Dark Secrets

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     Air stinging cold, Dahlia stood in shock, facing the closed and locked door before her. It was a metaphorical slap to the face. She had been kicked out; kicked out! Mercury had shooed her away, emotionless, speaking of keeping her word to her mother. "To Lilith," she had said in such a way that prevented a fight. She said they would be seeing each other less, as promised, and that was final. "Come back if you wish to have sex," she had said, and the conversation was complete. It was, essentially, over.

     Dahlia slammed a freezing palm on the door, on the verge of angry tears. "What about what you promised me!" That was most important, but she had to get to work, which she really didn't want to do, not when Mercury's mom, Lilith, would surely come for her. Just the memory of Lilith made Dahlia shiver and rethink her life choices. But perhaps the crowd of the lounge would keep Lilith at bay, at least until Dahlia could scrounge up a better plan. Being alone was the worst idea, and alone was exactly what she was.

     Cursing to herself, Dahlia breathed into her palms and shuffled to her car. She sat there with no clue as to what she should do, contemplating just driving into a cactus and getting her end over with. But she figured she had at least one thing to live for and so drove to the cocktail lounge in an irrational hurry. What were the chances Lilith would come after her so soon? she tried to tell herself. She should be safe for... Well, at least tonight, right? It was late, freezing, and just plain an awful day for murder. That thought made her anxieties ease an iota.

     Dahlia flew into the lounge, ignoring the happy faces that turned to her, and headed straight for her dressing room. The good news for the night was that Mercury kicked her out with her belongings this time, so she had her outfit and other little toiletries she needed. She changed her clothes and beat her face with make up, relaxing as the minutes wore on, and by the time she was finished she was calm, and hungry. The lounge was already buzzing expectantly, ravenous for her arrival, and she could feel it in the air. She held the wall and fastened her heels before going out to saunter on stage and waiting the few seconds it took the band to start up. The crowd was as usual- eager, submissive, just a little drunk. The girl on earlier must have been good to get them in such a mood. Dahlia hadn't met her because she was so new but she heard good things. The aura left behind tainting the air had her breathing even, and her heart was at a soft beat. Things would be okay. She would be okay.

     Eyes fluttering shut, Dahlia started slow, tender, and pressed her lips to the mic, her fingers curling sultrily around the stand. She was feeling a little solemn tonight and her song expressed it, the sound spilling from her causing faces to drop in droves. As she sung she thought to herself sadly, which eased her song and made it echo with woe. What would her relationship with Mercury be like from here on? Despite everything, Dahlia was feeling emotional for the wolf. She understood the weird conversations now, could make Mercury talk a bit more than when they first met. It was nice to have someone who wouldn't try to control her or make her into the perfect girlfriend. Mercury was a strange friend with even stranger, yet lovely, benefits. Honestly, Dahlia didn't have anyone else in her life. She had spent all her time trying to catch Mercury when she first moved to the city that she was alone now, and she didn't want to be. Mercury was the only person in the god forsaken desert that wasn't enthralled by her Siren's song and around because of that magic. Mercury was an annoying, cold-hearted, boring, frustrating woman, but she was all Dahlia had.  The situation was never meant to turn into such a thing but, well, there it was. Just like that, right there- Dahlia's life, with all its complications and misunderstandings. 

     Mentally forcing herself to lighten up to prevent an unwanted suicide in her listeners, Dahlia slowly opened her eyes and stared out at the audience, noting the dazed faces and forced enjoyment as her song increased in pace. It filled her to the brim and she hummed in delight at the taste of so many at once. Numerous flavors mixing under her skin to morph into a delightful cocktail... What did Mercury taste like? she suddenly thought without meaning to. It depressed her to know that she'd probably never find out. Then again, she wasn't entirely sure that she wanted to. It was too easy to lick at someones essence, and Mercury was anything but easy. Mercury was special.