I took in a deep breath and sighed. Kaica rubbed my side and gave me a reassuring squeeze before letting me go.
Perhaps it was a mistake to come here. I was clearly out of my element. The sisters made it seem easy, their heads held high as they surveyed the room. The crowd parted as soon as they noticed us, a mixture of fear, lust, and respect radiating from their faces whenever the lights passed over them. A few watched me with jealous anger. Others failed to hide their curiosity as they tried to peek into my hood.
I focused on B’s back as an uneasiness fell on me.
“I promise I will call out if anything happens,” I said as we walked up to an empty table. “Please don’t let me distract you… Are you sure either of you doesn’t need me tomorrow? I can—”
“No, Selena. We will take care of it,” V’dim interjected. “Trust us. Let us take some of the burden off you. The Destiny leaves in two nights, and you don’t have enough time to do everything.”
“Enjoy yourself. You deserve it,” Xylo said.
I smiled as I sat down last at the round table, focusing on the blackened display screen surface. Their words comforted me and removed the guilt I felt, spending time away from my nestmates. They truly wanted me to have a good time without them—to have independence.
“All right. I promise to enjoy myself tonight with Kaede’s sisters and won’t worry about tomorrow. Just don’t leave me out of any major decisions and let me know the outcome of your meeting later tomorrow.”
They all agreed and wished me a good night.
A shot glass filled with a bubbly purple drink was placed in front of me, pulling me into the present.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I placed an order for you since it seemed like you were busy having an important conversation with your nestmates,” Zesha said with a wink.
“What is it?” I asked as I lifted the glass and peered into it. There was a dark disk slowly dissolving on the bottom of the glass, its particles creating the bubbling effect in the purple beverage.
“A favorite of ours,” she said as she grabbed her own. “Try it. It’s an alcoholic drink, Purple Asteroid Field.”
I sniffed and failed to distinguish the scent. Glancing up at the sisters, I noticed they were all watching me with their own drink in hand, waiting for me to take the first sip.
Throwing caution out the window, I tipped my head back and threw back the drink—like I saw others do with drinks in similar-sized glasses.
A dull fruity flavor was replaced by a strong bitterness that burned as it traveled all the way down my throat. I gasped from the feeling of the fizzing tablet as it attached to the back of my mouth. My eyes watered as it dissolved, continuously sending a burning sensation down my throat. I fanned myself as I struggled to keep steady breaths, trying to cool the burning in my cheeks.
Laughter filled the air.
“I figured you hadn’t had many chances to try… adult beverages since you were pregnant when you escaped, but I didn’t think you would have that kind of reaction,” Zesha exclaimed.
“You should have seen yourself,” Nyx chuckled. “I haven’t seen anyone react like that since Kaica—and that was because she panicked over the bubbles as they went down.”
“If your idea of a good time is to find ways to embarrass me, then I will go back to my clan,” I growled, slamming the glass onto the screened table and sliding it away.
“Hold up, Selena.” B raised her hand. “We should have told you what to expect. For that, I am sorry. Please don’t allow our poor judgment to ruin the night.”
“Then why are we here?”
“Talking, drinking, dancing. Perhaps even meeting someone new. The night is yours to do whatever you fancy.”
“I don’t need any more males in my life. I don’t know if you saw, but I currently have five in my clan,” I said pointedly. “Unless you guys are looking for someone.”
“You don’t want to dance?” Nyx asked and pouted as something crossed over her fuchsia eyes.
“It is more like I don’t know where to start.” I looked over at the crowd and watched couples—and groups—enjoying themselves as they bumped and ground on each other. Everyone moved as one to the blaring music as if it was natural for them.
“Did someone say dancing?” a familiar melodic voice purred.
B rolled her eyes. “Why are you here, Qran? I don’t believe I sent an invitation to your crew.”
Qraniebi—who I had been calling Q—strolled up and brazenly wrapped a winged arm around B. His bright neon green bandoleer was missing. Only his neon blue loincloth remained, its belt equipped with flashing lights that strobed toward his crotch.
“You know you can’t hide from me,” Q smirked. “Rumor on the station is the Fab Five are now six, and they were here to celebrate. I took it on myself to investigate.”
“O’course you did,” Aunya scoffed. “Can’t keep yourself away. You always got to stick your beak in our business.”
Q gasped and covered his chest with a hand. “Aunya. You wound me.”
“No. We know your ways.” Aunya crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes as her tails shuffled behind her.
“Then, you all know why I am here.” Q looked down at B. “I would have to be dimwitted to believe you added Selena to your crew.” He glanced over at me. “No offense to you, Selena, but you don’t seem… equipped with the necessary skills needed to join their special forces. That is all. Besides, Prince Zirene would never put you in danger on purpose.” He returned his gaze to B and squeezed her arm. “I am wondering when you will set your sights on me and realize I am a very virile male who is interested in you.”
B’s face hardened as sadness filled her eyes. “I am not going to be
