Chapter 12
Seb ladled another helping of punch into his cup, the thrumming bass from the speakers causing the neon liquid to ripple. He could feel it in his chest too, pounding between heartbeats, an arrhythmic pulse in his veins.
As if he wasn't jumpy enough.
His drink refreshed, he hovered at the edge of the crowded basement bar, his eyes fixed on the nearby stairs. He regretted giving Kate a waiting period. While at the time it seemed wise to space out their exits, it was obvious now that ten minutes was far too long. Without anywhere else to go or anyone to speak to, all Seb could do was worry. And drink. Past the point where the booze became a boon, and into the zone where the restlessness set in, where his racing thoughts and the Vox's whispers blended into a pacing, circular monologue.
What if she didn't come?
She would—his power was unquestionable.
But what if she didn't?
How could that be? Didn't Seb see the emptiness in her eyes? Hear the slurred submission in her voice?
But suppose she got lost? What if she didn't know where the basement was? Or if her friends held her up?
Then he would have to go back upstairs and assert his claim.
And, what, just hypnotize everyone standing in his way?
If that's what it took, then...
Seb's scanning eyes captured a glimpse of purple hair in the line of people descending the stairs. His heart leapt, and he quickly slammed the rest of the drink, sugar and anticipation tingling on his tongue.
There she was: her heavy-lidded eyes staring straight ahead, her arms hanging to her sides. Her steps were heavy and languid, as though she had to use all her weight just to work up the momentum to move, her hefty breasts bouncing each time. Any casual spectator would probably conclude she was drunk out of her mind.
When in reality, her mind was his.
"Kate,"
Seb called, crossing to meet her.
She turned, her pupils dilating as they met his, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Hey..." she breathed. "You're here..."
Seb gently grabbed her bare arm, guiding her away from the crowd. Her skin felt cool and soft. "
Just like I promised,"
he murmured. "
I'm happy to see you. Are you happy to see me?"
"Huh?" Kate's brow furrowed. "What?"
An icy rush of doubt jolted Seb, but he managed to maintain his composure. "
I asked if you were happy to see me,"
he repeated, raising his voice. "
You are, aren't you?
"
"Oh...yeah," she giggled, embarrassed. "Sorry, it's like...so loud. It's distracting y'know?"
Seb winced internally. Of course. This was why he hadn't gone after girls on the dance floor. The relentless music was clogging Kate's ears, making it harder for the Vox to flow into her brain. It was such an obvious pitfall, but in his anxious, inebriated haste, he had stumbled right into it. Reinforcing Kate's trance here would be no good: having her attention constantly diverted would only make it easier for her to realize something was amiss. Seb could try shouting, but broadcasting the Vox that broadly was exhausting, and might attract attention.
Fortunately, it seemed like Kate was still at least partially under his sway. And...he just realized she was still staring into his eyes.
"
You can still see the colors, can't you?
" he asked as the realization struck.
"Huh?"
"The colors! In my eyes!" Seb exclaimed, daring to drop the Vox and hope.
"Yeah...they're cool..." Kate nodded. "So...pretty..."
Seb smiled. The hallucination he had planted earlier was still in effect. Even if she couldn't hear the Vox clearly, she was still entranced by his gaze. That would do, for now, but he needed to get her somewhere quieter.
And far, far more private.
"
That's good,
" Seb shouted, interlocking his hand with hers. "Just keep thinking about the colors and follow me!"
_______________________________________________
Sophia stumbled out into the night air, shivering and clutching her bare shoulders. She was reeling, in more ways than one. Not only had she just confessed to Chelsea about the other voice, but she had also somehow managed to get on Veronica's bad side. At least, that's what Sophia assumed: it certainly
felt
like the mocha-skinned beauty had been shooting her daggers all night.