Play at Soul's Edge

by Sophia Amador

  She lifted a shoulder. “If you don’t mind wasting it, sure.”

  At the counter, the middle-aged, paunchy operator called, “Five dollars for three shots; knock down three targets and you get the choice of our top prizes.” He pointed at a row of huge stuffed dogs.

  Adrian handed over a five. The small target disks were battered, a few bent to the side. He sighted along the air rifle and squeezed the trigger without taking much time to aim. The shot struck the center of one of the targets with a loud clang.

  The paunchy man raised his eyebrows and bellowed, “Great shot. Congratulations. Can you do as well the second time?”

  Adrian ignored him and fired off another shot, downing a second target. The man congratulated him again, and Adrian whispered in Elisa’s ear, “Watch what he’s doing with his left hand.”

  The man fiddled with something underneath the counter. Adrian murmured, “He just locked the targets.” He pointed with his chin at the row of disks, and indeed, they had stopped quivering in the breeze.

  “What—” she whispered, “those crooks!”

  Adrian’s eyes narrowed and a feline grin appeared on his face. “Go over to the other side and ask him if that large blue dog is one of the prizes.”

  The stuffed toy stood at the very end of the row. Puzzled, she obeyed. “Mister?” she asked, stretching over the counter. “Is that one of the prizes we can get?”

  “Eh, little lady?” he asked. “You betcha. Any of them, you could bring home tonight.” His eyes strayed to her neckline.

  She heard a loud clang. Adrian had taken the third shot, knocking down yet another target. The man’s brows knotted. Adrian smiled mildly.

  “Congratulations, young man. You’re our first winner of the night,” the man said with a tight smile. “Which prize would you like?”

  “The young lady will choose,” Adrian replied.

  She pointed at the large blue dog.

  The man untied it, his mouth taut. Adrian thanked him graciously.

  He chuckled as they left the booth.

  “What did you do?” she asked, balancing the giant stuffed animal.

  “I just evened the odds a bit.”

  “But how?”

  “While you distracted him, I took my knife and cut the cord that held the targets in place.” An amused, superior half-smile floated onto his lips. “Just making the game fair.” He stopped, his eye caught by something or someone on the other side of the field, and his face stilled and became serious. He lifted a hand in acknowledgment.

  “Elisa, I’ve got to run a quick errand. Do you mind waiting for me?” He scanned the nearby booths. A red banner flapped above a gray tent. The banner stretched in the wind, revealing heavily curlicued letters: “Fortune Telling.”

  “How would you like to know your future?” he asked.

  Inside, the tent was dimly lit and the air stuffy with incense. Adrian steered her to where a gray-haired woman sat behind a small table. He laid down a twenty dollar bill.

  “That’ll be ten dollars, young man.”

  “Keep the change. Just give her a good fortune.” To Elisa, he said, “I’ll be back in less than fifteen minutes.” He scooped up the large stuffed dog. “I’ll take this back to the car so you don’t have to carry it around.” The tent flap stirred behind him on a quick flurry of cool air.

  “Please go right in, miss.” The woman gestured at a dark red curtain in the rear. “Madame will see you now.”

  Elisa pushed the fabric aside. This part of the tent was even gloomier and more heavily fragranced than the waiting area. A woman sat at the far end behind a table draped in black cloth. Unevenly cut black hair framed her face, and a white bandanna wrapped her head. A crystal ball rested on a small stand on the table, a single straight-backed chair before it.

  “Come in, come in, don’t just stand there.”

  The woman took a pipe out of her mouth and placed it on a stand. Dark, shrewd eyes narrowed as Elisa approached. “So you’ve come for your fortune, eh?” She grinned, exposing stained teeth. “What would you like to know? No, don’t tell me. You want to know about love. All the young girls do.” She bent forward. With her left hand she rapidly flicked a number of elaborately painted cards out onto the table.

  Then she stopped and her eyes widened. She barked, “Give me your hand!”

  “What?” Elisa rubbed sweating palms on her thighs.

  “Your hand, girl, so I can read your palm,” she snapped.

  She bent over Elisa’s hand, muttering to herself. “Well. I don’t see this too often.” She stroked one line on Elisa’s palm with a dark, calloused finger and cackled. “You are one of the fortunate few who will meet your soul mate in this lifetime. In fact—” She drew the hand closer to her beaky nose. “You have already met him.” She leered. “Did you come in with your boyfriend? I see you and your soul mate married, with not one or two but four children in your future.”

  Elisa’s mouth fell open. She couldn’t imagine Adrian as a father. The woman scrutinized her palm again. “But wait—I see dark times ahead for you and your young man. Over the next year, very dark times—and again, about another decade in the future. A shadow crosses your path, and it will be the same one both times.” She frowned. “Your life will be in danger.”

  Her eyes had dilated in the murky light, her earlier bravado gone. “I don’t give this warning very often, but I must ask you to be extremely cautious. The shadow stands very close to you now.”

  Elisa marveled at the quality of the woman’s act. She was really terrifying. “What should I do?”

  “Your boyfriend,” she whispered, “must stay away from the shadow, the temptation of the mask. The shadow has two faces, and both are deadly.” Her eyes bored into Elisa. “He holds his hand out to you now, but it will all be up to you; you are the one who must be strong…”

  Elisa pushed back her chair, breaking into a cold sweat at the utter conviction in the fortune teller’s words.

  Voices sounded in the outer room. The curtain was drawn back and cool air brushed Elisa. The woman’s eyes lifted to meet the visitor. She blanched further. “No,” she whispered. “It has him…”

  Adrian walked into the room, smiling. “Did you have an interesting visit, Elisa?” he asked. “Did you predict a wonderful future for the two of us, madam?”

  The woman’s mouth seemed stuck for a moment. “Yes, yes,” she croaked. “An excellent future. Good evening.” She turned her back.

  Adrian held out his hand. “Come. Let’s go.” He seemed very pleased with something.

  “Did you see your friend?” Elisa lifted the tent flap.

  “Yes. And how was your fortune?”

  She shivered. “It was a bit… strange. Kind of scary, actually. At first she sounded normal, all this stuff about soul mates, but then she got a little weird, telling me my life was in danger.”

  Adrian snorted. “The usual twaddle. Beware the dark stranger, isn’t that usually it?”

  “Not quite,” she said. “She told me—and you—to beware a shadow.”

  “Sounds ridiculous. Besides, what’s wrong with shadows?”

  5

  Vince

  VINCE TOSSED HIS THIRD empty coffee cup on the floor of the squad car, watching through the tinted windshield as Lonnie exchanged rubber-banded baggies for crumpled-up cash on the corner across from the Fair. Vince donned his oversized mirrored shades. When he shaved off his beard and dyed his hair, seasoned detectives had been unable to pick him out of a lineup, but since he was about to go undercover it paid to be careful.

  When the boy was distracted, Vince jumped out. Lonnie saw him coming and took off, but he was out of luck that night. Before he got half a block he tripped over an uneven patch of cement, and Vince was on him, one heavy black boot pinning Lonnie’s skull to the sidewalk.

  Vince wrestled Lonnie’s skinny arms behind him and tightened the pair of handcuffs. “You are going down, punk. I got enough evidence to lock you up for years.”


  “I ain’t done nothing,” Lonnie whined. “I’m innocent! Police brutality! Folks got video cameras on you, man.”

  Vince laughed. “Bring on the video cameras. What’re they gonna see? A decorated officer pulling scum off the streets, legally and without too much violence.” He yanked on Lonnie’s wrists. “Although, I gotta admit, in your case, violence is tempting. You know what most folks think of you dealing slip, right? The news is filled with slipheads bleeding their brains out in back alleys, and folks are scared it’s gonna be their kids next.” He shook Lonnie, none too gently. “They’ll probably cheer, seeing a dealer get a little roughed up.”

  “Ain’t done nothing,” Lonnie repeated.

  Vince dug his fingers into one of Lonnie’s pockets and pulled out a wad of cash. “This is nothing, huh?”

  “You need a warrant to search my pockets,” Lonnie recited.

  “Not if you’re under arrest. And this?” He waved a baggie of white powder in Lonnie’s face.

  “That’s not mine! You planted it on me!”

  “Yeah, right. Every jury in the country will believe that.” Vince shook his head. “Listen, kid. Your luck isn’t looking good right now, but maybe I can help you. You know we’re not really after you. We just want to get this shit off the streets. We’re after the boss, the man known as the Captain.”

  Lonnie squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head like a dog. “I don’t know anyone like that.”

  Vince put more weight on his boot. “Tell me who the Captain is. You wanna get locked up? Is that what you want? I can let you go. Just tell me who, or where, the Captain is and I’ll let you go.”

  “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know,” Lonnie whined.

  Vince grunted and heaved the kid up and into the back of his squad car. It was no good trying to get any of these losers to talk. They were all terrified of the Captain. Plus they knew Tenebras always paid the bail for kids that didn’t snitch. Lonnie would be out on the street selling more bags within days.

  Elisa

  On their way to the Ferris wheel, four men came out of an alley and flanked them. Elisa stiffened. Adrian took a half step forward, guarding her.

  The man in the lead spoke to Adrian, his face hard and closed. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave the Fair.”

  Adrian raised his eyebrows. “Really? May I ask why?” he asked mildly.

  “I’m Evan Merrill, the general manager of the Fair, and we have the right to deny access to anyone for any reason. Please step this way.” The three other men closed ranks behind him. Two were large and burly, and all were hostile.

  “Mr. Merrill, I suggest that you not go through with this.” There was no anger in Adrian’s voice, but it rang with an odd certainty. “You’ll regret it if you do.”

  Merrill’s face hardened further. “I’ll have to insist that you leave. Now, will you come quietly or will we have to carry you out of here?” The other men edged closer. Elisa clutched Adrian’s arm.

  He placed a hand on hers. “Don’t worry. It’s time to go anyway.”

  She let out her breath, relieved that Adrian’s face was placid, without a trace of anger or hostility. They were escorted to an exit gate in silence.

  At Adrian’s car, his eyes sparkled. “Well. That was quite an experience.”

  “Was it because of what happened at the booth?”

  “Probably. Surprising they’d target me. Not very polite, was it?”

  His car gleamed under the halogen lights. He helped her into the seat. “I’m sorry, but I need to make a phone call. Do you mind?”

  “Go ahead.” He pulled out his cell phone and she watched through the windshield. His face was composed; she wondered what he was saying. After a few minutes he slid into the driver’s seat.

  “I’ve got a favorite spot I’d like to take you to. It’s a long drive, but worth it. The road winds a little, but the view is spectacular.”

  She hesitated. “I get a little carsick on winding roads.”

  “What you’re not saying is: the way I drive, you’re sure to lose that fine hot dog dinner.” His lips twitched. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep it slow for you.”

  It took about an hour. He kept his word, driving almost as sedately as a normal person. Finally he turned left, crested a small rise, and there it was—the entire city spread out before them.

  Jewels of orange and white were strung against a black velvet night, lines of living light crisscrossing the darkness below. Overhead, stars flickered in their heavy, dark dome.

  Adrian helped Elisa out, and they sat on a large, flat rock. An icy breeze blew in their faces, and goose bumps rose on her arms. Adrian spread out his coat for her.

  He took her cold hand in his warm one. His touch was electrifying and comforting at the same time. She followed his gaze out over the city. Far below and to their right, she noticed something odd.

  “It looks like something’s on fire over there.” She squinted and wished once again for the glasses she had lost.

  Tiny points of flame flickered over a square marked by a miniscule glowing wheel. “I think it’s the Fair!” The flames appeared to leap and gather, and as she squinted harder, she could pick out other landmarks.

  Adrian gave an indifferent shrug. “Who knows?” He touched her arm. “I have something important to tell you.”

  She tore her eyes away from the display.

  “Do you know you’re gorgeous?”

  Her cheeks heated. “That’s a nice thing to say, but—”

  “The color of your hair—it’s the exact color of the last trace of sunset. Those eyes are like the morning after a storm. And your face...” He cupped both hands around her cheeks. “Your face is perfection. As though you were crafted by a master artist.”

  A rush of heat shot through her. A chill breeze threaded its way through her hair and she shivered. Adrian slid closer and enveloped her in his arms. She relaxed against his chest; it was firm and solid and radiated warmth. She had never been so physically close to a man before, unless you counted that disastrous date with Jeremy Brunswick last year, and she didn’t think he really counted. Adrian’s arms and chest were hard and muscular; his flesh felt dense and altogether alien. Even the scent of him was unlike anything she’d encountered before, the clean scent of his skin mingling with the spicy aroma of a soap she didn’t recognize. He gathered her in under his chin and rubbed his cheek against her hair. Her face brushed against his shirt; the fabric was soft and smooth.

  His hand encircled the nape of her neck, warm beneath her hair. His lips brushed her forehead, and she found herself shaking. Was he going to kiss her? She wasn’t ready.

  Carlos had warned, “Never kiss on the first date.”

  She’d promised him she’d be good, sworn she would never be like their mother. She should pull away, make some snide comment to break the mood. Like she should have before Jeremy slobbered all over her.

  But instead, she snuggled closer to Adrian, even tipping her head back, letting the smooth, cool skin of his jawline rub against her face. She felt the soft pressure of his lips against her mouth, and froze. She had no idea how to kiss. She pressed her closed lips against his, while a fountain of sparks burst from every part of her body.

  He pulled back a moment, giving her time to catch her breath. She relaxed, but he teased her mouth with small kisses, stroking and caressing. His fingers brushed her skin, and with his thumb he eased her lips open. He matched his mouth to hers, his lips softer than the silk of his shirt. He tasted extraordinary, like peppermint and high-tension wires, the flavor generating a sensation that engulfed Elisa’s body in a wave of fire. His tongue sunk inside her and she welcomed him in, electricity shooting down to her breasts and below.

  If this was what kissing was like, no wonder so many people raved about it. How could she have lived this long and never known? He released her, and she found herself straining toward him, seeking the heat of his mouth, the silk of his tongue. She had
never dared feel this way before. He made a sound deep in his throat, and she collapsed against him.

  He held her, breathing fast, his heart thumping against her cheek, his hand stroking her ever so gently.

  They sat together, gazing out over the city. Off in the distance, fire engine sirens blared. But they were faint and far away, and she barely heard them over the drumming of her heart.

  6

  Elisa

  “ELISA!” CHLOE’S VOICE carried across the courtyard as she ran down the school steps. “Oh my God, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Elisa ducked out of the way with the ease of long practice at evading Chloe’s full-body hugs.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Didn’t you see the news yesterday?”

  “I got home late on Saturday, and spent Sunday catching up on homework.” Elisa swung her backpack over the other shoulder. “What happened?”

  “There was a huge fire at the Fall Festival Fair.” Chloe’s eyes were big. “All sorts of trailers and equipment burned down. A bunch of people had to go to the hospital. One guy died! And it turned out they were dealing drugs out there. The police made a bunch of arrests and they shut down the entire Fair.”

  So it was a fire. And someone died? Elisa shivered. She hadn’t even been thinking about it all weekend. To be honest, she’d spent the entire time replaying Adrian’s kiss in her head and wondering if he’d kiss her again. Could she possibly be shallower? “That’s awful! We didn’t see anything like that. It was pretty quiet. I guess we got lucky they threw us out.”

  “What? Who threw you out? Why?”

  “Slow down! I’ll tell you and Sumiko everything at lunch.”

  “No!” Chloe grabbed her around the shoulders, hard. “You’re going to tell me everything, now!”

  Elisa pushed her away. “Adrian discovered a rigged booth, and he somehow got around it. I guess that made them mad, because not too much later, the Fair manager came up to us with three goons and told us we had to leave.”

  “The Fair manager? What was his name?”