Page 56 of The Paranormal Investigation Bureau
“We don’t listen to the podcast. It’s more entertaining when Bevan tells it to us live,” Merlin said.
He wasn’t wrong. That boy could tell a story, and I didn’t care if it was weird conspiracy theories he told. Bevan could make a Starbucks order entertaining. He could probably put his own spin on the damn phone book and people would listen intently. I loved Bevan to death, and if I had to body slam a succubus to keep him safe, I totally would.
“I’ve heard Bevan spin a yarn before, and he’s amazing at it. I need to tell you all a very true story, related to what Bevan and Arden told me. I have actual proof. Something very real is going on, and it’s to do with something on that podcast. I don’t have all the pieces, and I need help. I’ll be frank about certain secrets and everything I’ve found so far. Basically, I think Marsden is doing this on purpose.”
That all sounded pretty wild, and most of the stories on that podcast didn’t even remotely seem like they could be true. If anyone else had said that to me at any other time, I would have thought they were insane and avoided them.
I just had this feeling that one of those crazy ass conspiracy theories had some truth to it, and Beyla had somehow found it. And whatever it was, Marsden fell down rabbit hole and was inflicting it on us. Why couldn’t he just get a little yappy dog to carry around in a purse, like all the other rich people? He could go to galas and get obsessed with buying stupid tiny clothes for it.
“So, we we were right. Itwasrelated toThe Sugar Skull Girl,”Bevan said.
“Yes, it was. I can tell you why it got canceled, and why it’s being attempted again. Just not here.”
IknewI shouldn’t have signed that damned NDA in blood. I thought Marsden was just being Marsden again.The Pballets never got canceled. They always had the best artistic directors, and they didn’t let just anyone choreograph ballets. Everything was always the best, and if money was needed, a gala was thrown, and they pimped dancers out to make sure it pulled in enough cash.
I’d heard the music forThe Sugar Skull Girl,and I’d started learning the choreography. This ballet wouldn’t have been canceled, not unless something went horribly wrong. It wasn’t because of funding. A few previews with some benefactors, and they’d be lining up to donate more than enough money.
“I’m willing to entertain this… because even being stuck in the corps isn’t super shitty with this ballet. Whatever happened had to be pretty major for it to be canceled the first time. Marsden is being super extra, and it’s getting dangerous.”
“Let’s table this,” Arden said. “Beyla promised to tell us everything over dinner, and I have a feeling it’s too long to tell us now. Marsden might be manipulating Bellatrix because of Beyla, but she’s pissed at Bevan about Julian right now. She probably has plans for Beyla, about that rehearsal, but she’s going to want to take out Bevan first.”
Maybe Arden wasn’t a total chuckle fuck after all. I could appreciate him looking out for Bevan. Bevan would neither confirm nor deny, of course, but Merlin and I both suspected Arden beat the shit out of Julian for the dressing room stunt. I could appreciate that, on a deep emotional level.
“On the subject of a truce, for Beyla and Bevan’s sake, did you beat up Julian for what he did to Bevan?” I asked.
Arden sat there smirking.
“He cried like a little bitch and begged me to stop! He tried to get me fired, but I put way more butts in seats than he does. Marsden talked him out of making a big deal about it. I didn’t even have to fake an apology!”
Merlin held out his fist.
“We are cool then.”
Arden looked at it like it was covered in feces.
“I haven’t forgotten how you treated Nyx you know, and every other ballerina in this company.”
“Stop it,” Nyx said, punching him in the arm. “I don’t need you to fight for me. They backed off as soon as I told them I wasn’t into it.”
“Same here. As soon as I asked them to knock it off, they did. They’ve been great ever since. I wouldn’t have invited them if they weren’t. Nicolai didn’t even kiss me when we finishedHades and Persephone.”
“You threatened to sell my bits on the black market!”
“Please, just give them a chance,” Bevan begged. “Nicolai and Merlin didn’t come on to all those ballerinas. Some of them were using them just as much. Being seen with Nicolai or Merlin means instant fame and social media clout. So yeah, in some cases, they were total assholes, but in others, the women were using them right back.”
That much was totally true. We knew when we were being used, too. We went along with it because we both had goals. Arden had to know this, because it had probably happened to him too. He just shrugged.
“If Nyx and Beyla forgive you, I suppose I will too.”
Well, that was big of such a surly motherfucker.
“Thanks, Arden,” Beyla said. “We need to get to rehearsals. Thanks for lunch, guys.”
Damn. We’d spent our entire lunch break talking about conspiracy theories and trying to clear the air with Arden. We hadn’t even started devising a plan for Bellatrix.
But shit, I was still okay with body slamming her.
Chapter8
