THE KEY (book one)

|eleven|

The sound of knocking saves me from my everyday nightmare, but I'd honestly rather go through nightmare than face another day here. Pushing away all of the pain my body's radiating, I get up and answer the door.
Phoebe and Drew stand before me with two obnoxious smiles.
I look at my com to read the time; seven o' five.
It's too early.
"Good morning!" Phoebe yells. I notice there's a bruise under her right eye from yesterday.
"Can you still see it?" She asks reading my mind.
I give her a nod.
"I told you the makeup wouldn't work." Drew says, and they begin to bicker. Not wanting to intervene I close the door in their face. I doubt they noticed anyway.
I'm not in the mood for a conversation, or for anything really. After yesterday's events I'm surprised I'm not dead.
So I take my time getting ready, and when I finally convince myself there's no escape I walk to the kitchen. Levi's in the fridge grabbing a water.  There's a plate of toast with jam and eggs on the table.
He looks up and me and scans my face. There's a bruise above his left eyebrow and on his cheek.
"You look like shit" He says grabbing another water.
"You don't look to bad yourself."
I turn to the plate grabbing a toast, and putting eggs on top.
"When you're done meet us down stairs." He instructs and sets a water bottle on the table for me.
I nod even though he can't see me, and take a big bite out of the toast. I didn't really eat anything yesterday except for the sandwich I made before I took a shower. I quickly finish up to meet the rest in the living room. Everyone's sitting around on the couch waiting.
"Woah she's finally ready." Luke says. I ignore and walk over to the hologram next to Levi.
"Where to next?" I ask looking over the map.
"Red Phoenix!" Phoebe yells with excitement as she braids Drew's hair in corn rows.
"The strip club?" I ask frowning. I never had a good taste for strip clubs. I don't understand what's so interesting about them, but I guess everyone has their kinks.
"The best strip out here in Main City." Luke grins running his hands through his hair.
"So what's the plan?" Drew questions.
"The club's owned by one of the biggest billionaires in the city." Levi says pulling up the location on the club.
"The only thing is...the only way to get to him is a private show." Phoebe adds dragging the last word.
"Well I'm not doing it." Luke blurts out.
He's so annoying.
"Well now that we've lost our best candidate-"
"Not it!" Phoebe shouts cutting Drew off. My eyebrows shoot up once I catch on. Everyone slowly looks at me.
"Your joking?" I ask, even though every part of me knows that they're not.
"And there's no other way?" I push.
Me dancing? I think I'll pass.
"No princess plan's set." Luke chuckles.
I roll my eyes grabbing a pillow off the couch, and throwing it right at his face.
"So? Any ideas?" They all stay quiet, and exchange looks.
This is a nightmare. I want to protest more, but I know it won't lead me anywhere.
"Fine! I'll do it... for The Key." I give in and plop down on the couch.
"Well I mean that was the whole-" I cut Luke off by throwing another pillow.
"Yay!" Phoebe says clapping her hands.
"I still don't get the plan though. I can't go in like this." I explain pulling at my shirt.
"Yes we know. Phoebe is going in as a bartender. She's gonna put you first on the list to do a private show for Mr. Cadman. Drew and I will go in as townies, but we'll be ready as back up. And Luke high jacks the cameras. " Levi explains focusing on the hologram.
That doesn't answer my question, but I don't argue.
"We're all under age though an-" I begin but Luke cuts me off.
"Not with these." He holds up five I.Ds in his hand which I'm guessing are fake.
"And as for what you're wearing." Phoebe says finishing Drews hair. She turns grabbing a black box from behind her.
"Here put it on." She says with a big smile. She's really enjoying this. I frown walking over to her grabbing the box.
"Put it on...now?" I ask scowling.
Where'd she even get that?
"No... tomorrow." Luke says sarcastically. I glare at him and walk to my room to change.
Placing the box on my bed I open it. A dark purple laced set sits in it, and as hard as I try to hold down a laugh I can't.
This is funny. Quickly calming down I strip out of my clothes and slip on the lingerie that was given to me. Pulling my boots back on I put on the black fur coat that was also folded down in the box. Looking at my reflection I comb my hair out with my fingers, and attempt to cover the bruises on my face and throat. Failing I just tuck it behind my ears and walk out the room.
"Damn!" Luke blurts.
Levi shakes his head and turns off the hologram. When I realize the coat is still open my stomach clenches and I quickly cover myself.
"You look amazing!" Phoebe gasps jumping up and walking over to me.
"You just need some makeup to cover these bruises, especially the one around your neck." She examines my face like an art piece.
"She looks fine." Levi says. A smile grows on Phoebes face and she says, "Okay Mr. man." Rolling her eyes and gestures him away.
"Alright lets do this." Drew speaks up standing from the couch.
"Do you guys have your ear pieces?" Luke asks,  we all nod and make our way out the door and outside.
A slight drizzle pours in from the grey cloudy sky creating humid damp air.
The weather is so unpredictable. 
"Let's go!" Levi orders opening the side door to a space black mobile this time.
He waits until I get in and closes the door, then walks around and gets in.
"Where's Phoebe, Drew and Luke?"
I ask rubbing my eye.
"Phoebe's riding with Luke, and Drew is on the motor." He explains starting directly at me. He looks familiar.
"Here...Have this." He clears his throat and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a silver dagger with a cover on top.
"There's poison at the tip. You're gonna want it." I observe it taking it the blade anyway and put it in my coat.
"This should be fun." I mumble and we fly off.