Edward waited inside a fancy antechamber. The walls were littered with beautiful paintings and tapestries that were offset by the occasional stone bust of some obscure aristocrat here and there. The carpet was decorated with many splashes of red and gold swirls that intricately traced across the fabric in brilliant designs.
Arms folded, his hands picked at random strings in his expensive suit, and his eyes flittered restlessly back and forth between his watch and the rosewood door. It annoyed Edward without end that Vanderbell could have possibly forgotten about his arrival. Vanderbell was lucky that he’d even showed up! If Edward, a prince of the high king, were to even be seen in such a shady fight club like this…the consequences...the consequences… His reputation would be ruined!
Edward scowled reached out to knock but before his hand touched the rosewood he heard a click and the door finally opened. A beautiful raven haired woman stood at the threshold. Her skin was white as paper, her eyes dark as coal, and her smile cast shadows upon every man’s heart. All this and she was dressed in the most beautiful black dress that accompanied her form perfectly so that her cleavage slightly showed. Mason had never seen a more beautiful woman.
“Your name is—“
“Edward,” he stated and stepped into the room. His face had become a stone mask that disguised all of his previous anxieties. Edward smiled at the woman as she bowed shortly.
“Ah yes!” she said and smiled in kind as she took Edward’s hand. “Edward, please come this way. Master Vanderbell is waiting.”
The woman led Edward into a theatre lobby unlike anything he had ever beheld. The floors were decorated with the same extravagant carpet as the antechamber, and the walls were covered with silk. Edward followed the woman through the lobby and to a balcony with many seats all lined in rows. Eli Vanderbell was sitting in one of the chairs in the first row. As the woman guided Edward to the front he peaked over the balcony and could see the fight happening below. At the moment the lizard had the competitor Van pinned under its enormous feet.
“The possibility of death is incredible isn’t it?” Vanderbell said. “It is the contemplation of death, the intensive thought that it will someday come upon us, that destroys the barriers of caste, creed, and race amongst the people of this tower. What do you think, Prince Edward? Do you agree?”
Edward contemplated Vanderbell cautiously as he took a seat next to the man. Eli Vanderbell had grey eyes that sparkled with excitement, his face was young and boyish, and complemented his charming smile. As much as Edward hated to admit it, Vanderbell had a likeable quality about him that he envied—a certain Je ne Sais quoi.
“I am no philosopher,” Edward said and offered his hand. “It’s an honor to finally make your acquaintance Mr. Vanderbell.”
“Call me Eli,” Vanderbell insisted and took Edward’s hand into a firm shake. “My father’s name was Mr. Vanderbell. And it isIwho is most honored to make your acquaintance. Would you like a drink? Please, Nicole, find some refreshments for our guest?”
“Yes Master,” said the woman--Nicole who had escorted Edward. She bowed and walked back the way they had come.
“You have my curiosity Vanderbell,” Edward said, his eyes following the woman as she left. “Where in this bloody Tower did you find such a beautiful creature?”
Eli smiled but his eyes accommodated an ominous aspect to them as he spoke, “Careful my friend. Dangerous predators are often the most bewitching creatures.”
Edward snorted. “The only danger now looms within my loins.”
Eli laughed. “Good man! You have more guts than I do. That woman comes from a parlous region deep within the tower.”
Edward raised an eyebrow. “And what region might that be?”
Eli eyed him speculatively. “Have you heard of a place called Liore?”
Edward turned head swirled as he looked back at the woman. He knew there was something odd about her. How graceful her movements were and the way she walked. Her hind quarters seemed to sway in the rhythm of a pendulum. It was hypnotic.
“She…”his voice quivered. “Is from…?”
He turned back around and saw Eli was smiling. “You’re drink, sir.” Nicole had returned with a tray carrying to glasses of Scotch. Edward took a glass while trying to avert her eyes.
“Calm yourself Prince,” Eli soothed “she won’t do anything unless I say. That’ll be all Nicole.”
Nicole bowed--her breasts even more titillating to Edward at the angle she bent—then sauntered off. Edward took a hearty sip of his wine.
“Shall we talk business Prince?” Eli asked in amusement. Edward shakily placed his glass down wondering what he’d got himself into. He had to take control of the situation.
“Ah, business…” he said, “I’ve been wondering about that actually. Most people come to me usually because they want my financial investment, but you on the other hand. Have that already.”
Eli nodded. “Yes I do.”
“Another reason I’m approached,” Edward continued, “Is common for most of those blessed with fortune. Because of my stature they want my investment so that they may attain power, Mr. Eli. But you on the other hand I know as fact, are already endorsed by my uncle and King.”
“Exactly,” Eli agreed. “So why do you think it is I asked you to come?”
“You want something the King can’t give you,” he said. “A right that no one but royalty and those selected by Solomon himself can have. You want to climb the tower don’t you?”
