Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“I like the sound of that.” Toma gave her a thumbs up.
Hiro shrugged. “I’m ordering lollipops all damn night.”
Two trays came forward.
The first woman held the tray out. On it sat small glasses with pale green liquid and orange peels draped over the rim, waiting.
Another woman came up to her, struck a match, and passed the flame once over each peel.
A single blue flare lit and vanished.
Nyomi gestured to Kaede. “This is yours, my love. The Ember Waltz."
“I like that name.” He picked his up.
Nyomi grabbed her own. "Japanese gin for Kaede’s smoothness. Dry sake due to his discipline. Yuzu for his brightness. Honey for the softness he pretends not to have. And finally. . .Absinthe to remind us all that he still cuts."
Kaede stared at her. I could tell he wanted to say something, but didn’t have the words. A second later, he lifted the glass, sniffed once, closed his eyes, and took the sip.
He swallowed slowly.
When he opened his eyes, they were glassier than before. "This is. . .me."
Hiro stared at him. "Are you about to cry?"
Kaede blinked his eyes. "No.”
“Your one good eye is watering.”
"It’s the fucking absinthe."
Nyomi stepped between them. “Leave him alone.”
“Yes, Tora.” Hiro blew a kiss her way.
Kaede turned his face away and took another sip.
All tried his drink, even me. I found it tasty, but not as good as the Dragon’s Flame.
The second flapper showed up with a tray of glasses filled with this deep purple liquid.
One twin grinned. “This must be for Toma.”
“It must.” The other nodded.
The rims were lined with black salt.
Another woman came forward with a single wedge of lime and squeezed it directly over the glass.
The color shifted in an instant from purple to bright magenta. Out of fucking nowhere, a quick flame rose, kissed the surface, and then vanished.
Toma leaned forward. “How the hell did that happen?”
“That is the magic of Purple Riot." Nyomi shrugged. "We have whiskey for the backbone. Butterfly pea flower for the color. Lime to wake it up. Jalapeño syrup to match his personality. And a few secrets for the magic."
"Damn right." Toma grabbed a glass and slammed the whole thing back in one swallow.
He coughed.
His eyes watered.
He pounded his chest twice. "That is the loudest fucking drink I have ever tasted."
"Pace yourself, Toma."
"I refuse." He grinned and grabbed another. "By the way, I love you."
I frowned.
All tried Purple Riot while more hors d'oeuvres arrived. Servers moved through the draped space in a quiet line with black lacquered platters balanced on their palms.
The first tray stopped in front of me. It was all neat rows of gyoza. Half-moons crimped tight, skins burnished to deep gold where they'd kissed the pan. Each one resting in a shallow puddle of dark dipping sauce.
Kaede lifted one, dipped it, and took a bite.
Others followed.
"Okay. We have a cool rendition of collard greens." She moved around them. "They’re in the gyozas with smoked bacon. Chef Bunzō was a wizard with the sauce."
It was perfectly seasoned and delicious.
Very good, Tora.
The karaage came next, and the smell reached me before the tray did.
Crackling.
Sweet.
That deep, oiled heat that climbed into the sinuses and stayed.
Unable to control myself, I grabbed one fast. The chicken was shatter-crisp and glossed in this honey-bourbon glaze.
Toma crossed the draped space so fast I laughed. “Move. Get out of my way. I want these.”
“Eh!” Kaede got several first. “You back up!”
“We have enough for everyone.” Nyomi gestured for another waitress holding a karaage to go to them.
I popped one into my mouth whole.
Chewed.
Froze.
And then groaned.
You’ve done it again.
Hiro whistled. "This is so perfect I'm angry about it."
“Now why are you angry?” Nyomi laughed.
Behind one twin, the other reached over his shoulder and snatched one straight from his hand.
The victimized twin glared. “Hey!”
“Can’t help it.” The thieving twin popped it into his mouth.
Another tray appeared.
“And here we have miso-maple pork belly.” She held out her hands. “Enjoy.”
The glossy cubes had been caramelized until the fat ran translucent. Each square rested on a tiny charred sheet of nori paper.
Daisuke took one, ate it, and closed his eyes. He said nothing for a long moment. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Nyomi like he was meeting her again for the first time. “If the Dragon doesn’t satisfy you, I am here. I am waiting.”
I sneered at him.
Nyomi winked. “Thanks, Daisuke. I’ll remember that.”
We continued to enjoy the drinks and food, eating, laughing, and reaching for more.
Another round of Roar Bites showed up because Reo had apparently asked for them personally.
I finished the Purple Riot and could feel myself getting tipsy, but I had no plan to stop drinking just yet.
I’m going to be fucked up tonight.
For a while, we stood there chatting and nibbling the food. Kaede, very slightly drunk, drifted into her orbit and tilted his head to study her hair. "Your braids are exceptional tonight, Tora. So lovely. I want to draw you."