Julian was in
the living room with a steaming mug of coffee in his hand while looking over
the files Michael had just brought over. It contained all the information he
could get his hands on regarding the elusive Arianna Acrux and her known
companions, Dominic Rigel, Adrian Circini, and Velaria Altair. All of which
were more or less young, wealthy and extremely well known socialites in the
Nocturne society.
Even so, their background check came up rather more scarce
than expected, almost useless information despite all the enticement of money
to their informers, there was nothing that could help Julian approach her. In
the three months they had been here they had made slow progress. Every informer
they had, had eventually met a dead end with the amount of information that
they could provide. It was as if Arianna and her friends were mere illusions,
facades of being a popular socialite held up as masks to hide their real identities.
Julian and the rest of his friends had familiarised themselves with Scorpio and
even asked around but all their efforts seemed to have gone to waste. Julian
was beginning to feel anxious. Maybe all
this was just a waste of time he thought to himself as he rubbed a hand
across his face, trying to dispel the headache he felt throbbing at his temples.
Since they were heading nowhere with the initial plan, Michael and Lara were
finding ways to get acquainted with anyone in the group but it had been days
since they had any progress. Michael was dozing off on the couch when Lara
burst through the double doors of the penthouse, waking him from dreamland
albeit rather reluctantly.
‘I’ve got it!’
she exclaimed, as she strode towards the both of them with her dirty blonde
hair perfectly styled and runway worthy clothes.’ I have found a way for you to
meet Arianna without making you look like a creepy stalker, although you are bordering
on that right now.’ She said wryly while wriggling into the seat on the sofa
next to Michael. ‘After you hear it you’ll be showering me with hugs and kisses.’
She beamed triumphantly.
Michael sat up
while rubbing his eyes,’ I’m all out of hugs and kisses but do you accept fists
instead? Because if you wake me one more time with your shrieking, that’s what
you’ll get.’
‘I’m sure you
can go without your beauty sleep, Michael.’ Lara countered with a sweet smile
as she rummaged through her handbag and fished out a black envelope with gold
stars embossed in the centre of it. Julian placed his coffee mug on the table
and took the envelope from Lara’s slim fingers. Inside was an invitation to the
Massacre Ball two weeks from now. Michael looked over his shoulder to get a
peek of Lara’s so-called brilliant idea. His eyebrows rose in grudging respect.
‘I don’t know
how we managed to miss it. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet her. We’re all
invited, or rather our families are and Arianna will definitely be there since
her family is hosting it this year. You can introduce yourself as the young and
dashing master of the Alioth family.’ She explained, her voice carrying over
the space between them, her figure sashaying to the kitchen to make a cup of
tea.
Julian took a
minute to think about the invitation. The headache intensified as he thought
about the many possibilities. It sounded possible and simple enough except for
a small but potentially problematic issue.
‘It’s a great idea Lara except you seem to forget the fact that I’m a hybrid.
They tend to keep us out of functions like this one where only the most pure
blooded of Nocturne show up.’ He voiced with a hint of disappointment obvious
in his tone and tossed the invitation carelessly to Michael.
Lara returned
from the kitchen accompanied by a cup of jasmine tea and continued,’ I know
that, but there isn’t a law that says hybrids aren’t allowed to attend them.
Plus, you have the Alioth name don’t you? It might not be as well-known as
Rigel or Acrux but it does have some weight to it.’ She paused and continued,
’Plus, if all else fails, you can always say you’re Michael’s guest or mine if
you prefer.’ She ended her explanation
by taking a sip of her tea.
‘Even though I
hate to admit it, she’s right you know. There’s no such law and your family
will need to be represented anyway. Just give your father a call and volunteer
for the position. As long as you bear the Alioth name they can’t stop you from
attending.’ Michael added thoughtfully.
Julian was
pacing the living room contemplating the situation. A hybrid attending such an important function? That would be a first.
But I don’t see any other way to meet her face to face.
Julian stopped
pacing abruptly and faced them both. ‘Any of you know where I can get a tux?’
he said, earning broad smiles from Michael and Lara.
~by S.Dawn & R. Shiori
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