Page 84 of The Shadowed Oracle
“I don’t!” His eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “But, I mean, I know that it’s totally normal—definitely normal. The Shades, I’m sure that’s why you started. I knew plenty of world-walkers like that.”
“Relax.” Ingrid couldn’t contain her amusement any longer. “I’m fucking with you.”
“Shit,” Dean spat. “You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”
“Yes, I know. But you asked for it.”
“Guilty. It’s not the best barstool conversation, is it?”
“Might be the worst,” Ingrid agreed. “Now that I think about it.”
“Oh, no, I’ve had much worse than this.” He scooted a bit closer to her, voice lowering like he was telling her a secret. “One in particular comes to mind. Not too long ago, actually. Believe it or not, I once brought up a series of murders I was investigating to a bartender who was, at that very moment, being stalked by the killer.”
Ingrid feigned surprise. “Wow, I guess that is worse. Poor girl.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Dean turned in the booth, bringing his arm up over the top of the seat to fully face her. “So, in comparison, talking about a little drinking problem isn’t a big deal. If youwantto talk about it, that is.”
Luckily for Ingrid, the music had stopped momentarily, the musicians all breaking for rehydration or to stretch out their hands and legs. Ingrid glanced over at the band, using the distraction as a way of delaying what she said next. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of this part of her life, or that she was worried about Tyla or Raidinn overhearing, it was that she rarely thought about it herself. The routine of burying things away had become so easy for her that she needed a moment to really remember.
“I’d tried so many things,” she said, staring into Dean’s eyes as they searched her. “So I figured, why not? It couldn’t have gotten much worse.”
“Did it work?” Dean asked softly.
“Not in the slightest. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I had my fun. But whoever my parents were, they passed down one hell of a tolerance. No matter how much I had, it wasn’t enough.” She figured this applied to her drug use, too, her Viator blood processing the Earth-made chemicals much faster thana human. Considering the mixture and amount she’d regularly take, she should’ve landed in the hospital multiple times, or worse.
“How long did you wait before you started working in a bar?” Dean asked. “I imagine it was hard being around all that temptation?”
“I took a few sick days, but that’s all,” Ingrid shrugged.
“That’s impressive.”
Ingrid glanced back at him, then looked at the nearly-empty pint of ale in his hand. “No, you’ve got it backwards.” She gestured to his drink. “Seeing all those goofy drunks makes it easier.”
“Goofy?” Dean threw his hands up dramatically.
“Yes, goofy. Reminds me what my life could’ve been if I’d never stopped.”
He broke his incredulous stare, looking out at the dancers with a glint in his eye, like the alcohol had brought out the philosopher in him. “That’s a good way to look at it. Better yet, if you hadn’t taken that job in that bar, you probably wouldn’t have made it here. Never would’ve found your true?—”
“Nope.” Ingrid quickly stopped him. “I swear to god, Dean,” she laughed. “If you say fate, I’m going to?—”
“Home,” he said quickly. “You never would’ve found your true home.” Planting his elbows on the table, he added, “Despite everything, you’ve adapted. You’ve changed more in the last few days than I ever thought was possible. You know that, right? Can you feel it?”
Ingrid shyly turned away.
But Dean leaned further in. “Back on Earth, you had this… this energy, this magnetism. But now it’s more like an aura.” He shook his head, suddenly self-conscious. “Whatever it is, it brings out the best in whoever’s around you.” He nodded to the twins as evidence. “Those two, they’d never bring it up, not witheverything going on, but they suffered like hell this past month. Especially Raidinn. But look at him now. I barely recognize him. And that’s because of you. I’m sure of it.”
Ingrid shook her head. “You’re all just drunk.”
“Me? I’m not drunk.” Dean pushed his nearly finished drink to the very center of the table. “I only had two. Or, three if you count that one. I figured I deserved it. No?”
Ingrid only laughed.
“Alright, Ms. High and Mighty Sobriety. No more drinks. But how about a little fun?” He gestured with a coy nod to the dance floor. “Join me?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Oh come on! One dance?” He reached out his hand, but she slid away on the leather of the booth until she was nearly off it. Dean followed after her, sweeping her the rest of the way with one arm, then up and over his shoulder.
