Shadows and Cards (a Batboys x OC)

Chapter 22

   Damian

After making his way through all of the fawning adults and petty girls who seemed to have no other job than winning his attention, he saw that Grayson was hastily making his way to the north side of the room. He left his position in between a pair of blue-eyed twins who were not so discreetly haggling over him and began weaving his way through the ballroom. Within a few moments, he bumped into Jason who had already found the drinks and was holding a glass of champagne and talking to a young woman who was gigging profusely.

"Alright lover-boy time to go," Damian said as he pulled him away from the girl.

Jason looked at him, clearly pissed and a bit drunk." Hey! What's the deal!"

Damian just continued on to the north side of the room, passing Tim as well who left his conversation and followed at a distance. When he made it to one of the tables he let go of Jason who straightened his jacket and swiped another drink from a passing waiter and took one swig before Damian snatched it and placed it on another waiter's tray in one sweep. Tim had found the snack table and was discreetly stuffing his face with an eclair while Grayson was glancing around the room.

"There has been a change of plans." Grayson said, "There are people here who know where Athena is, and how to get to her."

Damian stiffened and asked, "Was it Kayia?"

Grayson shook his head, "From what you told me no. This girl was older and from what I saw, not a hybrid. But if she has any information then we need to talk to her."

Jason seemed to regain his senses and said, "Where is she now?"

"In the north room. But I wanted to tell you to be prepared to fight, we don't know if she wants to help us or not."

"Who do you take us for? We are prepared." Damian said stiffly.

His mind was rambling and the lights from the chandeliers seemed too bright now. Someone knew where Athena is, and they are in the building. Even more so, they could be related to Kayia, who Athena was so determined to find. But she abandoned Athena. A voice in the back of his head whispered. She left her to the Night Kingdom to cope with her powers on her own and broke her heart. Damian shook his head to try and clear his thoughts but could still feel the voice throbbing in the back of his skull. She left her. She left her. She left her.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Damian said and he strode to the large oak doors and pushed them open with the others in tow.

The north room looked to be more of a courtyard than a room. There were glass windows covering the whole room that had a projection of a forest on them. The ceiling looked as if it were the night sky, and there was a waterfall in the corner that branched out into streams that wove through various lush-looking bushes and small trees.

"Why does Avinome need this?" Tim said a bit clipped.

"Yeah, this is just a waste of money. No one is going to use this." Jason added.

Grayson took a step forward. "That's not the point. The girl said to meet here. You three stay watch around the perimeter, I'll talk to her."

Damian suddenly felt a bit panicked. "No, I'll talk to her. I know more about Athena than any of you do, plus I have more info on the lupine hybrids. If she's like Kayia, then I'll know. Let me handle this."

Grayson looked at him and seemed to sigh inwardly. He swept his hand toward the middle of the room, and Damian strode to the pavilion centered around the greenery. Standing there was a woman that was probably no older than Jason, she looked like she was talking to someone as her back was faced to him. He could make out a silhouette of a person that was significantly shorter and when he purposely stepped on a dry leaf to get their attention he could have sworn that he saw a tail twitch from behind her.