Chapter 54: 54__Daggers of death

They were the center of attention. Well, the center of men's admiraton and women's scorn. Cassie led them as they strolled through the packed ballroom, hearing whispers and murmurings come and go in waves.

Maia was barely aware of it, her mind too preoccupied. She’d been really excited for her first ball, but right now, nothing seemed to distract her from the fact that Rogan had gone to fight three scary Vampires. On his own.

Cecile glanced around, zeroing her sharp, black eyes in on an openly gaping guest as she took another glass of champagne off a passing tray. “Will they stare at us this way all night?”

The man staring at her blinked, seeming to suddenly notice her returned stare. Quickly, he gave a small bow, returning his gaze to hers from across the dancefloor.

“They’re obsessed with us,” drawled Claudia with a rich chuckle.

“Good evening, my lady,” said a deep voice.

The girls turned to see a tall, dark-haired man bow, offering Claudia what appeared to be a pathetic bouquet of pansies. “I've been watching you and never have my eyes beheld one as beautiful as you are,” he professed, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Cassie scoffed in disgust when Claudia took the flowers with an amused snort.

“Jonathan!” came a low hiss.

A short and plump elderly woman suddenly appeared behind the man, yanking him by his jacket.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

The large man looked down at the woman with his mouth set in a firm line. “Mother, you brought me here to find a wife and that is what I’m doing! This is love at first sight, so don’t interfere!”

The little woman almost died of shock. “Over my dead body!” Looking at Claudia with bitter repulsion, she leaned into her son, tugging him down by his ear so she could whisper. “Lady Casanthia just informed me of this woman’s… *profession*!”

Jonathan brightened, looking at Claudia. “You have a profession? Lovely! What do you do?”

“She’s a hooker!” hissed his mother. “Her and her friends!”

There were audible gasps around them.

Cassie looked around, noting the glances being thrown their way and felt her temper rise.

“They run a brothel,” continued the woman, looking up at Claudia with a shake of her head. “I’ll be damned if you marry someone like this, you fool!”

The man called Jonathan looked at Claudia, his eyes drooping with sadness. “Is this true, my fair damsel? If you say it isn’t, I shall believe you over everyone else!”

Claudia looked bored as she nodded with pursed lips. “I’m afraid it is, dearest Jonny. Haven’t you heard? I’ve been professionally rocking the boat since the King’s late grandfather.”

Both the man and his mother gasped so loud, they got more heads turning to look.

With an annoyed sigh, Cassie grabbed the flowers out of Claudia’s hands and smacked them onto the man’s chest, leaving him fumbling to catch them.

“Look, I suggest you and you and mother scram,” she muttered, zero amusement on her face. Jonathan and his mother looked uncertainly at each other. Cassie frowned. “Now!”

Cecile grabbed her arm. “Okay now, calm down. Let’s just leave, this isn’t worth it.”

Cleo nodded. “Yeah, let’s go. Come on, Maia.”

Cecile turned to Maia. She frowned. “Guys. Where’s Maia?”

******************

If she got caught in this creepy hallway, that would be it, wouldn't it? She’d be dead. *Finished*!

Maia wobbled along the hallway, her fears and panic waging war with the bit of bravery she tried to show.

She had to get to Rogan. He’d be outnumbered if he fought the Vampires and heaven knew what would happen then. These weren’t weak little ghosts or coward shifters, they were Vampires!

Her hand held the wall as she hobbled along, her feet aching from walking in the tight, high shoes.

With a grunt, Maia bent over and battled the tiny buckles of her shoes open before flicking them off her feet one at a time. Gathering them in her hands, she hurried along, the floor cold beneath her bare feet and her long skirt trailing behind her as she ran.

Suddenly, she saw the end of this hallway at a pair of double doors. Biting her lip, she changed directions and headed into an even darker hallway. Those Vampires could probably see very well in the dark. If they caught her here, what would she do? She didn’t even have any weapons.

And neither did Rogan. He couldn’t fight three vamps alone! Had he been too proud to ask for her help when he’d gone after them? Or Aiden! He could have asked Aiden!

Her anxiety growing, Maia ran on until she came to the end of that hallway too, the dark dead end staring at her like an inevitable death.

Maia tensed. Even that comparison frightened her.

“You!” came a sudden muffled shout. The familiarity of the voice struck her and Maia leaned forward. The sound had come from behind the wall that ended the hallway. “Yes, you,” the voice came again. “With the red eyes. I’ll fry you first. Make you nice and crispy.”

Maia blinked and rushed up to the wall, placing her hands on it. Rogan??

“We’re not here to fight with you, Rogan,” came someone else’s voice “Let’s not do this.”

Maia assumed it was one of the Vampires. What was this? They didn’t want to fight Rogan? That was great!

“Let’s,” said Rogan. “Please. I’ve been dying to do this for over a decade.”

Maia slapped her forehead. Why did he keep trying to get into a fight?! The Vampires literally wanted to let it go, but Rogan wanted to fight. He was the most problematic Sorcerer she’d ever seen.

“Viktor ordered us specifically to not get in your way—”

“I don’t give a neat fuck what Viktor said,” said Rogan sharply. “Why don’t you tell him to get *his* ass here and let’s have fun? For *real* this time. Huh? So I can kick his ass back to England. Or better yet, into the afterlife so he can see our piece of shit father.”

Maia bit her lip. ‘*Our*’ piece of shit father? Was he talking about his half-brother?

She frowned. Why did the Vampires chasing her know Rogan’s half-brother?

“For the past several weeks,” Rogan said then, his tone somehow darker, no trace of amusement left. “You people have been driving me insane.”

Seth frowned. “We haven’t even seen you in the past several weeks.”

Rogan looked down at the purple magic in his palm, making it stronger. “Of course not. With your little ghosts and shifters around, you wouldn’t need to. Sending them into my house. Destroying the Hostel. Is this Viktor’s little revenge plan?”

Vlad huffed out a frustrated breath. “That’s why we’re—”

“Once I’ve *claimed* something,” Rogan growled, silencing them all. He stared at them, his eyes burning green with rage. “It’s *mine*. And yet, you little boys… have come to my doorstep… to take. What’s. *Mine*!”

He raised his hand and the brothers flinched, Seth jerking Clover behind him. She was shaking with fear. It was now obvious to him that she hadn’t known things would turn out this way.

Maia listened to the commotion with a frown. What was it that was his that they were trying to take away? When she couldn’t hear anything, she pressed her ear harder against the cold wall, straining to hear even the slightest whisper.

Suddenly, her sturdy wall gave out and Maia screamed, falling without the smallest chance to save herself.

The earth rushed up at her and she hit it with a hard thump. Maia groaned in pain, cracking her eyes open. What happened?

Five pairs of eyes stared at her.

Maia blinked back at them and then blinked at the garden, the sky and grass. Outside?

She glanced at the open square hole behind her. Her wall had been a stone door?!

“That’s her,” came a low whisper.

Maia’s gaze went to the Vampires as they stared at her.

The one with the glowing green eyes nodded. “That’s the human.”

Rogan’s jaw clenched and he stalked forward, flicking out the power in his hand. “You’re getting on my fucking nerves, Vlad.”

A dark energy cut through the air, slicing past them until it slammed into Vlad. Clover shrieked and dropped to the ground for cover.

Maia stared with her mouth open as the dark magic that hit Vlad materialized into a dagger, its sharp end buried deep in the Vampire’s chest.

“Vlad!” Syre screamed, grabbing his brother as Vlad’s knees gave out and he went falling to the ground.

Seth stared at Vlad, alarmed at the dark fluid flowing from his brother’s chest. His gaze whipped back to Rogan as he stalked towards them. “Rogan, don’t do this. Just listen to us! We’re not here to hurt her, we’re here to save her!”

Rogan’s eyes swirled darker, his power heightening as he formed two more magical daggers in the palms of his hands. “You’re here to save her?” he muttered menacingly. “Save yourselves first, you bastards.”