Blades and Bullets

39. Love Story

Time seems to stand still and my jaw hits the floor. I ascend the small few steps towards the long full-length mirror to get a better look. The fabric flows down to the floor, it's as dark as the midnight sky but speckles of silver comb through the material like a dusting of metallic flakes. The darkness glides down my arms, splitting off at the elbows, the sleeves hang low on my arms and a small 'v' cut-out with a sheer black mesh holding the split together lies between my breasts. My thigh is left exposed by a deep split reaching up to my hip bone. My dagger was a black decorative glass blade with a silver handle and a small black onyx gemstone at the base, Mace thought it would be a cool idea to match our weapons to our outfits.

"This is it!" Val cheers, giving a short - but excited - applause.

"Oh. My. God." I can see Mace wearing a similar expression to me through the reflection.

"Damn, you know what? You seem like you might need someone to warm your bed," Ace winks. I turn around, the trail following behind. I throw a quick middle finger to Ace.

"You have to get this one! Actually- maybe not, wouldn't want you to outshine me," Val flicks her hair sarcastically. "No but for real, if you are gonna get it - which you totally should - then you have to help me find a dress at least half as beautiful as that."

I laugh, loudly, maybe a bit too loud considering the entire shop is now staring at me like i'm crazy. "I'm definitely getting the dress."

*******

After almost six hours at the shopping centre and driving to different boutiques, we had finally found the perfect dress for everyone - well, maybe not a dress - Mace decided on wearing a tux and Ace decided on wearing dress shirt and pants.

Valkyrie decided to stick with matching, originally she wanted to go all out. She wanted the same dress with different neckline and colour, let's just say we decided against that. Instead as a compromise we decided she would stick to the sort of 'night sky' theme I had going on. Instead of black, her dress was a thin cream colour. Instead of silver, her dress had flecks of gold. The dress crossed over at the neck, connecting to the sleeves at the arm then flaring out, thinner and with more volume before synching at the wrist. Her dress had not one - but two slits, they fell at opposite thighs and reached slightly higher up the hips then mine, she hadn't been too upset when I had pointed out there was nowhere to hide a weapon and simply stated, "Who said I wanted to hide it? Fear is the greatest weapon one can wield."

Ace had decided on a deep red satin dress shirt that tucked into a pair of black dress pants, held up with a black belt. The fabric loosened at the base, threatening to spill out of the pants and the top three buttons were chosen to be kept undone. Although we had advised him against it, Ace decided he "didn't want to ruin his outfit," by carrying a weapon and simply said, "You all have one, and besides I'm dangerous enough without one."

The twins though it was unfair that only Val and I matched so they decided to match as well, apparently it would make a badass entrance if Val and I walked in with Knox in between us and then they followed close behind with Kaitlyn on Mace's arm, also in red. Although apparently Kaitlyn had preferred to wear a dress - Mace didn't mind.

Mace had chosen a rose-red suit jacket and a matching pair of dress pants, to cover up her chest she settled on wearing a red lacy body suit - we found it at the lingerie store - although Mace says it's easier then changing into something later. That was not information I needed to know. Mace had also decided the outfit was 'too bland', which I thought was funny considering she was already wearing a suit, but she thought a chunky red belt added just the right amount of spice.  Mace had also decided on borrowing one of my daggers after I had insisted that I had the perfect one and didn't mind lending it to her at all, it had a silver blade with a black and red handle.

*****

I nervously tap my hand over my sheath hidden under my dress while I lean against the wall of the dormitory block. If someone had asked me why I was nervous, I would simply say that it's because I have a target on my back. But if I was being honest to myself, it was about the person in the drivers seat of the Tesla pulling up.  The one that is currently dressed in a black dress shirt and matching pants.

"Come on, let's go!" Val practically drags me over to the car. Knox steps out and meets me in front of the car door.

"Wow." He looks me up and down and his eyes sparkle with something I can't describe, fascination? amazement? I just can't seem to find the right word for the way his pupils darken and his eyes widen. I didn't know what to say, as I take in his appearance, his slicked back hair, the strong outline of his biceps through the very tight shirt - I think this is my new favourite shirt.

I quickly close my mouth when I feel Ace jab his elbow into my side and realise we had been standing there staring at each other for well over a minute.

"Thank you, you look very good too," I smile.

"I didn't say that," he smirks.

"Didn't say what?" I tilt my head, what is he on about?

"You said 'you look very good too' I never said you looked good, I said 'wow'," I go to punch him in the gut but he grabs my fist and hooks his other arm around my waist pulling me into him. His stubble grazes my neck as he leans in and whispers in my ear, "You look absolutely stunning and I so clearly don't deserve to be yours trouble. Don't worry, you'll pay for making me look inferior beside you tonight," he steps back and winks as he opens the passenger car door and gestures for me too get inside.

Most people had opted for hiring a limo for the party but we had chosen to arrive in style, something less basic. Mace had picked up Kaitlyn from her room earlier on and brought her down to wait for Knox to bring the car from the car park.

I reach under the dashboard and pull out six matching black lace masks that the girls and I picked out while we were shopping, and threw four of them to the back, "Here ya go peasants!"

I pull down the mirror above my head and adjust the mask to my liking. His eyes are the first thing I feel, before his hand snakes over to my knee and slowly rises up my thigh. I turn to look at him, but he just focuses on the road ahead. I lean over the divider and put his mask onto his face. As I go to sit back down in my seat he grabs my chin and pulls me to his cheek, I give him a kiss and his stumble tickles my lips.

I tighten my seatbelt as I wiggle comfortably into my seat and thread my fingers through his hand resting them upon my thigh. I notice a smudge of deep red lipstick on his face and chuckle, he turns to me with his brow raised. I shake my head and pull a tissue out of my bag and wipe it off his cheek, he kisses my hand as I pull away. I slap him lightly in retaliation.

"Can you cut the sappy shit! I'm already stuck next to the sad single and the lesbian couple, I don't need to see some cute romance movie type of crap getting us into a car crash because 'Mr TallDarkAndHandsome' can't focus on the road!" Ace whines from the back.

"Hey! Who are you calling sad? I prefer being single. Besides, if anyones a sad single here it's you!" Val responds.

I laugh and turn on the radio, that always manages to stop them from arguing. I swear they act more like siblings then the twins do. The song 'You belong with me' by Taylor Swift starts playing and they immediately turn to the radio then turn back to each other, a grin on their faces as they suddenly sing from the top of their lungs.

"CAUSE SHE WEARS SHORT SKIRTS!" Ace starts.

"I WEAR T-SHIRTS!" Val finishes.

"SHES CHEER CAPTAIN AND IM ON THE BLEACHERS!" Ace holds his hand to his mouth pretending to hold a microphone.

"DREAMIN' 'BOUT THE DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND FIND," Val belches.

"THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HAS BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME!" They finish together a laughing mess as Mace and Kaitlyn hum the rhythm quietly to each other and I try to calm my laughing. I even manage to spot a small smile on Romave's lips.

The singing continues as we pull up to the ballroom, time for our dazzling entrance.