The City of Two Halves

✽Chapter 11✽

Dorian and Grace hadn't encountered any trouble at all, they got in easily and since everyone was masked there was no chance of recognition.

The room was large with arches surrounding the perimeter creating alcoves which seemed to be very popular among the older folk, the roof was painted to appear as starlight clouds and the floor was gilded gold. For the most part, Grace and Dorian stood in an alcove and people watched, Grace had not yet seen the man in the purple suit and grew tired of waiting after 20 minutes.

"Dance with me," she told Dorian.

He follows her, completely entranced and they take their places, Grace's hand rests on Dorian's shoulder and his hand rests on her upper back, so she brings it down to her waist and their spare hands carefully intertwine together. The music begins, with a soft combination of piano and violin, even though many people at the gala have never heard this song before they dance as though they have. The red and navy of Grace and Dorian swirl through many other pairs, violet and emerald, gold and silver, periwinkle and mauve.

When the dance ends someone taps Grace on the shoulder, "Care for a dance?" Dorian's eyes widened and Grace turns around, a man in a purple suit holds out his hand. The purple suit with a black waistcoat is exactly as she remembers and she smiles, "Of course." Grace takes her place once again and the man begins a conversation,

"You are the friend of Ms Kingsley, right?"

"I am and that must make you Mr Crawdad,"

"Yes and that man in the corner glaring at us would be Mr Carroway?" She looked over her shoulder and caught Dorian's glare,

"I'm sorry about him, he's a bit weary about strangers,"

"Justifiably so, how has the gala been for you so far?"

"Quiet pleasant, can I ask you a question?"

"I'm all ears,"

"Did you enchant the music?"

"I did, I cannot stand people who do not know the moves and cause a commotion."

The longer the conversation goes on, the more Grace begins to dislike Mr Crawdad, in the beginning, he seemed charismatic now he seems narcissistic, and he seems almost completely superficial, his entire personality was displayed to Grace in the three minutes they spoke.

He knew exactly how to play up your ego but somehow still made himself bigger than you, Grace thought of him like a nightshade potion; a sickly sweet scent combined with the ability to kill.

When the dance ends he kisses her on the hand and she thanks him and walks towards Dorian.

✽✽✽

Thank god Ashton and Cerena had memorized the floor plan, after a couple of twists and turns they found the entrance to where the amulet is kept, the only problem was two burly-looking guards were standing by the door. As to not alert the guards to their presence they attempt to make a plan by gestures and nodding, Ashton points at them and then points at the guards and Cerena nods.

Ashton goes around the corner and tackles one of the guards to the floor and Cerena throws a knife at the second guard's sleeve, pinning him to the wall. The first guard is passed out of the floor and Ashton helps Cerena deal with the second when all the guards are sprawled on the floor Cerena kneels to take the walkie-talkie out of this belt to break it and Ashton does the same with the second guard.

Then Cerena hears a gunshot.

✽✽✽