The Pyramid Game Page 5

  Kegan kicked at the ground. “I don’t know. It would be kinda neat to see which is stronger, a real basilisk’s eyes or Corvin’s.”

  “Mine is,” Corvin declared, seeming pretty sure of himself.

  Max shot him a questioning look.

  “What? I had to test it.” Corvin flipped his eye patch up to show his yellow eye. “Although, I would have thought that it would be the other way around since they have two and I only have the one.”

  Kegan shielded his eyes from the Blade’s uncovered gaze to avoid its paralyzing effect. “Maybe being part of a contract makes it stronger. Pretty cool either way though.”

  “Heh, yeah, plus the eye patch makes me look tough.” Corvin cracked a confident smile.

  As surprising as it was, considering the odd pairing, Corvin and Kegan had become regular partners in the last year. The Leaf had even traveled to the fallen city of Rend to see a witch about having himself cursed. The result had tied his progress to Corvin’s for a few months, dropping his level to match the new Blade’s before reverting back to normal. It had stunted Kegan’s progress, but he was able to play with Corvin without ruining the experience gains. If it wasn’t for Kegan, Corvin wouldn’t have made it so far in just a year.

  Not to mention that the Leaf’s special brand of irresponsibility and lack of proper judgment helped balance out Corvin’s polite nature. They complimented each other almost as well as Max and Kira. The pair even had a pair of matching bracelets since Farn had loaned them the Shift Beads that she’d gotten as part of a contract the year before. It was a little unorthodox to lend such a valuable item, but she and the others had made a point of supporting him. Besides, the defense boost that came with the bracelet’s basic enchantment was pretty strong at mid-level.

  “Anyway, let’s get going.” Max stepped down on to a rope ladder, beckoning for the pair to follow.

  Moments later, boards creaked underfoot as he hurried down into the flickering light of the city to search for clues. Asking around earned him several dirty looks, but it didn’t take long to find evidence of Amelia’s presence in the canyon. Especially since she’d already started a couple fights throughout the night, creating a trail that lead them to one of the larger establishments. It was a tavern, though it didn’t have a sign in front. Instead, there was just a crude carving of a mug on the door.

  Max spotted Amelia as soon as they entered. It would have been hard not to, considering she posed prominently in a large chair seated on a raised section of the room like a throne. Max glanced around the room, noting a large number of players in the space. Probably all members of Amelia’s house, Winter Moon.

  “Eep.“ Kegan pulled at his collar with one finger. “I’m starting to wish we brought our healer with us.”

  Max felt the same way but for a different reason. Kira was a hard person to get mad at, which would be good to have when dealing with a player known for stabbing first and asking questions later. A couple brief flashes went through his mind of how the situation would have played out with Kira present. First, a joke to lighten the mood, followed by a cut to her violet eyes capturing their hearts. Cut to her buying everyone food. Maybe a choreographed musical number. Then finally, everyone toasting drinks while she sat on the table, looking at the camera and laughing as everything worked out.

  Max’s mind snapped back to reality as a tall man in a midnight black robe stumbled off a bench, spilling a drink and knocking over a nearby table. The man’s long dark hair, which featured silver chains braided through it, was spread out on the floor. He didn’t get up.

  “Okay, I live here now. Ple, please have my mail delivered to my new address.” He reached out for his mug and poured the last few drops into his mouth.

  Kegan leaned to Max’s side, holding a hand up in front of his face as if to tell a secret but canceling the gesture by speaking a little too loud.

  “That guy’s trashed.”

  Fortunately, nobody noticed them. Yet. Though, if they kept standing there like a bunch of idiots, they would probably start gaining someone’s attention.

  “Follow my lead.” Max started toward Amelia.

  The others fell in line at his sides a little behind him, which helped to make him look important. He stopped in front of the raised space where the Lady of House Winter Moon sat looking bored.

  “Umm, excuse me.” His stomach did a quick somersault as he tried to sound confident. “You’re Lady Amelia, right?”

  Amelia’s long ears pricked up as she leveled her gaze on him.

  “I am.”

  She appeared steadier than the rest of her house, like she hadn’t been drinking as much. The reynard set her mug down on a small table to the side. Then she placed her hand on the arm of her chair, close to the handle of a long sword that leaned against it. A little too close.

  Max flicked his eyes from the grip of her weapon back to her.

  Amelia ran her tongue across her elongated canines in a predatory manner.

  A lump rose in Max’s throat. He swallowed it back down. “Umm,” he started, running out of words almost immediately. He hadn’t thought that far ahead, and things were going south fast. Then he had a thought. What would Kira do?

  “Did you hear about the guy in the battle yesterday that lost his left arm and leg?” He gave an awkward smile.

  Amelia’s eyes narrowed.

  Max waved a hand aside. “Don’t worry, he’s all right.”

  “What?” She tilted her head a little, one of her fluffy ears twitching.

  “Well, that didn’t work.” Kegan lowered his voice so only the three of them could hear.

  “Sorry, I thought acting like Kira would lighten the mood,” Max whispered back.

  Corvin covered his mouth to suppressed a laugh.

  Kegan shook his head. “You are nowhere near cute enough to pull that off, man.”

  “Is there something you want, or should I just kill you now?” Amelia’s hand drifted toward her sword.

  “This might not be going well.” Corvin gave his thigh a nervous pat.

  “Okay, new plan.” Max fell back into his role as leader. “We fight, then ask questions.”

  That was when the rest of House Winter Moon started to notice their exchange as well as how annoyed their Lady appeared. Players stood from their tables.

  “Oh geez.” Corvin placed his hand on his sword’s grip.

  Amelia sighed and picked up her blade. “I’m getting impatient.”

  Max braced himself before speaking, “Hi, Getting Impatient. I’m Max.”

  Chapter Five

  I wonder how Max is doing, Ginger thought as she led Kira and Farn through the city of Lucem, its grand archway stretched across the sky overhead.

  Ginger shook off the thought and returned her attention to her journal. She’d written a polite, albeit, slightly flirty message to one of the managers at the Everleigh Club where she worked. She read the message over to make sure it sounded right, then scribbled a messy check mark on the corner of the page. The text vanished with an irregular fade, leaving the word 'sent' at its center before it too disappeared.

  That was when Kira floated forward to hover beside her, the fairy wings humming as trickles of shining dust drifted to the ground. A few heads turned, slack-jawed. It wasn’t a common sight.

  Ginger arched an eyebrow. It wasn’t like the fairy to go out of her way to draw attention.

  Kira’s eyes settled on her open journal.

  “What do you want?” Ginger snapped the book shut.

  “Just, you know, wondering where you’re taking us.” Kira clasped her hands behind her back and floated back to the ground.

  “Yeah, I’d kind of like to know too,” Farn added in a suspicious tone as she trailed behind.

  Ginger could feel the Shield’s stare burning a hole in the back of her head. “I already told you, we’re going to see a friend of mine.”

  Farn sauntered up to Ginger’s side. “Well, yeah, but that’s what one might call an intentio
nally vague statement. Am I right, Kira?”

  “Yes.”

  The Shield stalked around Ginger’s side like a wolf. “And at this point, now that you’re clearly leading us toward the red-light district here in Lucem, Kira and I have decided that we would like to be let in on the plan here.”

  “Yup.”

  Ginger tucked her journal back into her item bag, stalling while she thought of a good answer. “Oh you’re both being ridiculous. We’re just meeting with a guy I know. What’s so suspicious about that?”

  Kira pushed off the ground and floated over to Farn’s side. “Well, you did ditch your kids back in Thrift.”

  “And you sent them on a literal fetch quest to get bear pelts.” Farn tucked her thumbs into the front of her belt. “It’s almost as if you didn’t want to take them to wherever we’re going.”

  Ginger let out an exasperated breath. “Bears in that area are basic enemies for beginners. They need experience, and the pelts sell well. What’s wrong with that? Plus, I can’t really have them hanging out while we plan a heist here.”

  “True, true.” Farn nodded.

  “Yes, that all sounds on the up and up,” Kira added.

  “Thank you.” Ginger released the tension in her shoulders.

  “But,” Farn held out both hands empty, “we just have to ask, are you…”

  “…Intending on pimping us out at your old brothel for information?” Kira finished Farn’s question, her eyes narrowing.

  Ginger gasped and placed one hand against her chest as she searched their faces for sympathy. She held the pose for a long beat, then dropped her hand back to her side and blew out a sigh.

  “Kinda?”

  Farn and Kira continued to stare her down with judgment in their eyes.

  Ginger threw up her hands. “What? We need an invitation to the palace in Reliqua. And I happen to know one of the higher-ups back at the Everleigh Club that has been invited before.”

  Kira floated off the ground to hover at eye level. “And that would involve auctioning us off to the highest bidder?”

  Ginger brushed the accusation aside, waving her hand back and forth like she was wafting away an odor. “It’s not like that. It’s just that he’s a busy guy and it’s hard to get a meeting with him on short notice.”

  Farn folded her arms across her armored chest. “And bringing us along will get you in the door?”

  Ginger gave her a mischievous smile. “I might have told him that I have two friends that were interested in jobs,” she hesitated for a few seconds, “and I may have sent him a picture of Kira.”

  Farn’s mouth dropped open. “Not cool.”

  Ginger shrugged. “What? I would have sent him your picture too, but honestly, you’re cute, but you look like you’re about to pillage a Norse village.” She stepped forward and wrapped her knuckles against Farn’s chest plate, which covered anything of interest. “I mean, I’ve known you for a year, and I still have no idea what you have going on under here.”

  Farn clicked her teeth and pushed Ginger’s hand away with a couple fingers. “I’m pretty sure that leaving my photo out is not the problem here.”

  “I know, I know, but really, we need an invitation, and this is our best bet. Unless either of you knows anyone else that can get us in.”

  The pair fell silent. Which wasn’t a surprise considering that their social circles consisted mostly of each other and Max.

  “That’s what I thought.” Ginger gave a victorious nod. “Which is why you’re lucky that I’ve spent the last few years sleeping with half the servers to make the connections we need. Besides, this way, when we get our end of the job done faster than the guys, we can rub it in Max’s face later.”

  Kira tilted her head from side to side. “I do like rubbing things in Max’s face.”

  Farn slapped a hand over her eyes and groaned. “I assume we don’t actually have to do anything. Right?”

  “Great!” Ginger snapped her fingers and spun on her heel. “Knew you’d see it my way. And no, you don’t have to do anything. Just stand behind me and try to look sexy.” She glanced back over her shoulder at the pair as they stood, looking awkward. “You… might want to practice on the way.”

  Fifteen minutes and a few more arguments later, Ginger finally reached the entrance to the Everleigh Club. She’d been employed there for years but hadn’t set foot inside for over a month after taking time off to spend with her kids. Despite her absence, there was still something welcoming about the place.

  The building was pristine, with gold lining its windows and doors, like a stylish art nouveau hotel akin to the Moulin Rouge. It may have been a brothel, but she had always felt safe there, and no one had ever asked her to do anything she didn’t want to. Sure, she could see the pity on people’s faces whenever she explained what she did to provide for her family, but really, she’d always considered that to be their problem, not hers. After all, sex was nothing to be ashamed of. Nor was being good at it.

  Ginger checked on her compatriots one more time before heading in. Then she rolled her eyes. Somehow, Farn looked more intimidating. Even worse, Kira, the one person she thought she could count on to at least be inadvertently sexy, was hiding behind Farn. Ginger buried her face in one hand.

  “Well, you work with what you have.”

  “What was that?” Kira poked her head out from behind Farn’s side.

  “Nothing. Now get out here.” Ginger grabbed the fairy by her belt and dragged the adorable spaz out of hiding.

  Farn gave a short wave and started marching back down the street. “Okay, you two have fun in there.”

  Ginger cleared her throat, stopping the Shield mid-step. “Nice try.”

  “It was worth a shot.” Farn’s shoulders sank.

  “You’re both adults. You know that, right?” Ginger glowered at both of them.

  “Yeah, I pay bills.” Kira poked at the ground with her toes.

  “Good, then let’s get going.” Ginger stomped her way into the club. Honestly, they’re worse than my kids.

  Inside, a tall elf named Butterscotch held down the customer service desk near the brothel’s selection kiosks. Her hair was tied in a loose braid that trailed forward over one shoulder and down her chest in a way that drew the eye to her cleavage without being too obvious about it. The woman had always been skilled at flirting, even if all she did was work the desk.

  “Hey, Scotch.” Ginger gave a warm smile as she approached.

  “Hey, I thought you were taking time off to help your kids level.” The elf leaned forward on the desk.

  “Oh, I am. Just stopping by to introduce a couple friends to Sam. I messaged him earlier, so he should be expecting us.”

  Scotch leaned to one side to check out the awkward pair standing behind Ginger. Her face went blank for a long pause. “Um, okay. I’ll get you a key to one of the open rooms.” She turned and reached into a cabinet behind the desk. “How are the kids coming along by the way?”

  Ginger rested an elbow on the desk. “They’ve been catching on quick. I was thinking of taking them up to Rend next week, see how they handle Castle Alderth.”

  Scotch pulled her hand out of the cabinet with a quick tug and slapped a gold key fob down on the desk. “You monster. Those are your children. That place is terrifying.”

  Ginger offered her a sarcastic shrug. “I know. I’m not even going to warn them first.”

  The elf fell silent, then the corner of her mouth tugged upward. She let out a laugh. “I expect those kids will be taking down Nightmares before the end of the year.”

  “That’s the goal. Can’t go easy on them now.” Ginger gave a slight bow to celebrate her parenting skills.

  “I suppose not. Anyway, you can use room two-eleven. It has a nice sitting area.”

  “Thanks.” Ginger snatched up the key.

  Scotch winked. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes to get your friends ready before I let Sam know you’re here.”

  Ginger cringed
and took a look back at her friends. Farn immediately looked to the floor, and Kira gave a dumb little wave. Ginger nodded and pocketed the key.

  “Yeah, that might be best.”

  She thanked Scotch once more before leading her friends over to one of the gold-encrusted elevators. They both glowered at her as the doors sensed the key in her pocket and opened.

  “Oh, just get in.” Ginger shooed them on to the lift, where they continued to stare at her in silence all the way up.

  The room upstairs was similar to the one Ginger had used to take clients before—a large hotel suite, complete with a canopy bed and seating area with a sofa and two chairs that surrounded a low table. The wallpaper was covered with pink and red filigree, and a chair rail of dark wood wrapped the room like a slender belt. The space was lit by a chandelier and a few sconces that made the gold accents that lined the furniture sparkle. It would be a nice place to enjoy a bit of adult fun.

  Kira and Farn stood in the doorway as if they couldn’t find the courage to enter.

  Ginger tapped a dimmer switch on the wall to lower the light, then turned her attention to the pair. It was time to get to work.

  The fairy stepped a little closer to Farn and held up a hand in front of her mouth to whisper, “I’m not sure I like that expression.”

  Ginger folded her arms and tapped one finger on her side. “Kira, you look…” she paused before finishing the thought, “fine.”

  “Ahh, thanks.” Kira patted the back of her neck. “You look okay too.”

  Ginger twirled one finger in the air. “Could you turn around.” Kira shrugged and complied with a half spin that let the bottom of her dress fan out. Ginger nodded in approval. “I was going tell you to take off the item bag, but it actually draws attention to your butt.”

  “And that’s good?” Kira leaned to one side, still sounding a little worried.

  “Of course.” Ginger strafed around her. “It’s your best feature.”

  Kira snorted and twisted her body, trying to check out her own ass. The fairy spun around three times before giving up and asking Farn.