“Very good. It smells heavenly,”
“Well, here we are in the ball room. I think you both know this gentleman.”
“Cain, how nice. How do you like it?”
“It’s more beautiful than anything I have ever seen!”
“I agree,” Damien marveled as he tried to take it all in.
“Allwain, Tao and Amparah out did themselves. I saw it earlier, but seeing it now with all of the flowers, music and ambient lighting, it was simply breath taking.”
Just then eight stunningly beautiful women started to glide down the stairways, four on each side. Luna and Ling were in red silk, form fitting gowns slit up to the thigh on both sides. The dresses featured gold embroidered dragons on both the front and the back. The others were gowned in various shades of red like we had discussed. All showing just the right amount of skin.
“This must be the most beautiful group of women in the entire world,” Cain said with an exaggerated sigh.
“You all look so beautiful, just perfect. Weapons ready?”
“Of course,” Kate said, “All we have to do is ask for them.”
“I think we’re ready. Marcella you can tell Gruen to open the doors, Suzette’s house of Pleasure is officially open!” I said.
“We’ll be in the balconies until everyone arrives,” Letta said.
“I’ll introduce each of you and then you can mingle and dance, hopefully we will find out at least some of what we need to know.”
They headed upstairs and we awaited the first guest to arrive. It wasn’t long before some familiar faces appeared.
“I know it’s customary for one to be fashionably late to these affairs. I’m afraid that none of us had the patience to do so. I hope you will forgive us. I am Eric. This is my cousin Kale and our friends Gerhardt, Nathaniel and Kellen.”
Kellen was dressed as a man, which surprised me. She however looked very dashing and we were glad she was here.
“Welcome, I see you all received some champagne. Let’s have a toast shall we?”
“To success, tonight and always. To new friends and old, I wish you every happiness.”
“Here, here.”
More surprises continued with every arrival. Many of our invited guests brought their wives and girlfriends. The curiosity must have outweighed any of their disgust of what we offered here.
All were graciously welcomed and each had nothing but praise for their surroundings.
The Arnaunt brothers all came separately.
“Good to see you again Suzette. You are even more beautiful than ever before.”
“Thank you, Rafael.”
“This room is simply amazing. If your services are anything like the surroundings, we will both be very rich before long.”
“How nice it is for you to say so. Thank you again. I assure you our services are everything that you wish them to be and much, much more.”
“Good evening, Suzette.”
“Nevidius, thank you for coming.”
“It is the biggest event in Paris this year. There is nowhere that I or anyone else would rather be. Security is very tight. Your body guard said that many have already been turned away.”
“It is a private affair. I have invited everyone that needs to be here,” I said looking at him longingly.
With a curt bow and a kiss to the back of my hand, he and Rafael moved past.
Damien moved back to my side. “You have him in the palm of your hand already. You should see how much he covets you.”
“That’s the idea,” I said smiling and nodding before walking away.
An hour passed with still no sign of Adolph Meil or Auguste Arnaunt. I was beginning to think they weren’t going to show.
Then I noticed a very distinguished gentleman approaching. His scent was familiar somehow and then I matched it.
“Arthur Pen Dragon at your service,” he said with a mischievous smile.
“Suzette DeMarques at yours,” I countered.
He kissed my hand, but never dropped his gaze. “You look very fetching my dear. I look forward to many visits to your fine establishment.”
“I look forward to that as well. Are you traveling with anyone else?”
“Yes, yes I am. They’re around here somewhere. I’m going to mingle, I will see you later. Congratulations, Suzette. I wish you every success.”
“Thank you, Arthur.”
I felt very good now that I knew the Arthur was here and the knights were close by. I had another glass of champagne and mingled amongst my guests. Everyone was in a very festive mood and seemed to be having a wonderful time.
I sensed Auguste was here, but I hadn’t seen him. I looked around and saw him walking toward me, a determined look in his eyes. His mask was a simple one, small, and plain black, covering just his eyes and nose.
I walked forward to meet him, “I almost lost hope that you would join us, I’m so glad that you did.”
“What have you done to me?” he said.
I froze, not knowing what to say next. “I…don’t know what you mean, Auguste.”
“You have charmed me Madam. Hardly a moment goes by that I don’t think of you,” he said taking my hand and smiling.
I relaxed slightly, “The same thing could be said of you. You also fill my thoughts and my dreams.”
He seemed very flattered by this statement. The image implant seemed to be working on him, now if it was also working on Meil my plan just might work.
“Please, have another glass of champagne,” I offered as Marcella came by with a tray.
He took a glass while continuing to look at me.
“Does this mean that you may stay in Paris for a while?”
“It may. Especially if I thought it’s what you wanted.”
“Yes, I’d like that very much.”
“Our last guest has arrived if you wish to greet him,” Marcella said motioning to the gentleman standing at the room entrance.
“Of course. Excuse me, Auguste.”
It was Adolph Meil. He was slowly removing his gloves while taking in the ambiance of the room. His mask of teal and black was that of a privateer, with matching hat with a large black feather gracing the brim. His light brown eyes were full of lust as they moved up and down my body as I approached him.
“Suzette, you look stunning. And this room, truly amazing.”
“I am so glad you could join us,”
“I’m sorry to be so late, business I’m afraid. But now I am all yours.”
I leaned up and whispered in his ear, “I hope you mean that.”
I felt power surge within him along with a slight shiver.
“You must excuse me now. I want to introduce the girls.” I tapped my glass with my ring. The tone carried though the room, silencing the conversations there making everyone turn in my direction. “I would now like to introduce you to the most beautiful and talented women in all of Europe. Ladies, if you please.”
All eight paraded out and I heard many a gasp. Their beauty was unmatched.
“They come to you from every part of the world. From the mountains of Tibet, the jungles of Africa, from the palaces of Indian and the great plains of the new world, from the best houses in all of Europe,” I said with all the theatrics of a circus ring master. “On my left, I now present to you, Luna, Ling, Ava and Sasha. On my right, I present to you, Amparah, Lorelei, Regina and Charmaine.”
Damien and Cain started to clap and then everyone joined in as each of the eight magnificent creatures in their chosen persona gracefully descended the stairways.
We formed a line to greet everyone individually. Meil was first in line and I personally introduced each of the girls to him.
“Adolph, may I introduce you to sisters, Luna and Ling. They come to us from the far reaches of Asia, Ava and Sasha, from royal houses of England and Bavaria, Amparah, an Indian princess from the great plains of America, and Regina, a princess from the enchanting palaces of India. The beautiful Lorelei comes to us from Rome’s royal court and this is our exotic African goddess, Charmaine.”
Each of the girls slowly curtsied and Meil gave each a nod of approval. “You were right Suzette they are the most beautiful, intoxicating women I have ever set eyes on. And this with masks covering most of their faces,” he marveled.
“You will have no competition in Paris,” Auguste said as he joined us.
I noticed a sneer forming on Meil’s lips, “Yes, and I see no need for you to have a partnership with anyone else.”
“I think that’s for Suzette to decide,” Auguste sniped. “Are you suggesting that Suzette would be better off casting her lot with a…”
“Gentlemen, please.” I motioned to Marcella. “Have some champagne and mingle, while I see to my guests.”
I smiled to myself as I walked away. I could feel the hatred between them. Concentrating on each other meant that they were letting their guard down to me. And all those that were in this with me.
“Dance with me, Suzette,” Nevidius said.
“I’d love to. Are you having a good time?”
“I am now,” he said as he guided me in a waltz. “What is this really all about, Suzette? What do you really want?”
I could see that everyone was watching us. I smiled and soon others joined us on the dance floor.
“I’m a survivor, Nevidius. That is all I’m trying to do.”
“I can help you. I can make sure that you are safe,” he whispered.
“Safe from what?” I said stopping for a moment and looking up at him.
He pulled me close, his eyes darting around the room before engaging me once again. We started to waltz and, continued until the music ended.
Just as Nevidius started to guide me away, Auguste came up beside us.
“You seem to be monopolizing Suzette’s attentions, brother.”
“Nonsense, Auguste. We are just enjoying each other’s company. Isn’t that right Suzette?”
“We were having such an interesting conversation,” I said, as we continued walking towards a quiet corner seating area.
“Is that so? Perhaps you would enlighten me Nevidius, on what intrigues Suzette so much.”
“Nothing that would interest you, brother,” he said, a hint of anger now in his voice.
As we sat, they continued to grouse at each other. I used the opportunity to search their power and see if there was anything new I could learn. What I found was quite shocking.
Auguste didn’t have demonic power at all. He had Jinn power! What did all of this mean?
My mind was racing through all the scenarios and only one person could help.
“Suzette it is almost midnight. You must join in the countdown to reveal everyone’s true identity,” Marcella said excitedly.
“Of course, you will have to excuse me again gentlemen.”
“I need Cathos,” I whispered to Marcella as we walked away.
“Midnight approaches. Please count down with me and then remove your masks. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…”