-The Rite of the Acolyte, 1,280 Age of Sanctum
Sophie and Graham knew how to throw a party. If nothing else, the couple could be praised for their ability to curate an incredible experience.
When Dante, Milo, and I descended to the Deck just one tunnel away from the eighth, we could already see the lights. Flashing strobe lights in various neon colors lit up the entirety of the space outside of the tunnel. Fellowship officers were nowhere to be seen. They tended to find other places to be during the lower rings’ parties ever since they attempted to break one up a few years ago and incited a riot.
Starvation we could abide by, and class separation was just a part of everyday life, but apparently we drew the line at the confiscation of our terrible alcohol and our right to party.
Harrison’s band was already playing their set. Dancing, drinking, and debauchery were in full swing as young men andwomen from every ring were calling to one another, smiling and twirling to the music. Liam Finnegan was already shoving a cup full of his liquor into my hands before I even approached the tunnel.
“Free drinks for the birthday girl tonight,” he shouted over the music while smacking Dante on the shoulder with a wink. “Partners gotta pay, though."
Dante glanced down at the point of contact with a frown, but Liam was already twisting around. Smirking, he vanished into the writhing crowd on the dance floor.
“Fascinating,” Milo whispered under his breath, like a scientist busy studying a brand new creature in the field. “How often do these parties occur?”
“Often.” I turned to Dante and handed him the full cup of liquor.
He raised a brow, but I only smiled. With a sigh, he accepted the cup and downed it in a single gulp. He hissed afterward, making a face, and wiped the excess liquid from his lips with the back of his hand.
“Disgusting,” he groaned.
“Admit it,” I said with a grin, “you’re feeling better already.”
He frowned. “Maybe.”
I laughed.
“Adrian!” Someone shouted, and I turned to find Sophie emerging from the crowd.
She was dressed in one of her own creations, per usual. A mini dress composed entirely of sequins that showed off more skin than I thought Graham was entirely comfortable with. But he didn’t say a word. He never would if he knew it was something that made Sophie happy. Graham emerged beside her, grinning widely as he nodded to me in greeting.
“You made it!” Sophie squealed. “I guess this one can be trusted to deliver a message after all.”
She nodded toward Milo.
“Not that you trusted me enough not so send backup,” he quipped with a smile.
“I had to make absolutely sure,” she told him, somewhat apologetically. “Imagine putting all this work into a party and the guest of honor doesn’t even show. That would be a tragedy.”
I smiled at her, but she wasn’t looking my way. She was staring at Graham, who gazed back at her, the two of them engaging in that wordless communication that couples who’d been together for some time seemed capable of. One borne of trust and mutual understanding rather than the literal bond between Dante and I. I’d never understood how they did it.
“Ah, right,” Graham said suddenly, as if remembering something, and stepped forward. “Maybe you two would like a drink? I can take you to the Finnegans' bar. Their liquor isn’t good, but they’re interesting guys to know.”
Milo shrugged and moved forward to follow Graham, likely eager to explore more of the subculture he’d found himself thrust into. But Dante turned to me, frowning.
Go, I told him.I’m fine here.
Call if you need me.
I nodded, and he trailed after Milo and Graham, who were already walking toward the Finnegans’ table which Liam had since returned to. I could see Milo asking several questions I couldn’t hear over the music but was sure had everything to do with life on the Third Ring.
“Not subtle, Sophie,” I told her once the men were gone. “If you wanted to speak to me alone, all you had to do was ask.”
She shrugged and waved dismissively. “Graham doesn’t mind.”
“I’m sorry,” we both blurted after a second’s hesitation.
“No, I’m sorry.” Sofie insisted. “It was stupid. I shouldn’t have mentioned the advancement. You weren’t in the right headspace, and I—”
