Chapter 32: Pretty Pills for Broken Hearts
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Chapter 32: Pretty Pills for Broken Hearts
The attendant paused halfway down the hall, giving us another respectful bow. Enjoy your visit. You can place any drink or food order with the assigned attendants monitoring the festivities. Please pay no mind to the security; theyre here to ensure an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Enjoy your date and have a nice afternoon.
I didnt bother to thank her because that'd be a giveaway. I sank deeper into my role. Instead, I walked towards the alluring chorus of cheering and betting.
The room was hexagonal, with polished wooden stands wrapped around each side that gradually lowered to the flat bottom. A chain-link fence marked the boundaries of the fighting pit at the lowest level. A few cubbyholes topped each side to allow for private booths, bars, and spots to place a bet with a bookie. Id pictured a cramped space where everyone stood around to bet like rich degenerates over blood sports. But, somehow, this luxurious arrangement contrasted against the two people beating the fuck out of each other in the ring seemed more barbaric.
The jovial attitude of the crowd was disgusting. A man took knuckles to the face and spat out a tooth, and they cheered. They werent cultivatorsfar too slow and not using any sort of Soul Ability.
This place could pack in around two hundred before it got too crowded, and tonight it seemed to be nearing that. And more than a few had their fair share of wealthbased on the attendants waiting on them hand and foot. Eve glanced around, still refusing to meet my eyes.
Whatever, I guess Id shocked her with how well I pulled it off so farsurprised myself too. The charged atmosphere of this place only drew more out of me. I looked around like a hungry wolf. Our guy was somewhere here; now it was time to hunt him down.
There. A man tucked away in one of the booths. The way his eyes lingered on me a little too long. I stalked forward, sure that I smelled my prey.
New here? How can I help you? he asked, clicking his tongue as he looked at Eve and me. This guy had a private table. He was drinking nothing but water and had eyes that said he'd seen plenty of trouble. Something about him stood out and seemed right to me. My Soul Seed practically pulled at me, telling me that the fate that I wanted started here. New novel chapters are published on
Heard places like this have more than just fights. I need a bit of a boost for an upcoming showing. I explained, standing straight.
Oh, is that so? I cant say I know what you mean by that. What sort of showing?
Ill be joining the Himawari Sect. Its just I trailed off, letting my face color with a bit of uncertainty. Then masked it with false bravado. What was strange was that I felt it. Like I wanted nothing more, deserved nothing more than to join that shitty sect. I just need a bit of an edge to guarantee my placement. My father works for Schfer, and he demands that this go flawlessly.
He rubbed his jaw, hiding the smile. But something was missing; there was too much hesitation in him. I needed to tip the scales.
I yanked out my leather pouch, giving it a quick toss and catching it. The spirit chips clinked inside. It was almost painful to casually withdraw this much money and show it off in a place like this. But I was untouchable, so why should I worry? I had everything in the world. Have you got any friends that might have a solution?
His eyes lingered on the pouch. The energy in the air coiled and writhed. My Soul Seed twisted inside as its roots grew and spread. This could go in any direction. Would he buy the bluff or decide I wasnt worth the trouble? My fate rested at a crossroads, and that pure excitement drove me into a heady feeling. I tried to maintain a casual attitude, acting as if him turning me down wasnt a big deal, but I also left that little bit of desperation in my expression. I was the rich kid without the right connections and felt worried enough to go to these lengths.
He gave a slow nod. I might know a guy. He moves pills like what you want. I can set up a meeting. How does later this week sound?
Tonight. I let my voice waver and then firmed it. A second later, I set my shoulders and glared at him.
He rolled his eyes, then gestured towards the seats near the fighting pit. Fine, but itll cost extra. If he makes it. No promises. You and your girl sit back and watch a couple of fights. Ill see what I can do.
Make it quick.
He sneered, but I didnt give him anything. Once more, I grabbed Eve by the waist and guided her away. Her face went red. If we werent here, Id have bet she'd be cursing my ear out. We sat down, and she stared at me.
I crossed my arms, still playing the part. Scowling, tapping my foot like I had better places to be.
What the hell was that, dumbass? she whispered, voice laced with horror.
He might try to pull his phone out at any moment, and that would land me in deep shit. My best bet was to get this deal over quickly and get out. Eve and me could take his phone and dip. He poured my chips out and started counting. Was his greed enough to let him overlook the flaws in my disguise?
Tell ya what. Ill cut ya a deal. Two heavens ascends for all ya got; if ya need more, ya come back and buy more. He paused, giving me a wide grin. I stared at the gap in his teeth.
Okay, you have a deal. This time I didnt stumble over the you. But it still came out a bit unnatural. He frowned again.
Right, right. See me when ya need more, then well be square. I can fix ya up til you get into that sect of yours, long as ya got the chips. He took out a key, unlocking a drawer in the desk. Which sect are ya gunning for, again?
The Himawari Sect.
And whens that trial gonna be? Gotta know how long to expect ya as a customer.
Oh. Fuck. I couldnt remember the date Kayson gave me. UhNovember 3rd.
His hand shot up from the drawer; a modified revolver clutched in his hand. Who do ya think ya are fucking with? he asked, cocking back the hammer. It was a mortal weapon, far more popular to the north among the Clans. But illegal as hell here. A cold drop of sweat ran down my brow as I stared down the barrel. At a higher stage of cultivation, the weapon would fail to break my skin. But My Soul Seed wasnt enough. That thing would kill me, and I doubted hed miss with this close of a range.
I shifted in my chair. The Crimson Eagle spat on the ground next to him. Dont ya think about moving. Gonna call my boys, then we got some questions for ya. He stood upthe point of that gun never moving from me. His hand dug into his pocket, and a confused expression ran across his face.
All hell broke loose.
The door slammed open, throwing the motherfucker with a gun off-kilter. Sensing the one chance I had before eating a bullet, I jumped up from the chair. Romeos training flashed through me in an instant; I had to be flexible and adaptI shoved the desk forward in a rush of momentum and slammed it into the guy.
The gun went off, and the bullet ricocheted around the room. Instead of causing a powerful ringing burst of noise with gunfire, the room was a dull quiet. Only a whimper came from the revolver.
I tapped my arm, calling upon Fickle Fate. Thrill ran through me as the risk only ramped up further. The wood of the desk splintered as the bullet slammed into it. At any second, another bullet might leave that gun and hit me instead. There couldnt be any higher stakes, nothing that gave this same sense of rush. My fingers sparked blue as my skin went numb.
I vaulted over the flipped table, my hand darting out and catching his wrist right as another bullet discharged. It ricocheted once, twice, only dim taps of noise. The bullet slammed into his kneeFickle Fates luck had been spent. I took advantage of his distraction; my hand snapped forward, smooth like water, as I buried a fist into his throat.
His grip on the gun weakened, and I slammed it free. The man was far too concerned with trying to breathe. But I didnt leave him time to recover, taking a step back and snapping a kick into his head. He hit the ground with a muted thump. He didnt move any further.
I collected myself as noise returned to the room. Eve was at the door, arms crossed.
So you blew it? She asked.
Yeah, well fuck. What did ya expect? Yknow, I think, all things considered, I did pretty fucking well. Look how far we got. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. If she hadnt burst in when she did and given me that chance, Id either be dead or a prisoner of the Crimson Eagles. Now I didnt know what to do with this bastard.
You owe me fifty chips. And never drag me around like that again. If you do, Ill slap sense into you, shit for brains.
Ill pay up when I get the chance. Sorry about all that. Dont know how to put it, butthat wasnt exactly me. I was just I threw my hands up. Playing the role. Wearing the mask? I didnt want to admit how unsettling the experience was in retrospect.
She shook her head. Whatever. Lets get out of here before he wakes up, or anyone comes to investigate. I lingered to look at the unconscious man who wouldve shot me. My heart was still hammering away. Then I left with her. It was unnerving how right Kayson guessed about what Id be capable of.
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Chapter 32: Pretty Pills for Broken Hearts
The attendant paused halfway down the hall, giving us another respectful bow. Enjoy your visit. You can place any drink or food order with the assigned attendants monitoring the festivities. Please pay no mind to the security; theyre here to ensure an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Enjoy your date and have a nice afternoon.
I didnt bother to thank her because that'd be a giveaway. I sank deeper into my role. Instead, I walked towards the alluring chorus of cheering and betting.
The room was hexagonal, with polished wooden stands wrapped around each side that gradually lowered to the flat bottom. A chain-link fence marked the boundaries of the fighting pit at the lowest level. A few cubbyholes topped each side to allow for private booths, bars, and spots to place a bet with a bookie. Id pictured a cramped space where everyone stood around to bet like rich degenerates over blood sports. But, somehow, this luxurious arrangement contrasted against the two people beating the fuck out of each other in the ring seemed more barbaric.
The jovial attitude of the crowd was disgusting. A man took knuckles to the face and spat out a tooth, and they cheered. They werent cultivatorsfar too slow and not using any sort of Soul Ability.
This place could pack in around two hundred before it got too crowded, and tonight it seemed to be nearing that. And more than a few had their fair share of wealthbased on the attendants waiting on them hand and foot. Eve glanced around, still refusing to meet my eyes.
Whatever, I guess Id shocked her with how well I pulled it off so farsurprised myself too. The charged atmosphere of this place only drew more out of me. I looked around like a hungry wolf. Our guy was somewhere here; now it was time to hunt him down.
There. A man tucked away in one of the booths. The way his eyes lingered on me a little too long. I stalked forward, sure that I smelled my prey.
New here? How can I help you? he asked, clicking his tongue as he looked at Eve and me. This guy had a private table. He was drinking nothing but water and had eyes that said he'd seen plenty of trouble. Something about him stood out and seemed right to me. My Soul Seed practically pulled at me, telling me that the fate that I wanted started here. New novel chapters are published on
Heard places like this have more than just fights. I need a bit of a boost for an upcoming showing. I explained, standing straight.
Oh, is that so? I cant say I know what you mean by that. What sort of showing?
Ill be joining the Himawari Sect. Its just I trailed off, letting my face color with a bit of uncertainty. Then masked it with false bravado. What was strange was that I felt it. Like I wanted nothing more, deserved nothing more than to join that shitty sect. I just need a bit of an edge to guarantee my placement. My father works for Schfer, and he demands that this go flawlessly.
He rubbed his jaw, hiding the smile. But something was missing; there was too much hesitation in him. I needed to tip the scales.
I yanked out my leather pouch, giving it a quick toss and catching it. The spirit chips clinked inside. It was almost painful to casually withdraw this much money and show it off in a place like this. But I was untouchable, so why should I worry? I had everything in the world. Have you got any friends that might have a solution?
His eyes lingered on the pouch. The energy in the air coiled and writhed. My Soul Seed twisted inside as its roots grew and spread. This could go in any direction. Would he buy the bluff or decide I wasnt worth the trouble? My fate rested at a crossroads, and that pure excitement drove me into a heady feeling. I tried to maintain a casual attitude, acting as if him turning me down wasnt a big deal, but I also left that little bit of desperation in my expression. I was the rich kid without the right connections and felt worried enough to go to these lengths.
He gave a slow nod. I might know a guy. He moves pills like what you want. I can set up a meeting. How does later this week sound?
Tonight. I let my voice waver and then firmed it. A second later, I set my shoulders and glared at him.
He rolled his eyes, then gestured towards the seats near the fighting pit. Fine, but itll cost extra. If he makes it. No promises. You and your girl sit back and watch a couple of fights. Ill see what I can do.
Make it quick.
He sneered, but I didnt give him anything. Once more, I grabbed Eve by the waist and guided her away. Her face went red. If we werent here, Id have bet she'd be cursing my ear out. We sat down, and she stared at me.
I crossed my arms, still playing the part. Scowling, tapping my foot like I had better places to be.
What the hell was that, dumbass? she whispered, voice laced with horror.
He might try to pull his phone out at any moment, and that would land me in deep shit. My best bet was to get this deal over quickly and get out. Eve and me could take his phone and dip. He poured my chips out and started counting. Was his greed enough to let him overlook the flaws in my disguise?
Tell ya what. Ill cut ya a deal. Two heavens ascends for all ya got; if ya need more, ya come back and buy more. He paused, giving me a wide grin. I stared at the gap in his teeth.
Okay, you have a deal. This time I didnt stumble over the you. But it still came out a bit unnatural. He frowned again.
Right, right. See me when ya need more, then well be square. I can fix ya up til you get into that sect of yours, long as ya got the chips. He took out a key, unlocking a drawer in the desk. Which sect are ya gunning for, again?
The Himawari Sect.
And whens that trial gonna be? Gotta know how long to expect ya as a customer.
Oh. Fuck. I couldnt remember the date Kayson gave me. UhNovember 3rd.
His hand shot up from the drawer; a modified revolver clutched in his hand. Who do ya think ya are fucking with? he asked, cocking back the hammer. It was a mortal weapon, far more popular to the north among the Clans. But illegal as hell here. A cold drop of sweat ran down my brow as I stared down the barrel. At a higher stage of cultivation, the weapon would fail to break my skin. But My Soul Seed wasnt enough. That thing would kill me, and I doubted hed miss with this close of a range.
I shifted in my chair. The Crimson Eagle spat on the ground next to him. Dont ya think about moving. Gonna call my boys, then we got some questions for ya. He stood upthe point of that gun never moving from me. His hand dug into his pocket, and a confused expression ran across his face.
All hell broke loose.
The door slammed open, throwing the motherfucker with a gun off-kilter. Sensing the one chance I had before eating a bullet, I jumped up from the chair. Romeos training flashed through me in an instant; I had to be flexible and adaptI shoved the desk forward in a rush of momentum and slammed it into the guy.
The gun went off, and the bullet ricocheted around the room. Instead of causing a powerful ringing burst of noise with gunfire, the room was a dull quiet. Only a whimper came from the revolver.
I tapped my arm, calling upon Fickle Fate. Thrill ran through me as the risk only ramped up further. The wood of the desk splintered as the bullet slammed into it. At any second, another bullet might leave that gun and hit me instead. There couldnt be any higher stakes, nothing that gave this same sense of rush. My fingers sparked blue as my skin went numb.
I vaulted over the flipped table, my hand darting out and catching his wrist right as another bullet discharged. It ricocheted once, twice, only dim taps of noise. The bullet slammed into his kneeFickle Fates luck had been spent. I took advantage of his distraction; my hand snapped forward, smooth like water, as I buried a fist into his throat.
His grip on the gun weakened, and I slammed it free. The man was far too concerned with trying to breathe. But I didnt leave him time to recover, taking a step back and snapping a kick into his head. He hit the ground with a muted thump. He didnt move any further.
I collected myself as noise returned to the room. Eve was at the door, arms crossed.
So you blew it? She asked.
Yeah, well fuck. What did ya expect? Yknow, I think, all things considered, I did pretty fucking well. Look how far we got. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. If she hadnt burst in when she did and given me that chance, Id either be dead or a prisoner of the Crimson Eagles. Now I didnt know what to do with this bastard.
You owe me fifty chips. And never drag me around like that again. If you do, Ill slap sense into you, shit for brains.
Ill pay up when I get the chance. Sorry about all that. Dont know how to put it, butthat wasnt exactly me. I was just I threw my hands up. Playing the role. Wearing the mask? I didnt want to admit how unsettling the experience was in retrospect.
She shook her head. Whatever. Lets get out of here before he wakes up, or anyone comes to investigate. I lingered to look at the unconscious man who wouldve shot me. My heart was still hammering away. Then I left with her. It was unnerving how right Kayson guessed about what Id be capable of.
Chapter 32: Pretty Pills for Broken HeartsThe attendant paused halfway down the hall, giving us another respectful bow. Enjoy your visit. You can place any drink or food order with the assigned attendants monitoring the festivities. Please pay no mind to the security; theyre here to ensure an enjoyable and relaxing experience. Enjoy your date and have a nice afternoon.I didnt bother to thank her because that'd be a giveaway. I sank deeper into my role. Instead, I walked towards the alluring chorus of cheering and betting.The room was hexagonal, with polished wooden stands wrapped around each side that gradually lowered to the flat bottom. A chain-link fence marked the boundaries of the fighting pit at the lowest level. A few cubbyholes topped each side to allow for private booths, bars, and spots to place a bet with a bookie. Id pictured a cramped space where everyone stood around to bet like rich degenerates over blood sports. But, somehow, this luxurious arrangement contrasted against the two people beating the fuck out of each other in the ring seemed more barbaric. The jovial attitude of the crowd was disgusting. A man took knuckles to the face and spat out a tooth, and they cheered. They werent cultivatorsfar too slow and not using any sort of Soul Ability.This place could pack in around two hundred before it got too crowded, and tonight it seemed to be nearing that. And more than a few had their fair share of wealthbased on the attendants waiting on them hand and foot. Eve glanced around, still refusing to meet my eyes. Whatever, I guess Id shocked her with how well I pulled it off so farsurprised myself too. The charged atmosphere of this place only drew more out of me. I looked around like a hungry wolf. Our guy was somewhere here; now it was time to hunt him down. There. A man tucked away in one of the booths. The way his eyes lingered on me a little too long. I stalked forward, sure that I smelled my prey. New here? How can I help you? he asked, clicking his tongue as he looked at Eve and me. This guy had a private table. He was drinking nothing but water and had eyes that said he'd seen plenty of trouble. Something about him stood out and seemed right to me. My Soul Seed practically pulled at me, telling me that the fate that I wanted started here. New novel chapters are published onHeard places like this have more than just fights. I need a bit of a boost for an upcoming showing. I explained, standing straight. Oh, is that so? I cant say I know what you mean by that. What sort of showing? Ill be joining the Himawari Sect. Its just I trailed off, letting my face color with a bit of uncertainty. Then masked it with false bravado. What was strange was that I felt it. Like I wanted nothing more, deserved nothing more than to join that shitty sect. I just need a bit of an edge to guarantee my placement. My father works for Schfer, and he demands that this go flawlessly. He rubbed his jaw, hiding the smile. But something was missing; there was too much hesitation in him. I needed to tip the scales.I yanked out my leather pouch, giving it a quick toss and catching it. The spirit chips clinked inside. It was almost painful to casually withdraw this much money and show it off in a place like this. But I was untouchable, so why should I worry? I had everything in the world. Have you got any friends that might have a solution? His eyes lingered on the pouch. The energy in the air coiled and writhed. My Soul Seed twisted inside as its roots grew and spread. This could go in any direction. Would he buy the bluff or decide I wasnt worth the trouble? My fate rested at a crossroads, and that pure excitement drove me into a heady feeling. I tried to maintain a casual attitude, acting as if him turning me down wasnt a big deal, but I also left that little bit of desperation in my expression. I was the rich kid without the right connections and felt worried enough to go to these lengths.He gave a slow nod. I might know a guy. He moves pills like what you want. I can set up a meeting. How does later this week sound?Tonight. I let my voice waver and then firmed it. A second later, I set my shoulders and glared at him. He rolled his eyes, then gestured towards the seats near the fighting pit. Fine, but itll cost extra. If he makes it. No promises. You and your girl sit back and watch a couple of fights. Ill see what I can do.Make it quick. He sneered, but I didnt give him anything. Once more, I grabbed Eve by the waist and guided her away. Her face went red. If we werent here, Id have bet she'd be cursing my ear out. We sat down, and she stared at me. I crossed my arms, still playing the part. Scowling, tapping my foot like I had better places to be.What the hell was that, dumbass? she whispered, voice laced with horror.He might try to pull his phone out at any moment, and that would land me in deep shit. My best bet was to get this deal over quickly and get out. Eve and me could take his phone and dip. He poured my chips out and started counting. Was his greed enough to let him overlook the flaws in my disguise?Tell ya what. Ill cut ya a deal. Two heavens ascends for all ya got; if ya need more, ya come back and buy more. He paused, giving me a wide grin. I stared at the gap in his teeth.Okay, you have a deal. This time I didnt stumble over the you. But it still came out a bit unnatural. He frowned again. Right, right. See me when ya need more, then well be square. I can fix ya up til you get into that sect of yours, long as ya got the chips. He took out a key, unlocking a drawer in the desk. Which sect are ya gunning for, again?The Himawari Sect.And whens that trial gonna be? Gotta know how long to expect ya as a customer.Oh. Fuck. I couldnt remember the date Kayson gave me. UhNovember 3rd.His hand shot up from the drawer; a modified revolver clutched in his hand. Who do ya think ya are fucking with? he asked, cocking back the hammer. It was a mortal weapon, far more popular to the north among the Clans. But illegal as hell here. A cold drop of sweat ran down my brow as I stared down the barrel. At a higher stage of cultivation, the weapon would fail to break my skin. But My Soul Seed wasnt enough. That thing would kill me, and I doubted hed miss with this close of a range.I shifted in my chair. The Crimson Eagle spat on the ground next to him. Dont ya think about moving. Gonna call my boys, then we got some questions for ya. He stood upthe point of that gun never moving from me. His hand dug into his pocket, and a confused expression ran across his face.All hell broke loose. The door slammed open, throwing the motherfucker with a gun off-kilter. Sensing the one chance I had before eating a bullet, I jumped up from the chair. Romeos training flashed through me in an instant; I had to be flexible and adaptI shoved the desk forward in a rush of momentum and slammed it into the guy. The gun went off, and the bullet ricocheted around the room. Instead of causing a powerful ringing burst of noise with gunfire, the room was a dull quiet. Only a whimper came from the revolver.I tapped my arm, calling upon Fickle Fate. Thrill ran through me as the risk only ramped up further. The wood of the desk splintered as the bullet slammed into it. At any second, another bullet might leave that gun and hit me instead. There couldnt be any higher stakes, nothing that gave this same sense of rush. My fingers sparked blue as my skin went numb. I vaulted over the flipped table, my hand darting out and catching his wrist right as another bullet discharged. It ricocheted once, twice, only dim taps of noise. The bullet slammed into his kneeFickle Fates luck had been spent. I took advantage of his distraction; my hand snapped forward, smooth like water, as I buried a fist into his throat.His grip on the gun weakened, and I slammed it free. The man was far too concerned with trying to breathe. But I didnt leave him time to recover, taking a step back and snapping a kick into his head. He hit the ground with a muted thump. He didnt move any further. I collected myself as noise returned to the room. Eve was at the door, arms crossed.So you blew it? She asked. Yeah, well fuck. What did ya expect? Yknow, I think, all things considered, I did pretty fucking well. Look how far we got. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. If she hadnt burst in when she did and given me that chance, Id either be dead or a prisoner of the Crimson Eagles. Now I didnt know what to do with this bastard.You owe me fifty chips. And never drag me around like that again. If you do, Ill slap sense into you, shit for brains.Ill pay up when I get the chance. Sorry about all that. Dont know how to put it, butthat wasnt exactly me. I was just I threw my hands up. Playing the role. Wearing the mask? I didnt want to admit how unsettling the experience was in retrospect. She shook her head. Whatever. Lets get out of here before he wakes up, or anyone comes to investigate. I lingered to look at the unconscious man who wouldve shot me. My heart was still hammering away. Then I left with her. It was unnerving how right Kayson guessed about what Id be capable of.
