“Things are changing in the Guilds,” Gabriel said.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that. Whatever. In this town, you pay to play. I’m sure the Guild will flourish here.”
The Ghost Hunters Guilds were supposedly in the process of being reformed by strong, professional management at the top, but the old ways and the old attitudes died hard.
A hundred years ago, the ghost hunter organizations had been founded to defend the colonists from Vincent Lee Vance and his followers. According to the history books, Vance had been a charismatic megalomaniac who had convinced himself and the cult he created that he was destined to rule the struggling colonies.
Vance had managed to build what amounted to a militia of people with various talents. His followers had waged a guerrilla war from the tunnels. One of the city-states fell within days. Disaster loomed.
In a desperate attempt to fight back, the ghost hunter organizations had been formed. The only viable weapons were the balls of unstable dissonance energy that floated randomly throughout the tunnels. They were called ghosts because they could appear anywhere in the Underworld. They were dangerous, potentially lethal. Those with the ability to manipulate the balls of seething paranormal fire were recruited to do battle with the rebels.
Vance and his minions had finally been defeated at the Last Battle of Cadence. His followers had surrendered but Vance and his lover had vanished into the tunnels. According to the legend, the pair had made a suicide pact but in the end they had died because they had blundered into a lethal energy trap. The period of violence was now known as the Era of Discord.
A hundred years ago the men of the Ghost Hunters Guilds had been hailed as heroes. But decades of operating what had proven to be a monopoly on security in the Underworld had reduced the Guilds’ social standing to a level that was just a step or two up from mob organizations.
But as it happened, Illusion Town was unique when it came to the social ladder. After all, the city had been founded by a consortium of individuals who operated in the shadows, and most of the big casinos were run by CEOs who occupied what could only be described as a gray zone when it came to respectability. In Illusion Town, that was the top of the social hierarchy.
It had been ever thus in communities that thrived on gambling, nightclubs, and racy entertainment. There had always been dangerous power brokers in Illusion Town. As the director of the new Guild territory, Gabriel Jones was now officially one of those power brokers. People would be tripping over their feet to do him a favor.
Lucy checked the time. “I’ve got to get going. I need to go back to my apartment and get ready for the party.”
“I’ll drive you home,” Gabriel said.
“That’s not necessary.”
“It will save time.”
She sighed. There was no point arguing with the logic. It was a long walk home, even though she did take the shortcut through the ruins.
“All right,” she said.
“You’re welcome.”
She ignored the sarcasm and slipped out from behind the steering wheel. Gabriel stepped down to the pavement, Otis still on his shoulder, and moved aside. She locked up the bus and started toward the parking lot. Gabriel caught up with her.
“You said it was your ex and one of your friends who are getting engaged tonight?” he said.
“That’s right.”
“None of my business, but isn’t that going to be a little awkward?”
“Horribly awkward. I’m dreading it.”
“So why go?”
“I don’t have a choice. Illusion Town is a small community in all the important ways. I need to put in an appearance tonight to make sure everyone knows I wish the couple well. No hard feelings. I’ve moved on. Blah, blah, blah.”
“Again, none of my business,” Gabriel said, “but have you considered that maybe it’s all for the best?”
“Sure. I tell myself that whenever I think about it. And it’s true. But, let’s face it, getting dumped is always humiliating.”
“True. So you’re determined to attend the engagement party to show there are no hard feelings?”
“Right.”
“Is the invitation a plus-one?”
“Yes. So?”
“Are you taking a plus-one?”
Lucy glanced at Otis and smiled. “Otis is going with me. My friend and neighbor, Veronica, made a little tux for him. It’s covered in sequins. He’s going to look adorable.”
“I can’t pull off the adorable look, but do you think you might be able to get me in as your plus-one?” Gabriel said. “Not to replace Otis, of course. But in addition. A plus-one-and-a-half?”