Dark Flame (Flame 3)

Let’s go find out.

Juliet didn’t wait for further encouragement. Instead, she piloted their dreamglide down the fairly broad avenue. More muscled types came at them, but she stayed steady and flew through them all.

Other, weaker types began to emerge looking hollow-eyed with teal flames on their cheeks. Many were emaciated and drifted down a variety of smaller streets.

I want to see what’s going on here.

Go for it.

She turned north down one of the narrow streets. She heard music and saw that several flashing lights indicated bars. There were also a number of apartment buildings into which some of the laborers disappeared. A couple of men were passed out on the street and ignored.

The passageway narrowed and a darker smell emerged, full of urine, feces and death.

Brannick’s voice hit her mind about the same time the odors did. What the fuck is that?

I think where fae workers go to die. She stayed put for a moment and became aware of a cloud of flies.

She turned the dr

eamglide around and sped back out, going a helluva lot faster than when she’d gone in. We’ve seen the dregs. I wonder if each street is like this in Roche-land.

Probably. Our friend doesn’t seem like the type who would care. Only if it affects his business.

She moved back to the main street and headed east once more. How many miles have we covered do you think?

Probably two.

So, we’re not quite below the Graveyard.

No, I don’t think so, but getting closer.

Juliet saw the double doors of a gun-metal-gray building and knew this was the factory. Her life and Brannick’s had been turned upside down because of what Roche and his kind manufactured in this place.

Three employees pushed the swinging doors wide, then walked out. Each was as thin as a rail with the usual flames on their necks and cheeks. The smell of the drug within the dreamglide had grown even stronger.

Once inside the factory, the first thing Juliet noticed was the shouting. Brutish fae males carried thin, reed-like sticks and whipped the legs of those working the numerous assembly lines.

The drugs were manufactured and packaged along at least thirty lines with ten times that number of laborers getting the dark flame ready for distribution.

She’d heard Roche was one of the main distributors for the entire U.S., but until she saw the size of the operation, she hadn’t understood his level of influence.

Jesus. Brannick’s reaction mirrored her own.

I want to tear this down, she said.

You and me both, sweetheart.

She smiled up at him. This would be worth doing, wouldn’t it?

His green eyes had a flinty look. Yes it would. You know what else, I’ll bet if we looked around, we’d find another outlet above ground.

You mean like the one at the sex shop?

Brannick dipped his chin. That’s exactly what I mean.

She took in a slow breath. Your turn, Brann. Lead the way.

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