The Serum and The Bask Book 2 || b. barnes [ ON HOLD ]

Chapter 3 - A Night At The Gala

"Heiress, you look beautiful," Annali smiled beside me as she sipped on her glass of champagne. Her long lavender silk dress swished as we walked, mirroring my long black dress.

"And you look stunning Annali," I complimented her, linking my arm through hers. The two of us walked through the beautiful garden of the mansion we booked for the gala.

The mansion was tall, filled with many marble floors, bright chandeliers, and exquisite art. It was also full of my men, watching every person entering or exiting. There were close to 300 people in here tonight for our gala, our event. As we walked through the garden we were surrounded by beautiful lilac bushes that matched Annali's dress and many other flowers. There were fountains, twinkling lights and performers all throughout. The two of us smiled and said hello to various old clients, and allies as we walked into the mansion, escaping the chilly air and harmonious violin players.

The night was running smoothly, we had saved more money than Annali had originally planned for the charities tonight, and everyone seemed to be having a good time, enjoying the booze especially. Together we had met with new people, planned and scheduled meetings for me, and everything seemed to be going well.

My two guards, hovering like a dark shadow, followed Annali and I through the night. Their eyes a constant gaze and watch that I had grown used to after all these years.

Tonight the gaze felt different, I felt an extra set of eyes watching me, keeping me on edge. I found myself taping the knife strapped to my thigh, hiding above the slit in my dress, to give myself a form of comfort. I couldn't tell if I was being paranoid or not, as I stole quick glances around the large venue before turning my distracted attention back to the people Annali and I were speaking with.

I looked up to the balcony on the second floor, it overlooked the large dance floor full of people. My eyes tracked along the railing, pausing at each pillar when a flash of someone disappeared behind one. My guard took note, turning his head, following my gaze.

He turned back, looking down at me, waiting for my order. I shook my head, placing my hand on his shoulder, reaching up to whisper in his ear.

"Stay with Annali," I ordered. My guard nodding, taking a step closer, almost stepping on Annali's train. I shot him a glare, and he took a half step back, bending down to adjust her train.

I unlinked my arm from Annali, a confused look on her face as she looked from my guard, to me. She seemed to be worried, but with a shake of my head didn't question me.

"I'll be right back, just going to check on the guests upstairs," I smiled, waving to the two clients we were speaking to, before stepping away. One of my men's eyes drifted, watching me walk off before turning his attention to another point in the room.

I stalked across the marble floor and to the bottom of the large staircase, my leg peaking through the slit in my skirt as I walked. Two of my men were posted at the bottom of the stairs, watching the guests, keeping an eye on me.

The two seemed confused to see me, they even shared a worried glance as if they had done something wrong. The look on my face, causing them to take a step apart, watching me move up the first few steps. I paused gathering my skirt in one hand, while holding onto the railing.

"Axel, no one gets up here, understood?"

"Yes Heiress," he nodded as I spun back around, moving up the stairs, my eyes looking for the shadow in the pillars that I saw earlier.

Slowly I let the handful of fabric in my hand go, the train of my dress dropping with a soft thud as I moved down the hall. The sounds of the party below echoed through the hallway of this balcony. As I walked down, I peaked behind pillar after pillar.