Adrenaline

Chapter 22

***

Kara Asher

***

The club was nothing special, however, in such a desolate town it wasn't unlike an oasis of luxury, misplaced and unusually empty. 'Aphrodisiac' hangs in a bright, neon green just above the door, a sirens call just mysterious enough to draw people inside, a futile facade blinding them from the fact they were prancing into a lions den.

Due to the time the place was void of people, allowing Athena to take up two spaces without reservation, parking the strangers car so carelessly it was almost surprising.

Almost.

"You ready?" Athena's voice breaks me from my thoughts, as I nod in response, climbing out of the car and following behind her unashamedly. It's human nature to want to be equal at all times, standing shoulder to shoulder, only seeking protection when truly necessary. However, I'd developed quite the taste for self-awareness and right now I'm fully aware that my current location is one of very likely, imminent danger; I am also aware that the girl in front of me is that danger and as long as I'm behind her, the margin of error becomes wider. Whoever waits for us inside this building was going to get us the answers we deserved.

The swirling cursive of 'CA' clamps onto my forethought like a vice, the ringing in my ears forcing me to consider the possibility that maybe it could be.

"You're awfully quiet back there, Asher." Athena nods me through the door, almost as you would to a incompetent child, her eyes flashing with bemusement. It never failed to surprise me; Athena's lack of self-preservation that is.

The girl truly, inarguably did not give a shit.

There was nothing fake about her constant state of confidence, she just was. Some would say it was down to her looks, being attractive always seemed to give people a slight edge on the self-love scale and my god was Athena Rose beautiful. Yet, that wasn't it, I have no doubts that she is fully aware of each feature on her face, but I also know it makes no difference to her self-loathing, the haunting look in her eyes which makes everything she does seem that little bit sinister, that little bit twisted, like she's the game-master and we're all just playing by her rules, her plan.

Athena wasn't brave, or courageous, or selfless.

No, Athena just was.

Just existing.

Just done.

"I'm thinking." Heading up the stairs, I drop back once again, letting her take the lead which she accepts naturally.

"Oh, don't strain yourself." Flashing me a quick smile, I'm unsurprised when she asks no further questions, leaving me to think, uncaring as to what.

For a moment I wonder if she's also in the habit of reading people as well as I can, whether she can tell what I'm thinking already, and again, as always, with Athena, I'm left clueless.

Pushing open the door at the top of the stairs, we're greeted by a gate of guns, as I have to stop myself from crashing into Athena's back.

"Well, hello to you too." Putting her hands up in patronising surrender, Athena waves at the man to her right, winking as he tilts his head, likely questioning whether she was just brave or incredibly stupid.

"Would ya' look at this, boys. We've caught ourselves a Rose twin." A slender woman emerges from the shadows, her dark skin turning a deep red under the club lights. She moves gracefully, almost like a ballet dancer, her footsteps barely audible.