Page 12 of The Satyr's Guilt
“E-X. Asshole.” Denim plopped down to sipher Hurricane, drumming her fingers on the bar.
The physical wounds had healed. Except forthe scar on her face. The psychological ones were fading at asnail’s pace. Having burrowed into her brain, they surfaced atinconvenient times. Like when a nice guy asked her to dinner and amovie. That’s when she flashed on Steven’s fists slamming into herjaw, his steel-toed Danners cracking her ribs. She lost her dreamof a family and her confidence to choose the right man.
Marta may have a point. The past is alive, aworm inside my head.
Galena slid onto her stool.
“I’ve never told you about Steven. Andyou’ve never asked. Thanks. I’m still raw. Anyway, I worked withhim at the Alliance about a year before we started to date. It wasanother year before I agreed to marry him. Bad idea, huh?”
“I’m not in a place to judge.”
“As it turns out, it was a terrible idea.Life was great at first. Of course, we both worked long hours, butafter each day, we’d eat out, enjoy a few beers, laugh a lot. Thetrouble started when I moved up the ranks while he stayed in place.He resented my success.”
Denim tightened her ponytail. “I don’t know,maybe he was always a bastard, and I didn’t notice. All I saw was ahandsome, popular guy who could have any woman he wanted. He choseme. By the end, he was a mean drunk who tried to make me weak,submissive, the perfect punching bag. And I guess for a time, hesucceeded. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. Like youreally need to hear my sad story.”
“Hey! You’re telling me because I’m yoursidekick, girlfriend.”
“Thanks.” Denim pushed her stool back,settling her boots on the floor. “I’ve lost interest in this place.Let’s move on.”
“I’m with ya.”
When they hit the noisy, bustling streetagain, Galena checked her D-chip.
Denim grabbed her partner’s wrist, turningit over, back, examining it. “That is so cool. It’s a smooth blackdisk. Does it do everything I’ve heard?”
“Real futuristic shit. A Digital ImplantCommunication Chronometer. It’s a mouthful. Yeah? Easier to sayDick Chip. Kind of scary to think it links to my brain. I can talkto anybody, pop through portals, flash from shadow to shadow. I caneven get the time of day. With a tap and a thought, it will doalmost anything. Want a selfie?”
“I need one of those.”
Galena wagged her finger. “Not for lowlyhumans, but I see by my very fashionable,for-Aeternals-only-Flash-Gordon watch that we still have noproblems. Let’s just wander.”
Like salmon swimming upstream, the twoworked their way to Bourbon Street. Then onto Toulouse. A guytossed a set of beads at Denim, who laughed as she caught them. Shespun around, waving them at Galena. That was when she spottedSteven and his two buddies crossing the street about a blockbehind.
“Here comes the asshole with hisfidiots-of-the-month. We need to get out of here. He’s nine ways ofcrazy. I don’t want you dragged into my problems.”
“Don’t bother about me. I’ve got an idea,though. Since we’re about off shift, I know where he can’t follow.Jump to Scath with me. You said you’re off for a few days anyway.You can have a mini-vaca at my place. We’ll do the spa thing. Youhaven’t felt anything until wee imps walk all over your back.They’re ugly as mini hellhounds but, girl, can they work the kinksout of your muscles. Next, we’ll paint our nails Hannibal Lecterred, slip on some sexy rags, and tip back a few at the BloodShed.”
Denim tapped her index finger to her chin.“That actually sounds fun. I’ve never been to your realm. Nosuitcase with me, though.”
“I’m a great shopper. You try on. I’ll siton a couch drinking wine, oohing, aahing.”
“Will my credit card work?” Denim raised herhands while she danced her way through a gyrating couple in thestreet.
Galena chuffed. “Are you kidding? We’rebigger capitalists than you guys. We don’t turn down any medium ofexchange. Paper. Coin. Plastic. Lamb. A bushel of corn. Pet rock.All’s good.”
“I’m also supposed to get a blood test. Youknow, one of the mandatory ones to see if my drop of witch isbecause of a Blood Coven ancestor.”
“You can get it at the Ministry of WellBeing. Let’s double time it. We’ll lose these bastards.”
As they started running, Denim peeked overher shoulder.Yep.Steven and his men were definitely givingchase. “They’re gaining. I can’t wait to see their faces when wetake the portal.”
They turned a corner, entering a desertedside street. Air whizzed by Galena’s ear. A pop sounded. “What thefuck?”
Pop. Pop. Pop.
“They’re shooting.” Denim picked up thepace.
Pop. Pop.
