Chapter 6

She separated her hair into six lines across her head. She took the first line and split it in half. The first half she braided it and rolled it into a bun. She did the same with the second half. She then left the rest of her hair free after she'd sprayed it and oiled it. A hand on her waist gently pushed her to the side as Laylah planted herself in front of the mirror. She'd taken a tube of eyeliner and carefully created a winged eye look. Mbilu stood behind her short friend and brushed her eyebrows.

"I thought we were supposed to be investigating." Sari groaned while lying on the bed.

"Can't we look good investigating?" Laylah commented. She'd matched the bronze eyeshadow with bronze highlighter. Giving her caramel skin a golden glow.

"Ah yes, when they find your bodies, they'll be commenting on your clear glowing skin, perfect eyeliner and pouted nude lips."

"It's still a party. Do you know how hard it was to get a invite from Gerald? I had to ask." Laylah complained.

"You had to ask?" Mbilu commented.

"How did you get invited?" she turned giving her tight brown curls a bounce.

"I know people." Mbilu shrugged

"Must be nice." Sari muttered to the self.

**

Laylah greeted the guard at the door. He asked for their names and let them in once verified. The friends walked through a dark veiled corridor which opened up to a tiny room covered in stars. There was a red velvet chaise in the middle of the room and a camera. It was a photo booth. The friends stopped to take quick photos then moved on.

They walked through the starry lined corridor until it opened up to the largest living room Mbilu had ever seen. On the side in a corner was a huge bar where groups of people stood around carrying drinks, in the middle of the room was a make shift dance floor bordered off by red thick ropes, on the other side of the living room were cut off areas with tables, chairs and couches for those wanting to relax after the dancing. Across the dance floor were glass sliding doors. Beyond them she could see an outside patio where the smokers chilled and a view of the city. The party was so organized in a way that she refused to believe it was Gerald. Gerald couldn't even make it to class on time, there were times when he'd arrive 20 minutes before class ended for a 3 hour class. She doubted this was his work. Although she did enjoy it.

"Let's try and see what Gerald and Mesi did to trigger what they saw." Mbilu rubbed her hands in anticipation.

"Can we do that after one drink?" Laylah eyed the open bar.

"Fine." Sari rolled their eyes.

One drink turned into four drinks. Soon enough they were out on the sweaty dance floor having the time of their lives. Their investigation dropped and replaced with young fun. Laylah had disappeared off with the generous benefactor of their drinks while Sari and Mbilu remained together. Once they followed Laylah, made sure she wore her tracking band, made sure it worked and Sari threatened the man with death and weapons, they let the young woman go and have her fun.

After about 30 minutes of dancing and Sari starting to complain, they'd gone over to the sitting section of the party. Sari laid back onto a leather couch with their non-alcoholic passion fruit tonic. They couldn't deny that this party was the best they'd been at. They and their friends had danced and drank in peace. There were no unwanted disturbances. Only a dark room, sparkling neon lights, flowing food and drinks, friends and an unimaginable freedom. A throbbing from her feet was her only disturbance. She didn't mind it. Everything was perfect.

**

Grabbing the neon band and tying it around his ankle, annoyance bubbled up at the thought being at such an awesome party without Mbilu. He spent half the day getting Reuben to not get his ancient ideas in the way of dressing. This isn't the 1970s! He had to tell his senior. Reuben was only older than Remi by roughly 30 years yet he vehemently refused to blend in with the times. Being at 32 Remi wasn't that old himself but Reuben was stuck in a timeless era. It was odd how he enjoyed the change of the times on others but not on himself.

It took Remi a full hour to modernise his outfit. Luckily he'd prevented a disaster which included bootlegged jeans, an out of date bohemian shirt and flower shaped rose coloured glasses. The bohemian shirt remained but the jeans were replaced with black ripped skinny jeans, circular rose coloured glasses and a green beanie. A true modern day hippie.

"I feel ridiculous." Reuben tugged on his feather pendant.

"You walked out of Vogue. Now stop complaining." Remi's head bobbed to the music playing in the background.

"Why couldn't you dress me like you? You look good."

"Didn't you say you hate how the youth is so comfortable with showing skin? Now you want to copy me?"

"But you look good!"

"Because it suits me. Let's get a drink then start damage control."

Taking in the scene around him, Remi was impressed by the layout of the party. It was actually functional and accommodating. The bar tender actually asked if they wanted alcohol or not. The party guards were kicking out anyone disruptive or making anyone uncomfortable.

He'd ordered a drink and scanned the room. There were magical creatures everywhere. Fae were mostly outside on the patio with the smokers and everyone else indoors. A stone dropped in Remi's stomach. Something was off with the creatures. A few of them genuinely seemed interested in the party although far too many of them had shifty eyes. They seemed too wound up and formal to be enjoying the party. They'd purposely avoided anything intoxicating. Almost as if they weren't here to party. They must be here to do damage control too.

"She's here." Reuben sang.

"Something's up." Remi focused his gaze on the still fae. Rarely were fae ever still when there was a party. Rarely was their contagious magic subdued.

"Behind you on the dance floor." Reuben continued.

Annoyance flared in Remi. "Focus or I'll swap our cups." Reuben wasn't taking this seriously. There were no nymphs, naiads or satyrs. They attended all parties whether invited or not. Their lack of appearance was concerning.

"Skinny male wolf making his way." Reuben coughed out.

Remi turned with such a quickness that he feared he'd given himself whiplash. There she was. Blue velvet halter crop top, leather flare skirt, light black stockings and glittery slip on sneakers. In the middle of the dance floor with her small colourful haired friend. He couldn't help the growl that left him as a flash of heat flared through him.

"You're boiling your drink." Reuben's voice was a distance compared to the rising heat within him. He was right. Behind her was a thin male wolf, most likely still a kid, judging by the lack of upper body build and lack of toned calves. The kid watched her dance for a bit before stretching out his shoulders, ready to make a move. Remi closed his eyes and opened them.

He focused on the wolf and calculated the distance between her and him, and how he could leave her undisturbed. When the wolf was close enough to prove she was his target, Remi blew out a spit of flame towards him. The kid jumped back in shock when the heat slightly seared his hand. He looked around for the source of the assault. His eyes locked with Remi's. The latter raised his glass of whiskey and winked, the former stepped back and walked away. With a chuckle to himself, he finished off his now cool drink. Reuben's tawny eyes sparkled with amusement. He hid a smirk and quickly glanced at her.

"An hour to do the mission for you then spend the night with her."

"I have other time to go out with her."

"Are you sure? You said it yourself, the princes of hell wait for no one."

"Fine."

Remi and Reuben went through the party mingling with everyone. Getting as much information as they could. Stopping magical creatures from taking advantage of the humans. What they couldn't get though was the reason for the stiff creatures? No one knew why they were there and what their purpose at the party was. They bribed, danced, made deals but still nothing on them. They did catch a few attempting to give humans food from their world yet that was it. Nothing malevolent. Nothing particularly violent or panic worthy.

An hour went by. Reuben stuck by his word by grabbing Remi and placing him near her. Remi weaved his way through the densely packed crowd. The crowd was rowdier and louder than before. The alcohol and other substances must've taken full effect by now. An irregular thumping from his hearts told him that he was near her. He'd by passed a dyed green hair guy twerking by the rails. He'd stopped for a quick look. Green hair wasn't too bad. Walking past him, he'd found her at the edge of the dance floor. Her colourful friend standing between her and a passive-aggressive succubus. Walking around the railing and coming up behind Mbilu.

He leaned towards her and said "Hello my love." She turned around with a bright smile and cupped her hands on both sides of his face. The cold from her fingers instantly shocked him. He smiled at her.

"Oh hello mystery man." her colourful friend, Sari, commented.

He moved aside to see them. "Hello small colourful friend." he greeted. It was odd seeing Sari without their signature leather jackets or ripped jeans.

"So you just gonna let him insult me like that?" they turned to Mbilu.

"It's not an insult, it's a fact." Mbilu patted their head.

Sari swiped her hand away. "Wow. I can't believe I have such a friend." they flipped their thick braids and turned away.

"You're so dramatic." Mbilu sighed.

Mbilu walked after her friend to the bar. The succubus turned her attention onto him. He turned and met her golden gaze full on. She licked her nude bronze lips and sauntered towards him. He moved forward and leaned against the railing.

"This night isn't ending the way you planned." he commented.

"I was hoping you could join. Turn it into a threesome?" she spun around. The beads at the bottom of her waist length dreads went from wooden beads into rainbow glass beads.

"Not as tempting as you think." he quickly looked away.

She leaned on the railing across him. "She's stolen your heart, hasn't she? I understand why my magic didn't work on her and her friend but you have given your heart away." a knowing smile crept on her face.

He let out a warm breath and shuffled away from her. Immortals were too obsessed with the prospect of love. They found it the only constant entertainment during their extended lives. Love was the only feeling without a guarantee. It was unpredictable and dangerous. The root of more problems than one intends. They loved it. Any good story involves love. It didn't matter which type of love. As long as it involved choosing between people and a higher purpose, it was pure entertainment. Another reason he remained as private as he could. Normally he'd be worried but a succubus always encountered people in love and its not like she knows his name. So there was nothing to stress about.

"Why go after her and her friend if you knew the end result?"

"I enjoy a good challenge. And what bigger challenge than those that lack desire and attraction?"

"Why not celibates?"

"Too holier-than-thou."

"Can't complain there. I'd suggest finding some other fool."

"Can't you be my fool?"

"Ma'am you've been rejected three times please stop embarrassing yourself." he jumped at Sari's loud voice from below. She really was a short human.

"What?" the succubus glanced at Sari.

Mbilu hugged him from behind. He intertwined their hands and let her lean against him. "She said leave sisi." She spoke from behind him. A rush of pins and needles ran from his head to his toes. With an excited thought he realised it was thrill and pride. She was jealous. Mbilu's never been jealous before. She's not a touchy - feely person and emotions were such a rarity with her. Here she was ready to bite a head for him. He bit his lip to prevent the excited smile coming on.

The succubus' mouth fell open in disbelief. She turned as she flipped her dreads back, set herself straight and walked into the crowd. A giggle sounded beside them. He turned to see Sari giggling with joy.

"Took you long enough to talk back to a girl." Sari punched Mbilu in the arm. Mbilu pushed them back.

"Is she afraid of other women?" There was no ways this confident and bold woman was afraid of other women.

"Terrified. She freaks out if one yells at her."

"Really?" he chuckled. She poked his arm.

"She's not scared of dudes though."

" Guys aren't that scary." she mumbled behind him.

"No they're not my little butterfly." he patted her head. She leaned against him.

"Are you abandoning me for him?" Sari asked her.

"No. We party together."

"Not up for dancing now. Maybe later."

Remi shrugged. Mbilu turned to her friend with her sad face. Her eyebrows scrunched together and pouty lower lip. Her friend waved them towards the dance floor. Remi quickly took Mbilu's hand before she changed her mind.

Remi danced with her for as long as he could. He felt as if he were floating. He kept glancing to the ground to make sure that they weren't. There was no way to explain to her how they floated especially since she doesn't drink or take any substances. He felt as if he were in paradise. Her focused attention on him was perfect, her joyous laugh was intoxicating, and her lack of care when dancing made it all better. The night was perfect.

Then the screams started.