The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 11 - The Obsidian Castle

I don the Rubin Singer dress for the second time. Today is the big day. "Are you ready?" Adrian asks.

I check my hair one more time in the mirror. I imagine all the women there will be a supernatural queen, princess, or lady, so I have to look as if I belong. "Yes." I reply. "Let's get this over with."

Adrian and I head to the parking structure. This time, it's not four well-dressed gentlemen. There are six heavily armed men and women waiting for us. Each of them is dressed in Kevlar with the insignia of a wreath and two swords crossed together. I recognize this symbol; it is the symbol of the Praetorian Guard, the personal bodyguards to the ancient Roman emperors. They're armed with an assortment of assault rifles and light machine guns and look as though they're ready for war.

Four black Mercedes M-Class SUVs form a convoy. The soldiers bow as Adrian approaches, and one of them opens the door for us. We climb into the backseat, and the soldiers board their vehicles. "How are these men able to carry weapons in public?" I ask as the convoy departs from the building.

"House Shang owns a private military company called Praesidium. PMCs have a special license to carry arms in order to protect VIPs." Adrian answers.

"And they're all spellbinders?" I ask. Adrian nods. "And all of this is necessary?"

"Trust me. The other families will be equally paranoid."

When we arrive at JFK International Airport, everyone stands on the tarmac, awaiting the arrival of the real VIP. Adrian drapes his suit over me, and I smile at the gesture. It's not entirely necessary though, since Adrian can manipulate the weather. And he is much better at it than Leon.

The Gulfstream G650 lands. The first person to descend the airstair is one that I recognize, Diana. I smile at her, but her countenance is like freshly forged steel. I can tell that she is on the job; she's armed to the teeth just like the others.

The next person who exits is a man whom I assume is Adrian's brother. Tiberius is not quite what I would imagine when I think of "the tank." He is very thin and about the same height as Adrian. He is of average body build with a good deal less muscle than Adrian, and his cheeks are somewhat hollow with an almost sickly disposition.

"Don't let his appearance fool you." Adrian says to me. "He can tear apart a building just by thinking about it."

And finally, Adrian's lord father appears. He looks about ten years older than Adrian, maybe in his early thirties. The family resemblance though, is uncanny. Everyone, including Adrian, bows when he shows his face. I wasn't sure how to behave, but I decided to join in and bow my head as well. Heaven knows I do not want to offend this man.

He approaches Adrian and me, and I raise my head as Adrian does. "Father, allow me to present Scarlett Whitmore. Scarlett, this is Augustus Shang, my father." Augustus rolls his eyes at Adrian. "His Shang Majesty," Adrian quickly adds with a tad of irritation.

Augustus turns to me and gives me a deceptively friendly smile. "Ms. Whitmore, I have heard so much about you. I do hope my son has been treating you like a proper gentleman during your time together."

"Absolutely, Shang Majesty. I could not ask for a better host or protector."

His grin widens. "Protector indeed. Are you fully aware of all the political intricacies in our current predicament?"

You mean how you want to use me as your puppet princess? "Yes, perfectly, Shang Majesty."

Augustus snaps his fingers, and everyone assembles into the SUVs. We drive back into Brooklyn to an abandoned construction site, one that has long since decayed from neglect. "The meeting is taking place here?" I ask.