Liara

My jaw ached, my head ached, and I could feel the obnoxious beat of the bass vibrating through my bones. I did not know how anyone could find this pleasant, or how anyone could be persuaded to remain here for longer than a few moments.

Perhaps, I eyed the ever-busy bartender, inebriation is the key to tolerance.

I glowered at Feron. "And the reason we are back in Afterlife would be?"

"You do recall that I said I was supposed to lead you away, right?" Feron asked with a snarky tone.

My glower deepened. "Shepard is here?"

If so, how macabre, and fitting.

"Not exactly." Feron looked around, a wariness taking over his body that did not bode well for what we might be seeking. "We're here for Aria."

"Aria?" I asked, slightly confused. "Feron…this does not seem to be the venue for human opera, no matter how much I might prefer it to the current musical selection."

Gold eyes flashed with incredulity. "You're kidding, right?" he asked, once more looking left and right. "You mean you've never heard of Aria T'Loak?"

I shook my head.

"The Queen of Omega? The lawless asari?" he hissed.

"Asking me more questions on the same subject will not enlighten my comprehension." I folded my arms across my chest and glared at the drell.

"Look." he stepped in closer. "Supposedly, there is no rule or law on Omega. That's where everyone is wrong. Aria rules here and no one stands in her way."

I shook my head. "I thought the queen of Omega was a myth." I muttered.

Then again, the Reapers were once a myth as well. Goddess.

"No." Feron shook his head. "She isn't a myth. She's the goddamn queen of Omega, and this is her high court."

"I can already tell that this is going to be less than amusing." I followed him as he began to make his way through the crowd, by the private booths, towards the back of the club.

"Oh, I don't know." a hand arrested my movement and pulled me off balance. A hulking, overweight batarian who reeked of alcohol dragged me in front of him. "I think I might be able to find something to amuse you. Move over," he glared at the volus in the booth with him, "We'll need some room."

The volus vacated the booth and waddled over to Feron while I stood, jaw open, agape at what was happening, and that Feron did nothing.

"Is the girl for sale, Trader?" the volus asked Feron and I fought against the batarian's disgusting grip. "The market's brimming with asari consorts since the attack on the Citadel, but there's always room for a pretty maiden."

Feron's palm slammed against his forehead and I lost all composure. I brought my leg up and snapped a biotic kick into the batarian's elbow. The bone shattered and he screamed, letting go of me and cradling his injured arm to his chest.

"Biotics." the volus groaned, reaching into his belt and removing a pair of biotic dampening cuffs. "Always a problem. You should take better care of your girls, trader."

A cry of disgust flew from my lips as I slammed the volus against the wall. I smiled as I heard the cracking of bones and the hissing of air as his suit was fissured in several places. The slam had caught the batarian as well. He lay against the seat in a distinctly odd position, his neck not properly aligned with the rest of his body.

"I am nobody's girl." I hissed, wiping my arm where the batarian had grabbed it. "Welcome to the literal afterlife, gentlemen."

I turned back to Feron, smiling in approval as I saw the alarm in his eyes. "I feel like I got off easy now." he muttered. "And now that that's over with, Anto," he addressed someone else and I turned, catching my breath as I stared at the largest batarian I had ever seen, "we'd like to see Aria."

"She doesn't have time for a two-bit pissant like you." Anto growled in the deepest baritone I had ever heard. "Get out."

"Yeah…about that." Feron grinned and it's feral nature surprised me. "It won't be easy to do, but I'll inform her of the business you and I normally do. Because she probably wouldn't mind knowing someone on her payroll is informing on who she sees and when."

"Fucking gutter rat." Anto growled, turning his mountainous back to us. "Follow me."

He led us through a door and the pounding of the bass mercifully eased. I examined the area with great care, in case another frantic escape might be required. The lighting was dim and the atmosphere hovered with something sinister. I could easily imagine the horrific spectre that the asari described when they spoke of the Queen of Omega dwelling here.

We reached what must have been considered Aria's throne room. I could see the buzzing hive of activity in Afterlife through the rails of the balcony guard. A figure stood, silhouetted by a pillar with fire spurting from it.

"Your friend is lovely, Feron." a dark, rich voice spooled through the room, heavy with command and disdain. "And much more seemly than your normal compatriots."

A lithe, supple body descended the steps, into the half light. Her skin was a rich lilac, her features sharp, perfect, and unforgiving. Deep violet, elegant markings cut across her features, and generous indigo lips lifted in a smile. It was a smile you would want to see as you die. And it was the smile that would kill you.

Deep blue eyes raked across my skin. "Young, lovely. Obviously high born." elegant fingers traced the laceration on my cheek.

"And just as obviously enjoying her first stay on Omega. Though I must say, the way you dealt with those gentlemen down there was…impressive. A maiden so adept in biotics is a rare thing. In fact, in her company, Feron, I would advise you against tormenting poor Anto so. He knows by now that nothing is secret from me." a mocking laugh filtered through the semi-dark. "Especially not in my own establishment. He is quite lucky I'm fond of him…it's an excellent survival trait."

She turned away from us and placed her hand beneath her chin in a well-studied gesture of thought. I attempted to keep myself from laughing. It was clear that she was no one to be trifled with, but I had stood in front of those who devoured the galaxy. And I had touched, kissed, and made love to the one who had defeated them. I did not understand why Feron kept his distance, or his silence.

"It's not often that the Shadow Broker sends one of his minions to me. What you are looking for must be so…tantalizing and rich that he simply can't resist. Anto," she flicked her finger in the direction of the exit, "do give us some privacy."

Feron nudged my shoulder and I turned my attention to him. "Just stay quiet." he ordered. "I'll handle this."

As you wish, I thought, looking back to Aria. I can better use this time to learn why exactly she is Queen of Omega…and what might best upset the throne.