Clara
The mansion's four-story architecture is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, with intricate stone carvings and ornate woodwork adorning the exterior. Stanley inherited the estate from his great-great-grandfather and immediately fell in love. He has deep respect for the mansion's original character, preserving its historic charm while ensuring it remains a beautiful home.
There is a secret room where he is known to keep his rare and exotic collections. I envision rows of glass cases, each containing a dazzling array of treasures, relics, and curiosities gathered from his far-flung travels.
That's the room we need to look for. That's where we're likely to find the goblet.
The garden is empty now, thanks to Alister using the crows to scare the guests away. They eerily perch everywhere—over the neatly trimmed hedges, winding paths between beds of roses and lilies, the marble statues covered in ivy, and a fountain at the center with a cupid on top.
I glance down at my dress. Powder blue, its bodice tight and traced with silver sequins in curling patterns across the fabric. I pray it isn't so memorable that it'll draw attention when we vanish into halls we shouldn't be in. Stephanie tugs at the neckline of her deep violet gown, with black embroidery crawling up the bodice like thorny vines. Clearly uncomfortable with the dress.
Well, the tranquilizer guns strapped to my legs make me uncomfortable too, if that helps. At least her sedative needles are in her purse.
Simon steps forward, looking different in a sleek black wig and blue contact lenses, handing us tiny earpieces. "Hide it well."
The boys will be going in as staff. Their main goal is finding the security room and locating the collection room. After that, we girls need to move through the hallways, avoiding or distracting any staff or guards we encounter. If necessary, we'll have to knock them out.
"And don't draw any attention to yourself." Alister says, glaring at us with his green lenses. The strawberry blonde wig does not suit him at all.
"Why are you looking at me?" Stephanie glares back.
"I can't help it if people are drawn to me." I smile and wink, to which he wastes no time looking away. He's been doing that a lot today.
Zach rakes his fingers through his black wig. His staff black and white uniform still looked tight around his muscles even if it was the largest size we procured. "What about Lev?"
Lev sits crouched on the grass in his man form, stroking two crows that seem to have landed near him. He feels more animal than human. I wonder if that choker's actual ability is turning beasts into humans.
Alister, as if he decided to be extra cruel today, speaks. "He may try to betray us—and the moment he does, he'll be dead in seconds. If any of you see him get too close to anyone, kill him. If he removes any of the devices, kill him. If he disobeys orders or tries to sabotage our plan? Kill him." He pauses, gaze dropping to the prone figure. "Although. I'll probably have him dead before he can even try any of those things."
Lev doesn't argue. He just rolls his eyes, fingers still slowly tracing circles in the soil. The red stitches on his side make my skin prickle once again. As if witnessing those scars over his body wasn't enough. Alister didn't just bind him with tech. He cut him open and put something inside. It's horrifying. I shouldn't be surprised. But I am. Then again… Hasn't he always been like this?
"Psst!" I hear Lev call me out. He glances at the others discussing something and ushers me close like he wants to tell a secret. I slowly inch towards him and crouch down.
"Meet me in the ladies room after 15 minutes. If you want to know everything he's hiding and how he wants to use you, help me escape him." He whispers, and I feel my breath stutter.
I suspected he was hiding things. It was obvious. Yet...I feel like there's something strange going on.
From what I saw, Alister has a tracker on him. And Lev knows that. He wants to meet up when Alister's too distracted with party logistics to be watching his phone. That I understand. Still...why would he ask me that when he knows Leora could inform Alister about everything? The fact that he even said those words and didn't get electrocuted is suspicious too.
Unless...
My fists clench as my eyes fall onto his scarred torso. There are more than I thought now that I'm seeing it up close.
"Those scars..." I ask, making him confused about the change in subject. "Is that what your own people did to you?"
He doesn't answer. Only blinks, eyes flicking briefly to mine before returning to the restless birds around him.
I frown. "That's horrible... Why didn't you leave? Could you have?"
His eye twitches, his lips press tight, yet he refuses to look. So it's a no. Was that also part of the contract they made?
"I won't let Alister kill you," I promise softly. "If you cooperate for now, I won't let him do anything once he has no use for you. I could even take you off his hands if you'd like."
That makes him finally turn to me. A strange gleam in his eyes before he flashes that knowing grin again. "Sweetness, I'd rather you do something about this," He taps the device attached to his ankle. "then give me pretty lip service."
I let out a long, exasperated sigh and straighten up. At least I tried.
"But...thanks." I hear him mumble.
Zach claps his hands, trying to lighten the tension. "Alright then. Let's—"
Alister sharply raises a hand. "Wait. The crow needs to be gagged first. It can talk in its bird form, remember?"
He jerks his chin toward Lev, then looks at Simon. "Do it."
He stops cold, blinking like he misheard. "Me?"
On the ground, Lev smirks like he's thoroughly enjoying himself. He tilts his head toward Simon with a look that's both amused and uncomfortably suggestive. "Is it time to be tied up again?" he asks teasingly.
We all grimace.
"Great," Steph mutters. "He's one of those."
Simon grabs Alister's arm and shakes desperately. "I don't want to! He's so creepy and makes me highly uncomfortable. Why aren't you doing it? He's basically your pet."
Alister scowls, like the thought genuinely pains him. "He creeps me out too."
Lev lets out a quiet, smug laugh, clearly relishing the discomfort he's causing. Whatever small power he holds, he's wringing it dry.
"Fine, I'll do it myself." He sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes before turning to the crow that was next to him. "Time for the second phase."
He then starts tying the leather strip around his mouth. With a shimmer of movement, feathers ripple out across his skin. His body folds in on itself, limbs shrinking and shifting until the man is gone and a sleek black bird remains in his place.
The crow he ordered lets out a caw that slices through the quiet night. A second later, the garden answers. Trees tremble as dozens of crows—hidden in branches—erupt in chorus.
Lev spreads his wings and leaps into the air, gliding effortlessly toward Alister. He lands on his shoulder like an old companion returning home.
One by one, we walk out of the garden. I quicken my pace to walk up beside him, matching his stride as we make our way past the treeline and toward the mansion in the distance.
As if sensing I need to talk, he gives Lev's feathers a quiet pat. "Go to Zach."
His sharp, grey eyes flick to me before he lifts off. I watch him glide ahead and land on Zach's shoulder like a silent guardian.
"You look particularly evil today," I mutter, glancing sideways.
He smirks. "I tried."
I study him for a beat. "Did you really place something inside Lev?"
Alister doesn't answer right away. His gaze dips to the ground, footsteps crunching quietly over gravel. "You don't think I can?"
I sigh, eyes narrowing ahead. "You can. But you won't. Not someone who got furious at people using animals for rituals. There's a line you drew for yourself. I don't think you'd cross it, even for him."
That earns me a soft smile. A real one. The kind I'll want to keep seeing on him. Quiet and rare.
"He hurt himself trying to escape," Alister says finally. "That's all."
I open my mouth to ask, but he lifts a hand. "Shh," he whispers, eyes on the sky.
A lone crow flies overhead, as if trying to listen in.
Ah. Lev is made to think there's something inside him. Something Alister could trigger. It's a bluff—but an effective one. The crow doesn't know where Alister is hiding the supposed controller, either. It's enough to keep him in check and even his precious flock from attacking.
I nudge him with my elbow. "And what about your ridiculous plan? What if the stalker gets Lev to switch? Offer him freedom in exchange for helping. Lev would sell us out in a heartbeat."
Alister doesn't even break stride. The lack of surprise on his face—it hits me like a cold gust of wind.
He knows. He's counting on it. He doesn't look back—just brings a finger to his lips in a silent motion to keep quiet. A thrill of unease curls in my stomach. But I can't stop the smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
"You're such a sneak," I whisper.
He looks at me, one brow lifting. "Isn't sneaking around your part of the job?"
My mind wanders back to Lev's request. The words claw at the edges of my thoughts like thorns. Annoying and irritating. I push them down, force my lips into something softer, something I know will disarm him more than any weapon.
"Alister, look," I begin, keeping my voice low and steady, "I...know you're using us. Hiding critical information. Making decisions for us without ever asking what we think. And...no matter how much my mind screams at me not to, I—"
I pause, fingers drifting to the rose-gold ring on my hand, twisting it slowly. The couple rings I tricked him into accepting just so I could watch him squirm. He isn't wearing his now, but at least looking at mine will make him remember it.
"I trust you completely," I continue, letting the words slip out, raw. "It feels foolish—like a leap of faith in the dark." My gaze lingers on his face, searching for a flicker. "But… I just hope you can trust me too."
His throat bobs as he stares back at me, unblinking, the silence stretching longer than it should, longer than safe. Then he forces himself to look away, gaze cutting to where Simon and Zach split off from Stephanie, heading toward a separate entrance.
"I'll keep that in mind," he whispers and then steps around me to walk away. As he does, I feel it. The way his fingers glide deliberately through the strands of my hair, slow enough to feel, light enough to deny if anyone asked.
I stand still, watching as he rejoins the guys, heart beating unevenly, each thud louder than the last. Just like it wanted to at the hotel. Despite the ache of uncertainty still lurking in my chest, a quiet, uncontrollable smile pulls at my lips.
As Stephanie and I enter the mansion, I'm reminded how extravagant this place is. The ivory walls are adorned with priceless artwork, and a stunning crystal chandelier hangs from the center of the high ceiling, casting colors across the entrance hall.
We make our way inside along with the other guests and are led towards a pair of golden doors opened slightly, revealing a glimpse of the main hall beyond.
We step through the doorway, and the space unfolds before us like a fairy tale. The crowded room is of opulent design, decorated walls, and polished wooden floor that seems to stretch on forever. The sound of music and laughter fills the air.
"Poor Simon. He's missing out." Stephanie says as he looks around, taking in the sea of elegantly dressed guests.
"I heard that." An annoyed voice calls out from the earpiece. I can picture him scowling and pouting. He really wanted to be at the party.
"She was just kidding. It's not even that...fancy." I say, trying to reassure him. I glance around, trying to find something to support my claim, but it's hard to deny the grandeur of the setting.
"Not even that fancy?"
I recognize the irritating voice before I even need to see the face. I can sense the irritation emanating from Stephanie, and we exchange a look of discomfort.
We hear the click of his probably-worth-a-fortune boots as he walks upto us from behind. Wearing his many rings that glint in the light, those hideous frosted tips, and the familiar tattoo of a pair of unsymmetrical wings on his neck that irritated me the most. Like an itch I could never scratch. Whoever drew those wings should be fired or never work again.
"Ken! Lovely to see you." I force a grin onto my face, trying to appear civil as he approaches. His smug expression is like a red flag to a bull, making me want to punch him.
"Clara. Glad to see you could make it." He says before pretending to look hurt. "I'm sorry to hear my father's party isn't upto your taste. Makes me look forward to seeing how your family would host a gathering. I'm sure it's nothing like that birthday party of yours in that congested space and with limited refreshments."
Like father, like son.
I want to so desperately use my gun on him. To see fear in his eyes for once.
I take a deep breath and rein in my temper. I don't want to give Ken the satisfaction of getting under my skin. I offer him a syrupy smile, feigning innocence. "Oh, I didn't mean to offend. It's just… Your father's parties always have such a distinct charm. That delightful mix of forced laughter and overpriced hors d'oeuvres no one can pronounce—it's practically a signature."
I tilt my head slightly. "We can't all pull off that kind of spectacle, can we?"
"Clara, are you trying to get kicked out!?" Simon's anxious whisper echoes into my ear.
"Steph, why are you just standing there? Grab her and walk away." Alister grumbles.
Zach sighs. "Can't you tell? Steph's enjoying this."
I glance at her, who stands with her arms folded, looking very entertained indeed.
Ken's jaw tightens, the smugness on his face faltering, and for a moment, it looks like he might actually spit something back, but then a snort cuts in from the side.
"Still haven't changed, huh? Ken?" Stephanie mocks. Her brow raised with all the grace of a queen addressing a particularly disappointing jester.
Ken turns to her, and just like that, the venom in his gaze softens. "Like I told you countless times," he says, stepping toward her with that oily charm of his, "I'll change if you want me to. Any type you like."
Right… They used to date.
She smirks, unfazed. "How about you change out of those clothes first?"
She links her arm through mine, already steering me away. "You look like an ugly peacock," she adds, plucking the drink right out of his hand as we pass.
"Think he'll be a problem?" I whisper to Stephanie as we walk away.
"When is he not?" She scoffs. "But I'm starting to think so too. I could try and get alone with him when I have the chance. If he stays knocked out during the whole ordeal, it'll be easier."
We glance towards the man of the house; he's impossible to miss. His outfit is a show in itself—a garish, eye-searing ensemble that seems to have been designed to showcase his questionable taste.
His jacket is a vibrant, electric blue, with gold threading. The material looks like it's been woven from the finest (and most expensive) threads, and he's no doubt regaling his audience with tales of its rarity and exclusivity. His laughter is loud and boisterous, a calculated attempt to draw attention to himself and make everyone notice his two gold molars as he gestures expansively with his hands.
"Where are you guys?" I ask them through our earpiece.
"We snuck in from the back door. They bought into the whole staff thing, and right now we're being forced to work." Simon sighs. "Manual labor is hard. I've never worked this much in my life."
"It's been 10 minutes since we got inside." We hear Zach laugh as he questions.
"Don't patronize me." He mumbles.
"Get back to work, you two." Alister's voice whispers out. "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can slip out."
Stephanie shrugs as we find a seat and settle down.
"Have you never been to the collection room?" I ask her.
She yawns and rests her face on the white tablecloth "No, he only shows it to those closest to him. His VIPs. To make them seem more valuable and exclusive, you know. I honestly don't associate with him much."
"It's strange. He usually likes talking about his treasures, but I've never heard him talk about a goblet before."
Could it be...that his situation is just like Grandmother's? Where the organization sold the item to them and forced a contract to silence them. It's highly plausible.
I glance down at my watch, the ticking suddenly loud in my ears. It's going to be 15 minutes soon.
I have no intention of going. Walking up to a stage set by Alister as he sits back and watches. Not when I've given my very effective 'pretty lip service'.
Alister...I hope you enjoyed listening to my words.
I hope my little performance stirred something in that icebox you call a conscience. I hope you were proud—that your twisted loyalty test was passed with flying colors.
But more than that…
I hope you felt guilty that you needed to test me in the first place. That it cracked something open in you—the walls you've built so carefully around your heart.
I hope—for once—you felt something.
And I'll prove to you that there are other ways to control people then intimidation, fear and pain. That all it takes for me are velvet-soft words dripping with kindness to get people under my control.
I'm going to make your prisoner more loyal to me than it is to you. Not through force—but through kindness. Through connection. Through everything you think is weakness.
And when that happens… he'll follow me willingly. Not because I made him. But because he wants to.