The city was quiet at dusk, most citizens not willing to risk being out at night. Darkness fell over most of the streets, but there were a few establishments that remained open. The majority of them were frequented by hunters, looking to unwind after a difficult day… and Nova was no different.

I slid out of the back of a taxi, and the car was quick to drive away from the curb; I had likely been the driver’s last fare of the day. Once the purr of the engine receded, I could hear music- the heavy thump of the bass reaching past thick, bulletproof windows that shimmered with a reflective coating on the exterior. 

Despite the coating, I could still see the pulsing of lights inside, vibrant colors flashing with the bass. A faint tingle of excitement created a crack in my morose mood as I glanced up at the large sign on the front of the building. The name of the club was spelled out in a jagged font of broken letters, surrounded by swirling lines in a rainbow of light. It was meant to look like the portals, the cracks from which the void spilled, reclaimed by humanity to share a kind of hope with the hunters who came inside.

The neon sign shed multi-colored light over the pavement and the people gathered in a line extending from the large, black glass doors. Red velvet ropes extended across the entrance, flanked by burly men wearing sunglasses even in the dim; it masked where their gazes traveled, using their gifts to take in the stats of those waiting in line.  

I glanced over the crowd in the same watchful, critical way- judging my options on the street. Most of them were dressed like me, scarcely covered by thin clothing. I tugged at the fabric of my shirt, a tight black mesh with a collar that dipped low over my chest in a deep v. My leather pants felt painted onto my legs, resting low on my hips, a studded belt there only for decoration- matching the metallic accents on my leather boots. I was dressed to catch attention, and it worked; though only for a moment, as most of the hunters dismissed me in the same way I disregarded them.

It would be easier to pick somebody without entering, but it was clear from my quick survey that none of the hunters lounging against the dark brick walls would be a suitable partner. I wasn’t looking for somebody famous- my stomach churning with anger as I recalled Irie’s snooty tone- but I wanted a good meal ticket and a comfortable place to stay.

It was something many of the hunters waiting to get into the club were likely also hoping for. For those who weren’t talented enough to be scouted by a guild, establishments like Nova were their only hope for finding a way into that elite section of society. Rubbing elbows with the guild’s rising stars when they were tipsy and high on the air of the dancefloor was their best chance of catching attention… and if they were lucky enough to take one home, they could guilt them into a recommendation for whichever guild they served.

I grimace at the bitter reminder of how little the world had changed with the interference of the constellations. Despite the game and the unearthly powers, I was still exactly where I had started… desperately trying to appeal to those in power for a chance to live a somewhat comfortable life.

Shaking my head, I tried to banish the suffocating thought. Setting my jaw, I headed across the road to where the elegant red ropes kept the line of hunters back. I could feel harsh, judging glares on me as I stopped with my hands gripping the red velvet. “Evening, gentlemen,” I said, nerves eating at the edges of my thoughts as I wondered if they would recognize me… or if my day was about to get much worse.

A scowl immediately crossed the thin lips of one of the bouncers, and I winced as I saw his posture become guarded. He snatched off his sunglasses, making it painfully obvious where his stare landed. His green eyes were faintly unfocused where they centered on my chest; shame churned in my stomach as he scoffed, arms crossed over his chest. “And what do you think you’re doing here?” The bouncer’s tone was harsh and grating. “As if someone like you could even dream of entering a place like this. Why don’t you-”

“Cool it, Jess.” The sharp bark had the first bouncer snapping his mouth shut over his threats, looking at his partner with shock. I stiffened as the second man stepped forward, only to relax as he reached out to unclip the rope. “Hard day, Van?”

I huffed, the ghost of a smile crossing my lips. “You have no idea, Wen,” I grumbled..

The bouncer gave a soft sigh, removing his sunglasses to give me a sympathetic look with soft blue eyes. “Moving on already? That was quick.”

I shrugged, glancing away from him as I muttered, “I caught the attention of some hunters from Caenus.”

“Shit,” Wen hissed the word between his teeth, ignoring the way his partner’s eyes had widened further at the mention of the elite guild. “Well, happy hunting, then. Try to pick one who’s a little less… problematic,” he suggested, his tone wry.

I snorted a laugh, shaking my head as I skirted past him. “I’ll do my best, but with my luck, you’ll see my pretty face all over the news tomorrow.”

Wen laughed, full-bellied and throaty; it had the hunters nearest us whispering amongst themselves, casting speculative glances at me as I stopped in front of the doors. The music was so loud I could already feel the bass vibrating in my chest. Closing my eyes, I found the sensation comforting. Like the hunters, I considered this a sacred place… somewhere the constraints of society didn’t bind me to a strict role.

Pushing open the doors, I was assaulted by the full force of the music and the flashing lights- and it helped to wash away the lingering remnants of regret and sorrow. My gaze shot toward the dance floor, a large open space that dropped down a few steps from the rest of the space, tiled with panels that flashed with the same colored lights that were hung overhead. My pulse began to race as I looked over the sea of people. I desperately wanted to be among them, to lose my worries in the tangle of bodies and dancing and grinding to the music.

I dragged my attention to the bar instead, forging my way through those milling around the railings that kept drunken fools from tipping onto the dancefloor. Spotting an empty barstool, I quickly snagged it, leaning forward over the sparkling black granite bartop.

It took a few moments and a slight wave, but I attracted the attention of the bartender and was met with a broad smile. “Vanny!” She rushed to get to me, dodging several other workers who were struggling to meet the demands of the surging crowd of hunters. The woman’s auburn hair was tied back from her face in elegant braids that were spun into an updo at the back of her skull. Her blue eyes seemed nearly purple in the club’s lighting, her tattoos vibrant against her pale skin as she leaned across the bar to grab my face in her hands.

I was chuckling as she surveyed me, assessing for any potential damage. “Hello to you too, Cori,” I said, my voice warm. We had known each other before the constellations appeared, and we somehow remained steadfast friends after the world turned upside down. She was the owner of Nova- and the reason why I was allowed in without question to drown my troubles.

“Are you on the prowl tonight?” she asked, her brow knitted with concern as she glanced down at my outfit.

I grimaced, slightly lamenting how well she knew me. “I’m afraid so. Any promising prospects out there?”

Cori looked over my head, thoughtful as she chewed on her bottom lip, mindlessly pouring from bottles of alcohol to make a drink for me as she spoke. “There are a couple recruits from Servans, but I’d stay away from them. They’re a bit… much,” she finished, carefully avoiding insulting them in case others were listening, pushing the small glass across the counter. “But there’s a new gal from Effervus, hair’s dyed bright blue so you can’t miss her- she seems sweet enough, and you can tell she’s edging on a recoil.”

I nodded, picking up the glass and slamming back its contents- the sharp tang of alcohol burned the back of my throat, making me cough slightly as I set the glass down. Cori smirked at me, tactfully not taunting me for my ‘delicate tastes’ as she’d always put it. “Thanks- wish me luck,” I muttered the sentiment again as I slipped out of the stool.

I heard her wish me well as I turned away. My gaze scanned over the club, searching for the woman Cori had mentioned. It didn’t take long to spot a mane of vibrant blue hair near the middle of the dance floor; her back was to me, but as she shook the waves of her loose hair to one side, I could see the guild tattoo on her shoulder.

A grin curved my lips as my gaze focused on the dancefloor, working my way to the steps that descended to the dancefloor. The music surrounded me as I was pulled into the mass of dancers, hands brushing against my arms and chest. It was a sort of anonymous intimacy that I could only find in Nova, surrendering myself to the heated atmosphere. As somebody caught my hips, dragging me back against them, I could almost forget I had a purpose.

It was a slow process to make my way to the center, reluctantly pulling myself away from every potential partner whose hot fingers dragged against my skin. My gaze stayed focused on blue curls- until domineering hands caught around my waist, fingertips digging into my skin hard enough to make me wince.

Annoyance flared in me as I was forcibly turned to face another dancer. He was a head taller than me, brown eyes hard against a strong face. The leer on his lips made my skin crawl, the hair on my nape standing on end as he leaned, speaking in my ear to be heard over the music. “Where are you going in such a hurry, sweetheart?”

My stomach turned, a bitter taste in the back of my mouth as I leaned away from him. It made his expression darken; grimacing, I braced myself for the man’s reaction as I said, “Sorry, but somebody’s already caught my eye. Seems like you’ll have plenty of other chances tonight.”

Though I had known he would be pissed, I didn’t get the cursing tantrum I expected. His grip on me tightened, instead, a dangerous light in his eyes. “We have something in common, then- but I’m not good at taking no for an answer. Spare us both the trouble.” There was a threatening tone to his words.

I bared my teeth at him, a snapping retort on the tip of my tongue; it fell to silence as I noticed a tattoo on the side of his shaved scalp, the symbol of the Servans guild. A cold shiver ran through me as I recalled Cori’s warning. It dimmed the fire in me, my response calm and polite. “I appreciate the interest, but-”

“I don’t think you’re understanding me here, sweetheart.” The man loomed over me, his thick form parting the crowd as he moved backward- trying to drag me off the dancefloor with him. “You’re here to fuck your way into a guild, aren’t you? Consider it an honor you’ve caught my attention.”

The sick feeling in my stomach grew as I shook my head, my hands latching onto his wrists as I tried to pull myself free. The man snarled, and I choked on a sound of pain as his fingers dug into me, yanking me tight against him. There was an unnatural edge to his strength, a faint spark of hunger flickering at the back of my mind; he was using a constellation’s gift to keep me trapped.

My pulse spiked with fear, and I reacted without thinking. Nails driving into his skin, I let the dark appetite take over, surging forth with a strength that took my breath away. I felt the warmth of blood against my fingertips as I broke his skin- and could almost taste the sweetness of the constellation’s silver light at his core. 

I shuddered as the yearning reached into the hunter, dragging at his power and strength with a voracious desire. It was his grunt of pain that filled the air between us that time. He tried to draw back, but my hands closed tighter against his wrists- keeping him connected to me as I succumbed to the dark greed.

An unfamiliar, vicious satisfaction filled me as the man sank to his knees in front of me. I felt his light fade, beginning to flicker, and the cravings sharpened as I reached the depths of what he could offer me. An agonized cry spilled from his lips- and my concentration was shattered when the connection snapped with the appearance of a glowing blue screen in front of my eyes.

I snatched my hands away from the man, my eyes wide as he collapsed at my feet. Stepping back, I realized a circle of space had surrounded us, horrified gazes focused on me. Faintly, I could see movement among the crowd- no doubt security guards headed my way. There was no way I could force my way through the gawking dancers… and if I was caught, all of my efforts to avoid being noticed by the guilds would be in vain.

Swallowing, I looked back at the screen. I had never heard even a rumor of something like this, a direct invitation from the system- but it seemed like it was my only choice as I heard shouting rise with the sudden cut of the music. My pulse was like thunder, my hands trembling as I raised it to the screen.

Taking in a deep breath, I touched my fingers to the button to accept the invitation, and with the sound of shattering glass the world fell away… and I was thrown into the void.