Chapter 195 The Invisible Man

Chapter 195 The Invisible Man


Argy, after apologizing to Wiwi, joined them, fascinated.

"This is the first time I've ever seen him like this..." he murmured.

"Isn't he adorable?" Jeremy said, having just crossed the dance floor alone to join them.

The three players—including his twin brother—stared at him in unison, as though he were missing a few screws.

Jeremy smiled and grabbed Argy by the wrist.

"Let's leave them to talk. They have things to discuss. And so do you and I, nephew."

They joined Sebastian and Kiyan, who had been watching the scene for a while.

Blanche turned toward her weapons instructor after seeing them join the other two.

"I hope my car has been repaired," she said in a tone that left no room for argument.

Erik blinked slowly, like a lazy cat, then shook his head. Even he had no idea how they had gone from an evening at a gala to discussing a car repair.

"I gave the keys to the boss yesterday, along with the address of the garage."

"Great. Now let's talk about what you owe me. Nicky needs help. I'll send you his schedule. Log in while he's asleep and teach him how to fight."

He didn't protest. He owed her far more than that.

"I'd like to know how you found Nicky here... But I suppose you're not going to tell me."

"Correct."

"And who he is here, but I suppose I'm not going to find that out either?"

"You can't hide anything from me," she said with a smile.

For once, their roles were reversed.

"Anything else?"

"Can you keep an eye on Eva while I'm away?"

"I already do."

"Thanks. Oh, and good luck with my father when he finds out who killed me. He won't go easy on you."

As if summoned by her words, the demon prince was finally announced.

The doors to the ballroom opened with almost theatrical slowness.

Asmodeus entered and descended the steps without the slightest ceremony.

He was accompanied by Phoenix and several demons, whose mere presence was enough to alter the atmosphere of the room. Where the guests had previously moved through an elegant, sophisticated evening, the newcomers brought with them something older.

Wilder.

The demons did not resemble one another.

Some looked almost human, except for the supernatural glow in their red eyes or the ears, horns, or teeth that betrayed them at first glance. Others didn't even bother concealing their nature.

One of them had two large horns curling backward, perfectly symmetrical, framing his skull like a natural crown. Another had fine dark markings running across his skin like ink-filled veins, stretching from his neck to his jaw.

Farther away, a female demon with completely black eyes moved with feline grace, her fingers ending in carefully manicured claws. With every step, the jewelry she wore chimed softly.

Another demon, enormous in stature, towered almost a full head above everyone else. His dark skin seemed to absorb the light, while two small membranous wings rested against his back, carefully folded beneath his coat.

Yet they all had one thing in common.

That aura.

A sensation of heat, power, and danger that seemed to precede them wherever they went.

Even the liveliest conversations had dwindled into little more than whispers.

Phoenix moved among them with almost insolent confidence, perfectly at ease in the surroundings. His familiar presence immediately reassured Blanche.

She nevertheless had one grateful thought.

Thankfully, he had missed the incident with her ex-fiancé.

Because knowing Phoenix, it probably would have taken more than one person to hold him back.

They would have had to contain a natural disaster.

Asmodeus, meanwhile, had clearly noticed the attention his arrival was drawing.

He walked at the center of his entourage with the relaxed demeanor of a man perfectly aware of his status.

The Demon Prince had arrived.

And suddenly, the entire ballroom seemed far too small to contain his presence.

"Who's your father?" Erik asked.

Blanche smiled.

"Asmodeus."

His aura darkened instantly.

She smiled, satisfied.

"I should have known. Someone as much of a pain in the ass as you could only have come from Hell..."

Erik's eyes narrowed.

The change was almost imperceptible, but Blanche knew him well enough to notice. Every trace of amusement had vanished from his face. His attention had fixed on something behind her.

His hand slowly slipped toward the inside pocket of his jacket, touching his sword, caressing the hilt at the sight of an enemy.

Blanche followed his gaze and turned around.

At first, she saw nothing.

Then something moved.

Behind her father.

A shadow.

Not a real shadow cast by the ballroom's lights.

This one was moving.

Blanche held her breath.

The silhouette seemed to have taken advantage of the commotion caused by the demons' arrival to slip between the guests. It moved with calculated slowness, sliding from one opening to another without ever drawing anyone's attention.

No one was looking at it.

No one even seemed aware of its presence.

An invisibility spell.

But not a perfectly controlled one.

Blanche narrowed her eyes.

Every now and then, she could vaguely make out its outline, like a distortion in the air. Then, whenever the silhouette passed in front of a light source, something briefly appeared.

Black and white.

A strangely contrasting figure, almost unreal.

It made no sound.

Not the slightest rustle of fabric.

Not a single audible footstep.

Nothing.

And yet, it was moving.

Blanche's stomach tightened when she realized where it was heading.

Kiyan.

Argy.

Sebastian.

All three were standing in the same direction.

The silhouette was heading straight toward them.

Erik had realized it too.

His fingers tightened around the hilt of the sword in his pocket, ready to draw, his eyes never leaving the intruder.

Blanche didn't dare speak.

If she alerted the room, the stranger might realize they had spotted him.

So she remained perfectly still, watching the ghostly presence slowly approach the people she loved.

One step.

Then another.

Still invisible.

Still silent.

And for the first time since the beginning of the evening, Blanche felt genuine fear settle inside her.

"Do you feel that?" Erik whispered, realizing that she had sensed it too.

"I can see it."

"I can't. Guide me."

She took his arm and, at an unhurried pace, they made their way toward Kiyan.

The man who hadn't come had missed the party of the year.