Privilege

Chapter 14

“This place is sick!” Niall exclaims, practically pressing his nose to the window. Of course, no one else seems fazed by the modern mansion that rises before them as the limousine pulls up the winding drive- and after seeing Louis’ home, he could imagine why. But still, Stacy’s home is just as remarkable. Set into the side of a rocky cliff overlooking Boston Harbor, the house is white, with at least five floors, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that stretch all the way around the square facade. Outdoor decks circle each level - the lowest being the widest - and currently, they’re all overflowing with partygoers.

Niall’s eyes glance up to the highest floor, and he realizes that there are even legacies up on the roof who are gazing down, holding drinks and curiously watching the new arrivals. The deck has been decorated with colorful flags in orange, red, and gold, which whip around in the frenzied breeze. Between the altitude and the wind coming off the water, it seems like a windswept locale.

Their car pulls up in front of a massive smoked-glass door; right outside stand two guys who look like they've just gone AWOL from the Marine Corps. The men stare them down as their group topples out of the car, giddy with triumph and champagne. Everyone slides on their masks, and Niall can’t help but find the whole thing intriguing.

"Gentlemen," the taller and darker of the two almost sneers, as Harry cackles at one of Jeremy’s jokes. He has been getting messier and gigglier with every swig of alcohol, “Ladies,” he adds with a much more pleasant expression as he eyes the girls. “Do you have anything to show me?”

"Of course,” Louis says, taking the lead as always while flashing a charming smile. He steps forward and shows off his money clip. The man checks it and just like that, Louis is let into the party.

They did it, they actually crashed the party. Really, is there anything these fuckers can’t do?

Niall gets through as well and Louis is hanging by the door waiting for him. He smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief under the mask and he grabs Niall by the shoulder, leading him into the mansion.

The center hall stretches to the sky, opening up to all five floors. High above, connecting the east side of the third floor to the west is a catwalk about four feet wide, adorned with chrome guardrails on either side. Directly above that, in the center of the high ceiling, is a perfectly flat, square skylight, which afforded a stunning view of the stars above. Toward the back of the huge hall two spiral staircases stand, stretching, up, up, up into the house, all the way to the roof. Everything is black and white, except for the red marble floor beneath their feet, the framed contemporary artwork on the walls, and the incredible multicolored modern sculpture - all twisted metal and sharp angles - directly in the center of the room. Around it, waiters and waitresses deliver iridescent cocktails to the elegantly dressed girls and tuxedo clad guys.

Bursts of laughter and eager chatter fill the well-lit room; for now, everything was feeling very civilized, but Niall has a feeling the real Legacy party has yet to begin.

After a bit of time has passed, the room immediately becomes consumed with silence, the bells all going quiet at once. The guests look around in curious anticipation. There is a distinct sizzle in the air.

"What's this?" Niall asks.

"The welcome," Louis says in his ear and, honestly, does he really have to stand so close?

Niall tilts his eyes toward the sky, and there is Stacy Stone, striding out onto the catwalk above their heads. She wears a black-and-white striped gown with a sweeping train and a variegated hem, each stripe trailing out a bit longer than the last. Covering her eyes is a huge black feather mask, the plumes of which stretched at least two feet above her head on the right side. Her face is pale, her lips a deep red. She looks like something right out of the pages of Vogue; Niall has to give her that.