Blood and shadows (a Rogue love story)

Robert

Rogue stood at the edge of the dance floor and glared at the man dancing with Ruby. He had been so close to finally getting what he wanted and then he came and took it all away from him. He might never get another chance like that again. Ruby glanced to the side and saw Rogue glaring at Robert. She too was angry with him, he had interrupted at a very important moment. His hands were wrapped tightly around her waist and Ruby had gingerly place her hands on his shoulders. The two swayed to the music. Ruby had to put her anger aside, they were on a job after all. Now was not the time to be kissing in the first place, they had to focus and she had to get as much information out of this man as she could.

"This is a lovely party." She said removing all the hate from her voice.

"Thank you. My Father has this every year, on the same day."

"Are you responsible for taking on this job after you take over the company." Robert chuckled slightly.

"Oh no I'm not taking over the company."

"Really? Then who is?"

"My younger brother up there." He said nodding in the direction of the boy. "He has always been much too smart for his age and now Father thinks that he can run a company by himself. He's only 12 for god's sake." There is was, thought Ruby. He was angry about not getting given the company, but that doesn't yet prove her theory. "Sorry for my outburst. I might not be the next in line for the company but I do care about it's future."

"Yes of course. This was your Uncle's business was it not?"

"Yes it was and my Father has become very attached to it. Even to the point where he cares about the company more than the pride of his own son."

"It must be hard for you. Being overlooked like that for your younger brother."

"Yes it's humiliating. My Father thinks that I am nothing more than a simple minded lady's man, but let me ask you can I help it if I am simply very attractive?"

"No." Ruby lied.

"Exactly and I am a man after all. I still have needs and desires, that alone doesn't make me un fit to run the company. My Father does the same thing. He has tones of woman by his side all the time. He is more corrupt than I am."

"What about you Mother?"

"She died 12 years ago giving birth to the twins. He says he is just trying to fill the loneliness he feels after losing the love of his life but I know that that is not true. I am sure that when my dear younger brother hits puberty he will have the same desires and urges I do. He will be no better."

"Are you angry with your Father for doing this to you?"

"No of course not." The look in his eyes told Ruby a different story though.

"So you don't side with the thieves that are attacking the mansion then?"

"No, why would you even ask me such a thing?"

"Because it would be totally understandable if you did. I wouldn't blame you for it." Robert leaned in closer to Ruby's face and smirked at her.

"That's good to know for future reference. A beautiful woman like you should very well become my wife when this is over."

"I don't make it a habit to marry people I have only known for a evening." Ruby replied and Robert leaned back moving away from her face.

"Indeed you are also a mage are you not?"

"I am indeed. I came here on a job request to deal with the thieves by your Father."

"If you really do not blame me for siding with them then stay out of the way."

"So your behind this whole thing huh?"

"No of course not." He said smiling. "It is just like you said. I agree with the scumbags that Father should not run this company anymore and that he should hand it over to someone else. I wanted that someone to be me but this guy claims to be the son of my Uncle. Therefore it is his company and the guy can't be any worse than Father. By the way I never got a name."

"It's Ruby."

"Well then Ruby. May I make one simple request?"

"That depends on what it is."

"Stay out of the way of the thieves tonight. It might get very dangerous. I don't want a pretty face like your getting hurt by them, or your wonderful dress getting dirty." He let go of her and stepped away from her. "Now if you will excuse me I have to go." Then he turned and left Ruby stood on the dance floor. She watched him go as Rogue appeared by her side.

"Rogue what time is it?" She asked still watched where the man disappeared from her view.

"It's 11 o'clock why?"

"It is pretty strange for the son to disappear an hour before the exchange don't you think?"

"You're sure it's him then?"

"Yes, yes I am. We need to tell Sting and the others. We will position ourselves near the place of the exchange. In the gardens at the back but we will be out of sight."

"But how will we defend them if we are so far away?"

"A phoenix slayer has their ways don't worry. You get Sting and the others and go to the gardens I'm going to go and warn the client of my suspicions."