The Rarest One

Ballroom Invasion Part 26

(Scott)

Her heels clicked against the pavement in a determined stride.

"Okay, you need to slow down, this might take a couple minutes longer than expected.  Seriously, who puts this much security on a guest tablet list?" Puck's voiced sounded annoyed in our earpieces.  

We slowed down and waited to cross the street while fancy and expensive super cars drove by.  Lamborghinis, Bugattis, BMWs, and Koenigseggs.  "Dang," I murmured beneath my breath as a galaxy painted Lamborghini rumbled by.

"Yea, high rollers," Crystal whispered, as a shiny, gold-painted Bugatti rolled past.  "Fastest car in the world, right there."

We crossed the street and walked at a slower pace.

"Okay, you guys are clear to infiltrate.  VIP list, baby," Puck sounded proud of himself. 

We sped up and waited in line for our turn.  Crystal was calm and collected, smiling to other guest and saying hello.  While I was stoic and sweating like a pig under this really, really expensive suit.  I shifted, uncomfortable on my feet, as she smiled. 

"Relax, Jake," she spoke through her smile, hand tightening on my arm.  "You are going to get us noticed or caught before we even get in."  We reached our turn to check in with the mean-looking guards, but she didn't show that they scared her.  "Lady Tamara Blake checking in, please," she smiled through her southern charm.

"Of course," the guard didn't smile as he flipped through the list.  "You're not here."

"Well, I know I received an invitation," she talked in her accent, glancing at me, and my fists tightened.

"Well, sorry, miss, but your not on the list.  So, I'm going to have to ask you to step aside," he motioned us away.

"Please check the VIP list," she pointed to it.  

He looked skeptical. 

"Please," she pleaded coyly with a side smile. 

He sighed and tapped through the list.  "Here you are, sorry for the inconvenience Miss Blake and Mr. Luke."

"It's quite alright," she patted his arm as we glided by.  We walked through the grand doorway and I breathed out in relief.  "We are in," she quietly updated the people in the car. 

"Five minutes and we are sending in Bianca and Duke," Kira used Adrian's and Victoria's code names.  "Proceed to the ballroom as planned."

We paused outside of the massive ballroom, looked at each other, and walked into the beautiful room.  The music played a soft classical piece as we took it in.  It had an orange and red light theme that set a soft, but dark glow in the room.  It was decorated with red roses and orange tiger lillies.  The tables on the outsides of the room, held beautiful pieces of art, which were crafted by mutants with the abilities to do so.  Silky red, orange, and white curtains were wrapped around the marble columns, which were scattered in a pattern around the room.  The wrapped silks went up to the top balcony columns as well. 

"Classy," I had to give the guy credit for good taste. 

"Nothing but the best for him, plus he has to impress his possible clients," Crystal murmured under her breath with the accent.  We walked around looking at the art with fake interest.

"Sending Bianca and Duke in now," Kira filled us in.

"Have you seen him yet?" I asked, smiling at a couple as they glided by. 

"No, he's not he--, there he is, in the burgundy, black-stripped suit to the right," she turned slightly to the left.  I shifted in front of her and looked at him from the corner of my eye as I grabbed a glass of wine from a server.  He didn't look like a villain.  He had blonde hair, obsidian eyes, and a slight build.  He had the smile of a movie star, but I sensed the danger around him.

"He looks like he still belongs in high school," I hid my grin as I drank a bit of wine.

She laughed and relaxed slightly.  I bowed and asked, "May I have this dance, Miss Tamara?"

"Yes, it would be an honor," she placed her hand in mine.  I led her to the dance floor filled with others.

"Bianca and Duke are in, heading for balcony level," Kira told us.

We found a place in the crowd of other couple dancers and waited for the music to begin.  The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra came over the speakers.  We began to waltz, going with the crowd of couples. 

"We have eyes on them.  They are dancing, fitting right in," Victoria rested her hands on the rail; Adrian offered her his elbow.  They walked around the top level at an easy stride.  I caught sight of them on the top floor and they looked cute together.  Adrian had a small smirk on his lips, and I laughed.  

"What is so funny?" Crystal slanged as we moved across the floor.

"Look to the right, now," I told her.  She looked, and started laughing.  

"He is so smug," she spoke as I swung her out and back to me.

"Yea, that's just him," I let out a laugh.  We did our final pose as the song came to an end.  I led her off the dance floor to get drinks.

"Toby and I are in and headed for the valuable," Kira spoke as she walked past us.  We nodded and smiled, keeping up our cheerful and friendly demeanor.  "If he heads in our direction, you must make contact."

"Roger that," she cleared her throat, and looked at Rowan Gates through narrowed yellow eyes.  

"What if he recognizes you?" I glanced down at the beauty on my arm. 

"He won't," she bluntly deadpanned.

"Yea, but what if-" I began again.

"Trust me, he won't recognize me.  The last time he saw me, I had black hair and blue eyes.  Like I said, he won't know me," she grabbed a glass of wine from a server.  

"But I'm worried about it, if he-"I start again.

"Scott, he won't know me, because after he shot me up with that serum, I went a little bonkers and collapsed the whole building.  Unfortunately, he got out before it went down on top of him," she glided next to me as I stopped by a work of art.   

"Right," I lowered my head as I dragged out the word.  

"Let's dance," she declared and I grinned.  I Bust the Windows Out of Your Car by Jasmine Sullivan began playing.  We tangoed, out-dancing all the other couples, in my opinion.   

"Guys, we have a minor problem,"Kira sighed.  "We can't hack it, we have to actually steal it."

"Then steal the cursed thing already!" Crystal growled as I dipped her, my hand on her thigh, swinging her in a dipped circle. 

"We're on it," Puck spoke.   The song ended and we hit our pose.  Her leg up my side and I just stood there and let her do her thing.  We walked off the dance floor to loud applause.  We smiled and took a bow.  

"Guys, to your right, Gates is approaching," Victoria warned from her and Adrian's spot on the balcony. 

"Son of a-" Crystal briefly closed her eyes, preparing herself.   

I squeezed her hand and she looked up at me.   "I'm not going anywhere.  I'll be here the whole time."  She nodded as he walked in front of us.