The Black River | Kuzeless [C]

Chapter 1 | Gamblers

The afterlife was a lot more like the living world than people would've expected. There were neighborhoods that ranged the gamut of good, bad, and ugly. Where Chris and Kuza had found themselves, it was as dirty as Detroit and as bright as Las Vegas. Here, ghouls did most the hard lifting. Money was nonexistent but there were other rarities that interested people. In death, everyone has something to find.

Kuza let the hotel room door slam behind him. He didn't have much of a care for those around him. Besides, there probably wasn't many people around. Most folks, they had somewhere to go; Family to find, agendas to fulfill. Those that were a little lost in life, they ended up in places like this. Truly, even someone like Mike was searching for a loved one. That's what brought them here, after all.

"Are you almost ready to go?" He called through the bathroom door.

"Yeah." Chris replied as he opened up. He shut off the light, walking over to the bed to get his jacket. When he realized his mate was staring, he asked, "What?"

"You cut your hair." He responded, stating the obvious.

While he was out running errands, Chris took the time to clean up. Even though Kuza knew about it, it was still a bit of a shock. To see his hair slicked back in a deathhawk, spikes along the side of his head, and black lipstick contrasting against his pale skin, it was definitely a shock. He'd spent so much time focusing on surviving the past couple of years that he never bothered to cut his hair or put on makeup.

"Do you not like it?" Chris hesitantly replied.

Kuza smiled briefly, "No, babe, I love it. You look good. I'm just not used to seeing you like this."

He pulled his fire dragon closer until their hips touched. With his thumb, Chris gentle traced over the deep scar below his eye. "Good. I'm not used to seeing you like this, either, but I like it, a lot. You look sexy."

"Yeah?" He smirked, "You think so? I was just hoping that letting my scars show would make me look tougher. Plus, I can't be focusing energy on cloaking. I have to protect you."

"You don't have to protect me, Mike. I can handle my own."

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to." He said, "Please, don't fight me on this. If we get into any trouble, it'll most likely be my fault anyways."

Chris knew what he was thinking without him saying it aloud. Still, he had to ask, "You're worried about running into Demon's Card?"

"Them, or really any of the other crime guilds and mobsters I pissed off in my past. A place like this, I know they'll be around, and it's just a matter of time before we run into them." He opened up the black case he'd carried in with him, revealing a few new friends. Kuza picked up a black revolver, loading the chamber. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

He snickered, "So, that's where you were."

"I lost Ryan's Arcadia when we crossed through the gate. Without it, I need a weapon I know how to use, and for me, that's a gun." Kuza placed his pistol inside his leather jacket. He picked up three pocket knives from the same box, slipping two into his jeans and offering the third to Chris.

"That's all you're giving me?" He deadpanned.

"Yes, and for emergencies only. You're a healer, not a fighter. I'm not doing this to be an asshole, okay? I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Chris sighed, "I understand. Just don't do anything stupid."

"I can't make any promises, Babe." He pecked his cheek, catching sight of the clock, "C'mon, we should get going."