Chapter 238

Crossing the bridge over the Sidra, Elain wrapped her arms around herself, and shivered in the cool breeze. She smiled at Nesta who strode beside her, and then looked out across the river. The lights of Velaris reflected prettily in the black waters of the Sidra, rippling and changing with the swift current, and the sounds of the city bounced off the water and up to meet them on the bridge. Cassian and Azriel walked ahead of them with Rhys, and Elain tried for a moment to listen to see what the three of them were talking about when Cassian kept glancing back over his shoulder at them.

"What, do you think, is he looking at?" Feyre asked, her voice teasing, as their youngest sister walked along beside them on the other side of Nesta.

"Nothing." Nesta said simply, her tone suggesting she was unwilling to discuss it further. Feyre just laughed and leaned around Nesta to smile at Elain. Returning the smile for a moment, Elain allowed herself to enjoy the teasing, especially considering the fact that she would soon be missing moments like these when she went back to the Day Court.

As they came off the bridge, Elain turned her attention to the uneven stone beneath her feet as the group made their way off of the main roads and Rhys led them down a couple of side alleys.

"Where is it that we are going, Rhysand?" Mor asked from behind Elain.

"Patience." Rhys replied, grinning over his shoulder. A moment later Elain looked over her own shoulder at Mor, Amren and Lucien who were all walking there. Mor looked anything but patient.

"I'm surprised you don't know this part of town, Mor." Cassian said over his shoulder, "Surprised you don't know these dark back alleys and narrow streets…"

"Are you, just?" Mor's voice was almost as chilled as the breeze sweeping down the streets past them, and Elain shivered again. Cassian laughed, stumbling as Azriel shoved him in the shoulder. She then watched as the two of them began some kind of back and forth scuffle, until Rhys got between them forcing them apart.

"Are we nearly there?" Feyre asked, adjusting her collar around herself.

"Almost." Rhys said, smiling at his mate in the dim light.

Shivering, Elain ran her hands up and down her arms, looking around when Lucien stepped up behind her, sliding one of his arms around her shoulders and tucking her into himself. She leaned into his warmth gratefully, wrapping an arm around his waist. "A little chilled, Petal?" he asked softly, and she nodded.

"Yes…"

"I'll warm you up." He bent to whisper into her ear, and Elain shivered again, this time, however, had nothing to do with the cold.

"I'm sure you will." She said, looking up at him.

Rhys same to a stop beside a nondescript wooden door and held up his hands for them to come closer. "Each of you will need one of these." He made a gesture and a pile of black cloaks appeared hooked over his arm. "Everyone will be wearing one of these downstairs, as those who come to these things do tend to like to remain anonymous."

"What kind of place is this?" Lucien asked, and Elain wasn't sure what she could hear in his voice then. There was wariness, curiosity, and something else between the two.

"The first interesting thing that's come up all night." Amren said, walking between them all on her way toward Rhys. She took a cloak from him, draping it around herself and lifting the hood to hide her face, before tugging open the wooden door and stepping inside.

Nesta was next, moving toward Rhys. He handed her a cloak and she quickly slipped it on, pulling the hood over her head and hiding her face in shadows before stepping through the door. Cassian was hot on her heels.

"Are we to remain anonymous?" Mor asked, and Rhys smiled wickedly at her.

"You may choose to reveal your identity to whoever you wish, Morrigan."

"Most," Feyre said, turning her eyes on her friend, "do not."

"So you come here often?" Mor asked, and Feyre's smile matched Rhys'.

"Is this a sex club?" Azriel's voice was uncertain and his tone blunt, and Elain's eyes flicked to him, widening in surprise. She looked from the Shadowsinger to Rhys and then to Feyre, waiting for an answer to that question but none came. "It is, isn't it…"

"Well…" Rhys gave a soft laugh, "Not every night."

"And not for everyone." Feyre added. "That's why the cloaks are worn. You can do whatever you want, participate in whatever you like, and not worry about anybody being able to identify you."

"I thought we came to see a performance." Azriel said flatly, and Rhys nodded.

"We did."

Elain found herself edging toward the door, curiosity building within her. When she got close enough to him, Rhys' violet eyes met hers and he smiled, offering her one of the cloaks. Taking it carefully, Elain smiled at the soft velvety feeling of the material in her hands before she slipped it over her shoulders. A flutter of black beside her told her that Lucien had put a cloak on as well and, as she turned to look at him, he reached out and lifted her hood, bringing it carefully up over her.

"Ready, Petal?" he asked, and Elain nodded. One of his hands slid into hers, and Elain gripped it tightly. She was curious about this place, but nervousness was also swirling within her. As she moved toward the door, Lucien bent to her. "I've got you." He whispered and she nodded again, squeezing his hand a little.

With Lucien at her back, his hand still holding hers, Elain made her way down the narrow staircase inside the door. It was dark, and she made her way by feel, with her free hand on the wall down and down. She was thankful for the cloak as the air seemed to grow even cooler until they reached a dimly lit room at the bottom of the stairs. Amren and Nesta were nowhere to be seen, and neither was Cassian.

Looking around the room, Elain took in the low lights around the walls, held in sconces. Across the other side of the room was another door and what looked to be another hallway. This seemed to be where low music and hushed voices were coming from and Elain looked up at Lucien.

"Excited? He asked, lifting a hand to her cheek beneath her hood.

"I think so." She replied, "I'm not really sure what to expect here…"

"Neither am I." he said, giving her a small smile, "But I would like to find out…" his metallic eye clicked and whirred as he looked around the room behind her.

"Were you two waiting for us?" Feyre asked, appearing beside them from the stairs, and Elain glanced at her sister. "You just head through that door and we can find some seats…"

"Okay." Elain squeezed Lucien's hand again and headed for the door across the room.