The Bringer of Death (City Underdark #2)

The Evening

There he was, standing in front of the room in which he knew the party to take place. One last time, he adjusted his shirt, checked that it was all in place; the little knots that Yoven had done were holding well.

He opened the tall door and came into a hall.

It was a nice looking hall, not too tall, broken up by columns and arches in regular intervals. It was lit by the same blue-ish torches that lit the rest of the underground, only those gave a more natural light. There were a few others that were lit with fire, and the mix between the two rested the eyes. The place had galleries on the side, that were separated with walls and arches that were a little lower than the rest. From the door that Barmond had used to enter to a platform at the far end of the room was a wider, open space, that would have allowed two men on horseback to walk the length of that room, not that many knights would be allowed down here, under Gardel, among the monsters.

There were couches and sofas spread about, arranged so that people might gather by groups around low tables. They spoke pleasantly, the party having started already; in a corner was a flute player and some that listened to them. It seemed all very spontaneous and candid.

Save for the couple fucking over a table.

Barmond's eyes landed on them by accident. And, to their credit, they were not making a show of it, not for anyone that was outside of their own circle of seating by screaming. He could not tear his eyes off them, not fast enough, at least, to realise that what he was looking at were two humans - or some creature that looked like humans - surrounded by succubus. They seemed delighted. In fact, everyone seemed delighted to be there.

Barmond looked away quickly and darted in the opposite direction, towards the blissful shadow of a gallery, to observe the rest of the people without running the risk of being observed in return.

He did not know that he was already being watched, that he had been spotted. A petite lady, her hair black as ravens, got up from her seat and followed him, but because he was no longer looking in her direction he did not spot her.

Barmond spotted Ranphoros - it should have been the first thing he saw, but his eye had been caught by other things - sitting at the far end of the room, in front of the door. There was a sort of sofa on the top of a few steps, the sort of furniture one could lay on at their leisure and even invite a partner, but not sleep. It seemed to have been given some matter of privacy with a few curtains. For now, the incubus lord was alone, entirely clad, seemingly surveying the party with a poker face. When his eyes met the ones of Barmond, Barmond gave him a respectful bow of the head and Ranphoros deign to nod back at him.

Maggie, black hair curly hair, suggestive dress, and twinkle in the eye, appeared seemingly out of thin air next to Barmond, startling him.

"Hello," she purred.

"Oh-- Good evening, Lady Maggel."

"Maggie."

"Ah-- my bad."

"Welcome to the party," she said, fluttering her little demon wings at the base of her spine. "I hope that you have fun here. Don't forget to have fun!"

"I... will try my best."

"Hugo says that your smile is special but that you don't share it with many people. Do you have your fangs out at all time?"

"I-- No, no, my fangs look like normal teeth, otherwise I wouldn't be capable of passing as a human."

"Can I see?"

Ranphoros, that was still watching, had yet to strike him with lighting from across the room, so Barmond guessed that it was fine if they were just standing around and talking. He had yet to spot Rosa but he was sure that, wherever she might be, she was already glaring at him. But he opened his mouth for Maggie anyway, showing her his teeth for a moment.