Dark Nine ❈ Dark Nine Universe Bk1 ❈

Chapter Forty-Five

Diana's POV

The host of the Perfect Pizza sits us down by a window seat, in a city view restaurant on the top floor of the B-Hive Tower. We could see the silhouette of the city below, covered by the clouds, we were that high up above it all. Light Nine status gave us all kinds of perks. I don't know how anyone could choose otherwise. All our comforts and needs were attended too. All anyone had to do was choose to trust entirely in a system perfected over two destinies of refinement.

"What are you thinking about, Diana?" Leroy asks me politely.

"I was trying to understand, why anyone wouldn't want our life, when it's nine choices close," I murmur this to Leroy, as he carefully scans over the menu. He glances up to me after an awkward silence, cocking a brow.

"What did you conclude, Diana?"

"I have no idea, it was just philosophical ponderings of the inhibited mind," I chuckle, "I am so lucky to have met you, Leroy. You gave me this realisation, didn't you?"

"I did," he nods, "You're special to me, Diana – not many Dark Nines are rehabilitated. Usually we just exterminate them," he shrugs, "I pitied you. I could see you failing and I wanted to help you succeed –"

A shadow falls over us as our giant waiter arrived.

Neither Leroy and I pay him any attention for a moment, just gazing into each other's eyes – I could drown in his forever. I liked that they were an emerald green. And that he was mildly interesting – a comfort to my mind.

"Ahem," our waiter has a deep voice, as he coughs into his hand, "Drinks?"

"Sparkling water please," Leroy murmurs, without glancing at the waiter at all, "Our date is cut short so make it quick."

"Mm, I haven't even decided," I murmur to Leroy, as I glance quickly to the waiter, dressed in a full suit, his hair cut so humanely short – all savagery is gone. I hadn't even thought that –

Well, it doesn't matter what I thought.

Logic doesn't matter.

I see what I see.

I stare at Mars, speechless, as I blink, he stares back, pen hovering over paper.

"I can come back," Mars murmurs to me.

"Same," I whisper, "Same as him, I mean."

Mars turns and walks off, and I look to Leroy, who has been watching me the entire time.

"You alright, love?" Leroy asks politely, "You look a little flustered."

"Oh, I just didn't expect Mars to be... waiting on me," I admit, openly, while smiling, and then laughing, "What a... surprise," I trail off as I watch Leroy immediately show many uninspiring and dangerous emotions – rage, disgust, shock, jealousy.

His face contorts with everything, all at once.

Then he composes himself, as he looks over his shoulder and watches Mars by the bar, filling glasses with sparkling water, all while watching us.

I note Mars does not look strained, but relaxed, no strained emotions on his face.

He returns while Leroy swallows an excess amount of nervous saliva multiple times, his throat so closed off with his turmoil that he can't get a word out even as he tries to speak with his hand, as Mars places the glasses before us. Leroy anxiously tries to loosen his tie.

"Have you decided on your choice – will it be one to share?" Mars asks Leroy specifically, his eyes running over him slow, never blinking.

"You're – not – ah, meant – to – ah," Leroy stutters and his cheeks flush with Mars' pointed stare, "You can't be here."