Chapter 57
AVA
Arcane looms in front of us like a shiny beacon of wealth. People dressed to the nines ascend the stairs and flash invites before being let in by the doormen.
My heart threatens to implode with how fast it’s beating. This amount of opulence all in one place is a tad overwhelming.
“Wow,” I marvel as my eyes dart around. “Are you sure we’re allowed here for this?”
“I told you; I’ve got us. I know a guy,” Zav scoffs and adjusts his tux. “Or five.”
Our limousine slows to a stop in front of the building.
The driver comes around to open the door and extends a hand for me to take.
I start to do exactly that when Valen pops out in front of me and shoulders the man out of the way.
He’s been particularly possessive since we sealed the mating bond a few nights ago and it’s kind of hot. Okay, very hot.
He’s been a bit different too. In a good way. Lighter. Freer.
“My lady.” Valen bows slightly and I take his strong hand with a smile.
Zav and Celine file out behind me, followed by Levi and Luna. I brush my skirt down and blow out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The whole gala has not just me, but our whole group on edge.
One might say it’s dumb to go into the belly of the beast, but we’re not going to find answers elsewhere.
Last night we sat down and planned how we wanted the night to go.
We’re each equipped with multiple exit routes and plans to follow in case things go awry, but we will investigate as much as we can.
Whoever is messing with Zav seems to be pointing to the hotel and even though nothing seems out of the ordinary yet, I can’t help the chill that races down my spine.
I look around for signs of anyone who sticks out, but so far everyone looks like they belong.
I smooth a clammy palm down my dress. I can’t help but wish I was better prepared for this—that my magic came easier to me and I was prepared to fight.
But the fact is, learning that kind of magic takes time and a deep understanding of even the most basic of spells.
That knowledge doesn’t keep me from being annoyed, though.
“Ladies, here are your invites,” Zav says as he passes us gold foil–detailed papers. In scrawling script, it details the gala and welcomes us to the annual event.
“Daddy Valentine, here’s yours,” he laughs as he hands it to my mate, who scowls in response.
Zav glances at Levi and shoves his invitation against his chest with a huff before joining Celine again.
The vampire and demon’s relationship is very back and forth.
Zav is currently angry with Levi for not sharing his bowl of Cheez-Its even though he doesn’t need human food to survive.
Apparently neither of them particularly enjoys the cracker snack, and yet Zav argued it’s the principle of sharing is caring.
“Let’s roll,” I sigh and pick up my dress to start the hike up the stairs.
After showing our invites, we’re escorted inside and I gawk at the decor that wasn’t there before.
Both human-looking supernaturals and those with horns, tails, wings, and more mill about in harmony. My eyes bounce around as I take everything in. It’s incredible.
“Close your mouth. You’re going to catch flies,” Zav chides as he walks by me. Celine sends an apologetic smile my way and follows him, her arm tucked carefully into his.
Looking stunning in her blue gown, Celine wears her hair in a half up, half down ’do.
She’s littered her hair with delicate pearls to match those on her sleeves.
It’s quite the contrast to her typical attire of leather jackets and jeans.
I think Zav passed away for the second time when he saw her.
He wears a red button-up under his black tux jacket.
It’s by far the most dressed up I’ve seen him.
“It’s crazy. Even being a vampire myself, there are still so many supernaturals I’ve never met,” Luna comments as she walks alongside me. “I’m still a baby in the vampire world, and sometimes I forget how new I truly am to all of it.”
I scan her form and smile at the gorgeous lilac dress she dons.
It truly does fit her perfectly and plays off the lavender streaks in her hair.
She has her blond hair down but with a braid running behind her ear to keep hair away, save for some face-framing strands.
Silver earrings litter her ears, and she keeps her neck free of jewelry to show off the gorgeous top of the dress.
“Why are you looking at other supernaturals when I’m right here?” Levi wraps a hand around her waist and nips at her ear.
“You need to learn something called personal space, buddy.” Luna shoves him off, but Levi is steadfast. I catch what looks to be another vampire admiring Luna, and Levi snarls in his direction.
We continue our walk, following the red carpet to the ballroom. I’ve never been inside it and look forward to seeing how dolled up it is if the lobby is so radiant.
Valen squeezes my hand from where he still holds it. I smile up at him and catch the small twitch in his brow.
“Are you okay?” This will be a lot of people to be around in a confined space.
“I’ll be fine, Starlight. Don’t worry about me.” Another squeeze to my hand, but one I think is more for him than me. “I just want everyone to come out of this unscathed. There’s a disturbance in the air I can’t put my finger on.”
While he scans the area, we file slowly into the ballroom. I can’t help but admire his strong form. Wearing all black has him looking dangerous and sexy. He appreciated my dress when he first saw it too, if his hungry gaze was anything to go by. I promised him he could peel it off me later.
The crooning of violins swirls through the air as we get closer. Soft murmurs serve as an undercurrent, along with the clinking of glasses. We show our invites one more time to security at the entrance of the ballroom before they pull back heavy black curtains to reveal the gala happening inside.
“This is a whole other tax bracket. Just breathing the air is too expensive for little old me,” I laugh and tilt my head back to look at the ceiling.
The ballroom is full of marble columns and more twinkling chandeliers.
It’s almost like gold flecks are continuously floating through the air but not getting into anyone’s clothes or hair.
A group plays string instruments on a central stage, and huge spreads of food are laid out on banquet tables.
There are plenty of crystal blood dispensers and food I’ve never seen before.
Many that seem inedible to me, but I’m sure aren’t to others in attendance.
Thankfully I spot some normal-looking human food.
Seeing creatures and things that are so unfamiliar reminds me of how big the world really is and how much I don’t know. I’m slowly coming into my powers but still far from where I wish I was.
Valen’s palm slides down to caress my backside and nudges me to the side. The six of us find a relatively quiet corner to stop and survey the room. The guys all watch with eagle eyes and slowly scan the crowd. It’s tough when there are so many people packed into one room, even one as big as this.
I try to stand on my tiptoes in my heels to help look, but it’s difficult. Being short doesn’t help when it comes to recon.
Valen picks me up without taking his eyes off the room and sets me down so my feet are on top of his dress shoes. It doesn’t give me too much added height, but I blush at his thoughtfulness.
“Have you smelled anything off yet?” I ask, peering up at Valen and resting my head against his chest. He gives my forehead a quick kiss.
“Nothing out of the ordinary that I’ve scented.”
Zav nods in agreement at his words and his arm tightens around Celine. “We need to stay vigilant. We can’t let our guard down.” He turns a reluctant gaze to Levi. “Have you noticed anything, Jolly Green Giant?”
Levi ignores the nickname and shakes his head. “No, but something feels off. Can you sense it?”
“I sense it,” Luna says softly, looking around with a worried gaze. Levi’s hand twitches at his side like he longs to reach for her.
More people fill in the ballroom, the volume going up with them. It becomes difficult to hear each other over the conversations filling the space and the music being played nearby.
I get jostled by a group passing behind us, and Valen is quick to wrap an arm around my waist to hold me steady.
“Thanks.” I smile up at my mate. He grins down at me, the warmth in his eyes making my stomach liquefy. The fact that he helped me and risked being touched by others without question has me teary.
The lights dim somewhat, and a spotlight settles on another stage erected in the back of the room. A group of five men stand in front of a podium.
The center one introduces himself as Cyfrin and welcomes everyone to the gala.
“Our goal with Arcane has always been to provide a safe place for any and all supernatural creatures. A place where we can relax and be ourselves. While to the outside world we appear to function as a hotel, everyone is vetted; therefore, no humans ever check in. We pride ourselves on being a safe place for those who need shelter, but we are also so much more than that. We thank you all for your generous donations through the years. You’re what keeps Arcane running. ”
I poke Zav in the arm. “Are you a generous donor or something?”
He shrugs. “You could say that.”
“What does that mean?” I hiss.
Another shrug from the red-haired vampire. “Sometimes they ask me to take care of pesky problems, and if those pesky problems happen to have a lot of money, they wire the money to themselves.”
My mouth falls open.
“What?” He smiles innocently. “I still only kill bad guys. Don’t look at me like I kicked your puppy.”
In my time chatting with Zav, they’ve finished up on stage, and the music starts up once more. Couples descend onto the dance floor, and Valen is quick to tug me to join the fray.
Despite knowing that I should be keeping a lookout for anyone suspicious, I allow myself to enjoy being in Valen’s arms.
“I don’t really know this kind of dancing,” I confess.
“I’ve got you,” he croons. “Just follow my lead.”
I let Valen sweep me along the dance floor with practiced ease, and I think I fall a little more in love with him.
When the song ends, another begins immediately after, and Valen easily alters our dance for the new song.
He smiles down at me, opening his mouth to say something.
That’s when the lights cut out.
And a moment later, screams fill the room.