To Live Forever

Chapter 42

Aria bit her lip, feeling anxious all of a sudden and thought about what Jason was doing right now.

She was enveloped in this colourful bundle of people dancing, laughing, drinking and having fun altogether. It seemed truly ephemeral. And yet she couldn't get her mind off of the boys.

The lights fell on the pretty girl she'd been dancing with for the past ten minutes, making her pale skin seem radiant. She screamed in Aria's ear that she was going to get more drinks. Aria nodded slightly, still moving to the beat and looked around to where Tyler and Nathan were drinking from two shot glasses.

Aria saw them talk to each other, laughing amiably yet in an instant, Aria knew that something was new. She frowned a little, trying to keep eye contact with Nathan so that he might look at her.

Suddenly, he nodded at her and she took it as a sign.

The three people were here.

Aria looked back at her new found friend, smiling as she offered her a drink but Aria politely refused, laughing. She continued dancing while looking at the door, from which three people had entered.

To say that they looked out of place was an understatement. Of them, one was a grown up woman, maybe in her mid forties, looking stern as she surveyed the area. She had dark hair and dark eyes, put together in smoky makeup. Instantly, Aria felt that vibe coming from her. What vibe? A bad vibe.

The men were different. Younger and looking less strange than the woman, who looked as if she could murder a cute dog who would dare bark at her.

Aria gulped as the blond man of the trio nodded at a boy who came towards him, whispering in his ear and the trio visibly seemed irritated and shocked.

Aria looked ahead again as she remembered Logan saying not to stare at anyone for too long.

She inhaled sharply and gasped when someone whispered in her ear, "Be careful."

She turned around to see Nathan smile at her, putting his hands up in a defensive manner, "Oops, sorry, didn't see you there."

Aria caught on quickly and nodded, murmuring airily, and went back to dancing, keeping an eye on the trio, who were now moving towards the staircase, upstairs where Jason and the rest of the boys were.

The pleasing music did little to calm Aria's racing heart as she kept thinking of the place upstairs.

What was going on? Were they in danger?

***

"They're here." Gracy said, nodding at Logan and Noah who sat up straight. Jason widened his eyes and swallowed dryly, feeling fear settle deep in his chest. His thoughts were dominated by whatever was happening downstairs. If there was even something happening downstairs. Were the members okay? Was Aria okay? Would the three people attack her or anyone in front of so many people? Risk exposure or capture?

His mind ached, wanting to go downstairs in a second and get everyone to safety. Logan was still talking to Gracy about something regarding them. Gracy muttered something about the trio knowing that Gray Dawn was here. But would that be enough to vere their minds from attacking?

"Two of them are coming upstairs." Eve said to her leader who looked at Logan, raising her eyebrows.

Logan seemed to be wavering with something. At last, he looked at Jason and said, "Go down. Stay with Aria and the others. We'll handle it upstairs."

Although the boy was reluctant, leaving them like this didn't settle in his heart right but he was relieved that he would be able to see Aria, help her if need be.

The brown haired girl from the gang gestures towards the second door which was half hidden by a huge plant and Jason walks over to it, turning the knob and looking back at the boys.

"Stay safe, please."

***

Aria didn't know what to do.

Staying with the gang for so much time had come with its fruits. Meaning? Even in the chaos of dancing bodies and thundering music, she was able to see the third man from the trio, the blond one, saunter over to where the drinks were, sprinkle something in the red glass and walk innocently towards Aria.

Aria's mind whirled around with possible options. Go somewhere else, confuse the man who is currently walking towards her. Gesture towards Nathan and Tyler, and risk exposing the two boys. Stay here and see how it plays out.

She gulped and glanced towards the two boys who were already looking at her, the look in their eyes telling her to stay put and not be afraid.

She nodded microscopically, turning her expression from one of panic and fear to being happy and excited, mimicking the faces of the people around her.

"Hey, beautiful. Care for a drink?" The voice spoke in Aria's ear and she turned around to see the blond man, who was smiling sweetly. He had brown eyes and a small scar on his chin.

Arya tried to morphe her expression to be believable as she held up the drink she had taken from her friend when she saw the man.

"I have one already." She said, laughing slightly and the man didn't seem deterred. He gestured towards the red drink.

"This one is better, I'll have to admit." He said, voice light and flirty and Aria gulped, smiling nervously.

Uh, some help, guys? She thought desperately as the man came closer to her.

***

Jason walked downstairs from the second staircase, impressed at the secret route.

All around him people were whooping in time to the music and dancing along with the melodies. His eyes raked over every face until he saw Nathan and Tyler, both of whom looked a little nervous as they kept glancing at some place in the middle of the dance floor.

Jason followed their nervous eyes to see Aria. She was with a man. Blond hair, brown eyes. Wearing a normal attire. Well, as normal as the outfits of the people in the casino. He had a drink in his hand and was currently gesturing for Aria to take it. The brown haired girl looked extremely reluctant yet she smiled politely, muttering something with a small laugh. Jason immediately caught on.

He took out his mobile and typed in hurriedly.

Cyan: They spiked Aria's drink. They're the ones.

And then he walked towards the dance floor, hand hovering over the revolver inside his coat, ready to take action if anything happened.

***

Thank you for reading!!

Love,

Alexandria 🖤