Stone Cold

birdie

She glided down the marble steps, graceful as she was always trained to be.

"Keep your eyes on the prize, birdie." The intercom crackled, but her facial expression remained, a shy smile as she looked out to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, my daughter. Wren Alexakis." Adrian Alexakis beamed at Wren, and she made her way down to the ballroom.

True to her namesake, she was dressed in a white feathered dress, and keeping to the evening's theme, she held a matching white mask in front of her face.

Wren curtsied, knowing full well that her eyes were less than visible to everyone else.

"Our trophy is heading to Lance." Wren hissed into her own mic, barely moving her smile as she spoke.

"I'll redirect him." Lance reassured, sauntering onto the floor with a casual smile.

His own mask was held loosely, revealing his charming eyes.

"Xavier Carlington, was it? Leaving the party so soon?" Lance asked.

Xavier looked up and gave him a sheepish smile from behind his mask.

"I don't think Mr Alexakis would be willing to give his treasured daughter to the Carlingtons." Xavier chuckled, scratching the back of his neck with his free hand.

"What sort of-" Wren growled through the communication device, and a new voice interjected.

"Keep it together, birdie. No one's getting engaged tonight." Silas soothed her.

"Now now. You're a dashing gentleman with good manners. And you're a distinguished guest in the Alexakis' mansion. You're a strong candidate, Mr Carlington." Lance smiled, and the other man's confidence grew.

"You think so?"

"I know so." Lance replied with a wink, placing an arm around Xavier casually.

"Why don't I take you to see your potential bride?" Lance offered, and sure enough, Xavier took his offer.

"In position birdie." Lance whispered, returning to the easy conversation he had led with Xavier.

Wren excused herself from the families that had approached her, making a beeline for where Lance stood with Xavier.

She bumped into Xavier, mumbling apologies as she curtsied.

"It's alright. Do you know where I could find Wren Alexakis?" Xavier asked.

The question took her by surprise, almost causing her to laugh.

"No, my sincere apologies again." Wren curtsied again, before rushing away.

"Please say you have it." Lance murmured to her hopefully.

Wren opened her closed fist, letting a gold watch uncurl in her ginger hold.

"I've never failed." Wren smiled smugly, receiving hushed praises from her brothers.

"Why did we steal this again?" Silas asked.

"The candidates will fall into panic once they realise an heirloom is lost. We'll return it after the chaos, of course. But we're not letting Father's plan fall through." Lance shrugged, pocketing the watch.

Sure enough, the panic ensued.

Before long, every guest was spooked enough to start making their way home.

Lance slipped the watch into Xavier's coat as he reassured him that the watch would reappear eventually.

"Success again, brothers. Good job." Wren grinned, yanking the diamond pins that secured her updo.

"Oi. Stop tugging on your hair." Silas scolded, smacking her hands away from her hair.

He pulled each pin out patiently, her updo falling into natural waves.

"Do you want me to braid them?" Silas asked, and he received a silent nod.

His hands began to work, barely needing his full attention after years of doing Wren's hair.

"Let's go out tonight." Wren suggested quietly, and a silence fell on them.

"Like public out or private out?" Lance asked.

"Private. I need a release."

"Of course." Phoenix smiled at her, tossing a black hoodie and a pair of tights to her.

"We'll go out as soon as all of us are changed." Phoenix smiled, leaving to get out of his own suit.

They found Wren curled up in a couch in the reading room, her hands gripping a pendant tightly.

"Let her rest tonight. We will say we fell asleep if she asks us tomorrow."

A/N: whoo new story!! Early release because your girl's tired AF and i have class tomorrow so j need to catch some Zs. Goodnight, happy reading and merry Christmas everyone :)