The Devil Tips His Hat To Me

Chapter V

A letter.

Elegant swirling words on a parchment tied in a black ribbon. Missi raised an eyebrow as Scopulus handed the letter to Duke's expecting hand.

"An invitation my lord."

Duke snickered, flashing his fangs without purpose. Missi's heart jumped at the sight before she looks away in alarm. The vampire just finished his piece just before the gargoyle entered the scene. It made the situation difficult for Missi to excuse herself and retire to her own room as she was stationed in between the two. It looks like their discussion will be a private one.

"Always inviting me into gatherings in order to find me a partner."

He unrolled the letter and read silently.

"I think I should go..." Missi whispered moving to stand up but Duke caught her by the arm and gently pulled her back down without letting his eyes stray from the paper. Missi pursed her lips in nervousness as she settled herself on the piano bench beside the vampire.

"What shall I write in return my lord?"

By this time, Missi was sure Duke has finished reading the letter and is now staring at it in deep thought.

"I'll have my decision by the end of the night. I've been into countless functions before, and I think its charm is finally getting rather... tedious."

"As you wish."

With that, Scopulus turned around and exited the dining area. A part of Missi wishes that the gargoyle would stay longer and the other half wished that Scopulus should've accompanied her back to her room and escape this certain situation of being alone with the vampire. However, god does seems to like seeing her struggle in discomfort.

"So uuh... whose party is it?" Missi finally asked, wringing her hands together.

"My father's, although I know my mother is behind it."

"Oh. So when will it be?"

"On the fortnight." Then Duke stood up. His steps clicking against the mosaic floor.

"You're... are you accepting the invitation?"

Duke was halfway on his step when he suddenly paused. Missi straightened up and quickly shut her mouth. Dear lord what did I do? She thought to herself. Maybe she was being too nosey to the point of being annoying perhaps? She was glad she's still sitting on the piano bench because her knees are suddenly shaking like a leaf and her heart's pumping every drop of blood in one second as she stares wide eyed at Duke.

She can't move.

Well, atleast, now she knows why prey suddenly becomes still when a predator's in sight.

Duke turned his head to look at Missi with...an amused smile.

"My, you're interested." He shook his head with a chuckle and left.

Missi stared at the dark huge doubledoor where Duke disappeared. She can still hear her heart in her ears, eagerly pumping against her ribcage as silence reign in the room. She swallowed.

"I think I'm paralyzed."

______________________

"Scopulus."

"My lord."

"It appears I won't be wasting a lot of my time making the same decisions."

"You're attending, I see. What of the girl sir, if you don't mind me asking."

"Leave her. I'm sure she won't mind my absence."

A pause as if in reluctance.

"And if you want, you can take her back to her home when I'm gone to the gathering."

"Plan's changed my lord?"

"Plan has changed."