Legends of Mirandis Academy

Chapter 26: Stealth Mission

"Okay, okay." Luna bounced from person to person—straightening ties, tucking stray hairs behind masks, giving everyone a last once-over. Behind her crow's mask, a pair of green eyes appraised the scene. Duran had no doubt that she was taking in every detail before her.

They were standing in a line outside the gates of the Prescott estate. Already, the night was vibrant. In the crisp October air stood a crowd of costumed people, their masks glittering as they caught the light of lanterns lining the driveway. Duran thought that they looked like an assortment of multicolored beetles: some sober and black in plain suits, others flashing some unknown message to the world around them. He glimpsed every variety of mask. Some people covered only their eyes, with tiny masks fringed with lace; others wore full face masks with mouths set in exaggerated scowls, smiles, and roars. Some, like Luna, were dressed as animals. Duran watched a couple talk to the security guard at the gates. The taller of the two was dressed as a panther, with a clean-cut dark suit, and the other ducked shyly forwards, clad in a swan mask with a white dress to match.

"Duran!" Luna couldn't quite reach his shoulder, so she patted him on the chest. "Look alive, darling. Is everything ready?"

They were making slow progress through the line, but soon enough, Duran knew, they would be the ones facing the security guards. Duran gulped. "Um. I have the clipboard, if that's what you mean."

"That is exactly what I mean." Luna jerked her head towards the front of the line, at the two security guards. She winked. "If all goes well, these mooks won't know what hit 'em."

On Duran's other side was Calian. The small boy was clearly nervous to be surrounded by so many people, but he still made a point of standing tall, glowering at anyone who looked at him for too long. "Why do we have to do this, again?" he asked Duran.

"We're helping our friend, Luna," Duran explained.

"And why is the overwrought lesbian your friend?"

"Be nice, Calian," Duran scolded. "She made a mistake when she met you. That doesn't mean she's not a good person. Just like you and me. And Nibbles," he added, as the mouse wriggled his way out from under Duran's collar. Nibbles twitched his whiskers at Duran hopefully.

"Sorry, Nibbles," Luna said, catching sight of him. "We still have to get past security. Hey!" she said, as Nibbles gave a squeak. "Don't give me sass. It's not my fault."

"It is, unfortunately, mine," said Kelam. He was the last of their group, lurking somewhat behind Duran. The nose of his lion's mask pointed towards the ground, and he hugged the matching golden cloak tighter around himself. "I owe you all a great debt for helping me. You are risking much for comparatively little."

Luna's mouth was concealed by the crow's beak, but nonetheless Duran could tell that she was making a face. "You mean, we're risking getting yelled at by a couple of guys for the sake of our friend joining us at the event. The Halloween party." She waved a graceful hand across the Prescott estate. "You are here because your friends want you here, Kelam. All of us."

"I actually don't care," said Calian, and Duran sighed.

"Besides," said Luna. Her eyes sparkled. "How could I resist such a scheme? Are you ready, Kelam? Or should I say... Lord Dervish?"

The lion mask raised itself proudly. "That's Lord Dervish the Third to you, Miss Petunia."

Calian fidgeted. "She didn't give us all fake names, did she?"

"No," Duran told him. "We're on the guest list already, but Kelam and Luna aren't. That's why they have to sneak in."

"It looks like they're making people take off their masks," said Kelam nervously. "Luna, if they see my face..."