Page 74 of Riftborne
“Any idea what this is?” Briar asked, eyes shifting from one of us to the next.
I cleared my throat. “I think it’s liquid Euphoria, but it seems to have been enhanced somehow,” I stated, examining the vial. We made this potion at the shop. It was quite simple actually, but this one was teeming with enchantments.
“That sounds like fun,” Raine mused, spinning the contents around, the shimmering liquid reflecting the firelight.
“This place is amazing,” Briar agreed.
“I can’t be sure what the effects would be...” I trailed off. This seemed like a bad idea. Immediately, my nerves returned. My eyes shot throughout the crowd.
“If everyone is in agreement, I am.” Osta popped off the top of hers before extending it above the fire. Briar did the same.
“Cheers to Osta,” Raine said, following suit.
Everyone held their vials above the fire, and my mind began racing. They all seemed transfixed on the revelry around us. I swallowed hard before slowly meeting their hands and clinking the glasses in unison. Before I could talk myself out of it, I tipped it back and consumed the contents.
I leaned back into the couch with trepidation, awaiting the effects that would soon take hold.
As moments slipped past, I looked around the expanse, at the people dancing beyond. Muted lights began forming in the distance, aligning with their forms, as if their minds were glowing. This was going to be much stronger than the liquid euphoria I had always known.
I closed my eyes, trying to distract myself from the changing surroundings, but it was a futile attempt. Something in me roared to look, to see, to take in the world around me, and my eyes fluttered open once again.
The throbbing of light emanating from the sky intensified, meshing with my own heartbeat. The place seemed to dance in slow motion. I looked over to my friends who seemed to be experiencing the same state of dreaminess. Their jaws all gaped open as they took in the sights with this new magnified perspective.
I couldn’t help the clumsy smile that spread across my face. Everything felt good. Everything felt like it was exactly as it should be. Any nerves from earlier disappeared into the void of my mind, replaced with curiosity… wonder… euphoria.
As if in a trance, we stood from the couches and joined hands, making our way to the center of the field, where the strums of music were the most intense.
We joined in with the mass of bodies swaying to the rhythm. I looked over to Osta. She was laughing, nearly doubling over. Raine and Briar were in similar states. The four of us twisted and twirled throughout the crowd as we surrendered to the effects of the elixir, letting it take hold completely.
I had never felt so free, carelessly letting my body react to the world around me. My eyes glazed over as I leaned my head back and took in the flower above. It shifted and radiated with flashing lights that matched my own frequencies. I couldn’t help but get caught in its magnetic pull.
My senses were blasted by the environment around me.
The smell of jasmine was overwhelming, filtering through my nose like an addictive toxin. My ears rang from the sounds of energetic melodies, dancing through my body with unfettered intensity.
Even my mouth was electrified by the taste of the air around me, sweet and alluring. I licked my lips, desperate for more of the flavor.
Something dark pulled at the back of my mind… something I needed to be worried about. Something I needed to remember. But it was too far gone, and the lights were far too bright.
I shut off that part of me and gave myself fully to the colorful kaleidoscope.
CHAPTER 27
The four ofus stumbled out of the unassuming doors of the Enclave a few hours later, still swaying with remnants of the elixir. My mind had begun to return to the reality around us, and I noticed how empty the streets were.
“Osta, we should head home,” I hummed.
“Yeah… we should go,” Osta said with a quiet smile, her eyes still dancing.
“Are you sure? You could bunk with me at the Compound tonight.” Raine’s eyes shifted between us.
“That’s alright. We wouldn’t want to impose,” I said softly, still distracted by the lights shimmering around me.
“I insist. Really, I don’t want the two of you walking home alone this late. In this condition.” Her voice was stern, but her gaze was following something sparkly in the distance.
“I agree with Raine. You two should stay at the Compound tonight. It’s no problem,” Briar said calmly, lacing his arm through Osta’s.
My best friend dared a glance at me, but her eyes didn’t fullyfocus on mine. I shrugged. Perhaps we weren’t in the right state of mind to make the trek.
