The City of Light and Secrets

~ Chapter 9 ~

I walked into my bedroom and found Celeste splayed on my bed, my whole wardrobe on my once clean floor, she sat up, “you have nothing good to wear” she sighed dramatically and flopped back down on my bed. I laughed, “well luckily I went to the shops and sorted myself out ” she opened her mouth in shock sliding down the edge, “Everleigh, the most un-shoppable women in the world, went out for an outfit?”

“And tried it on” I said walking to my cupboard, pulling out a silver dress she had her eyes on. I turned back to see her gaping up at the ceiling. I laughed as I asked, “Why are you here so early?”  

Walking back out to hand her the dress, she so honourably took in a second. “We have to leave early because of this curfew so I thought why not come over and get ready here to save time?” She muttered while putting the dress on. I examined her face, “You already have your makeup, what else do you need?” I scoffed. 

Pointing with her left hand that is jewelled up with silver chains all the way to her elbows at me, her smile wicked as she sighed, “You to get dressed and be out the door in fifteen” 

That was not enough time for me to put on my outfit, let alone my makeup. But before I could say anything she picked up some concealer and started to dab my forehead, “We need to keep this away from the public for now” I didn’t disagree with her but what harm can it do if people knew now to in another three weeks? People would eventually find out when I walked up to Queen Rosette in the city centre to claim my seat on the chosen train. I guess it was to make me feel normal for one more night. The moment everyone saw me with the chosen brand, id be forever walking around with a target on my back, wondering who might kill me and where. Maybe ill make a deal with my murderer to make it quick and painless in a pretty garden. Id obviously have to know when it would happen so I could look my best. Im not dying without looking flawless on the way. Would not be worth it. 

I sat down on my stool in front of my makeup unit, by the sharp commands of Celeste, so she could finish doing my makeup. I realised though, I have actually come to terms with the fact that im going to die. All my friends and family will be left behind and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Celeste lifted my chin to meet her black smokey eyelids and silver lip-gloss face, “You live your life the way you want to Evie. Just don’t give up on yourself so easily.” She kissed my forehead lightly, coming back up to smooth the top of my hair that had been straightened with small curls at the end. Her words settled into me, making my heart twist. Was I just settling? I hadn’t really noticed how quick I was to let go of my life like that. I was a fighter, I was determined, so why am I letting myself think otherwise? I mean being against Fae with powers was a major key to that but, I had the experience of healing or protecting chantments that I would practice with the witches when I visited. It wasn’t much but I had a small advantage. “Its not that easy Celi. Sure I could weave my way through to a point but its not just me, its Kace as well in the trials. What if, if-” I couldn’t say the next words, but Celeste finished it for me, “It came down to you or him. Who would it be and who would have to do it.” I nodded to her insanely correct words. I grunted in frustration, grabbing a tissue to pat under my eyes so my mascara wouldn’t start to run, “Im sorry” I whispered to no one in particular. Celeste stood behind me, grabbing my shoulders, “You have been chosen for a reason. Try and think about what that could be” I looked at her through the mirror, although she’s smiling, I could see the tears in her eyes as well. “Theres no time to Die my friend” she patted my shoulders and walked into the bathroom. I took a deep breathe in, I only had time to live and I won’t let anyone take that away from me. 

I looked at my reflection and grinned at the black eyeliner she made into a cat eye, with my eye lids smokey on the outside leading its way to the brightest gold, gliding through the centre. I look like a huntress on a prowl for prey. Which I guess thats what I am tonight, living a night to remember and letting lose. “Get dressed we gotta go!” Celeste called out from the bathroom. I jumped up from the stool and grabbed my dollar dress. I put on shimmering gold open toe heels to match my eyes, they are honestly the highest pair I have and I’m not even sure how long I will last in them. 

I looked at the clock and its exactly 6:45pm, Dawns was only fifteen minutes from us so we should get there just in time before the doors opened. “DAMN GIRL” Celeste squealed, I strutted towards her with a small spin and curtsy. 

We laughed as we headed down the stairs to our poor taxi driver that had been waiting for us the whole time. I grabbed my small dark yellow bag from the coat hook near the door. My brothers were no where to be seen, which was perfect for me while wearing this outfit. My mum however was in the lounge room drinking tea and gave me a quick lecture to be home by ten thirty or else she would make her way in the club and drag me out herself. She also tried to give me a handful of protection, that I don’t even know why she had so many of ready to give away like candy. I obviously took one just in case. You just never know who you might meet and I was certainly prepared for a treat tonight. Celeste leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Id be taking two, have to make sure you get those cobwebs cleaned properly” I nudged her side and strutted to the taxi ready for a night to remember. 

~~~

Dawns was packed, the line was that long you would have to walk twenty minutes to get to the back of the line. I was about to call it quits but noticed a familiar face at the front door. “Are you just going to stand here or are you going to see if Mr Hunky over there can get us in ahead of the line?” Celeste buzzed in my ear. I shooed her away and prowled towards the Fae Battle-Guard I met at my house a few months back. I told Celeste about him a day later and she didn’t talk to me for a week because I didn’t jump his bones. I have a feeling she would be persuading me to make up for the last time and I now wish I had put two protections in my bag, or even the whole handful. I hoped he remembered me, otherwise this would be a little bit embarrassing. 

He stood at the door in his same armour he wore the last time I met him, strange that he was here in a night club, it was unlikely the Queen was here, I mean, she doesn’t even walk onto her balcony so why be at a nightclub, let alone nightclub Dawns the most s****l club out there. I didn’t even make it half way before catching the site of his freaking sword in his pants that was about to poke my eye out if I moved any closer. Honestly, is he ordering smaller pants or shrinking them in the dryer? Its an absolute crime to tease a woman like that. His arms now crossed against his chest, while talking to a group of Fae women trying to get in earlier then the rest of us, he shook his head and pointed them to the back of the line. He ran his hand through his black hair, his arm muscles bulging from the movement, every inch of them making itself visible. He turned his face slightly to make sure the group of Fae women were making there way to the end of the line. His face was just perfect, even from the side, the jaw looking sharper than last time. 

A ripple of hot sensation played in between my thighs, gods, even just looking at him innocently it was turning me on. I couldn’t help it, he was just so damn sexy. I almost stopped in my tracks when he turned in my direction, his eyes searching for something. Frick, could he smell my arousal? A moment later our eyes met and I waved slightly, with a small grin playing at my lips. His hardened face became soft, his muscles relaxing as he smiled back at me and lifted his big hand, wiggling his fingers in response to my wave. 

He was looking me up and down when I finally reached him, I was still grinning as I twirled in front of him, “I think orange looks good on me, don’t you think?” I traced my hands along the silky dress, resting my hand softly mid thigh to where the end of the dress lingered, his gaze following all the way to the entrance, I so wanted him to get under. He licked his luscious lips and nodded, “You’d look better with white” he teased, I knew exactly what this dirty Fae meant and Id be happy to oblige. My skin became hotter as I leaned forward speaking as low and seductively as I could, “wearing it or tasting it?” He bit his grinning lip, trying hard to hold back that deep growl I could hear in his throat, he moved to my ear and breathed “Both,” he pulled back to meet me eye to eye, one of his fingers tracing my skin, up my thigh and stopping at the edge of my dress. I was about to explode, everything was throbbing, wanting to be touched. I would let him do it right here right now. “Well, I should be getting back to end of the line. Just wanted to say hi on this rare occasion meeting you again” I started to walk away but he grabbed my waist stopping me from moving, “Now why would I let you wait in line for an hour?” I laughed, “I cant push in silly, plus im with a friend” I pointed to where Celeste was standing on the sidewalk, wide eyed watching the whole thing. “I think theres room for two of you” he smiled at Celeste, easing his hold on my waist. “Are you sure? I mean im happy to wait?” He chuckled, “get your fine ass in here” pulling back the rope for me to step inside, I waved over to Celeste to join me. She strutted her way down to me and thanked the Battle-Guard as we both step inside the club. “Hope I see you soon” I called back to him, he just winked in response and went back to a hard exterior as the Fae at the front of the line complained about us skipping the line. 

“What is his name?” Celeste questioned. I realised I had no f*****g clue what his name was and I was basically already downing his seed. I pulled a face to say I didn’t know and Celeste laughed so hard her choker almost broke off her neck, “You basically had s*x right there on the sidewalk and you don’t know his name?” She shook her head and continued laughing. I felt so bad, but to be fair that wasn’t exactly the first thing on my mind. Celeste grabbed my hand as we walked down the dim lit thin hallway making our way to the loud thumping of music at the end, “Get ready for a time of your life” she yelled over the music as we entered a large dark room with dim pale pink lights.