The Unveiling (D'Shar Men)

Chapter Three



Dressed in a pair of black slacks with a black button up and a v-neck black sweater, Bastien headed downstairs. It’s a group date, not a battle, man up. He couldn’t remember being this nervous since childhood. He always knew what needed to be done and did what it took to accomplish the objective. It was a simple way to live. I miss my world of black and white already. The Purge had shielded him from much more than The Wanting. He glanced down at his watch. Ten minutes until Mars was due. Who would believe the General is terrified of a date. He shook his head and left the room to meet up with Kade in the living room.

“You look nice,” Kade said.

“So do you.” His brother was dressed in a pair of gray slacks, a white button up, and a black vest.

“Thanks. I’m never sure what to wear at these things.” He shrugged.

“Dates?”

“Yes, but blind dates especially. I’ve never been to the Shar Bar, and I don’t know the women we’ll be going with, so I have nothing to go on.” He shook his head.

“You’ve got a way with words, Kade. It’ll be okay.”

“Yeah, funnily enough that skill doesn’t extend to women I’m actually interested in.” He rolled his eyes, and Bastien snickered.

“I’m just glad to know I’m not the only one nervous.”

A horn sounded outside.

“I guess that’s us,” Bastien said. They shrugged on their coats and stepped outside to see Mars’ Black SUV. The passenger window rolled down.

“Don’t look so nervous, boys. The girls are meeting us there.” He grinned.

“Funny.” Kade walked to the back of the car, and Bastien took the passenger seat.

“I figured this would give me time to give you a rundown on your dates. They’re all really nice. I’ve been dating C.J. for awhile, and Ursula and Beckey are two of her best friends.”

“Kade, Ursula is your date. She’s the perfect balance: outspoken, bubbly and highly intelligent. She’s a brunette too, your favorite.”

“Do you think we’ll suit?” Kade said.

“She was excited to meet you one on one. Said you always seemed nice and studious, which she appreciates because she loves to read and learn new things. Bastien, I set you up with Beckey, a lovely blonde librarian with killer blue eyes, a wicked sense of humor and instructions to take it easy on you because you’re very rusty at the dating game.”

Kade burst out laughing.

“Please tell me you’re kidding,” Bastien said.

“Okay, those weren’t my exact words, but I hinted that it’d been awhile since you were out. Had to err on the side of caution.”

Bastien rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Bro.”

“Any time,” Mars said, a slight smirk on his face. Bastard’s enjoying this way too much.


They pulled up in front of a two-story building with Valet parking. Mars swapped out his keys for a ticket and they piled out, entering the club. They worked their way through the crowded space. “Is that the General?” someone said.

“I don’t know, it looks like him, but I’ve never seen him out. Wonder who he’s here with.” The whispers continued. Assumptions flew and rumors grew more lavish with each re-telling. Bastien squared his shoulders and ignored the ridiculous scenarios being tossed around. People loved to gossip. They stopped in front of bar where three women sat chatting. So this is the woman who’s held Mars’ attention lately. C.J. had dark brown skin, chin-length black hair, and cat-like yellow colored eyes common among their people who lived in the northern hemisphere of Tagget.

“Hello ladies, there are my brothers, Kade and Bastien. Guys, these are my friends, Beckey, Ursula, and my date, C.J.”

“Hi.” They exchanged awkward hellos. I feel like a fish out of water.

“What do you say we move this to a table?” C.J. asked.

Murmurs of agreement came from the group, and they walked over to a set of stairs sectioned off by a rope.

“Mars, good to see you, man,” said the broad-shouldered bouncer with close-shaven, emerald-colored hair and blue eyes.

“Good to see you too, Verx.”

Verx removed the rope. “Go on up.”

As they rounded the stairs, the vibe of the club changed. The V.I.P. area was sparse. There was space to move, and the music wasn’t as loud. Much better. Plush, round seats lined the area, and a swanky black bar was set up on the far side of the room. C.J. and Mars broke off to talk among themselves, and he and Kade followed the example, branching out to go their own way.

He glanced down at Beckey. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Yes, that’s would be great. Thank you.”

“After you.” He gestured toward the bar with his hands.

A few minutes later they were seated at the bar with an Apple Martini and a Whiskey Sour.

“This is my first time at Shar Bar. It’s nice.” Lame, Bastien.

“It is. The girls and I come here about once a week for a girl’s night.”

“Aaah, we have a wings place like that. We go there a lot to watch games and unwind.”

“I’d imagine you’d need it given your jobs.”

He chuckled. “I can’t disagree with you there. Lots of weight on our shoulders, but we’re made of stern stuff.”

She smiled. “I believe you are. Shall we do the cliché conversation? I’ll ask what do you like to do in your spare time, and what your interests are. Then we’ll make small talk.”

She was witty. He liked that.

“I like Sci-fi shows and movies. The past five years have been all about work. So I’m working on filling up spare time.”

“Good answers. If I said I liked to read would you hold the fact that I was a Librarian against me?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head. “I’m a fan of historical literature myself.”

“Really?” She leaned forward, interest clearly sparked.

“Oh yeah. I’ve read many of the ancient tomes over the years.”

“From the royal library? The very thought of being inside that place makes me drool.”

“Perhaps you could stop by and see it sometime. My brothers like to tease me about it. So, it’s nice to meet someone who shares my passion.”

“Let’s see if we can make it two for two. Do you like to cook?”

“I don’t burn water, but I can’t make anything complex. You?”

“I love to cook, admitted Food Network junkie.”

“Not a bad thing.” Her smile grew brighter. This wasn’t bad at all. Beckey had a way about her that set him at ease. It was like talking to an old friend he’d known forever.

****

“What’s the verdict?” Mars asked on the way home.

“Beckey’s beautiful and easy to talk to, but there was no…”

“Zing?” Kade’s voice chimed from the backseat.

“Exactly.”

“You have better luck, Kade?” Bastien turned to face him.

“I’m not sure. We exchanged numbers and talked about getting together sometime next week.”

“Look at Kade growing up and on his way to getting a girlfriend,” Mars said.

“Shut up.” Kade sounded almost bashful. Bastien coughed to his laugh. There was no point denying it; The Purge had begun to fade.