I woke up to the door opening. I groped around for my pistol, nowhere to be found.

  “Look who’s alive.” Mara leaned against the open door. “Come on, we’ve got to go.”

  “Where?” My voice was hoarse, but I sat up. Grabbed some water and tried to wash away everything.

  “A party. Frederick goes to every one.” She said. “Guy I gambled with is getting us in.”

  I glanced down at my clothes, absolutely sweated through, scuffed, threadbare, with large cuts in it from the time in the mines. Didn’t even have another set, and I just shrugged and got out of bed.

  Mara slid a pill into my hand.

  “All you have to do is slip this into his drink.”

  “Why do I have to be the one to do it?” I asked.

  “Because I’ll be distracting him.”

  That didn’t sit right with me, but I went along with it. No other choice, really. Or at least that's what it felt like.

  As much as I hated it, we left Rusty behind. I needed to blend into the crowd, and a dog stands out just about as much as possible. Almost as much as you and Corax, Little Blue.

  “Do we really stand out that much?” I ask.

  “Is that a joke?” Cassie says flatly.

  “I guess it should have been.”

  Anyway, I said my goodbyes, and the two of us headed out. We got to the staircase, and began to climb.

  “Do you remember yesterday?”

  “Not much.” I answered.

  She found that awfully funny.

  We found our way up to an apartment. Mara flashed a paper invitation, and we entered. The place was massive, several individual apartments had been combined together. The main room was a quiet party. People in fine clothes standing around and drinking, a bar flowing like water. Servants or slaves, not sure which, shuffled around the place, taking orders and handing out drinks.

  Through open doors is where the high-stakes gambling took place. Poker for more than I'm worth now. Entire fortunes won and lost by single hands. To be fair, I’m probably exaggerating, but that’s what I remember.

  “Guy in the red coat.” Mara nodded to the side of the room. “Don’t get caught.” She walked off, leaving me alone. She didn’t even go straight for Frederick.

  “So much for being a distraction.” I mumbled.

  Mara was made for this. She walked through social situations the same way she did through fights, with unending confidence, a smile, and a plan to kill everyone. She was damn good at telling people exactly what they wanted to hear. And just like when she spoke to me the first time, it only took a few minutes for her to get a grasp on who you are, to form herself into the perfect conversation partner when she wants to.

  Me on the other hand? I was lost. Way too young to be at that kind of party, and still not my idea of a fun night. I walked around slowly, awkwardly trying to join in conversations, to fit in. The looks I got. You’d think I was going around personally insulting everyone’s mothers.

  I couldn’t even get close to Fredereck, and especially not without everyone looking at me. They’d step back to get in my way, whisper the most foul things you’ve ever heard.

  I needed a plan.

  I took in everything. Watched every room, watched the servants glide past everything, hand out glasses with barely a glance. That was my in. I shadowed them, watching from a distance. One slipped into a side room and I caught a glimpse of fabric hanging on the wall, the same clothes the servants wore.

  I waited a long time as servants came and went. They pulled out cleaning supplies, bottles, all kinds of stuff. I waited until I was sure the room was empty, and slipped inside.

  I knew I didn’t have long. I grabbed some clothes, threw them over mine as quickly as I could, and stepped back outside. You wouldn’t believe the difference. I went from something to scorn, to something to ignore as soon as I started serving people.

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  I fit in well. The job was pretty easy. People asked for refills, and I delivered. I watched Frederick the whole time as he finished his drink. When he got close to done? I approached the bartender.

  “Fredereck is requesting a refill.” I said.

  The bartender just nodded, far too busy to pay attention to who was making the request. I slipped the pill in as I made my way carefully over to our target. I didn’t even say anything, just held out a new glass, he took it, and I dropped the old one off in the back to be cleaned.

  I caught Mara’s eyes and gave her a small nod. She made her way over, and got to work.

  You would not believe how quickly what I gave him worked. By the time he finished his drink, he was slurring his words, practically tripping over himself. Mara put herself at the center of things, generously offering to help him home.

  She helped him into the hallway, and I followed suit. We took him downstairs, and found a back entrance out of the building. We got caught though.

  “What are you doing?” A guard stationed in the room asked.

  “I’m sorry sir.” I stepped forward. “This man has indulged in far too much, and we’re trying to ensure he gets home safe. He needs rest, and we were told to come through here, to save face. I’m sure you can imagine him being seen like this wouldn’t be good for his image.”

  The guard looked at Frederick for any response, but he was too far gone to even realize anyone was around.

  “Be quick.” The guard grumbled.

  Nobody doubts a servant.

  We crossed the desert, got to our casino, and headed inside. A few guards escorted us up, and we found ourselves back in Scoville’s office.

  “Well done.” Scoville said.

  “What do you want done with him?” Mara asked.

  “Go ahead and kill him.”

  “Do you care about the floors?” She asked casually.

  “No, those can be cleaned.” Scoville shook his head.

  “What did he do?” She asked.

  “I don’t want employees whose consciousness gets in the way of their job” Any mirth he had melted away. “And I don’t want employees who ask questions.”

  “Oh no, I don’t give a shit about him. I’m trying to figure out if he deserves a quick or slow death.”

  He laughed at that, his mood changing on a dime.

  “Kid insulted me at a party, nothing more.”

  Mara shrugged, drew her pistol, and put it to his head.

  “Wait.” Scoville said. “What’s your name?” He asked, nodding to me.

  “Vincent.” My blood ran cold. I think I already knew what was coming next.

  “Vincent, you do it.”

  Mara glanced back at me, a silent warning in her eyes. This was our in. This was our survival. She didn’t feel anything for the guy on the floor. Scoville felt nothing either. The guards in the room didn’t care. So why did I? What was wrong with me? All of them could see my fear, my reservations, my guilt.

  I swallowed everything. I just had to be like them, I was sure it’d come naturally eventually.

  I pulled out my pistol and pulled the trigger, straight to his head. At least it was quick. He didn’t suffer. He didn’t even know what was going on.

  “Glad to see that won’t be a problem.” Scoville nodded. “Your new life starts tomorrow. Keep the room you rented, free of charge as long as you work here. Smith, get them a hot meal and a cold drink. And some fresh clothes while you’re at it.”

  “Yes sir.” One of the guards left the room.

  “Before you two go. Both of you are too small to work as simple guards. I expect you to report to me every morning for your daily task. Treat me well like you did today, and I’ll do the same for you.”

  “Sticking us on guard duty would be a waste anyway.” Mara said.

  “I like your confidence.” He said. “Just make sure you can match it. You’re dismissed, I’ll see you at sunrise.”

  We finally headed back to our room. Rusty was inconsolable. Poor guy was so anxious. Jumped onto my arms the moment we were back. I did my best to be excited for him. He needed it.

  “I need to take him out.” I said.

  “Mm-hmm.” She kept her rifle on her and lounged in a chair.

  We were quick. My nerves were getting to me. We actually got back to the room before the guard made it to us. Mara didn’t even glance at me, just kept her eyes on the world outside the window.

  The guard stopped by not long after. Mara shamelessly drew her pistol, making it clear where we stood. She nodded at the door, and I let him in.

  He stepped in, his hands full. He glanced at the two of us and nodded, heading for the table.

  “I think you’ll fit in here.” He said, and spread out everything he brought.

  “That’s the goal.” Mara said.

  “Piece of advice? Stay paranoid. Scoville will treat you right, but not everyone is worth trusting.”

  “And are you trustworthy?”

  “Depends on the day.” The guard shrugged. “You two have a nice night.”

  “Mm-hmm. You too.”

  “Thank you for delivering everything.” I add.

  The guard left, and I grabbed the clothes. You would not believe just how nice it was to have fresh clothes for the first time in so long. I washed my clothes in the mines, of course, but that was something else. The only holes were the ones that were supposed to be there. The shirt wasn’t rough, it just sat on my shoulders, smooth, not rubbing anything raw. It fit, even.

  I was conflicted, as I’m sure you can imagine. It was nice, really nice. I just hated that I had to blow a guy's brains out for it.

  “I’m going to eat and get some sleep.” I announced.

  “Don’t vomit this time. And bring me my food first.”

  I grabbed both plates, handed over hers, and Rusty and I retreated to the bed. I ate slowly, getting lost in the taste, in being able to focus on chewing and nothing else.

  I fell asleep easier than I would have liked. Guess I was already getting used to things.

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