Chapter 34
Some of the excitement falls out of the day after Wes essentially dumps us via text.
I can tell my lovely Donovan is worried sick—and I am too.
Though I can't deny my mood lifts briefly when I remember how despairing Cosmo looked as he dragged himself off to meet Jordan at the manicurist. Karma is not always a bitch. Sometimes, she’s a dish served perfectly chilled.
Lunch is delicious, and I’ve eaten so much I feel like I’m about to pop.
“Can I have this in a go-box?”
Max is getting the server to pack up his untouched second lunch. As we head outside, he veers off.
What’s he up to?
Color me surprised when I see him placing the container in front of a homeless guy, sitting under a filthy blanket down the street.
It’s not performative at all. I get the feeling this is something Maximus does every time he eats out.
Under all the antics, it seems Maximus is a real softy.
When we arrive back at the academy, Donovan and Max help me and Willow with our enormous garment bags.
“We can take it from here, fellas,” Willow says. “Operation: Glam as all get-out is commencing.”
“The limousine will be outside Defectivum at seven,” Donovan says, kissing my forehead.
“Yikes! We need to get a wriggle on.” Willow raises an eyebrow at me. “How are you at applying temporary golden freckles?”
◆◆◆
Four hours later, as Willow and I descend the stairs to the main lobby, my heart leaps because Ludo is waiting there in the shadows.
My eyes are immediately drawn to him.
—Beautiful—
I smooth my hands over the skirt, then look up at him.—I wish you were escorting me too—
—I also, as I’d prefer to keep you within my sight, but I will keep the brother safe, Nymph—
The intensity of his gaze makes me swallow.
—Thank you—See you when I get back—
Stepping outside, Duncan greets us. “Whoa! Theo, Willow, you guys look amazing!”
He starts taking photos with his phone, then the three of us take a selfie just as the limousine pulls up.
Max and Donovan exit from the rear, both looking absolutely mouth-watering. And yes, I know I shouldn’t be ogling Maximus, but it’s hard not to.
He’s filled out Donovan’s tux until the seams strain; that Hulk-thing he has going on is pretty hot. And with the bad-boy buzz-cut and tattoos, Max looks like a dark and dangerous deviant—a hellhound in human form.
Donovan, even though he’s also muscled-bound, appears far more graceful—elegant even. His aqua eyes sparkle as he takes me in. “Tee! Outstanding!”
“Thank you, kind sir.” I do a pirouette and take his hand.
We both look down at my wrist, which is circled by my golden star bracelet.
My smile drops, and Donovan instantly nods in understanding.
“I wish he were coming too.”
We don’t need mind-reading to be on the same page.
Donovan squeezes my hand. “At least he’s safe here in the tower.”
“That’s true. Did you find out who gave him a lift back?”
His face clouds with worry. “Wes wouldn’t tell me. I hate this, Tee. We’ve never been so separate. Even when we were trapped in different realms, I felt closer to Wes than I do now.”
Another long car draws up. The driver opens the back door, and I blink as Naomi exits. She’s wearing a silver leather corset top with a slinky silver skirt that almost looks like chainmail. Beside me, Willow suddenly clutches my hand.
—She’s so out of my league—
I don’t get a chance to reassure Willow as Naomi comes straight over.
“Willow, you look amazing,” she says, kissing my bestie’s cheek. Willow flushes, and I can’t hide my smile.
“All of you ladies look amazeballs,” Max says, suddenly producing a bottle of tequila from somewhere. “Shots time!”
I see a quick flicker of approval in Naomi’s eyes, and she pulls a flask out of her small clutch. “Took the words straight out of my mouth.”
After several rounds, some ridiculous toasts, plus a group photo session, Donovan opens the back door of our car for me. "All right, let's go have some fun. I know we’re also on a fact-finding mission but we can have a little of both, right?”
“Uh, that sounds like a jinx if ever I’ve heard one, everybody touch-wood,” I laugh. Hilarity ensues as all of us slap Maximus’ buzzed head. “But seriously,” I say between giggles, “there are going to be a lot of bigwigs at this thing, we’d better not get too wasted.”
“Do you think bigwigs literally have big wigs?” Max asks. “Like, they have so many important things to deal with that all their hair falls out and then they need a massive wig.”
“Yes, Maximus. I think that’s completely correct,” Willow snorts. “Is that why you’re basically bald?”
Max rubs a hand across his stubbly scalp. “Nope, my cock does all the thinking in this body.”
“Better get him a merkin then,” Naomi drawls.
I snort a shot of tequila out of my nose as Donovan looks perplexed and asks what a merkin is.
Naomi raises a sophisticated eyebrow. “It’s a pubic wig.”
Donovan’s eyes widen, and he slings an arm around my shoulders. “You know, I think I’d be into seeing you in a big pubic wig, Tee. I’ve always found that seventies big bush thing super hot.”
The banter cuts off as we watch a long line of cars, full of students dressed to the nines, head down the driveway. “Is everyone in the school going to this thing?”
“Definitely seems like more than usual,” Naomi says. “My parents told me I had to go, no choice. I think the WMO is putting out some announcements or something. Anyway, Willow, shall we?”
Once in our respective cars, the drivers join the parade leaving Validus Vale and heading to the capital.
My stomach is filled with flutters. I think it’s just excitement, after all, this is just a school dance.
With WMO and Conclave members present.
OK. No more tequila for me.
◆◆◆
When our chauffeur opens the door, a wall of sound hits me. I hadn’t expected to see a crowd watching the ball arrivees.
Paparazzi shout out, trying to get a quote or photo from the guests. There are dozens of onlookers, and beyond that is a protest. Maybe a hundred people holding placards.
Equality for all, reads one. Several more say ‘Fuck the Elite’.
I can’t tell if the protestors are human or witches.
Encircling the small crowd are WMO ‘peace keepers’ wearing helmets and carrying riot shields.
I suddenly feel completely sick about all the opulence: the expensive gowns, the red carpet, the limos.
Max looks around, fists clenched. “Let’s get inside,” he growls. “This atmosphere smells dangerous.” I wonder if his hellhound instincts are kicking in.
Donovan puts a hand on the small of my back. “Yep, let's move, Tee.”
The angry chants fade as we enter the State building. Stepping inside, my mouth drops open. It’s like going back in time to a royal court or something. Everything is just so…lavish.
And outside, protesting, are the peasants. The serfs.
Donovan snags us glasses of champagne from a passing server. “Are there always protests outside these kinds of events?” I ask him, taking a tiny sip of cold bubbles and trying to remind myself to sober up.
“Never seen it before,” he replies.
“It’s unsettling,” Max adds. “Unrest between witches and humans in Kormovia is common, but here in Havengard?” He looks around the room and sneers. “Not surprising though; there isn’t a more class-based system in the fucking world. And the humans get a shit-deal most of the time.”
It’s surprising to hear Maximus talk so seriously. It’s more like something his cousin would say.
Talking of whom…
—You look so fucking beautiful, pulu—
I swivel around and see Alexis standing within a group of tuxedo-clad men. Our eyes meet.
—I wish you could spend the evening with us—
—Gods, me too. I’m sure we could find something much more interesting to do than talk about bond investments—
—Bondage investments? I didn’t know you were kinky, sir—
—Fuck, I’d tie you up in a heartbeat—
“Theo?” I quickly yank my thoughts away from Alexis’s weak-knee making offer.
Donovan and Maximus are both looking at me. “Why are you all flushed, Tee?”
“Yeah,” Max smirks. “And what’s with the blown pupils, princess? Something got you all hot and bothered?”
Oh well. “I was just having a little conversation with Alexis.”
“You can have a ‘little conversation’ with me anytime you like,” Max says, and I flick him on the arm; he’s such a flirt.
“Oh, fuck.” Donovan grabs my arm and starts steering me across the room until we are in a discreet corner. “Fuck,” he says again.
Maximus and I both look in the direction he’s staring.
“Who are they?”
“My parents.”
I look at the couple at the far side of the room.
She’s dressed in a wine-red pantsuit, not exactly ball fashion, and the man is wearing a very plain tuxedo.
They are the same height, so the woman must be 6 feet tall.
She’s the one with curling brown hair, that the twins inherited.
It’s currently pulled back off her severe face, held in check by a hideous satin Alice band.
The woman puts up a hand to adjust her headpiece, and that’s when I see it. The swirl of smoke around her wrist. It’s just the same as Cosmo had.
“Oh shit.”
“What?”
“Your mom has the dark essence in her.”