Chapter 8

Whenever Steven opened his mouth, she glared at him from over her cup of coffee, sitting in a lovely cafe in Manchester. He just looked at her sheepishly, sipping his own cup of tea in the early morning.

"You snore," She grumbled. "Loudly."

"Unless we're dead tired, we usually don't snore," He smiled. "Sorry."

"We'll see about getting you tired each night then,"

He choked on his tea, splattering it on the table in front of them as he blushed. Marc laughed in her coffee's reflection and Jake smirked.

"Don't choke on that, Steven," Jake snickered. "There're better things to choke on than tea."

Dabria snorted into her coffee this time.

"Oh!" Steven grabbed a napkin and cleaned the small mess he made. "Stop it, all of you. You and your innuendos…"

"Take it as you will, Steven," She laughed. "I didn't mean it that way. This time."

"Sure you didn't, just like you didn't mean to put the pillow over our face this morning,"

She shrugged, drinking her hot coffee with a cheeky grin as Steven shook his head at her.

"I still can't believe you killed two goldfishes," She said, putting her cup down as she leaned forward.. "How the hell does that happen? They're supposed to be easy to look after."

"Well, my first fish was Gus and he had one fin. Marc took over and forgot to feed him. Then he replaced Gus with Not-Gus, who had two fins," He paused. "And killed him too by not feeding him. I think it's a good idea to not buy any more goldfishes."

"It's a great idea," She said, turning her phone over on the table so it sat face up. She fiddled with it, opening up a document which held the names of all of the new Avatars. "I'm glad we have the names, otherwise this would make our lives a hell to sort out. We've got Violet Dove for Hathor first."

"Where's she located then?" He asked, chewing on a good biscuit as he drank his tea.

"She's DJing in a club nearby," Dabria said. "It's a private event but it won't be hard to get into. It never really is."

"How'd you plan to get in then?" Steven made a face at his biscuit when it fell apart in his hand. "Do you, like, know people who can get us in?"

"I've been clubbing here before. Enough times that some of the bouncers know me," She said, picking up her phone so she scrolled through her contacts. "I know a couple that are working the event and can get us in."

"I've never been here. Have you, Marc?" He asked, looking into his tea.

"No, I haven't either," Marc shrugged. "Never felt the urge to go, mainly because I don't usually party because Khonshu takes up most of my time. Jake?"

"Nope. Not my scene,"

She picked up her toast, buttering it and putting strawberry jam on it, "I've been before, several times. I went to the Gay Village for my eighteenth. I went with my best friend at the time and we had a great time because it was our first time going clubbing. I go once in a while when I feel like it. It's in a couple days, so we'll get intel and crash the party."

"Alright, cool," Steven said, excited. "I've never been clubbing before. Or we have and don't remember."

"We have before," He said. "But it was usually mission-originated. Steven, give me control. I hate talking from in here."

Steven laughed, "God, no. You get to stay in there, Marc. I don't like it either, mate, so you can suffer for a bit while we chat."

"Lovely," Marc sighed. "Thanks."

"No problem, mate," He snickered, picking up his cup and drinking. "That's some good tea."

She hummed. "I'm glad. I've got us on the list for the party Violet Dove is DJing for, so we don't have to worry about that. The thing we have to worry about is her security detail. With her status as a highly sought DJ, she's also got bodyguards to keep her safe. Getting to her might be a little difficult but we should be able to get near her without a lot of trouble."

"So," Steven began, looking up at her. "How are we even gonna get Hathor to her then? It is as soon as we find her, Hathor speaks to her or what?"

"I don't really know," She shrugged. "We'll probably get told closer to the date."

"Right. Cool." Steven nodded. "I guess we have a club to crash then."

)(-)(

"Wow." Marc began, watching as Dabria came out of the bathroom, "You look…"

He switched to Steven, his smile widening, "You look fucking wicked!"

"Good enough to eat," Jake said from the mirror.

"Don't have time for that," Dabria smiled, fixing her short skirt, "And I know. Thank you. You look good too."

Steven looked down at his white shirt, sleeves pulled up to his elbows and dark trousers, "I hope so. You gave us the outfit."

"And you look amazing in it," She reassured him, putting her phone in her leather jacket pocket. "Ready? Taxi will be here soon."

"As ready as we'll ever be," He said, doing his lopsided, unsure smile. "Do you plan to drink?"

"A little," She said. "Depends on how the night goes. We're not there to party, we're there to get Hathor to her new Avatar."

"Any clue how to do that yet?"

"Nope."

)(-)(

The line was long, wrapping around the door and going down the dark street. Lights were pointed at the entrance, a couple bouncers looking at IDs as they let people in.

Once again, Dabria pulled down her black skirt before she tugged at the high neck of her white bodysuit. She wore heeled boots, low enough to run in if needed. Being Anubis' Avatar since she was young, she was used to doing unconventional things in inappropriate outfits.

Fighting in heels and short dresses was surprisingly not the weirdest experience.

Steven had gotten into the taxi with her but as soon as they neared the entrance, watching as others watched them, many leering with greedy eyes at both of them, Jake took over. He hooked an arm over her shoulders, steering her quicker into the club as they flashed wristbands at the bouncers.

The club had two areas, one holding the bar and dance floor along with seats and the top level which overlooked most of the club and had a purple rope on the staircase and a guard.

The DJ behind the dance floor, standing on a platform behind her working area in a neon blue dress and her bleached hair pulled high into a ponytail. She had several people around her, all dressed appropriately like bouncers or guards.

Marc noticed her quicker than Dabria did, making sure the other Avatar knew where the DJ was and what she looked like as they neared the bar. They ordered rum and coke for Dabria and a neat whiskey for Marc.

"I'm gonna try and surveil the area," He said into her ear, watching her nod as she waited at the bar for their drinks. "I won't be long."

Dabria leaned on the bar, tapping her foot gently to the sound.

Violet Dove had remixed several songs into her club music, letting it wave over everyone like magic. It made sense for Hathor to choose her as her new Avatar, loving new music and talent for it. Dabria liked this music, the type that could make you just simply tap your foot and it was enough to get you wanting to dance to the beat.

Someone stood next to her, leaning in closer as he smiled at her. "I've not seen you around here before," He stated. "What brings you to Manchester?"

"Work," She said politely, looking over her shoulder to find Marc trying to thread his way through the crowd. He looked like he was in a rush but he tried to not be rude and bulldoze his way through. She vaguely nodded to the DJ, to which he nodded and began to make his way over to the DJ's area.

"Whatcha looking at?" The new guy asked, smiling charmingly at her, "Looking for someone?"

"Yeah, my friend," She lied, thanking the bartender as they finished her drinks and she grabbed them. "Excuse me."

His hand gripped her arm, stopping her from walking off. "I didn't say you could leave."

"I didn't fucking ask," Dabria snapped. "Let me go."

"Or what?" He laughed.

"Or this!" Jake appeared behind him, twisting the arm that held her behind his back before Jake pushed the guy's chest into the bar. He smiled, looking at the startled bartender, "Can you get the fucking bouncer over here? He's harassing my girl."

They weren't dating but it was a coverup for the little mission. It wasn't hard since they had spent the last while in each other's company. Sharing a bed for much of it because they didn't want to waste money.

"Sure, mate," The bartender said. It took all of a couple minutes to get the guy kicked out and they were allowed to resume their day.

"Thanks for that," She muttered, giving him his drink. She sipped at hers, relishing in the cold taste before sighing. "I hate people."

"So do I," He frowned, leaning in a bit as he spoke, "Khonshu said something about needing touch to transfer the gods. I think one of us needs to touch her to get Hathor to her."

"How the hell are we gonna do that?" She asked, looking at Violet Dove having fun as she danced to her music as she played. "She's guarded heavily."

"Dunno,"

They watched her for a moment before Dabria grabbed his hand.

"Come dance," Dabria asked. "We can see better from the dance floor."

He let her guide him into the throng of people, letting the dull, neon lights of the dance floor and his sight of her consume him. She had her drink in hand, dancing as she sipped at it, swaying to the music as she vibed.

He did a similar thing, watching her as she danced but he just kept a smooth rhythm so he didn't look out of place. It wasn't their scene, so Marc and Jake let Steven take over as he was much better at this than him.

Steven smiled as Dabria lifted a hand to him, pulling him closer as she spun and laughed. She drank some more, finishing her drink with ease.

Both of them were having a good time until they both caught sight of a shadowy figure in the crowd.

"A Shade!" Dabria hissed, suddenly completely alert again. "Damn. Shit."

"Shade?" He asked, looking around until he saw more. "There's like five of them."

"Seven," Khonshu's voice appeared as he did, standing in the crowd with no one but them seeing him. "And they are going for Violet Dove. It seems the gods aren't the only ones wanting her. You should get everyone out of here."

"How?" Steven asked.

"Fire alarm,"

"But there's no fire, Dabria,"

She went for her pocket, picking out a zippo lighter. "There will be. I'll set it and you go and try to get to Dove before the Shades do."

He nodded, "Alright."

They went their separate ways. Dabria walked over to the bar, ordering a drink and accidentally spilling it so a lot dripped down the side. She swore, pretending to leave to go to the bathroom but as she spoke, her zippo was doing its job and set the alcohol alight.

It took a moment or two but it consumed the bar, making the bartender pull the fire alarm as people realised.

The Shades also realised what was happening, tripping people up as they tried to get to the DJ.

Violet was being escorted out by her bodyguards, keeping her safe as they used a staff exit. Steven wasn't far behind, Marc and Jake in his ear as he suggested what to do. Dabria was quick to follow, jabbing her elbows out to get through the crowd, going against the current as she sought to get to them.

The Shades followed right behind her, all seven quick to catch up. When one touched her arm, pulling her back into the emptying club, she turned cold.

All warmth left her, feeling like her soul was being pulled out.

She took her claws, flashing at the wrist of the Shade and watched the shadows dissipate in a quiet scream.

She went through the exit, finding herself in the back alley. It was dark back here but she found her way to the road with ease, seeing Steven chatting up the guards with ease as he pretended to be stupid and blabber on about stuff.

"Everything alright?" Dabria came up to him, smiling politely. "I wasn't expecting a fire alarm to go off."

Her eyes jutted around as the Shades fluttered away as she came forward. They now knew she was protected by Anubis and would be sent to the Duat without a second thought.

"Nor did I," Violet laughed. "Pretty bad start to the night, isn't it?"

"A little. Say, aren't you Violet Dove?" Dabria asked. "I've been to a few of your performances. They're good."

"Oh, thank you," She smiled, rolling her eyes as her guards stiffened, "Oh, all of you, calm down. The fire is inside, we're outside. We're fine. How did you find tonight's music?"

"Good," Steven said. "I don't do clubs but I liked it. Good bass."

He imitated drums, making both of them laugh as Marc groaned in his subconscious.

Violet laughed, looking to Dabria with an amused expression, "He's funny. You're a lucky one," Violet said, sticking out her hand. "You know who I am but I don't know you."

"Dabria," She took the offered hand, watching as realisation and surprise appeared on Violet's face. "That's Khonshu. And your god is Hathor."

Hathor was a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Egyptian clothing with a headdress containing cow ears and horns. She had long hair and eyes lined in dark black.

"Those are Shades," Dabria said as Violet's eyes shifted over to the shadows. "They can't bother you now."

"Now? They could have before?"

"Yeah. They're dangerous. They can bring any soul they find down to the afterlife with them," She said. "Our gods protect us."

"Gods?" Violet looked confused. "You're gonna have to explain."

"Not here," She said.

"Definitely not here," Steven said, nodding to the end of the alley where Violet's fans were congregating. "Your fan club is gonna realise you're here."

Violet groaned, "Good idea."