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(distractions and trickery)
play: Seven Devils- Florence and the Machine
AS I GLIDED OUT OF THE CARRIAGE, A BURGANDY CLOAK trailing behind me, for the first time that evening proper fear seized me.
Will had pulled me aside, murmuring a few hushed words in my ear before letting me go.
''Don't let him get too close,'' Will had urged. ''If he does then ru-''
''He won't'' I'd replied simply.
Strapped across my other thigh was a curved dagger, it's hilt embossed with rubies so that if it was discovered, I could play it off as part of my outfit.
''And you should know better.''
Wills brows had furrowed.
''I'd never run.''
Now as I neared the painted doors of DeQuincey's town house the prospect seemed all to alluring.
My eyes widened as I took in the sheer amount of people that walked around me, headed towards the house. Upon closer inspection I realised Camille was right- I saw not a single Shadowhunter.
Behind me I faintly heard the opening of a carriage door and Balios and Xanthos whickering. Tessa and Will had gotten out.
As I neared the doors, an elegantly dressed footman awaited me. I held out the invitation to him, a creme piece of card decorated with golden leaf. After quickly scanning the writing the footman swept into a low bow. ''Madam'' he murmured. As he bowed I spied two fang punctures in his neck just above the collar.
Wills voice sounded behind me and I knew it was time to move on, the two of them couldn't be seen with me.
I let the footman guide me down a long corridor, into a large, marble floored room. Taking my cloak, he bowed again, and swiftly departed to welcome more guests. The arching space was lit only by candles. Dozens of gold candelabras dotted the room, fat red wicks blazing in the holders. I shivered, despite the numerous candles, the room was freezing.
Among the candelabras wove vampires their faces white as clouds, their movements liquid and strange. I scanned the room frantically, for Magnus Bane yet instead laid eyes upon Will and Tessa again. They'd entered after me and DeQuincey was approaching them. Panic flooded through me, I was supposed to be keeping him away from the two. I'd already failed at the first hurdle. I slunk closer in the shadows, blending into the candelabras.
''They are just so hard to train aren't they?'' DeQuincey spoke. He inclined his head, white locks falling upon his shoulders. ''Human subjugates that is,'' He added. ''And then once you have them properly trained they go and die of something or another. Delicate creatures, humans. All the longevity of butterflies.''
