Endosymbiosis

32. Humans

We made our way across the dark purple tiles towards the entrance of a gigantic mansion. The facade was unveiled behind the trees, filled with white marble columns carved with arabesques that supported a triangular roof, also purplish. In front of it a fountain gushed jets that writhed in colorful shapes, dancing in perfect synchrony with the music that exploded in the mansion and drawing us in like flies in the deadly embrace of a carnivorous plant. This was a creature's home; and I could only remember the wreckage of mine.

In front of a pair of white marble doors, two guards, who I had almost mistaken for the mansion's columns, watched everyone who entered with their intimidating posture, but didn't bar anyone. Feigning confidence, Kadi and I walked through the entrance portal and the hall opened in front of us. Its glossy black floor reflected the ceiling, where projecting clouds moved and illusory stars blinked in an attempt to mimic the constellations that were right there, behind the layers of concrete and marble above. Inside there were also pale columns, close to the walls, where windows let in the colored lights that shone from the outside, painting the dark room with shades of violet and navy blue. From the ceiling hung chandeliers of crystal and starstones, illuminating the rounded tables and velvet seats that spanned the room. And, in the back of the room, a shiny stage was waiting for the moment to be used.

We retired to a discreet table that only had two seats. On top of it rested a bottle, which Kadi opened and poured into two glasses a bubbling black liquid that seemed to contain a starry night in every sip. I took the glass, but I wasn't thirsty.

We observed the environment for a few minutes, watching some beings entering and others already moving to the center of the room, stimulated by the music that filled every inch of that place, including our core. Many others, however, just remained in their seats, waiting for something...

"Wanna Dance?" Kadi took me out of my mind.

"Trying to distract me from the mission?"

"Trying to remind you to enjoy the party."

As if it were so simple...

"And who said that dancing with you would be my way to enjoy it?" I opened a little mean smile.

"Her eyes, asking me to invite her."

I cracked a smile, unsure if it was the eyes on the dress or mine to blame.

"I think you're starting to see mirages, Kadi."

"I would have to be really thirsty..." His green eyes landed on me, and my mouth went dry. "Dance with me, Donecea Gaxy. It won't kill you."

When he spoke like that, it was hard to deny...

I picked up my glass and turned it over in my mouth, waking my heart. A lightness took my body, as if it were possible to lift my feet off the ground. The colors became more colorful, the lights brighter, the music louder, the feel of the fabric softer, and I wondered what Kadi would taste like in my mouth if I took him like that glass... My senses had been perfected, as evolution within the reach of the tongue and I could not escape the danger where that unbridled courage took me. Everything had become possible; and now that I could hardly wait for the host to arrive so I could strip his skin, a dance no longer frightened me.

Then my fingers pulled Kadi for me.

We moved to the center of the room and Kadi slowly took my waist, his fingers stroking the skin of my bare back and his eyes, dark, studying me. He pulled me and my body slammed into his hard, knocking the breath out of my chest and putting a smile on his face. My fingers trailed down his arm and, with a spark of courage, I let them wrap the back of his neck. I fell in his eyes... They made me feel special until I was special.