Page 43 of The Paranormal Investigation Bureau
“He has it coming,” Arden growled. “Bevan, take me there now!”
“No! Marsden is having him arrested. He’s arranging to have the Paranormal Investigation Bureau bust him for selling. He’s getting fired from the company. It royally pissed Marsden off when he found out he was dealing to Bellatrix. He’s not doing a fucking thing to her for getting him to plant the drugs in my bag, or coming to rehearsal high, but Julian is gone. Hewilltake you down with him if you go to that club and beat him, and you’ll end up in jail if you kill him in front of witnesses at the club.”
Arden stopped pacing and glared at the wall. Bevan looked like that was the best news he’d gotten all day. Nyx just started laughing, then flung a piece of broccoli at Bevan.
“You’ve been planning that, haven’t you? We all know how Marsden feels about drugs. You were waiting until just the right moment to drop that information.”
Bevan was just sitting there, grinning from ear to ear.
“If he had actually searched the bags, he would have found a shit ton of cocaine in Bellatrix’s bag. I’m not having my career ended by her because she needs her little gay lapdog in the room with her. I’ve witnessed her say filthy homophobic shit, straight to his face, and he laughs along like she’s joking. Pro-tip. She’s not.”
That was where I had this massive conflict of interest. IneededBellatrix as the lead, so I could be in the background as understudy and keep all five leads safe. I didn’t like Bellatrix at all, but I was starting to care for Arden and Bevan. If Nicolai and Merlin kept acting the way they did in the closet, then I could include them too. I didn’t want them hurt in any way, and this ballet was exceptional, so I wanted to see them on stage performing it.
The problem was, this ballet wasn’t the only thing trying to take out dancers. Bellatrix didn’t want Bevan in his role. Her trying to take him out wasn’t going to stop now that Julian wasn’t an option for that part. She was going to blame both of us for Marsden finding out he was dealing. She was going to step up her game.
I’d become fiercely protective of Bevan, and so had Arden, apparently. I could get rid of one threat by opening Marsden’s eyes and getting rid of his nasty girlfriend… but there was still the whole problem of this ballet, and I didn’t have enough information yet.
“Guys, please don’t become like her because you want me dancing the lead! I don’twantto take Damita away from Bellatrix. Let’s work on stopping her little sabotages, but there’s enough drama at rehearsal without adding to it by trying to destroy her.”
“You’rewaytoo nice for professional ballet, Beyla,” Nyx said, “Push that bitch down the stairs and be done with it.”
“I’m not even remotely nice, Nyx. To be clear, if I were going to take her out… I’d do it slowly, while looking her dead in the eye instead of shoving her in the back. None of us are petty bitches.”
Nyx and Bevan both raised their hands.
“I am,” they both said.
I couldn’t help laughing. I could be a petty asshole too. I knew Nyx wouldn’t really shove anyone down the stairs, that was just her sense of humor. I knew no one in this room would either.
“Fine. None of us are psychopaths like the Terrible Trio.”
It was Arden who raised his hand this time.
“I am. I could get her fired with a phone call. The only reason I haven’t is that it would bring the Unseelie’s attention to the company. I only haven’t because I wouldn’t do that to Marsden. After rehearsal today, I’m changing my mind.”
Was Arden seriously going to arrange to have the Unseelie bring Marsden back after he slept outside my bedroom door because he thought I was their property?! What the actual fuck had gotten into him?!
“Stop!” I yelled, holding up my hand. “Think about what you know… I talked to Marsden after rehearsal, I got the vibe off him he’s up to something. It’s more than just Bellatrix being his girlfriend. He said heneededher as Damita for now.”
Marsden was definitely up to some Unseelie level shit. I got why he kept information from me, but if he genuinely wanted this ballet to go off without a hitch, then surely he’d get rid of all sources of drama. I felt this had something to do with the similarities I saw between Bellatrix and Selena. The answers might be waiting in my email, but I had some fires to put out before I could check it.
“We aren’t calling the Unseelie down on Marsden, and we aren’t maiming Bellatrix. We all know this ballet is amazing, and that it has never been seen by a live audience before. A diva may have ruined the show the first time, so let’s make sure another doesn’t this time. I think Marsden knows something we don’t, and that’s why she didn’t get fired today.”
Bevan bounced in his seat and held out his fist to Arden.
“Is this a new ballet conspiracy theory… one we’re right in the middle of?!”
Arden finally relaxed and bumped fists with Bevan.
“Time to do some sleuthing.”
Now that this mess was settled…
“I have a date with my tablet and the bathtub,” I said, excusing myself.
“There are fish and veggies in the oven,” Nyx yelled at my back. “I made enough for you. You’d better eat when you get out, bitch!”
I had every intention to.
