WILDFIRE

“Boss, Seven Shots. Table 2.” Mariel dropped the tray onto the counter with a thud as Lorence continued wiping down a glass. “Someone’s feeling brave today. Hopefully, they’ll still be fine later. I don’t want last week’s incident happening again.” The woman shuddered at the memory. Lorence only smiled at her before she began preparing the drinks. Ash & Still. Deadeye Bloom. Winter Vien. Red Silence. Moonwake. Brightburn… Glassheart. She froze as she held the seventh glass. She didn’t know how long she had been staring at it until she felt Mariel’s gentle tap on her arm. “You okay, Rence?” Mariel’s voice carried a hint of worry as her eyes searched Lorence’s face. “Fine.” Lorence slowly set the glass on the counter, then picked up an eighth one and showed it to her. With a mischievous smile, she waved it in the air. “I was just thinking if maybe…” “At this point, you should.” Mariel smirked. This time, Lorence couldn’t help but give a genuine smile. She placed the eighth glass on the counter and raised an eyebrow at Mariel. Together, they mixed the drinks for their one brave customer. And with the extra special drink—Eclipse. Mariel winked at her before carrying the tray of drinks to a nearby table filled with college jocks. Lorence hid a smirk behind her hand. It was always these kids. One of them picked up Deadeye Bloom first. She watched their reaction as the first sip touched their tongue—the almost calming lavender-infused gin, the sharp kick of lemon zest cutting through the sweetness, finishing with the soft sting of violet bitters. She had created Deadeye Bloom with Aria in mind—the lethal, graceful, and thorned leader of the HUNTRESS. One of her former teammates. It had been so long since she last saw any of them. Radio silence. But she wasn’t worried. She knew wherever they were, they’d always be watching out for one another. “They’re going strong, already on their sixth shot.” Mariel sat down on the stool beside her. “What do you think? Will they survive until Eclipse?” “Should I start preparing Chaos Theory?” Lorence teased. “You’re evil.” Mariel laughed. Sometimes, Mariel reminded her of Bianca. While Mariel’s outgoing, playful nature contrasted Bianca’s calm silence, there were moments when she suddenly grew quiet, looking at Lorence with sadness in her eyes. Bianca wasn’t the loudest or the type to seek attention—but once she committed to someone or something, it was absolute. Mariel, though her personality was the opposite, was the same in her own way. She listened in silence, but her presence always carried a quiet strength—the kind you could trust to watch your back without needing to ask. That’s why she had been so surprised when Mariel suddenly approached her back when Seven was just starting out, waving a flyer for a waitress job. Stylish without trying, dark hair in a braid, a white silk blouse paired with brown linen trousers—old-money elegance with a modern edge. Lorence never understood what would push Rosa Mariel de la Fuente Aguirre to work as a waitress in a newly opened bar like Seven. But in the end, she was grateful—because it had given her another friend she could truly value. “Look who I found, WO Lorence Vivienne Attanasia.” She stiffened at the words but quickly relaxed when she recognized the voice. “How the mighty have fallen.” “Would it really be falling if it was my choice?” Lorence arched an eyebrow at the newcomer. “Eden Carmina Villegas.” “Wait.” Mariel suddenly cut in. “Like… Senator Villegas? And hold up again—warrant officer? You were a soldier, Rence?” “Retired.” Lorence answered simply. “What brings you here, Eden?” Her tone carried a trace of worry, but the two ignored it. “How rude of me. I’m Eden Carmina Villegas. Please, call me Eden.” She extended a hand toward Mariel. “Rosa Mariel de la Fuente Aguirre.” Mariel took it. Lorence blinked in surprise. This was the first time Mariel had ever given her full name. “Rence,” Eden said in a singsong voice, “guess who called me yesterday.” Lorence mentally listed possible names—and the list only went from bad to worse. “I don’t want to guess.” “You’re no fun.” “Then at least tell me it wasn’t Mama.” “Of course it wasn’t Aunt Cathy.” Eden gave her a look, as if questioning her sanity. “It was someone else we haven’t heard from in a long time.” “Vee? Or maybe Ron?” “You’re hopeless. You’ve mentioned everyone except—” “Chrissy.” They said the name almost at the same time—the friend who they thought they had lost. After all the tragic events that happened to Chrissy, she just simply vanished. “She called?” Lorence whispered in disbelief. “I know, right? I was shocked too.” Eden smiled. “She’s on her way. And I felt obligated to share the good news.” Lorence let that sink in. She had heard rumors—how much their friend had changed. When your Commander-in-Chief happens to be your best friend’s brother, you’re bound to hear a few things. “I know we don’t have Angel Shots here, but I think we need one.” Mariel subtly pointed toward a woman storming toward a table where a man and another woman were chatting happily. Lorence watched the furious woman snatch up a glass and hurl it to the floor. Even though she expected the sound of shattering glass, Lorence still couldn’t control her reaction. With a startled gasp, she suddenly found herself standing in a dark corridor. Blood stained the walls, and the only sound was Bianca’s piercing scream. Her hand clenched as if gripping a gun. But instead of cold steel, what she felt was warm flesh. “Lorence.” A gentle voice called—it could have been Eden’s or Mariel’s, she couldn’t tell. “You’re safe. You’re here with me. Can you hear me?” She didn’t know how long it took before she finally broke free from the illusion. When she did, she saw Eden and Mariel’s worried faces. She was holding Mariel’s hand while Eden stood close beside her. She turned her attention back to the commotion in the bar. “We don’t serve Angel Shots here…but they know they can always order the Celestial Specials.” she said softly. A loud slap rang out next. But with Eden and Mariel beside her, the moment passed without spiraling into another episode. “I HATE YOU, JT!” The woman stormed out, leaving the man and the other woman at the table as if nothing had happened. “Maybe we should make a signature shot just for men like him,” Mariel muttered to Eden. “We could call it Backroom Burn. Or Final Warning. Then we take them outside and give them what they really deserve—a good beating.” Lorence’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the man. He reminded her of the very reason she joined SEPHIRA in the first place. It was because of men like him. They never change… but I do.