Page 88 of A Taste of Bliss

“I didn’t mean—I’m just talking about the lyrics. Not asking you to spill any details.”

Pisces stands up. “Yeah, but I can’t help but feel like you’re only talking to me because I know him.”

“You think I’m trying to use you?”

Pisces stares down at me, his hands curled into fists again. “Aren’t you? You’re trying to flirt with Simon and now you’re telling me a sob story.”

“It’s not like that at all.”

“But you want to get to Wrath, you want to meet him.”

“I mean, yeah, I do, but I swear I’m—I’m not trying to—” I fall silent, because isn’t that exactly what I’m trying to do? I hang my head in shame. Maybe Pisces is right.But I’m not shallow, I want to tell him. It’s not like that. But it still isn’t right, is it?

Pisces nods in frustration, like he’s caught me admitting it. “I was right about you.”

I scramble to my feet, coming to stand in front of him. “What does that mean?”

“You’re all about status and appearances. You’re interested in getting closer to Wrath because he’s successful and you think he’s probably hot under the mask, right?”

“That’s not at all—” I try to say, but he interrupts, shaking his head.

“Save it, Bliss.” He seems like he’s about to launch into a tirade, but his phone buzzes. He takes it out of his pocket and concern sketches across his face. “Fuck, Simon’s called me about ten times.” He answers the phone. “Hello—? Simon? Hold on, slow down, mate. I’m fine. The service is bloody awful down here.” His gaze flicks to mine. “Yeah, she’s with me. She’s fine.”

He yanks the phone away from his ear, and I can hear my sister’s voice yelling through the phone. He holds it out to me and I take it. “Amelia?”

“Bliss, thank the stars. Where are you? No one has been able to find Pisces and it’s been a while and Jordan and his friends crashed the game. We realized you were the only one we couldn’t find and… oh stars. I thought—I thought…” She trails off and I hear the phone being passed around.

“She thought Jordan might have gotten to you,” Reese finishes for her. “Amelia’s really worried. We all were, obviously. Plus, after the masquerade party…” She doesn’t have to finish the sentence.

“Is Amelia okay?” It sounded like she was having a panic attack.

“Yeah, she’ll be alright. Where are you two?”

I look out the window of the basement as I respond, wondering if I’ll be able to see any of them. “We’re in the basement of the building the party was in. We’re not really hidden, so I’m not sure why no one has found us yet.”

“Okay, well why don’t you come out now? The game is over.”

“Alright, we’ll be up in a minute.”

I disconnect the call and hand Pisces’ phone back to him. “Game’s over. I guess I win. Lucky me,” I mutter.

I roll my eyes and rip the wristband off, effectively erasing the magic keeping us in here. I hear another rip as Pisces follows suit.

He’s on my heels as we head out of the basement towards the stairs.

“Bliss,” he calls, as I’m about to start up the stairs.

I whirl around at him. “Save it. I don’t get what your deal is. Yeah, I want to meet Wrath. He’s an amazingly talented musician. Who wouldn’t want to meet him? But maybe I alsowanted to get to know you too.” With that, I turn and stomp up the steps, thankful that he keeps silent as he follows me.

I reach the door and try to turn the handle. I pause.

It’s locked.

“Um, that’s not good.”

I try it a couple more times, more forcefully just to make sure.

Pisces shuffles in beside me and tries to open the door, putting his weight into it, but it doesn’t give.