Frey returns a few minutes later, his arms laden down with drinks. He sits next to me, pulls my legs onto his lap, and hands me a tumbler filled with a pink liquid. Addie gives us a long look, winks, and takes her glass. The drink is refreshing, light, and fruity. I finish it in a matter of moments. Frey hands me his and leaves to get more. Addie’s name is called from across the room, and she sets her drink down on the floor and waves.
“I’ll be right back,” she says, standing, then crosses the room, disappearing into a wave of new people.
The music emanating from the top floor grows louder. I stare out into the night, watching the crowds in the street, dancing to the rhythm of the music.
“Anyone sitting here?” Troy asks, catching me off guard.
He hands me a drink, the same one Frey went to get for me. I set my new empty glass down and take the one from Troy’s hand. My eyes frantically scan the faces of all the patrons, trying to find Frey, but I can’t see him.
Troy sits where Addie was and leers at me. His hand is cupped around a small shot glass filled with a creamy green liquid.
“Frey said you wanted that,” Troy says, gesturing to the tumbler in my hand.
“Do you know where he went?” I ask loudly, trying to be heard over the noise.
“He’s still in line getting himself another drink.”
Somehow I feel that’s a lie.
Troy nudges my arm, eyeing the drink. I take a small sip, waiting to taste something unpleasant, but it’s the same concoction I had. I still decide to nurse this one and not chug it like the other two in case there is something wrong with it. I’ve only taken a couple of sips when I start to feel light headed. I know I need to get away from Troy, so I ask him where the bathrooms are. He points to an alcove behind the stairs leading up to the third floor. I excuse myself, taking my drink with me, but I set it down on the first table I pass.
I glance behind me and Troy is no longer in his seat. I almost have to elbow my way through the mass of people to get to the alcove. The air in the Arcade is quickly becoming hot and stuffy, which is making me dizzy. I make it to the bathroom and lock myself in. I splash cold water on my face and neck. Someone starts pounding on the door, yelling to be let in. I open it and step past the forming line of women. Standing in the opening of the alcove, I scan the room, but can’t see Addie or Frey.
I move up to the third level. The floor is lit by brightly-colored squares that change color in rhythm with the music. Lights hang from the ceiling in a variety of styles. Some look like cylinders, while others look like teardrops. The dancefloor is covered in revelers. I keep to the walls, sliding my way around the room. I stop when I’m half-way as the crowd is just too thick. I’m about to head back, when a hand presses against my back, stopping my motion.
“Where’s Frey?” Brink says, his voice thick with anger. His mouth is right against my ear. His hot breath heating up my already warm body. He pushes me against the wall. His hand starts to slide up the back of my shirt. I try to shove him off, but his legs are pinned against mine. He leans his body as far into me as he can. “You know, it really doesn’t matter since you’re mine anyway. You can fuck him till I kill him in The Litarian Battles, then you won’t have any options but to uphold your parents promise.”
I go rigid. My heart stops.
“What did you say?” I ask, turning my head so I can see him out of the corner of my eye.
“You heard me,” he whispers into my ear, pressing himself harder into my back. “When this realignment is over, you’re mine. Heart, body, and soul.” Brink begins to nuzzle my neck, but I’m too stunned to resist. “You’re my reward for bringing an end to Leader Fallon.” His hands wander my body, pushing and pulling at my clothing. Then he stops and is gone.
I turn around, but he’s vanished into the crowd. I race towards the stairs, almost knocking down a couple of people. I don’t stop until I’m in the alley. The cool air feels refreshing as I try to calm myself down. I lean my head against the brick of the building, letting the cold, rough surface burrow into my forehead. My cheeks are wet with tears that I didn’t know existed.
This can’t be real? It isn’t true. Would my parents really make such an offer? Why? Do they hate Leader Fallon so much that they’d sell their own daughter to make sure her rule ended?
I feel sick to my stomach and clutch my midsection as I bend down, trying not to throw up. My head pounds with the fast pace of my heart. I shake as sobs come up instead of bile.
“Max?” My name echoes through the loudness.
I pull myself together as quickly as I can. Wiping my cheeks dry with my hands. “I’m in the alley,” I call out.
Addie and Frey lean out the opening on the second floor where we’d been sitting, concerned looks on both of their faces.
“I needed some air,” I say to them, then signal I’ll be right up.
I take several deep breaths before heading back inside. Frey has another drink ready for me when I get to the seats. I take it before sitting down. I don’t see Troy or Brink among the patrons, so I relax, but only a little.
As the night wears on, I try my hand at a game of
