Page 29 of Starfall

“Liv!” I rushed to the statuesque woman wearing a skintight blue dress that complemented her brown skin and stunning amber eyes.

Picking her up in my arms, I spun us around, squeezing her tightly.

When she let out a disgruntled cough, I placed her gently on her feet, her heels clicking on the polished metal floor.

“You look like you’ve seen better days.” She smirked, fixing her curls back into place before smacking my shoulder.

“Oh, I forgot how kind you are,” I teased. “I should’ve taken a longer break for you to miss me properly.”

Liv didn’t know of my mother’s sickness, let alone her passing. Billy was privy to my whereabouts because I told Darren out of desperation. The boss wouldn’t have allowed me to leave for any other reason, and even then, he complained about the timing. As if we mere mortals held any sway with death.

“Well, all the ladies missed you. Not me, of course,” Liv clarified, though her lips twitched as she fought a smirk.

My eyes shot skyward. “I was gone for a few days, Liv. I’m sure they were just fine.”

They only liked me because I didn’t incessantly hit on them. I respected them, knowing their jobs were far harder than my own. While I could take a punch, I’d snap if I had to entertain the many drunken patrons packing this place nightly.

Liv had the patience of a saint.

“And who might this lovely creature be?” Liv gave an appreciative nod toward Ari, who stood silently at my side. A sheen of pink blossomed on her cheeks at the compliment.

“That’s…that’s Ari,” I said, returning my attention to Liv. “She’s going to be staying with me for a bit.”

Liv tilted her head and raised a thick brow suggestively.

“No, no, no. Not like that!” I rushed to amend. “She’s my, uh—she’s my distant cousin.”

A distant cousin who occasionally makes your cock hard . I winced at the perverse thought. I should have come up with something better than a cousin. Anything not family-related.

“ Surrre ,” Liv replied, dragging out the word. “You once told me your mother was your only kin.” She crossed both arms and waited for my poor attempt at an excuse. That woman could see straight through my bullshit any day.

“You must’ve misheard me,” I said firmly, giving her a knowing stare. Liv knew me better than to pry, but those eyes of hers narrowed further, letting me know full well she wasn’t pleased to let it go so easily.

I nearly hugged her when she sighed in defeat.

“Keep your secrets, then,” she murmured before glancing behind her, realizing where we stood. “You meeting the boss?” She angled back cautiously like she expected him to lunge from around the corner.

“I am. Billy said he wanted me in his office.” My nails dug into the flesh of my palms. I wasn’t keen on seeing Darren again.

While I savored fighting for him, I didn’t care for the man himself.

He was brutal, a monster wearing human skin.

He took any and all chances to demonstrate his clout in Persh, and he delighted in dirtying his hands—usually with me or some other poor fighter on the receiving end.

He enjoyed the sight of warm blood splattered across the stones, and I’d seen his eyes gleam with sick satisfaction when he ended a life too many times.

My friend’s face sobered. “Be careful. I heard he’s in a mood today.” She glanced at Ari. “Want me to show your cousin around while you talk?”

“That would be great.” It would be preferable if Ari never encountered Darren at all. Hell, I disliked Liv being in his presence, but she insisted she could handle her own. A job was a job, and I understood how difficult finding one could be in this city. Even if Darren paid shit.

Liv gestured for a quiet Ari to come to her side when it hit me; the soul bond.

“Actually, can you two wait for me? Ari needs new clothes, and I was hoping you could help. We can all head to Crimson Street together.”

“I didn’t know we required a chaperone?” Liv retorted, eliciting a snicker from Ari. She probably enjoyed watching me squirm. As it was, she studied my interaction with Liv like a hawk.

“He’s obnoxiously overprotective,” Ari interjected with a shrug. “I usually indulge him so I don’t have to listen to him gripe for hours on end. You probably know just how gentle and caring he is.” She wasn’t even trying to hide the mischievous tilt of her grin. “Always so considerate. ”

Liv snorted, glancing from me to Ari. “I like this one, Elias.”

“Oh, she’s something special, that’s for sure.” I stared at the star maiden, who now wore a self-satisfied smile.

Liv shot me one of her infamous glares. “But before I help, just admit she’s not your cousin. Lie to anyone else, but never me,” she demanded. “Besides, you’re way too easy to read.”

Ari mumbled in agreement.

I groaned. These two were trouble all by themselves. Together, they’d ruin me.

“Fine. She’s not my cousin, but she is helping me with something important.” The most important thing in my life. “ Please , Liv?” I gave her my best doe eyes, praying she’d succumb. It was a rare occasion indeed when I resorted to such undignified measures.

“You’re pushing it a little too hard,” Liv mused.

“But I’ll help you out”—she held up a finger—“but only because I’m intrigued.

” She winked at me before studying Ari’s unusual hair.

“Also, I’m dying to ask her where she got that extraordinary color.

I could use her secrets for the next time I go to the salon.

We’ll wait in the blue room until you’re done. ”

“Blue room?” Ari asked softly.

Liv waved a hand. “It’s just what we call the room Elias uses. Darren had it painted the darkest shade of blue last year, so dark it looks black. The man has no taste. Now come on, don’t be frightened. I don’t bite.”

Ari stumbled forward when Liv offered a hand. When she glanced back, lingering on me, a flash of indecision flitted across her face.

She trusted me…but she was also frightened.

“It won’t take long,” I promised her, worry clenching my chest as she gnawed at the inside of her cheek. Her emotions were all over the place, and I couldn’t keep up. “Five minutes, and then I’ll be back to help you get proper clothes for the city.”

As I passed Ari, I bent down to whisper into her ear. Her hair, even unwashed and covered with soot and grime, still smelled of jasmine. The scent calmed my racing heart.

“I won’t be too far away,” I said, my lips accidentally brushing the shell of her ear. She shivered. “Stay with Liv and don’t speak to anyone else.” I pulled away before the addictive aroma made my head swim.

Ari nodded, squared her shoulders, and lifted her head high. She might be terrified, but the lass was fierce. Against my wishes, my respect for her grew.

Without any more hesitating, I headed for the door that would bring me to my boss.

I fashioned my face into stone.

Weakness wasn’t an option with Darren. Not when he’d beat it out of me if he spotted a hint of my dwindling humanity.

“Elias, my boy!”

My name sounded from behind a lavender silkscreen in Darren’s office, an abundance of fancy suits and brightly patterned ties draped haphazardly over its side.

“I was wondering when you’d come back. Though, I thought you’d be much longer, what with the funeral.”

My nostrils flared as Darren emerged in a fine black suit, the lapels a shade of blood-red. The boss sauntered into the open space like the king he likened himself to and situated his stout frame in a chair with bright blue velvet cushions.

“Sit, sit,” he commanded, and I wordlessly followed his instruction. He observed me with those cold blue eyes of his, his thin lips tipped at the sides.

I learned long ago to keep my mouth shut around Darren, only speaking when asked a question. Oh, and to never hesitate to follow orders. That was a given.

Ice settled in my stomach, chasing away the warmth from earlier. Darren swept his eyes down my body, inspecting what he considered his possession. His prized fighter. My skills were the lone reason I hadn’t been sent to an early grave.

It felt like invisible hands gripped my throat. “I actually wanted to ask you something…”

“Yes? Out with it.” Darren snapped his fingers like an impatient child.

“I know you haven’t decided on who will represent you for the Aura Festival, but I want you to consider me. I’m eager to fight, and even more eager to win, sir.”

A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. He had me right where he wanted me; seconds away from begging.

“And why should you represent me, Elias?” He crossed one leg over the other, leaning back in his seat to steeple his fingers. He had the air of every fairy tale villain from the book of stories Mother read to me as a child. I supposed fairytales were inspired by reality.

“I’ve fought for you for almost three years, boss,” I started, squaring my shoulders. “I love this city, and I want to be its champion. Your champion. There’s nothing more that would please me.”

Appeasing his ego helped my case. If I won, then Darren would be allowed into the infamously difficult to access Bleeding Hearts’ Tent as well. It would suit us both.

Darren clutched his strong chin, his obscenely large ruby and gold ring sparkling in the meager light. “You’ve never asked me for anything, have you?” he asked, a hint of suspicion lining his tone.

I didn’t reply. Instead, it took everything in me not to flinch. His gold ring flashed in warning, the man wearing it known for his quick backhand.

“No, sir,” I replied, swallowing hard.

Seconds ticked by, Darren drawing out the moment. When I didn’t think he’d deign to answer, he finally spoke.

“Fine.”

My lips parted in shock. “Yes?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, boy, or I’ll change my mind. Besides, your ma just died, and you know how sentimental I can get.”

He was about as sentimental as a venomous snake.

“Thank you, boss,” I said, dipping my chin. “I’ll make the club proud.”

Darren stood and walked back to his desk with the ease of a man who knew he’d won .

“You better make me proud, Elias,” he threatened. “Or this will be the last request you ever make.”