Jack, Sebastian and I stayed outside playing catch-the stray for hours. One of us had to play the "stray", and the other two of us had to catch the "stray" with our Catalyst. "You play rough. I like that." Jack snaked around Sebastian and smirked at me referring to when I grabbed him with my claw and slammed him to the ground.
I pushed his shoulder playfully and we continued going back inside. When Sebastian opened the door, a tall man with blazing white eyes stood on the other side. On sight, Jack and Sebastian dropped to their knees and lowered their eyes refusing to make eye contact. I stood there unmoving in awe at the beautiful man before me.
He wore a black suit with a blood-red tie, and on his breast pocket, a silver scythe was pinned to it. His skin was a light olive color and his white hair was slicked back contrasting sharply with his skin. The man cocked his head and a smirk stretched on his full lips. He stepped closer and placed a cold finger under my chin lifting my face so he could examine me like a rare specimen.
"You are unafraid. Interesting. Almost as rebellious as Lauren was," he squinted and looked closer, "but even she knew her place in our world, unlike you." He released my face and smiled as I took a step away from him. He reached a hand into his coat and brought out a yellowed envelope with a red wax seal keeping it closed.
He handed it out to me and I took it hesitantly. He turned and started to walk back down the corridor, but turned back to glance at me. "Tell my bastard son that it's about time we talked. It's been a while. Oh, and enjoy the time you have left, Miss Mathews." He turned and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
As soon as he was gone, Jack and Sebastian jumped to their feet. "Do you have any idea who that was?! That was Death himself; Orion Grey." A chill ran down my spine at the news. I had spoken to Death, and he compared me to Damian's former Familiar. I looked at the yellowed envelope and examined the seal.
It was a simple wax seal the color of blood. Stamped into it was two scythes crossed over each other. "Should I open it?" The boys nodded, "Grand Master gave it to you, so you need to open it." Sebastian said as he ran his hand through his dark hair.
I slipped my nail under the wax seal and popped the flap open. I pulled out the yellowed card inside and was greeted by beautiful, flowing cursive words.
"Ms. Raven Mathews,
You are formerly invited to a ball in your honor. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the rest of my family, and I hope you enjoy my unique offer as it has never been done for any other Familiars. I have left a gift for you in your room.
Ps. Do send my regards to the mutt son.
-Grand Master Orion Grey"
I stared at the words, but it never clicked in my brain what it meant. Jack took the letter from my shaky hand and read over it before handing it over to Sebastian. "Well that is unusual, that's for sure." I looked at Jack who was looking down the hall where Orion once stood.
"What should I do?" Sebastian cocked his eyebrow, "What you "do" is tell Master Damian." There was no way I was going to tell Damian the nasty things his father had called him, never less that he was even here. "Tell me what?" I whipped around and saw Damian, Rose, and the twins walking towards us from down the hall. All were smiling happily, except for Damian. Sweat beaded on my neck; I had to lie to the one person who could crack into my head to find the truth for himself.
"I-" He frowned, "You what?" I gulped and imagined a steel wall protecting my thoughts and memories and saw his eyebrows twitch. "I won the game of catch-the-stray! It was fun." From the corner of my eye, I saw the other Familiars staring at me in shock. No one EVER lied to their master unless they wished for their personal death. "Good. I'm glad you have something and to bide your time."
He looked back at the Reapers behind him and they didn't seem too concerned. "Anyways. Hera and Trent were just leaving. We still have dinner in the garden in an hour, so Sebastian, Jack, you may leave to do whatever orders my sister gives you. Raven, do as you wish."
Sebastian and Jack walked off giving me a knowing and disappointed look as everyone slowly dispersed. Damian disappeared with his sister down the hall, and I quickly took the jointing hall that led to our bedroom.
I opened the heavy door and entered the strangely lit room. Light seemed to be emanating from nowhere, and upon closer inspection, there were tiny fireflies buzzing silently around the ceiling. I walked over to the bed and saw a large black box sitting there with a red bow stuck on top of it with another letter from Orion.
"Dearest Miss Mathews,
I leave this gift as a token so that you may understand that I am not as evil or ruthless as my dog of a son has probably made me out to be. I have my reasons for everything I do wether they are nice things, or horrid ones. Please enjoy my gift to you, and I hope to see you in it at the ball.
-Grand Master Orion Grey"
I dropped the paper onto the blue comforter and placed my hands on the lid of the box. I closed my eyes and opened the lid, and when I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a mash-up of different fabrics of black and gold. On top of the pile was gold pumps and a black lace mask with a shadow of gold that when hit with the right light showed through boldly.
I pulled everything out and held the dress out in front of me for inspection. It was a simple tea-cup dress that fell to my knees. It was a solid black color that had lace sleeves to my wrists, and gold tulle underneath to make the dress poof. A gold band was wrapped around the waist, and trickling down like embers was gold sequins that dripped downward elegantly. In all, the dress was gorgeous, and something I would have never thought real.
"This should be interesting."
