The Found Herondale

Chapter 25

Chapter 25
Raleigh's POV

Anna fetched me right after she picked up Cordelia.

The interior of the carriage shone with brass fittings and red velvet bench seats.
Anna had her legs crossed before her.

She is dressed in elegant black menswear. Her shirt is a starch white
There was an amethyst pin on her coat, it matches Christopher's eye colour.
Her confidence is amazing.

Cordelia chose to wear a gorgeous bronze gown.
She looks beautiful.

I sit down, and they both smile and compliment my outfit.

"Do we have a plan?" Cordelia asks.
"What are we going to do when we get there?" I add.

"I will seduce," Anna replies. "You will distract, or at least not get in my way."
I smile.
Cordelia whispers in my ear, "You think you're ready for the dance?"

"Not really," I reply in a hushed tone. "But we'll make do with what we have."
She nods.
"So, if what you told me could happen, I'll follow your lead."

I nod.
"Good luck."

The carriage pulls up.
Anna threw the door open, and hops out.

I follow, Antony's arms wrapping around my waist and he pulls me onto the ground.
"Gorgeous," He whispers, kissing my neck.
I chuckle.

We head inside, the faerie guarding the door only raising her purple eyebrow once.
I see the stage has been rearranged, Lily Chen following Hypatia around.
Anna locked eyes with Hypatia, who was sitting next to a werewolf.

"That's Claude Kellington," Matthew says. "Master of entertainment here. In charge of the stage."
Anna turned to him. "Matthew. Distract him."

Matthew winks and strolls over to the settee. Lily glances over, looking at him.
She sees me and waves to Antony and I.

"You know her?" James asks. 
I nod.
"Mhm."

Matthew lures Kellington over, and the two of them join our group.
Anna had slipped away and I smiled to myself.

Kellington turns to look at me, after speaking to the boys.
"What about you  miss?"

Everyone turns to stare at me.

"I could perform. Only if Cordelia can join me for the second part of it."
My voice sounds breathless.
Antony nods his approval.

"I'm ready," I tell the werewolf.
He leads me onto the stage.

Kellington clears his throat, and says,
"Honoured guests. Tonight we will be seeing something unusual. Two shadowhunters have offered to perform for us. Please enjoy the performance of Raleigh Herondale and Cordelia Carstairs."

I nod to Cordelia.
She whispers to Kellington to start playing the violin.

"I have always loved stories," Cordelia begins.
She unclips her hair the luscious red locks tumble onto her back.

The music begins, and I start dancing.
It's a fluid dance, one that I taught myself.

Cordelia passes me Cortana gently, and I keep myself from gasping. I am touching the Cortana. 
The dark gold matches my blonde hair, and I dance until she hits the middle of the story.

I bow, allowing the viewers to eye me however they want, before passing the sword back to Cordelia, and continue her story while she dances.

"If I sing and dance, I seduce," I say, while Cordelia straightens. "And if I dress and scent, I slay."
She rises to her feet, and puts Cortana back in her sheath.
Cordelia finishes up the tale, and bows.

***

Everyone stares at us as we walk off the stage.
So many people look like they're in love.

"Bloody hell," Antony says. "Where did you two learn it?"

Anna had been gone for a bit now.
Our distraction worked.

I shrug to Antony, only to see that Matthew had gone still.

"It's Charles," He mutters. "You four go hide. I'll handle him myself."

And with that, Antony grabs my hand and we dash off with Cordelia and James.