This Book Sucks Blood

Chapter 9: The Switch-Up

Song Selection: Oh No—Marina

When Kitty finally finished her shower and returned to the room, the black drape on the wall had fallen. Thousands of glass shards shimmered in the recessed lights, and for a moment she could only stare. Kitty thought she was the first person out, but she couldn't say that for sure. In fact, she hadn't spoken to any of the girls and especially avoided Naomi's eyes. Not that Naomi was looking at her. She'd only seen her staring off in the distance, probably still thinking about Seth.

Kitty hadn't sabotaged her. Had she?

When Kitty looked into her heart, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she liked the other artist. She really did. She'd seen the factory painting that morning, abstract but pointed, bubbly with its smiles and glowing faces, and yet still sad, because it shone a light on the Larkens that toiled in the factory.

Kitty thought it was so brave, so wonderful, and still, Naomi could not win this competition. Kitty had to win. There was too much at stake. More than a factory. More like an empire.

When Kitty arrived at her bunk, she found Lucianna rummaging through Kitty's suitcase. 

"Hey." Kitty pressed both her hands to her hips. The denim shorts were scratchy against her knuckles, the old workman fabric snug on her legs. "What are you doing?"

Lucianna held up one of Kitty's dresses. The chest-piece was fashioned out of two scrap metal triangles; the bottom was a flair of stolen pink tulle. It was one of Kitty's favorite pieces. "Can I borrow this for tomorrow?"

"For what?"

"For breakfast."

Kitty blinked at the other girl, waiting for her to break the serious expression on her face. Everyone here was like that, aside from the men off in their own clique. They made off-color jokes and howled at them. It was just a sign of the aristocracy, she supposed. But after a minute, Lucianna still held up the dress, her face pressed in the same thin-lipped expression.

"I don't think this competition works that way. And if it did, Elody would rip your hair out."

One of the camera bots trailed so close it sat on Kitty's foot. Its camera face turned up to look at her own. She ground her teeth.

"She can try." Lucianna shook her head, her long hair swishing around her hips. She was still wearing her swimsuit, exposing her lithe, tan body. She looked so long, so angular. She kicked her foot up and down. "Trust me, I know your type. I'm doing you a favor. It was easy to play the part with a few beers in you. And the emperor must have been delighted by how different you are. But that novelty will wear off in the morning light."

Lucianna smiled.

Kitty's teeth ground down so hard that she caught her cheek and bit a seam along it. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, and she was shaking. On the streets, she would deck Lucianna. There would be no pretty face left to sneer at her. But she could only stand there, her fists shaking as she looked the girl up and down.

"What are you trying to say?"

Lucianna stood up, her mouth against Kitty's ear. "I know your type," she repeated. "And I promise you, you're better off if I take your place. You all are."

Kitty pulled away, looking the tall woman up and down. It was crazy to think, but she recognized her. She really did. The dark eyes. The scarless skin. A beauty mark on her chin, those intense, knitted brows.

It was a night a few years ago. Kitty had nowhere to go and was pushing back against the inevitable; she had enough for a beer, so she wandered to the edges of the Leisure District. Maybe she would find the raw materials or inspiration for her next big piece here. Not that anyone bought them. But having that, having something, was a person's lifeline.