Fox Den

Two

Nicholas

Obsession was a strong word; it lacked a certain romantic aspect. Civil men, such as himself did not feel obsession. Especially not over a single woman, he was a man crafted from years of hard work and academic excellence just like his father and yet somehow, like his father, here he was. Nicholas wasn't certain what it was about these Darling women that seemed to suck in the Evan's men, but even he seemed to be stuck in the push and pull of their metaphorical gravitational system. His father was an important man, with secrets he was upheld to keep so of course when news got out, he'd been snared within a woman's grasp is what up to him to investigate.

Kaia Darling was nothing special, she wasn't tied to any enemy families, and the only alarming thing Nicholas had found was the fact she had been previously married with five children. His father, a man of little words, had fallen for a woman with an entire family in Maryland.

The Darling family was nothing special. So why, after seeing Lyssandra's photo, had he gone to such lengths to meet her before she came to Callidus? Had he waited, he would have still met her, but his friends would have as well. Nicholas and his friends shared everything, from a house, to women, to classes. A single entity with similar minds, he was sure they'd be just as attracted to Lyssandra as he was which would make seducing her easy, but he needed to see if this visceral feeling of wanting was as strong in person as it was during his investigation. Combing through her past and social media had been simple, child's play. Just like Alice had fallen down the rabbit hole, he knew where she lived, what she drove, all her previous boyfriend's name's, down to the very marrow of her past. There was nothing he didn't know about her, and so much he was curious about.

Neon Grave was an invite only club, a club Cassius' family owned. It was a safe harbor, a place he could relax, kick his feet up and prowl for answers. Evading any suspicion from his friends was simple, their questions when he returned wouldn't be. He won't be able to hide it forever, he was sure Paxon, the ever-curious cat he was, had an inkling of something being off. Out of his two friends Paxon was the hardest to avoid, the man had ways of just understanding things even when Nicholas himself did not.

Cassius had a running joke of him being psychic that Nicholas was beginning to believe.

Running his tongue along his teeth the man leaned against the metal railing that overlooked the dance floor and entrance. Just below it was the bar, hidden from his view. Lyssandra and her friends were close, he'd been keeping an eye out on the security cameras through his phone waiting for the inevitable moment of seeing her face pixelated before him. Anticipation bubbled up inside of his chest as he eased out of the satin VIP couch and strode toward the railing, it overlooked the dance floor. The club was bustling with people, all dressed in vibrant clothing, swaying under the lights as the band played some tune he wasn't familiar with. The bar sat just underneath the balcony hidden from view, but he had the vantage he wanted. People floated into the bar, placing masquerade masks over their faces as they got cleared by security.

The Masquerade theme had been planned before his arrival, so it wasn't easily changed. It wouldn't deter him however, thanks to Lyssandra's friends he was aware of what they looked like. The masks they were using, and just how stunning she was in green. Through the holes in his mask he waited, none to patiently, for a glimpse. A single vision of her should suffice. Shouldn't it? Knowing somehow, she wasn't a figment of his wildest imaginations and in fact real. Not the haunting wisp of a woman who featured in his dreams but a real, living, person.

Fuck.

He had issues.

Pushing the full faced mask to the side he tossed back the bourbon he'd been nursing. The only way for him to continue with this night without losing his goddamn mind was to relax. Readjusting all black mask, he leaned against the railing overlooking the club. The music was muffled up here, all the speakers being placed below him, but it was still loud enough to grate at his already frayed nerves.