Page 111 of Shades of Silver City

“What in the Gods’ names is wrong with you!?” says the woman standing above us, who wears a fox mask. Powder still glistens on her chest. She lends a hand to her friend and pulls her to her feet. “Lennia, is this another of your lovers?”

I’m surprised when she turns her angry pout toward her friend, crossing her arms.

“No!” Lennia says. She scrutinizes me. “I mean—I don’t think so.”

The first woman slaps Lennia so hard that her fish mask flies off, clattering to the floor. I almost feel bad…until I remember they were doing dreamdust. Their recklessness is going to get them killed.

Rising from the floor, I say, “You shouldn’t do the dust.” They both turn to me. Lennia stoops to get her mask. “It’s tainted,” I say, taking a risk.

“Dust?” Fox-mask looks me up and down.

“Dreamdust.” I point to her breasts.

“Cocaine?”

“It’s— You’re doing coke?” I ask, dumbfounded.

She ignores me, gripping Lennia’s arm. They rush away from me, shooting me pissed-off glances as they put distance between us.

The air leaves my lungs in a rush, and I smooth down my dress. I’m just on edge. I’m being a fucking idiot.

At least we were out of sight from most people. No one seems to be paying me any mind. With a sigh, I head back toward the snack table.

I make it three strides when someone sidesteps me, stopping me in my tracks.

“My, my, my,” a man whispers in a low, sensual voice, leaning down so his face is next to mine. “What a lovely little butterfly you are. Please, do me the honor of enjoying a dance with me?”

I take a step back.

His height is similar to Archer’s, and he has a broad chest and muscular physique. It’s impossible to make out the exact color of his hair and eyes in this lighting, but they both appear so dark that I speculate they must be close to black.

The mask he wears shines, and it looks heavy as hell. At each of his temples, the mask curves up into sharp horns.

Unease courses through me. Taking another step back, I offer the man a polite smile. “I’m a bit tired. Perhaps another time.”

“Tired?” he asks, leaning closer. “Perhaps you’re reserving your energy for more remarkable tackles?”

Frowning, I fight the urge to take another step back. “You’ve been watching me?”

Glancing around, I try to locate Archer, but to no avail.

“Your date is rather busy at the moment,” he says. Then his mouth tightens and his eyes harden. “If that’s who you’re searching for.”

I shake my head. “No.” I’m about to clarify that Archer isn’t my date, until I remember that he’s supposed to be. “I mean, yeah, but he’ll be right back.”

“I wouldn’t be so certain about that, Fantasia.”

My heart skips a beat. “How do you know my name?”

He smiles, leaning in to say, “I make it my mission to know everyone of import in my city.”

I almost snort but hold it back at the last second. There are over ten million people spread throughout Silver City.

My city? Who the hell is this guy, the High Chancellor? No, it can’t be. The Chancellor is an old, weathered man with a cane. I’ve seen him on the broadcasts.

“Impossible,” I say.

“Then I make it my mission to know all the soul-seers in my city.” He winks, holding out a leather-clad hand. “So, what do you say, Fantasia? Join me for a dance?”

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