Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (24 page)

“Welcome, tonight is a night of fun and pleasure,” I said, clapping my hands. “Eat, drink and enjoy all that there is to offer. “And now to start off the festivities, let’s bring in our entertainment!”

At my introduction, into the ballroom stepped a group of female dancers, adorned in elaborate feathered masks and matching headdresses. On their fingers were small gold cymbals that clicked with each flick of their wrist and twist of their hip. In the corner of the hall, the string quartet quickened their tempo. All of the costumed guests cleared out a space in the center of the room, allowing the dancers to perform their number without interference.

I leaned back on my throne. The ball was off to a splendid start. The nobles I’d invited seemed to be enjoying the revelry. I expected no less from the eager humans. Their entire blindfolded journey created a sense of mystery, which they all thought riveting, but I could not let them know how we navigated the eastern shores.

For the first time in centuries, Daath had been revealed, and to think the fools actual believed I meant to trade. It was a shame most wouldn’t live through the night.

The dancers finished their number and mingled into the crowd, enticing guests to join them. A trumpet sounded by the ballroom doors.

Willis stood, trumpet by his side, looking stiff as usual. “May I introduce to you,” he shouted, “the fair maiden, Jeslyn!”

The doors swung open. People dressed in the most elaborate gowns and costumes stared at me. For a moment, I froze, paralyzed by the splendor. Willis cleared his throat, nudging me to enter the large room.

In my silver shoes, I stepped on the sparkling marble and walked through the parted guests. At the end of the line, I saw Lucino. My heart fluttered. His pants and shirt were the color of midnight, and a long scarlet cape draped his back. He wore an ivory mask that covered almost every part of his face, except his mouth, eyes and left cheek. His sapphire eyes blazed from the two holes. No man could ever look as regal, as daring.

I could hear the low whispers of women and men inquiring about me. I kept my hands clasped in front of me, and every step or two I would glance down at my sky-blue ball gown. The soft material sparkled, like a large shimmering gem.

When I reached Lucino, he took my gloved hand and twirled me around until we were both facing the guests.

“Ladies and gentleman,” he said. “Please welcome, my darling betrothed!”

A round of applause ensued, and I curtsied. Lucino snapped his fingers and the ball continued. We walked up two small steps to the thrones. I sat down in the one next to him.

In my dreams, I imagined a moment like this, and yet it didn’t feel right. Lucino had promised we would go home, after the wedding. Yes, I had agreed to marry him, out of nothing more than selfishness.

My family wanted me here, and I couldn’t go home knowing both my brothers were gone. Lucino could take care of me, and as soon as we were wed, I would convince my family to live here. Away from the pain and loss of Lakewood. Here my family could start over. A new life with new memories.

And Lucino was a good man who treated me with kindness, looked upon me with passion. Each day I’d spent in his presence had only increased my affection for him. I was falling for him and Daath.

Derrick passed through my mind often, but he was gone, and I couldn’t think of him or the feelings we shared. I had to move on and forget.

Lucino touched my hand, and I flinched.

“Everything all right, my lady?”

“Yes,” I said, my shaky voice betraying me.

“Come.” He stood, holding my hand in his, and guided me to the ballroom floor.

The guests cleared a circle for us. He placed one hand on my lower back and held mine with the other, staring at me as if he’d never seen a girl before. I didn’t know how to dance like a noble. I prayed it was similar to the more common routines I knew.

He led me around the room, one graceful step after another. His posture perfect and his feet never missed a step, though mine did.

“Relax, my darling,” he whispered, his blue orbs beaming at me from the slits in his mask. “You can dance. Let the music take you.”

Nodding, I listened to the different instruments all in harmony. A grey mist swirled in Lucino’s eyes. I lost myself in them, feeling nothing but the way we moved. His hand pressed hard against my back, drawing me nearer and causing my heart to leap higher than the ceiling. The sound of a cello mixed with a harp created a passionate duet. The deep bass and airy melody made me think of magical nights when the mist hovered over the lake and nothing shone but the stars. As the tempo increased Lucino swung me around his body. His eyes bore through me, making me feel giddy, and the closer I came to his face the more I hoped he’d kiss me.

After the dance, we sat back down and the guests began approaching Lucino, offering their thanks and hinting at a future gathering. Lucino politely spoke with each one, but from his straying gaze, I could tell he was growing bored.

Lucy entered the ballroom. Seeing her outfit made me feel childlike in mine; my breasts could never fill out a corset like hers. She walked through the crowd, grinning and laughing with guests as she passed. Her golden corset contained little sparkles of ruby, and black silk trailed behind her every step. Her bright eyes hid behind a black lace mask, still brightly aglow.

She sauntered to Lucino’s throne, grabbing a wine goblet from a passing servant. “Our other guests have arrived,” she said, and emptied her goblet in three long sips.

Lucino grinned. “Very good, bring them to the parlor. I shall meet them there.”

Lucy bowed and disappeared into the crowd.

Lucino leaned over to me. “My dear, I have some guests I must attend to. After the next dance, retire to your room. I’ll come see you later.”

When Lucino first told me of the ball, I never imagined it would be this grand. I didn’t want to leave. “Can’t I stay?”

“It’s not proper for you to be alone among the guests.”

“Very well.”

He kissed my hand and glided away.

The guests danced a new number. Excitement filled me. I knew I couldn’t leave just yet.

Inside the parlor stood a small group of men, black capes hung low over their heads, covering their faces.

“Ah, welcome, my brethren,” I said. “I trust the journey was enjoyable?”

One of the figures stepped forward and, in a raspy tone, replied, “As enjoyable as can be expected.”

“Falcur, it is good to see you. It’s been far too long.” I placed a fist across my chest in greeting.

Falcur mimicked the gesture. “Yes, it has.”

“I don’t see why we should waste any time.” I asked. “Are you all prepared?”

Murmurs and nods swept through the room. “Good, as of now our guests are being served the drink I’ve concocted. It should take only a short while before the hallucinations begin. I added more serum to the wine that will make them more agreeable. It should be no problem grabbing the targets.” I clapped my hands and a secret panel opened. “These are your husks.”

Three of my personal guard brought in a group of gagged men. “I cannot have you scaring away all the nobles with your current forms.”

Falcur moved to where one of the males cowered on the floor. “Let us begin.”

I watched as each of my kind placed a hand on one human and chanted. Black mists swirled in front of the humans creating a vortex. Their pathetic eyes screamed with terror as their aura left their bodies, draining them to the point of death.

Not only did a human’s aura heighten our powers, but when completely drained we could copy their form. The drain would kill them, but it made our mission much easier. Pretending to play human had become a game between my kind and only the most powerful Reptilian males had the desirable roles.

Falcur’s face morphed from the familiar sharp-angled creature to the pale skinned human laying before him. When the transfer completed, I told the guards to bring the remains to Romulus. The old wizard always found use for dead humans.

“We are very close to the end brothers,” I said. “After tonight, we will have control of six more lands. Leaving only four left.”

“Very good,” Falcur replied. “We have done our research as well and have brought with us some distractions. It will be easier to capture the males if they are persuaded off on their own.”

He spoke a few arcane words. In the parlor appeared women wearing outfits that covered only the most private of areas. One glanced at me and I caught a glimpse of her eyes changing red.

“A succubus … very well indeed.”

Falcur petted the succubus next to him. “We will take care of your female guests and these mischievous ladies will take the nobles to the designated areas.”

“Are they bound tightly?” I remembered the last time a brethren summoned one of these demons in Mirth. The creature had charmed him into walking into a pool of acid.

Falcur laughed. “Do not fret over these minor demons. They are all under my control until their task is complete and I dismiss them. Show us this grand ball of yours.”