Chapter Twenty #2
We fall into an uncomfortable silence. I’m really regretting volunteering for this. As band manager, I have a million other things I could be doing.
I pull out my phone, deciding I might as well answer emails. A few minutes later, I can feel Pisces’ eyes sliding over me. I look up, raising a brow at him.
“You know we’ve met before, right?” he asks.
“Have we?” I ask, mimicking his earlier shrugs. “I think I’d remember someone named Pisces.”
His eyes narrow. “Well, it’s certainly not as memorable as Bliss.”
I pin him with a glare of my own. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He looks like he’s about to take another jab at me but stops short, sliding a hand over his face and looking up at the sky. “Never mind,” he says.
“No, seriously,” I respond, my anger already ignited. “What is your problem?”
He rolls his eyes. “First you try to use your powers on Simon, and then on me. Which of the Voracious Maw boys are you trying to get to?” He smirks and lets out a hollow laugh.
“Aren’t you dating that one guy? What’s his name?
Jordan? Just letting him drag you around to listen to music you don’t even like.
Look at you—” he waves a hand in my direction, “—you look like you were on your way to Coachella and got lost. What is with the fucking ribbons?”
“Why the fuck are you acting like you know anything about me?” I bite out, taking a step towards him.
I’m getting ready to push him into the wall and walk away.
He can deal with handing out prizes himself.
I take a deep breath to steady myself and look away from his heated blue eyes.
“I broke up with said asshole anyways. Years ago. Not that it’s any of your fucking business.
And also fuck you. Just because I’m not wearing all black with neck tattoos doesn’t mean I can’t listen to metal music. Music is for everyone, so fuck off.”
I can feel the tears threatening to spill and my nose is starting to run a bit.
I can’t fucking believe this guy. He’s the guitar tech for a huge band, so what?
He thinks he’s better than me? I cross my arms and face the entrance to our little dead end spot, because I can hear people coming.
I sniffle and wipe my nose with the sleeve of my hoodie.
Fuck. Wrath’s hoodie. I’ll totally wash it before I give it back.
I continue to ignore Pisces the asshole as a couple women in their early twenties spot us and yell out in excitement.
“Yes! Found another one!” one of the girls says as they all come forward. They look a little underwhelmed as they take us in.
“Which bands are you from?” the one in the middle asks.
She’s got long blonde hair with bright blue streaks running through it and is dressed in black jean shorts, a Voracious Maw crop top, and fishnets.
Her two friends are similarly dressed, one with auburn hair, and the other with dyed black hair.
I give them a friendly smile even as I sniffle again. “I’m Bliss. I’m the band manager for Goddess’ Trance.” I reach into the box and take out a couple of band tees we added into the mix. “They’ll be opening for Voracious Maw, so get to that stage early to see them, okay? You’ll love their set.”
“Awesome,” the blonde breathes out as they each take a shirt.
I motion to Pisces, who’s back to leaning stiffly against the hay wall. “He’s just a guitar tech for Voracious Maw. There’s some of their merch in there too. Feel free to take a couple things.”
They are the only ones to have found us so far, so I’m not too worried about running out of prizes.
The girls look in the direction of Pisces and giggle, glancing at each other. “Dang, we were hoping Wrath was hiding somewhere in the maze.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I wish that too.”
The blonde laughs with me. “He’s so beautiful. I would die if I met him. Have you run into him yet? I bet you’ll see him backstage, huh?”
I don’t know if it’s the contagious excitement they’re exuding, but I can’t help myself. “Want to know something really cool?” I ask, and they shuffle forward like we’re sharing a secret. “I actually ran into him yesterday.”
They all let out squeals at the same time and fire off questions.
“Did you talk to him?”
“What’s he like?”
“Is he super hot?”
I let out another laugh. These girls are too adorable and I honestly hope they do get to run into him so they can give him a little love. “He was in his mask, so I don’t know what he looks like either. He was very nice but didn’t say anything.”
“Oh my god,” the one with black hair says. “I seriously would die. I can’t wait for their performances. We’re going to both shows.”
“Hell yeah. As you should,” I reply. “Have an amazing time, ladies. I hope you win the backstage passes.”
“Thanks!” they call out as they clutch their prizes, having taken a Voracious Maw T-shirt and keychain each, as well as the Goddess’ Trance shirts I’d handed out.
I smile as they leave, heading out again hopefully towards the end of the maze so they’re entered into the running for the backstage passes. I almost forgot that I’m stuck in here with a fucking dick.
My bad mood comes reeling back and I cross my arms, going to the opposite side of the little alcove we’re in and sitting on the little hay bench.
“Just a guitar tech, huh?” Pisces asks softly from where’s he’s leaning. I don’t look at him. “So what? A guy has to be super successful to be worthy of a Born fae like you?”
I straighten up. He’s Made? With a side glance over to him, I take in a deep breath and cross one leg over the other.
“Ah, there it is. That’s about the reaction I’d expect from a Born fae realizing I’m Made.”
“Stop acting like you know anything about me.”
“I’d bet if I was Wrath you’d talk to me,” he says after a pause. “I’d bet you’d do other things too.”
“Seriously, what the fuck is your problem?” I stand up, driven by a fire that’s now coursing through me.
“Yeah, I would talk to Wrath if he was here, because he’s a lot nicer than you are and I haven’t even heard him speak.
” You know what? Fuck this. I kick the box of prizes over to him.
We’re so far into the maze that only a few groups will probably make it back here.
“It’s pretty dead out here, I’m gonna go get a coffee.
You good to man this station by yourself?
” I ask, but I don’t wait for a response because he can go fuck himself.
I follow the map to get out of the maze and find Reese at the entrance, handing out cute little stickers to any groups with kids.
“I’m on sticker duty,” she says, rolling her eyes. “I think Simon hates me.”
“Well, Pisces, their guitar tech, definitely hates me. And for literally no reason.”
Reese pauses, taking in my sniffly nose and the tears that have leaked down my cheeks. “Oh my stars. What happened?” She reaches out and places her hand on my upper arm, drawing me into a hug.
The whole conversation with Pisces runs through my mind, but I can’t bring myself to recount it all to Reese. Tears start flowing more easily and the fire that was there before recedes. “He made fun of my ribbons,” I finally sob out as Reese holds me.
I turn the corner and swear.
Another fucking dead end.
I check my map again. I should be able to continue forward and take a left.
I twist the map around, thinking maybe I’m somehow looking at it wrong.
After I talked with Reese and went back into the maze to talk with Amelia, the two of them convinced me to find Simon and get him to replace me with another volunteer.
“Bliss.” Dylan’s voice slithers up from behind me.
I whip around. “Fuck, you scared the shit out of me.”
“The English language is so lovely, is it not?” The song wraith leans casually against the hay wall, looking at his fingernails.
“I’m sorry, did I offend you?” I throw back. “Maybe you shouldn’t sneak up on people.” I look behind him, realizing the way I came is now blocked. An uneasiness flows through me. “What did you do?” I demand from him.
“We need to have another conversation, my dear succubus,” he drones. “It would seem that you have not grasped the urgency of our bargain.”
“Look, I’m trying, but I don’t even know who he is. Can’t you, I dunno, use your wraith magic to figure out that part?”
“I cannot do this for you.”
His eyes aren’t the usual blue violet. They’re red. I’m coming to realize this means he’s in no mood to joke around. He’s not bothering to conceal his true identity, nor does he find it worth it to put me at ease.
“I will also remind you that you cannot back out of this deal.”
“I know that!” I snap. “I have a plan, okay? I just need to find Simon.”
“Simon is not the avenue you want.”
“He’s my only way to even be in the same room with Wrath.”
The song wraith shakes his head, frustration appearing on his face that I haven’t seen before. “You have already met Wrath.”
I let out a breath of my own frustration. “I know that! But it’s not like we exchanged phone numbers.”
“His scent is on you, even now.”
I look down at my hoodie. “Succubi are not tracking fae. I can’t scent him out like a wolf shifter could. My nose isn’t even as good as a vampire’s.”
A vampire.
Taser.
Maybe Taser could.
“I see you have had a moment of inspiration. Good.” He turns, waving his hand, and the hay wall that closed us off disappears. “But Bliss?”
He turns back to me and fixes me with those red irises.
“You have until the end of the festival.”
His voice fades with him as he somehow evaporates into thin air.
My heart beats quickly, like the ticking of a clock.
I turn and find my way no longer barred, but now I’m not looking for Simon.
No.
Now I need to find Taser.