Three sharp raps echoed through Jabari's apartment—a rhythm he'd recognize anywhere. Before he could respond, the door swung open with a protesting squeal of hinges.
Veronica burst through, her tail swishing behind her in barely contained excitement. "Are you ready?" The wolf girl's amber eyes sparkled in the dim light. "Tell me you're ready for this party."
Jabari's expression went flat. He crossed his arms and let his shoulders sag. "I don't know, Veronica. Something feels off." He shook his head slowly, his jaw tight. "My gut's telling me this is a bad idea. We should stay in."
She laughed, the sound bright and dismissive. "Come on, Jabari. Stop kidding around."
"I'm serious." He held her gaze, unblinking. A small part of him actually meant it—that familiar prickle at the base of his skull that always preceded trouble.
Her smile faltered. She tilted her head, studying his face for any crack in the facade. "Come on. Nothing's going to go wrong, I promise." She stepped closer, her voice softening. "I've been looking forward to this all week. Please? For me?"
Jabari shook his head again, slower this time, more deliberate.
The light drained from Veronica's face. Her ears flattened against her head, and her shoulders slumped forward as if someone had cut her strings. She sank onto the edge of his bed, the mattress springs creaking beneath her weight. "Okay." The word came out barely above a whisper. "So what do we do now?"
"Got you!" Jabari exploded into laughter, doubling over and slapping his knee.
Veronica's mouth fell open. "That's not funny, Jabari." Her brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line.
He wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling. "You should've seen your face! One second you're bouncing off the walls, the next you look like someone kicked your puppy."
"I don't like you anymore!" She shot to her feet, her voice rising.
"Why not?" He grinned, that mischievous glint returning to his eyes.
"Because you have a terrible sense of humor." She crossed her arms, turning her face away.
Jabari straightened, checking his watch. "Alright, alright. Let's get going before the party's over."
Veronica's head snapped back toward him. "Are you serious this time?"
"Let's just go." He pulled the door open, gesturing for her to lead the way.
They walked in silence for several blocks, their footsteps echoing off the narrow street. The evening air carried the scent of rain-soaked pavement and distant cooking fires. Finally, Veronica broke the quiet.
"So what's this place called? Is it a pub or a nightclub?"
Jabari let the question hang in the air for a few beats, savoring her anticipation. "Terestonia Nightclub and Pub. You'll see the rest when we get there." He glanced sideways at her. "Besides, I'm not your friend, so why should I tell you anything?"
"Are you trying to get back at me?" She bumped his shoulder with hers, a giggle escaping despite her attempt at indignation. "You were wrong, and I'm not apologizing."
Jabari stopped dead in his tracks. "Well, I might as well head home then. Good luck finding it yourself." He pivoted ninety degrees and started walking back the way they'd come, his stride purposeful.
"Jabari, stop being childish!" Veronica called after him.
He kept walking, his footsteps steady and unhurried.
Veronica's heart sank. This couldn't be another prank, could it? Her body ached for the thrill of the dance floor, the pulse of music she'd been craving for weeks. She'd forgotten how easily his mood could shift.
"Okay, okay! I yield, Mister Jabari Dakarai." The words tumbled out in a rush. "I was wrong. I'll buy you beers all night—whatever you want."
Jabari spun on his heel and sprinted back toward her, his face breaking into a wide grin.
"I'm holding you to that," he said, slightly breathless as he reached her side. "Free beers all night! Now let's move, my friend."
She stared at him, mouth agape, then shook her head slowly. "You know what? You're absolutely crazy."
"Yeah, you're not the first person to tell me that." He laughed, the sound rich and unrepentant. "People can say whatever they want—it's a free world. As long as they buy me beer."
He chuckled to himself, clearly pleased with his scheme.
Before either of them realized it, they'd arrived. Terestonia rose before them like a beacon—neon lights painting the street in electric blues and purples, the bass line from inside thrumming through the sidewalk beneath their feet.
"Jabari!" Veronica gasped, her hand flying to her chest.
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Why didn't you bring me here before?" Her eyes were wide, reflecting the kaleidoscope of lights dancing across the building's facade.
"Never thought about it, honestly." He shrugged. "Plus, with the lockdown, I wasn't sure if they'd reopened."
"This is incredible." She was already moving toward the entrance, drawn by the muffled music spilling through the walls. "The music, the setup—everything."
True to her word, Veronica bought the first round. They claimed a table on the outdoor patio, where strings of warm lights crisscrossed overhead and the music poured through open doors. The space was alive with movement—humans swaying with vampires, werewolves spinning in tight circles, all of them lost in the rhythm.
Veronica couldn't sit still. Her foot tapped against the table leg, her fingers drummed on the worn wood surface, and her gaze darted from the DJ booth to the dance floor to the speakers mounted in the corners. Energy radiated from her like heat from a fire. Even the air around her seemed to vibrate with her excitement.
"Jabari, you've earned my eternal respect with this place." She leaned forward, her voice rising to compete with the music. "I could stay here all night. This music is incredible—the mixing, the sound quality, everything!"
"I know. That's why I come here." He took a long pull from his beer. "Well, that and the beer." He studied her animated expression. "You really know your stuff, don't you?"
Veronica's eyes locked onto his, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Back in Western Canstania, I worked as a DJ. Did gigs all over the region." She leaned back in her chair, the wood creaking slightly. "Then I moved to Kandakastan and connected with the wolves and humans there. Did even more shows than before."
Jabari set down his bottle, genuinely intrigued. "That's amazing. I had no idea." He gestured toward the speakers. "So you actually understand all this technical stuff?"
She laughed, and in the colored lights, her cheeks took on a rosy glow that made her features softer, more striking. "Music is part of my soul." Her expression turned thoughtful. "I've noticed that about you too. It's one of the things we have in common."
"Can't argue with that." Jabari nodded, a comfortable silence settling between them.
The music shifted to a slower tempo, and Veronica traced the rim of her glass with one finger. "I liked the humans and werewolves in Kandakastan more than the ones in Canstania," she said, her voice quieter now. "They're more open-minded. Less judgmental. The Canstanias aren't like that."
Jabari caught the shift in her tone—something deeper lurking beneath the casual observation. "Tell me about it. I don't know much about the Kandakastan crowd. Haven't had much contact with them." He gestured vaguely. "I know enough about you Canstanias, though."
She took a long sip of her beer, and when she set it down, her movements were slightly less precise, her eyes a touch unfocused. "Do you know anything about open relationships?" She held his gaze. "Do you understand what I mean?"