“How do you know this, Spence?”

“His wife—the woman in the picture—used to work at Playhouse. She disappeared at the same time. Women talk, the streets talk.”

“Why would they cover that up?” Emerson asked.

I ditched the tattoo gun to contemplate the severity of the crime. “The authorities don’t want to cause panic. There’s already mass prejudice towards Variants as is. If the general public caught knowledge of Amp and the implications this drug could cause, there’d be all out war.”

Emerson nodded. “Anti-Variant protests have been intensifying recently. It’s only a matter of time before these peaceful rallies spill over into violence. Discrimination is at an all-time high. Amp has to be kept under wraps before the rest of the Variant population is placed at even greater risk.”

Spencer lined up three shots, unperturbed that we were digging through a stranger’s things. “I say we all take Amp, overthrow the leaders and blow this corrupt system to the fucking ground.” Her green eyes sparkled. There was no question she was already concocting a plan to seize the government and crush the amoral institution beneath her designer heels.

They approached my chair, each with a shot in hand, Emerson shoving the third under my nose. “Let’s start with the underworld, then the rest will follow. They will regret the day they ever forgot the name King.”

A ring of fiery determination whipped through our small trio.

“They will remember,” I said, sealing the vow by clinking my glass to theirs and downing the contents.

My blood ran thin as I laid the finishing touches to my tattoo, the bottle of vodka empty on the corner table. I could hear Emerson in the next room hunting for more liquor. I had no idea where Spencer had disappeared to. Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed through the walls, followed by a plethora of curse words. Found her.

I didn’t rush, knowing Emerson would check it out, when she also released a subsequent shriek. “There is no way I’m getting anywhere near your vagina. Fuck no!”

I snickered and followed the sounds of my arguing sisters.

“Meek, please! I don’t want to stain my dress, and it fucking hurts like a bitch.”

“I’m not putting my hand on your pussy, Spence, so stop fucking asking. It’s your own fault.”

I leant against the threshold of the piercing room to find Spencer reclined in a massage chair, her dress lifted up past her bent knees as she pressed a thick dressing between her legs.

Emerson stood in front of me, arms firmly crossed, radiating disapproval.

I arched a brow at their regular roles, ready to play my own as referee. “What now?”

Emerson huffed. “Talk some sense into your sister. She got bored and pierced her own clit. Now she wants me to heal her.”

“You act like you haven’t got your nipple pierced.” Spencer rolled her eyes. “And it’s in fact the clitoral hood, not the actual clit. Get it right.”

“Like I give a fuck.”

My lips twitched. “Why?”

“I’ve heard it increases pleasure, and the perfect opportunity presented itself. Why wouldn’t I take advantage?”

“And the best time to do that was right now?” Humour thickened my tone. Emerson’s shoulders laxed as mirth shone in her eyes.

Spencer’s gaze bounced between us, her face reddening from her rising frustration (not to be misconstrued for embarrassment). “This isn’t funny. You were taking too long. Will you help me or not?”

I turned to Emerson. “Can you heal her by hovering your hand in front of the dressing and not making direct contact?”

Her face drained of all humour. “You can’t be serious.”

I arched a brow and she hissed through gritted teeth. “It won’t be as effective. But I can at least blanch the bleeding.”

I gave a sharp nod. “Do that. She can deal with the pain.”

Spencer pouted and Emerson saddled up to her side. “Don’t remove that fucking dressing. The last thing I want is a view.”

Spencer shrugged. “Your loss. It’s a pretty view.”

Emerson and I shared a look before we finally succumbed to joint laughter.

“Laugh it up now. But you will regret that you didn’t get one yourself when my pleasure increases tenfold. Plus, this will only add to my overall sex appeal.”

“I’d like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not. I’m going to clean up. Then let’s go out, I need a drink. I’m way too sober for your specific brand of bullshit.”

Chapter 16Micah

Iexited the basic bathroom, adjusting one of my loose earrings that dangled freely. A sharp wolf whistle rang out, accompanied by spontaneous clapping.

“God damn, sis,” Emerson said. “Who’re you trying to impress tonight? The mayor, or your crazy boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” He is more.

“So he is crazy?” Spencer smirked. “If he isn’t already, he definitely will be once he sees you in that. Phew.”

They were both sprawled in different positions on the fighting mats. They’d been sparring for the past couple of hours while I got ready.

I’d stolen a dark purple gown from Spencer’s closet; long-sleeved with a high collar to cover the bulk of my tattoos. Depending on the position, my latest ink would peek out from the slit in my dress that parted all the way up to my hip.

Ignoring their taunts, I snagged a dinner roll and chucked a bottle of water to Emerson.

“You’re even flashing your new tattoo,” Spencer said, sitting at the kitchen island and shoving a lollipop in her mouth. “He’s going to think that’s permission to smell those fragrant flowers and fertilise your hidden garden.”

Emerson and I groaned. “Ignore her, M. You look beautiful. You’re alright on your own tonight?”

She and Tanner had argued that one of them should accompany me for back up. I refused. If my identity was compromised, at least they’d still be active.

It was election year, and Mayor Oakview was desperately grasping onto his seat of power. The night's fundraiser was for JC’s elite, to pretend they cared about the lower ends of society, hence the asylum being the chosen location for the fancy charity ball.

I shook my head. “I’ll be careful.”

Spencer leant back on her stool, balancing on two legs, a wide, cheesy grin dominating her face. “Yeah, careful Psycho doesn’t slip over and slide his dick into you. That type of careful?”

Emerson choked on her water.

“I’m not even going to see him tonight, perv. He’s locked up in a completely separate area.”