“And how do you know this place?”
“Seriously? Did you not see the people out there? This is a huge city full of horny, dumbass men who are easier to pickpocket than a newborn.”
“So you steal money from the daemon in Dion?” Xia inserted herself into the conversation.
“Of course, I do. How the hell do you think I keep Avyssos floating?”
Brooks huffed a laugh. “Seems like you could just pick a window and earn plenty.”
“Zeus all-fucking-mighty,” Nyx sighed and rubbed her face. “Let me explain it to you in the simplest terms I can. This city was built for two reasons– filling the pockets of The Twelve and controlling daemonkind. Everyone here thinks that their ruling gods are so gracious as to provide them with a playground.”
“Makes sense.”
“The Twelve do not share. The people working here do not get paid because that’s sharing. Which means..?” Nyx made encouraging yet sarcastic motions with her hands as if she expected Brooks to answer the question.
“They’re slaves,” he answered, the temperature dropping a fraction in the alley.
“Bingo. Wow buddy,” she patted him on the shoulder. “You get smarter every day. I am seriously so proud of you.”
Chaos flashed through those neon blue eyes. “Do not mock me, girl.”
Nyx stepped backward and saluted, but her teasing smirk remained.
“Why are we here, Nyx?” Xia asked, her arms crossed and voice flat.
As the last syllable left her tongue, the air thickened and the fine hairs on her neck stood on end. Brooks and Nyx both went rigid, his eyes darting about while Nyx swallowed, her eyes crinkling as panic settled over her face. Black inked Brooks’ arms as Chaos inched toward the surface.
The fine tingle along her skin morphed into an awareness that shivered down her spine. There was a power in the air that called to her chaos, and it unfurled in response. Iridescent scales dotted her arms as she searched the night. The Siren raised her head and pushed against Xia’s mind.
Let me in, she hissed. I know this power, and the God of Chaos is too weak to fight it. It will take what is ours.
“So,” Nyx said suddenly, a slight tremble in her voice. “Do we have a deal?” The girl shuddered and flinched as if something raked its claws against her mind.
A whisper of power brushed against Xia’s skin. It was familiar and yet so… dissonant.
Xia’s lip curled, hackles rising as she peered around and placed herself against Brooks. One look at Nyx and the point was clear– play along, or die.
“Uh… Can you lay out the terms one more time?” Brooks asked.
“Sure thing, big boy. My friend and I are willing to pay you to patronize one club of your choosing here.” Nyx cleared the tremble from her voice. “As long as you end the night with us.”
“Both of you?”
“Both of us. Isn’t that right?” Nyx looked to Xia, a small nod of encouragement.
We must mark him. She needs to know that he isours.
“Ours?”
“Both of us,” Xia repeated. “And we get to join you.”
“Your terms are fair.” A cool mask had slipped over Brooks’ face, no emotion showing except that of a businessman deep in negotiation. “How do we seal it?”
“Like every deal in Dion is sealed. In blood.”
Take him, the Siren urged.
The slightest line formed between his brows, but Xia was quick on her feet as the possessive hunger of her Siren flared and took hold. Her canines extended as she lunged, their points sharp as blades to pierce the skin.
