to pull a few strings and get us reservations at one of their tables,” Osta replied, a satisfied expression spreading across her face.
“I’ve heard whispers of it, but I never imagined that I would ever actually go ,” Raine said, excitement gleaming in her eyes.
“I’ve never heard of it, but yes, yes and yes. Absolutely yes. Nothing but yes.” Briar was nearly vibrating.
I stopped my heart from sinking, reminding myself that tonight wasn’t about me. It was about Osta.
“It’s close by, right?” I asked, attempting to sound as thrilled as my fellow recruits.
“Just down the street. I’m the best, huh?” Osta cooed, turning to walk in the direction of the club. I caught up with her, hooking her other arm.
“You’re something,” I whispered, nudging her. She only smiled wider as we made our way down the busy street.
“By the way, we need to talk about that little flirtatious conversation I noticed back at the Compound.” I looked at her, making my eyes hauntingly serious.
“What, that boy? He was so nice. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s a hard no. He’s awful, Osta. Seriously. He’s also a bigot. His best friend is the one who keeps sending me death threats with his eyes.”
“Really?” Osta looked down at her Riftborne marking, disappointment fanning across her features.
“I know you have a way with even the stuffiest of Sídhe Nobility, but don’t waste your time with this one, Osta. You can do much better.”
She sighed and met my gaze again, smiling thinly. I nudged her .
“But let’s not talk about it anymore. Tonight is all about you, so let’s have fun.” I winked as we continued down the street.
“This is it,” Osta mused as we all examined the lackluster exterior of a low-rise dwelling with an unassuming entrance.
“Are you sure we have the right place?” I asked hesitantly. Osta stepped forward, knocking on the door in an abnormal pattern. Raine shot me a confused look, which I returned with a shrug.
The door creaked open, revealing a woman in black dress robes.
“Password, please,” she stated.
“Mirage,” Osta said with confidence.
“Granted,” the woman stepped back and ushered us into the small room. It was bare apart from a door on the furthest wall, and the floor shifted as we walked across it. The woman stepped towards the back and slid her finger down the door. It shined a bright gold in the pattern she traced.
“Are you a light weaver?” Briar asked.
“Nearly all of us who work here are. It’s the only way to unlock doors and get around,” she replied with a mysterious smile.
Soon enough, I heard what sounded like a lock being turned, and the door crept open.
“Follow the stairs down. The hostess will seat you,” the woman said.
We all exchanged looks before shuffling through the door and making our way down the flight of wooden stairs.
The room we entered was painted black, and pulses of music emanated from the floor. A woman with dark hair approached us with a wooden tablet in her hands.
“Reservation, please,” she stated, eyeing us.
“Osta Riftborne.”
The hostess didn’t even flinch at the mention of our shared last name. She only smiled and softened her features.
“You’re Shun’s friend?” The hostess asked.
“Yes, and we really appreciate you getting us in so last minute,” Osta gushed, excitement brewing.
“It was pure luck, honestly. We had a cancellation,” the woman whispered. “Follow me.”
She opened a door, and a shimmering light flooded the small lobby.
Shock ran through me as we stepped through.
It was as if we had entered a valley covered in luscious grass in the middle of a mountain range.
Stars shot across an endless black sky and a maelstrom of bodies danced in the middle of the clearing.
The music was similar to what they had played in the Grove, but faster and more aggressive. It pulsed throughout the entire space.
In the middle of the sky was a massive flower that glowed in a kaleidoscope of colors. Mist spiraled off of it.
Clearly Illusionists were at work here.
And that’s when I finally smelled the beguiling hint of jasmine sifting through the air. My body relaxed, becoming heavier.
Individual lounges lined the perimeter, each with their own fire pit that sparkled in shades of red, blue and purple.
We followed the woman in complete awe as she led us to a setting at the end of the line. Three black velvet sofas created a U shape above the grassy terrain.
“Here’s your table for the night. If you desire refreshments, just throw one of these into the fire,” she said as she handed Osta a small pouch.
We all shuffled towards the couches, slipping onto the soft cushions.
“I hope you enjoy your evening.” The woman winked before turning and making her way back through the field.
“Oh. My. Esprithe be damned…” Raine said, shaking her head in awe .
Osta was already tearing into the pouch, digging her hand in to reveal the contents. She pulled out a small amber crystal.
“Shall I?” she asked, wickedness creeping into her eyes.
“What else are we here for?” Briar clapped, jumping in his seat.
Osta held her hand over the fire and dropped the crystal in. After a few moments, a golden-hued smoke billowed from the pit, and the fragrance of burning copal filled my lungs.
“I can’t believe we’re actually here.” Osta sighed. “After yesterday, this type of distraction is exactly what I need.”
“What happened yesterday, love?” Briar sat up, placing his elbows on his knees.
Osta’s eyes darted towards me.
“Her boss fired her,” I said flatly.
“Because I made some suggestions to a design she was working on. The fabric she wanted to use made no sense for the structure of the blouse,” Osta said with exasperation.
“If these two pieces are any indication of your talent, it sounds like she should have been working for you, ” Raine said. “How do I sign up for the next gown?”
Osta’s cheeks flushed as she smiled shyly. It was a rare response from her.
“I’d love to make something for you, truly. I’m just not sure how I’ll have access to the same materials now that I don’t work with a seamstress,” Osta’s eyes became glassy.
From the depths of the party, a man adorned in sparkling yellow robes approached, holding out a tray of shimmering, golden vials. The four of us exchanged confused glances.
“Erm–I think you might have the wrong table,” Osta said nervously, brushing away the premature tears and straightening in her seat. “We haven’t ordered anything yet.”
“We provide the cures for desire and revelry. Our cocktails are delivered upon the assessment of a group’s collective need,” he stated simply, urging the tray towards us .
“So what is this, then?” Briar asked, curiosity spilling over his features.
“What the group needs,” the man said.
Raine reached out and grabbed a vial, followed by Briar. Osta shot me an apprehensive look, but slowly pulled one off the tray and handed it to me before taking the last one for herself. The man bowed and sauntered off into the darkness.
“Any idea what this is?” Briar asked, eyes shifting from one of us to the next.
I cleared my throat. “I think it’s liquid Euphoria, but it seems to have been enhanced somehow,” I stated, examining the vial. We made this potion at the shop. It was quite simple actually, but this one was teeming with enchantments.
“That sounds like fun,” Raine mused, spinning the contents around, the shimmering liquid reflecting the firelight.
“This place is amazing,” Briar agreed.
“I can’t be sure what the effects would be...” I trailed off. This seemed like a bad idea. Immediately, my nerves returned. My eyes shot throughout the crowd.
“If everyone is in agreement, I am.” Osta popped off the top of hers before extending it above the fire. Briar did the same.
“Cheers to Osta,” Raine said, following suit.
Everyone held their vials above the fire, and my mind began racing. They all seemed transfixed on the revelry around us. I swallowed hard before slowly meeting their hands and clinking the glasses in unison. Before I could talk myself out of it, I tipped it back and consumed the contents.
I leaned back into the couch with trepidation, awaiting the effects that would soon take hold.
As moments slipped past, I looked around the expanse, at the people dancing beyond. Muted lights began forming in the distance, aligning with their forms, as if their minds were glowing. This was going to be much stronger than the liquid euphoria I had always known .
I closed my eyes, trying to distract myself from the changing surroundings, but it was a futile attempt. Something in me roared to look, to see, to take in the world around me, and my eyes fluttered open once again.
The throbbing of light emanating from the sky intensified, meshing with my own heartbeat.
The place seemed to dance in slow motion.
I looked over to my friends who seemed to be experiencing the same state of dreaminess.
Their jaws all gaped open as they took in the sights with this new magnified perspective.
I couldn’t help the clumsy smile that spread across my face. Everything felt good. Everything felt like it was exactly as it should be. Any nerves from earlier disappeared into the void of my mind, replaced with curiosity… wonder… euphoria.
As if in a trance, we stood from the couches and joined hands, making our way to the center of the field, where the strums of music were the most intense.
We joined in with the mass of bodies swaying to the rhythm. I looked over to Osta. She was laughing, nearly doubling over. Raine and Briar were in similar states. The four of us twisted and twirled throughout the crowd as we surrendered to the effects of the elixir, letting it take hold completely.
I had never felt so free, carelessly letting my body react to the world around me. My eyes glazed over as I leaned my head back and took in the flower above. It shifted and radiated with flashing lights that matched my own frequencies. I couldn’t help but get caught in its magnetic pull.
My senses were blasted by the environment around me.
The smell of jasmine was overwhelming, filtering through my nose like an addictive toxin. My ears rang from the sounds of energetic melodies, dancing through my body with unfettered intensity.
Even my mouth was electrified by the taste of the air around me, sweet and alluring. I licked my lips, desperate for more of the flavor.
Something dark pulled at the back of my mind… something I needed to be worried about. Something I needed to remember. But it was too far gone, and the lights were far too bright.
I shut off that part of me and gave myself fully to the colorful kaleidoscope.