The Arrival

"Invitation, Miss?" the man in the tuxedo paired with a black bowtie asked me when I tried to enter the gate into the Arcane Circle of Baristo.

I handed him the invite, and he looked it over carefully. His brown eyes scanned the invitation thoroughly. His grin reappeared as he handed back the card. The man's model good looks proved to be the clincher.

The man gave me a complete body scan. While it has the potential to freeze my blood to the spot, I must admit that despite the thick spectacle frame that matches the thickness of its eyebrows, it is quite attractive. His jawline is so flawless that I feel like I'm staring at a model in the midst of a makeover.

When he grinned, I returned the gesture. When I felt a sudden, unexpected hand on my chest, I jumped. When he stared at me for an extended period of time, I noticed a peculiar sensation in my circulation. Just being in his company was enough to make me feel like a block of ice had been poured over my entire body.

That enigmatic mood was broken by the rumbling of drums in the distance. It looks like there's some sort of cultural dance performance going on here. My anxiety level skyrocketed.

Even though my mother was holding Avi's hand in a casual manner and my father was showing signs of anxiety, I could sense my father's anxiety.

We might be in serious danger. We recently joined Tribus without being aware that the government's motivation was far too dangerous. No matter what decision we made about the tribal offer, the threat to our lives remained.

There was too much power in the Levistes, Aragons, and Santis to ignore anything emanating from them without endangering someone's safety. Due to their riches and influence, they are able to exert influence over the local populace even though they are technically outside of their sphere of influence.

My dad choose the lesser of two evils, or so he told himself. It didn't go into great detail, but I was able to deduce that what it intended was for us to become obedient members of the Tribe and do what we were told.

We would play safe.

Following a quick check of our invitations, we were led to Baristo's Arcane Circle by a stunning but strange usherette. As we made our way through the dark woodland, we noticed the tiny golden light bulbs along the tunnel's walls. The insects resembled little fireflies perched on the tree limbs.

The woman with the hourglass figure and the golden mermaid-cut gown introduced herself as a member of the Suarez family and directed everyone to their destination. When we locked gazes, he flashed me a grin.

From his perspective, bringing me into the Baristo Circle is like giving a huge present.

We talked while the rest of the family enjoyed the concert I had just attended. Dispersed randomly throughout the Arcane Circle's dining room. There is a designated spot for each invited family at the arrival ceremony.

The extravagant decor of the hall blew me away. Many of the ornaments were ones I had never seen before. White and gold cabbage flowers were artfully put on each table. Everyone will adore the furniture and the fine china set onto the cream-colored tablecloth made from the finest fabric.

Helpers might be found scattered around the entire venue. A variety of alcoholic beverages, sweets, and other treats were laid up for the uniformed personnel.

The arrival ceremony's conspicuous trinity knot in the center circle drew my eye, but not just because of its pricey and elegant design.

When it came to this city, the Trinity Clan was a force to be reckoned with. It was as if they owned the entire establishment. Lately, I felt that I was surrounded by trinity knots. They had godlike status in the metropolis. As for their appearance, I was very curious.

"A warm welcome to the newest members of Tribus society! It is with much respect that we welcome you to this group..." The event's coordinator elaborated extensively. It detailed the rights and responsibilities of Tribian inhabitants as well as notable people and locations including Aragon, Santi, and Leviste, as well as sacred and off-limits areas.

I had to leave the lecture early due to an urgent need to use the restroom. Prior to using the restroom, I called my parents.

The facility's restroom was the first thing I sought out. It's within a short distance from the Baristo Circle. Though it's in the midst of the woods, the bathroom's cutting-edge design will blow your mind. Trinity and the rest of the Tribus were in a league of their own.

As soon as I had finished washing my hands, I made up my mind to turn around and head back.

When I emerged from the restroom, I was taken aback to discover that I had just heard a distant person screaming in an unfamiliar language. From that which was located behind the restroom, which was a forest in which the only source of light was the full moon.

When I heard the woman's cry once more coming from the woods, I was preparing to take off running. As a result of my anxiety, nearly all of the hair on my body stood on edge.

To save that girl, I would never put myself in the role of a hero. My brain said. I was not like the heroes in the books that I read who meddled in the lives of the living and in the crimes that were committed by the criminals. I was not a heroic figure. I was just a regular member of the community.

I retraced my steps and went back to be with my family. Whatever it was that was going on in that forest, I'm not going to try to solve it because I don't want to risk getting wounded or causing my parents any trouble as a result of my interference.

"The girl who goes by Suarez. It's her turn now, "I heard it from behind a dense cluster of bushes that was a few meters away from where I was walking.

I retreated a little bit. It started on my forehead with a cold sweat. I became aware of the shadows approaching my location and moving closer to it.

"I had been seeking for her for some time, but it appeared that she had mysteriously vanished from the location. They can't do without her tonight ," said a man.

Instantly, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped all over me. After a few seconds of immobility, my body abruptly reacted by lurching left toward the bathroom's plants.

As I hid among the hydrangeas, I could feel my heart thumping so fast. Exactly why are they trying to find me? Is this why we made it beyond the first round of screening but not the second, despite my parents' refusal to participate?

"He just went here earlier. He wasn't in the women's bathroom!" the man's demeanor seemed disappointed.

"Find it, but we will be responsible to the boss!"

My heart was pounding as I listened to their chat. When will I figure this out? Do I make a mad dash to the event itself, where women might be kidnapped, and yell about it like a crazed person? And what if Leviste, Aragon, and Santi are the ones who actually initiated the arrest? Rushing will cause extra trouble for my loved ones.

"The only thing she's doing there is hiding. Watch out for it!" a powerful baritone that seemed like it was accompanied by two shadows searching for me. It was a matter of a few meters between where I was and where it was.

"Check out the flower beds!"

Every time I heard a man's suggestion, my body automatically moved to get away from there.

What has our family gotten into?

Carefully, I crawled a few meters away from those guys. Leaving the safety of the Arcane Circle of Baristo, I stepped out into a grove that I had assumed was already a part of the surrounding woodland.

The chilly breeze began to make the hairs on the back of my neck shiver, and then the hairs on my arms followed suit.

Something was moving around, or so it seemed. In response, I took a few paces back. As the wind thrashed at my loose hair, I stepped back. It seems like the dead leaves are swaying in time with me. Often

Stella, take deep, steady breaths. I said softly to myself inside my head. All the Tribe sees you as is a supporting player. You don't get to play the lead role. That's why nobody gives a damn about you. Relax.

I propped myself up against a towering tree. There was an effort on my part to relax. There is no longer any commotion. Not that I was aware of, anyhow. The voices have stopped harassing me.

This forces me to figure out how I'll get back to the actual venue. It turned out that both of my parents and Avi were still there. Perhaps those are the ones the evil guys are referring to when they lament that they were unable to capture me.

I went by once more, this time really taking in my environs. There will be no more shaking or shifting.

I drew a long, deep breath and got to my feet. While walking, I periodically looked behind to make sure I was still secure.

Until...

Something solid and hot was in my way. Person. Its distinctly male aroma confirmed my suspicion that a man stood before me.

The moonlight shone on the nude body and face of the unknown man in the woods. It towers over its prey and has strong jaws. His ripped physique was sweating, and his red lips were pursed in a pout as he stared intensely. And he is not happy about it.

As the man watched, I felt a painful stinging in my veins. I have no idea what's going on with my body. Earlier, I felt as though I were being slowly dissolved in acid.

Just what is wrong with these locals? How come they make my blood freeze or burn?

I'm not sure what he sensed or felt as we got closer, but judging by the grimace on his face, it was probably something unpleasant, like the burning of his blood.

I've lately run into him again. It seems like one of the men featured on the cover of Tribian.

Is he a member of the Trinity Clan?

But why is he naked in the middle of the forest?