Business Arrangement

Part 25

CHAPTER 25:

The wine was rose-gold.

It glistened like sparkling gems under the chandeliers. I stood by Fraser for political small talk and any member of the Magisterial in person-they were nowhere to be found. Not a single one in sight and not a face I knew. I stayed beside Fraser. Pecking at a few purple grapes, ripened in the sparkly air. I saw a wine fountain on one edge of the room, and on the other...stacked roasts by the dozen. Those in the room were older couples, no children. No little boys or girls here.

"Ladies and gentlemen. WELCOME!"

The voices echoed.

I flinch, shifting around. Women and men-their voices collided as one. It sounded raspy and seductive. The way their voices ran across the walls, "Don't be frightened." Fraser whispers against my ear, his arm around my shoulders as we face a podium or stage of some kind and walking along it with hoods over their heads in golden and black robes with golden chains and the Magisterial emblem hanging over their heads like embellished crowns.

Fraser hollers with other men in the room. I clap, smile and watch. But on the inside, my heart was thumping against my ears. I watch as the twenty odd men and women glide along the ice stage. They didn't even look like they walked. Fraser was approached by a few woman closer to his age, many asking for a dance from him.

Fraser politely declines, his hand moves to my shoulders before he guides me to the dance floor, "It's alright to feel for them." He whispers down to me. I couldn't take his words, so I didn't, I merely danced with a Hive. The Bee Royal, with his very own golden crown, "It's alright to care."

But is it alright to kill?

When the next girl came for his hand, I curtsied and turned away. I move up towards the stage and the guards there stop me from stepping further, "Let the child through." The middle masked man says, his deep voice thunders the command. I step past the guards before curtseying in front of the one who spoke.

"My Lord." The old fashioned title.

His gloved hand gestures me up, "I see the pain in your eyes, even whilst handing over the dragon and wolf enemies of families from generations...finally brought to justice. You shouldn't shed a single tear for them." He insists. I take a breath, look into the hood of the masked Magisterial member.

I step closer, "Sire...I know now isn't the time to ask it. I wouldn't if I thought it wasn't important..." I trail off when he stands and the chair is moved by a masked servant.

"You do not need to ask to join the Magisterial, Lyra Stinger. You are already one of us. You wish to study in the centre of hidden city, we have read your ambitions. The Hive family was meant to give you the news, it appears he is more infatuated with you." He murmurs. I furrow my eyebrows and glance behind us, where Fraser stands with other advisors, watching me. Most of the oldest generations, great grandparents and grandparents alike were watching.

The doors open to a dark hole behind the Magisterial members, they all stand and are thanked for their presence before the head leader guides me into the darkness, until moving forward and once the doors behind me were closed, more open before me, revealing a greenhouse with a waterfall and a range of herbs, flowers. A goldmine for Bees.

I inhale the air and turn to look at the Head leader, only to stare into the face of someone I didn't recognise. His beard was trimmed to his chin, wrinkles at the edge of blue-grey eyes, salt and pepper hair gelled back. I blanch at the sight of him, "Am I meant to see your face, sire?" I ask, worriedly.

He chuckles, "No, I guess not. Don't fret child, only those in the Magisterial can see our identities for what they are. Soon, you will see us all, and have your own building in the Magisterial Palace." He promises, reaching for my shoulders. I'm shocked the moment he closes in around me, embracing me, "You are one of us now, Darling Stinger."