Page 13 of Soulless Deeds

“And I’ve booked you, so we should be good to go.”

He gave me an unimpressed stare that wasn’t up for negotiation. My shoulders slumped, then I flopped back onto his comfy bed. “But I got all dressed up.”

Remi tsked and primed his pipe. “Now. Boy or girl troubles? Who’s this mystery person who has captured your attention?”

I raised on my elbows while he settled on his sex swing. “What do you know about Echo?”

Remi stalled. “You’ve got to be kidding.” My brow raised, and he shook his head. “Echo’s a player who’s slept through most of Serpents Row. He never goes back for seconds, and the only commitment or loyalty he’s ever shown is towards Mistress. He rules Vice with an iron fist and fucks just as hard.”

I pouted. “Have you had him?”

“Pfft I wish. Unfortunately, he’s strictly attracted to the fairer sex.”

Ruminating on my thoughts, I dropped back down, popping my gum with intermittent bubbles. “When we met, his voice felt alive… I don’t know how to explain it.” My fingers raised to lightly trace down my exposed neck. “The sound sent tingles over my skin.”

“That’s his Variant… Why he has that name,” Remi said. “He can manipulate infrasound—a frequency humans can’t hear. It’s a powerful tool that can be used in a multitude of ways. With his voice alone, he can cause mass destruction or provide immeasurable pleasure. Or so I’ve heard.”

My head cocked sideways, my altered brown eyes locking with his silver. “Why would he let people know that?” These are dangerous times to be a Variant.”

“It’s the worst kept secret in Serpents Row, and he likes it that way. Fear is what rules this town, and Echo’s? His is unmatched.”

A snicker escaped my lips. “Not that renowned. I haven’t heard of him.”

“Right. Who are you again?” Remi teased, and I smirked in return. “That hasn’t turned you off, has it?” He scoffed. “He will fuck you up, Spencer, and not in the good way.”

My lips lifted in challenge. Remi’s description only made me want Echo more. Plus, I wasn’t the one he had to worry about.

“Why are you telling me all this?” I asked. “Isn’t this a breach of, you know… Confidentiality? You’re a member of Vice and work in one of their most prestigious institutions.”

“This isn’t top secret information. You’d be able to find all this out from anyone. Plus, you paid a lot for my time, and since I won’t be providing sexual gratification, I thought I’d give you something.”

“Why are you so expensive anyway? Do you have some special trick or something?”

“Should I teach you?” His tone was teasing.

“Yes,” I replied, his smug smirk faltering at my honest answer.

My session had come to an end, and I was surprised at how much fun I’d had. Remi was a breath of fresh air, a non-bias soundboard that accepted me for who I was—well, the limited he did know about me anyway. I didn’t care that I paid a small fortune every time I had to see him. His presence was strangely cathartic.

Descending down the extravagant grand staircase, I halted on the last step. Rhythmic vibrating beats lured me down the side passageway, leading to the back. I knew there was a communal bar situated there for guests and staff to mingle. I’d always steered clear, preferring to stay low-key with my desires,ensuring my identity was locked down. However, an unknown entity tugged me further, leading without a legitimate thought.

Instantly, I knew why.

The room was bustling with entertainers and patrons, alcohol free-flowing and the atmosphere thick with merriment. A bar lined the left side, bartenders classically dressed in tailored black suits. The right was dominated with elevated semi-circle booths, poles secured in the middle of each table. No expense was spared when creating the fantasy land—the materials, furniture, aesthetic all screamed high-class fucking money.Wonder why I was attracted to this place so much?Playhouse deserved its reputation.

A flash of red alerted me to Sudo, who was storming for the exit, ringmaster circus jacket billowing behind her. Before she clocked my presence, I slipped into a darkened alcove bordering the bar. Completely undetected, I stalked my new obsession.

Echo and Aster sat in the centre booth. The former leant back, arms stretched wide over the backrest and legs manspreading like he had the biggest dick known to man. He wore ripped jeans with suspenders—only suspenders.Doesn’t he own a shirt?

His mistress, on the other hand, appeared the polar opposite, chin high, posture straight, poised grace, sporting a pristine white dress that hugged her curves perfectly. The only colour shone from her eyes, lips and nails, the perfect shade of red to replicate the sheen of frank blood.

I was intrigued when a line of beautiful female entertainers danced up to their booth, bodies swaying, hips gyrating, falling over the two underground royals like they actually wanted to be there… Who was I kidding, they definitely wanted to be there. Echo and Aster were both good-looking, rich and the unequivocal rulers of Vice.

Jealousy seethed through me—not for what they had, but for what I’d lost. My siblings and I should have been living a life filled with all manner of power, access, money and luxury, Junction City and the world at our fucking fingertips. Instead, we were forced to hide underground like rats so the people who destroyed our past couldn’t stain our future. In return, I vowed I’d take theirs away altogether…and annihilate anyone who got in our way.

A waitress approached the bar, expertly handling a full tray of drinks. She’d caught my attention as she appeared out of place. An air of apprehension surrounded her, eyes scanning the place as if searching for escape. The pretty little thing confirmed my suspicions by running a stealthy hand over the open glasses, the liquor sizzling from the added drug.

I leant closer at her brazen approach. She’d gotten away with it, no one present even remotely aware of the danger that presented itself.

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