Page 73 of Dark Verse

“Promises, promises.”

Giving her one more wink, I duck back behind the stage before any of the VIPs have fully entered the main floor space and can see me. I catch up with my bandmates in the side wings.

“Good crowd,” Cash says, peeking through the curtains.

I follow his gaze, watching as the security staff begins guiding people further into the space. I see several people holding items such as albums, band photos, old tour posters, and more. There are only 80 or so people in the group, ten percent of the venue’s total capacity, but it feels and sounds like much more. There are two large tables already set up on either side of the space with band merchandise for the Heirs and us, and I see several people already making purchases.

“Hey, that’s Emily and Scott,” Via says.

Looking through the faces, I spot them both towards the front. They are both decked out in Nightshades T-shirts, and I see that they both have something to sign.

“They were the ones I told you about that we met at the ice cream shop,” Via says, turning to Cash.

“Should we go out there?” Wayne asks, coming up behind Zeke and peeking over his shoulder. “Or maybe give them more time to like buy things and settle in?”

“I say we go now,” Zeke says. “They are all here for the house bands, after all.”

The seven of us step out onto the stage into the spotlights. The applause begins sporadically as more fans turn from the merchandise tables and realize we are coming off the stage and onto the main floor. But as more of them realize what’s happening, the clapping and whooping increase and the VIP meet-and-greet begins in earnest.

Most of the faces and names have a loose connection in my brain (oh, yes, you are Peter, I do remember you from last week, actually, nice to see you again. That’s right, you’re Gill with a G and not a J, of course I’ll sign your bag with the band name on it) but as soon as I see his face in the crowd, that day in the comic book store comes flooding back to me as clear as if it happened this morning.

“Miguel! It’s so good to see you!” I say, my smile suddenly feeling more authentic.

“And you too, Knox.”

“How are you? How’s your family?”

“Elena and Leo are here, actually.”

Miguel turns slightly and waves.

“Leo’s here?” I ask, my chest warming up, “Oh, he’s got to meet the rest of the band!”

“He would love that. The show starts too late for him to stay, but Raven got in touch with me on socials and told me there’s a fan greet before tonight’s show. I’m hoping meeting everyone will distract him from the fact that he won’t actually hear you play tonight.”

As he speaks, I see a woman emerge from the crowd, holding Leo’s hand. She looks just like Leo, jet-black hair, skin the color of rich honey, and a button nose. As soon as he sees me, that boundless energy I remember so well comes out in full. Leo lets go of his mother’s hand and runs directly up to me.

“Hi, Knox!”

“Hi, buddy, how are you?” I bend down to one knee so that we can speak face to face.

“I’m great.” He bounces from foot to foot.

“Excited to see the show tonight?” I ask him.

Miguel’s expression shifts to concern, but I try to convey to him through my expression that I have a plan.

“Yeah!” Leo says.

“Well, you are in luck, Leo. You’re going to get to see a special kind of concert. It’s only for VIPs just like you and your mom and dad. It’s called a sound check.”

“Cool! What’s it like?”

“It’s pretty short, usually only one or two songs. But no one else gets to hear those songs tonight unless they are a very important person.”

“VIP!” he says happily, holding up his tiny wrist as proof.

The bright green band around it has those three letters printed boldly across the entire length.