“So did anyone expect this?”
“Sure didn’t. But I sure as hell like it!”
When they saw they were on their way to a museum they each assumed they had just rented out a room for the place. The seven of them exited their limo, one of many outside the museum. They were greeted by masked and suited individuals. The first of them came forward barring their path.
“Invitations?”
Darren stepped forward holding theirs out. The man took it and looked it up and down slowly before nodding. “Are these your guest?”
“Some yes. Others body guards. All of them with me.”
The man nodded slowly and backed away. “Very well. Do enjoy the ball.”
As they walked past the pair Feint glanced at Darren. “Was it really that simple?”
“Yeah. The actual invitations were hand made. Their masks were probably hooked up to receive a signal from it. No signal, fake invitation. Fake invitation and-“
There was a shout and a scream grabbing their attention. They only got to see a foot as it flew out of the door. “And you’re ejected.” They finished.
“What else gets us thrown out?” Phase asked.
“Bad behavior. So, let’s be civil.”
As they walked in they were greeted by a multi colored fountain in the middle of the room. However, as they walked forward they started noticing other people were talking and grouped up in small circles. Some had glasses and other small plates. As they walked past they realized that there were three floors of people around. All looking at either the art, the exhibits or as most of them probably were gossiping and trying to coerce information from one another.
“Wow. The Royals rented out the whole fucking museum.” Phase said and looked up toward the third level.
“For real. Work cut out for us?” Shade asked and Yumi shook her head.
“No. This might be a really good thing.”
“How so fire starter?”
“Lots of space for us to work with. We can split up and all try different approaches. Better chance for one of us to get lucky right?”
“I like that plan.” Shade said and she beamed.
“Finally some loyalty Shadeow.”
“Preferences?” Feint asked.
“I want the top floor.” Echo said glancing up. “There’s a pretty art selection up there. And some rich people debating on the artistis intent. I might be able to see where their money is going, and maybe funnel some of that towards us.”
“Because we need it so badly.” Rogue said with a shake of his head.
She stuck out her tongue. “And where would you be going sour puss?”
“Downstairs. Quieter. Darker. I think some guys are trying to peddle some new drug down there. Enhance too. I want to see for myself.”
“What about you oh fearless leader?” Phase glanced at her and then looked forward. “I’ll mingle around for a bit. I think there’s something worth doing here. Just not sure yet.”
“I’ll take the second floor and Yumi’s coming with me.” Feint said and glanced at her. “I’m going to be her buffer between these people and her. And besides, they won’t take us seriously at first. At least I’m hoping they won’t.”
“Pretending to just be a woman? Doesn’t suit you Feint Shade said and shook his head. “And no one can buffer Yumi effectively.”
“And loyalty gone. Lovely.”
“It doesn’t and I don’t expect it to work that much. But I might get some attention. Plus a few drinks can loosen anyone’s lips.”
“Why am I going with you?” Yumi asked as she looked at her.
“Because you’re going to fight someone, probably punch them or burn them. We can’t have that. Not to mention I doubt you have a tolerance for alcohol.”
“Fuck you.”
“Exactly what I meant.”
She was silent for a long while and then folded her arms. “Fine.”
“I’ll roam about.” Shade said and shrugged. “See what’s interesting. Might say something to you all if I run into you.”
“What about Wiz Kid?”
“I’ve got some people to see. Haven’t spoken to Numb3rs in a while. I owe them some pleasantries at least.”
Phase clapped his hands and smiled. “Well then, we have our missions. Let’s go. And remember it’s a ball. Have fun.” With that motivating message they dispersed into the museum.
Phase walked forward marveling at the throng of masked people all around him. All of them were laughing, talking and drinking. If he had to pick a painting around them that perfectly illustrated this moment it would be something of the renaissance. Something that depicted the rich being the privileged people they were. Maybe a Da Vinci. But he knew nothing of art and would be talking out of his ass as much as they would.
Then again, now that he thought about it he was kind of one of them. He was most definitely not poor or even middle class. They lived in a penthouse. They could afford literally anything in the world that they wanted.
He walked toward a painting where five people were standing. Two men and a woman were standing together seeming to be arguing about the painting. He could hear them tossing around names back and forth. Some were famous artist but he didn’t give a shit really. The other man was leaning against the wall staring at his phone.
So Phase walked toward the last one, a woman. She had thick straight black hair, pale skin and a frown on her face. She was wearing a mask, similar to the one that Zoro wore. Her eyes were distant, focused on something not here. Across her cheek was a burn scar worn proudly not hidden away. Her dress was black, form fitting and going to her ankles. She had an empty glass in her hand that she was turning through her fingers.
“Hm, of all of the people here you seem to be the only one bored out of your mind. Why is that?”
She turned to look at him and blinked. For a second he thought she was startled but the lapse in her composure must have been his imagination. “What makes you say that?”
“Well for one you’re not actually looking at the painting.”
“Maybe I’m deep in thought.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Oh? And why do you doubt that. After all we are both strangers.”
“Let’s just say that I know how to read a mask. Even when it’s just the nose down.”
That brought a smile to her lips. “Do tell.”
“Well for one you’re no longer bored. Mainly because finally something here has interested you.”
“And I’m assuming you think that’s you?”
“I’d never be so vain.”
She nodded and moved closer to him offering him her arm. He took it and led her away from the painting and toward a short flight of stairs. As they walked they entered the ballroom.
On the edges were tables with pairs of people sitting and eating full meals. On the far wall was a bar and in the middle were spinning and twirling couples. Dancing to music being played throughout the museum.
“It’s amazing what money can do.” Phase said looking at them.
“Yes, it almost makes these people look civil.”
He laughed before holding it back and looking at her. She was smiling at her joke and even more so at his reaction. They both laughed then, a soft amused sound. She placed her glass on a table they passed by before pulling him onto the dance floor. Instinctively his hand went to her waist as his other raised up and they began to dance. Nothing fancy for Phase only knew the motions and she was leading.
“You aren’t from around here are you?” She asked as they spun together.
He raised their arms and spun her under them and then smiled. “What makes you say that?”
They stepped back extending as far as they could before he pulled them close again. “Your posture. Your tone. The fact that I can look at you without thinking you’ll regale me with yacht stories.”
“Oh if you feel that those are lacking I have some up my sleeve.”
She laughed again, “It’s refreshing to meet someone easy to talk to.” She said as they returned to their neutral stepping and swaying. “Events like this never made me feel natural. More like forced.”
“What makes you so sure that under the mask I’m such a pleasant person?”
“Let’s just say, I can read below the nose as well.”
The pair of them stopped, standing apart from one another and bowing their heads. Phase took one of her hands and kissed it lightly. Smiling they walked away from the dance floor and toward a table. As they sat opposite one another they were silent for the moments that followed.
They both turned toward the bar as they heard a sound. Glasses breaking, raised voices and it seemed like a fight was starting. However one of the guards came to break it up. They dragged away the two men who were still shouting.
“It seems the Vanguard are causing trouble again.”
Phase looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What makes you say they’re Vanguard?”
“Who they were. An African American and a Latino. The Royals have a reputation of not employing minorities. There are extreme cases but more often than not the reputation is true. And it goes both ways. Minorities rarely want to work with the Royals because of what they do.”
Phase looked at her before nodding. “I won’t deny that. Makes me wonder just how many gang members are here. The best part about a mask is you never know who’s hiding behind it. Maybe people will start switching sides. Negotiate to leave their gangs.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. There are quite a few smaller gangs that run around the city. Most are so small time that the others don’t bother with them.”
Phase shrugged and smiled. “Not many people have a lot of loyalty these days.” He glanced at her. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Where does your loyalty lie? Is it with the gang that you’re currently with?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “What makes you think I’m a part of a gang?”
“How aren’t you? You carry yourself like someone who can fight. Your body is toned and scarred in ways that shows you’ve survived your fair share of them. You talk with too much knowledge of the inner workings of a gang to not be a member of at least one if not now than previously. Gun to my head I’d say you were probably with the Royals. You speak too formal for someone from the Vanguard.”
Her eyes widened slightly and then she chuckled softly. “My my. Such powers of observation.”
He smirked. “I try. So are you going to answer the question?”
“Hm?”
“Does your loyalty lie with the Royals or someone else that I’m not aware of.”
“My loyalty is with them yes. I do as I’m told, even if it makes me uncomfortable. I have no other life outside of them.” He looked at her and she looked distance for a long moment then looked at him. “What?”
His laughter faded into a sight and then frown. “Nothing. Just a guy I know, said something almost exactly like that. You could be his sister.”
She smiled slightly at that, “Perhaps I would like him.”
“Perhaps you would.”
“You believe me to be a member of the Royals, what does that say about you?”
“What ever could you mean?”
“You don’t speak like a man who’s a part from the gangs in the city. An outsider looking in. And I doubt you’re a member of Numb3rs.”
“You mean the 1llum1na1?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, apart from them. You don’t seem smart enough to be one of those hackers.”
“I take offense to that.”
She giggled softly and nodded. “Feel free to. I don’t know what to make of you.”
“Call me a free agent.” There was another shout and this time it was above them. He turned his gaze upward and then frowned for a moment. He watched as a man was almost thrown over the edge of the balcony.
Rolling his hand through his hair, he brushed it against the left side of his party mask. “Wonder what’s going on up there.”
“Fucking rich assholes. Don’t fucking touch me.”
“We’re making a scene Yumi. Come on. Before the help arrives.”
Putting his hand to his face, he shook his head. “What am I going to do with them?”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Just lamenting the quiet conversation.” He stood up and then lowered his head. “It’s been a pleasure. Truly. I didn’t expect to meet someone interesting here. But I can’t stay in one place for too long. I think I’ll go check out the art. Unless you want to come along.
She looked around at the dance floor and the ballroom before shaking her head. “No. I think I’ll stay here a bit longer.” She motioned for a waiter to join her.
He lowered his head and bowed to her. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Turning away he walked out of the ballroom and then back into the museum proper. As he walked he spotted a staircase and decided to take them. There was a person looking passed out on the second floor of the staircase. On the third floor he had to pass by a couple getting very intimate. Laughing softly as he passed them he went onto the floor.
Hushed voices, quiet whispers, and a few choked back bouts of laughter greeted him. Hands in his pockets he chuckled softly. He could smell something sweet and also nature like. Almost like a plant. Glancing into one of the rooms he saw a small group of people, laid out on the floor. There were paintings on the walls but the spot had a thin layer smoke across the floor.
“Getting high? I almost want to join them.”
“Mmm, don’t. It’s strong stuff.”
Turning he caught Echo as she stumbled slightly. Smiling at her he raised his eyebrow. “How much did you smoke?”
“A bit. Though it messed me up a little. You met a lady friend by the way. Feint’s gonna be jeeeeealous.” She giggled.
“You find anything of worth up here?”
She nodded and held up a set of business cards. “Corporations. People who are really stressed out. They like smoking away their problems. When they smoke their lips get very loose.”
He turned over the business cards and his eyes widened slightly. Numbers. Long lines of numbers with prefixes. “Social security, account and routing numbers. Echo you’ve been busy huh?”
“No mind reading involved.”
He whistled softly as he looked at her. “Wow. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you leader.”
The pair of them walked, her hanging onto his arm as they went to the edge of the railing. Staring down at the multi colored fountain Phase leaned forward. “Well that’s the money part of the party. What information do we have on them?”
“I haven’t found anything yet.” Echo said and frowned. “They’re all a bunch of rich idiots. Probably kids. Not the parents.”
“Parents are probably down there somewhere.”
“Hopefully Yumi didn’t throw one over the edge of a railing.” Echo teased and chuckled softly.
“You heard that too.”
“Indeed. I think she drank a bit.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.”
“Who do you think has the chances of having information? And what are we looking for specifically?”
“Locations. Though at the same time I want to find her.”
“The Queen?”
“Yeah. She’s our real obstacle. I want to know what kind of person she is.”
“Well, you could ask her yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s here. I could hear some of my new ‘friends’ talking about her.
“Interesting.” He rubbed his chin for a moment and then smiled. “Can you find her?”
“Kiiinda.” She stood up and then groaned again. “There’s a lot of minds here. It’s like being at a concert where everyone is singing a different tune. Hard to narrow it down. Especially after smoking that stuff. I mean it was good. But its hard to concentrate.” Pressing her hand to her face she groaned. “Alright. I think I got a read.” She held onto his arm and pointed forward. “This way.”
“Where am I taking you?”
She smiled as they continued to walk forward and then down the steps. As they moved together the couple was still lip locked and there were some clothes on the ground now. As they passed to the next floor there were three people now lying on the ground passed out.
“First floor. There’s an auction going on I think. I know she’s there though. Too many people thinking about the illustrious lady Evelyn in their prescience.”
“You know how to auction?”
“Mostly. You forget how strong having a mind reader is.”
He laughed softly and nodded. “More like I haven’t had a chance to enjoy it. Let’s get going.”
The pair of them walked forward and entered the dark room. There were several people in the rows of seats. In front of them was a large stage, lights shining down on the man at the podium and then the objects that were being auctioned off.
They took an auction paddle that was offered at the door and then took a pair of seats at the back of the room. “Next on display is a hand carven wood chair from the late 1700s. Painted, polished and kept in very good condition. Start the bidding at $4000.”
Someone raised their paddle and the auctioneer nodded. “That’s $40,000. Do I hear 45,000? 45,000 taken. 50,000? Do I hear 50,000? 60,000! Do I hear 65,000?”
“Are they really spending this much on a chair?” Phase whispered and Echo shrugged.
“In their defense it’s a really nice chair.”
“Would you spend that much on a chair?”
“Well, not that chair.”
“The chair is a ruse.” Both of them turned at the sudden voice to a woman beside them.
She wore a white dress with something like a fur collar around the neck. She was holding a paddle in her slender fingers. Her blonde hair was cut short and her skin pale. When she turned her eyes onto them they were an empty blue. Her hands were gloved as well. The mask she wore was black but had golden string laced through the mask. Lining the edges of the mask were white feathers, maybe from a dove or something like that. “Those who go for that are depleted of their resources so when the more valuable items go on sale, they aren’t competition.”
“You seem to be very knowledgeable about these things.” Phase said.
“Auctions are a hobby of mine.” She lowered the paddle in front of her mouth and then looked at the pair of them. “So tell me. 052. 144. What brings you here?”
Both of them froze as they stared at her. Phase opened his mouth to speak to her but had nothing to say.
“Is this who I think it is,” He thought at Echo but her face was paler than normal. Her eyes had widened and pupils shrunk. He looked at her closely but she didn’t react. When he squeezed her hand, she jumped. She looked in his direction but she wasn’t really looking at him.
He laced his fingers with hers and gave harder squeeze before turning his glare gaze onto her. “Stop this. Can’t you see what you’re doing to her?”
She glanced past him and then looked at him. “I can see 144’s condition quite clearly. However I’d rather not have her inside of my head.”
“She can’t see or hear!” he hissed. “You guys are the reason for that and you know.”
“Why should her fear of the dark concern me?”
“You bitch. I’ll promise that she won’t touch your mind.” He glared as he leaned closer to her. “Now turn off the field.”
Her cool gaze matched his anger filled one. After sometime and a new item change on the platform she turned her head. Raising the paddle, she bid and at the same time he heard the gasp beside him. He turned around to face her who was breathing harshly. Resting his hand on her shoulder he stroked her cheek.
“Echo. Echo listen to me. Do not go into her head. At all. Read my mind if you need to understand why.”
She threw her arms around his neck and shook against him. With a slight sniffle she shook her head. “I want to go home.”
He’d never heard her voice so fragile before. Brushing his fingers through her hair gently, he said. “We will Echo. Soon.”
Turning back toward her she said, “Your group is resourceful to have made it here. I don’t pretend to know exactly how you got here. All I know is that you have been a thorn. No, more than that. You’re becoming an obstacle and my King is getting tired of you all. You have yet to become useful to us therefore you are quickly becoming something that must be removed from the playing field.”
He smirked. “If we’re getting to that level, must mean we’re doing something right.”
“You have no idea what you’re becoming close to.” She said and then she stood up. “Though I do find your struggles and your journey amusing.”
“Amusing.” He glared at her. “We’re going to learn all there is to learn about us. The scientist who made us, the so called King, all of it. And then maybe we’ll throw a wrench in your operation while we’re at it.”
She stared at him and he matched her gaze. “I haven’t seen eyes like that since Adam.” She turned. “So long as I stand by his side, he will not fall. I won’t allow it. Though I encourage you to try. It will make eliminating you in the future much easier.”
As she spoke she was quickly joined by another. Phase’s eyes widened suddenly as he looked at the woman from before. They both shared a stare, one of shock and one of resignation. “Come Lucretia, it is time that we took our leave of this place.”
“Yes madam. And you know I dislike that name.”
She shook her head and glanced at her attendant. “Yes, I forget that you prefer Luce.”
Phase opened his mouth and mouthed the name. “Luce”
Their gaze met once more and he offered him a slight smile before turning around. The pair of Royals exited the room and Phase watched before turning toward Echo. She was pulling on his sleeve and she was more stable this time.
“Are you gonna be okay?”
“Maybe. But that bitch didn’t get away with doing that to me for nothing.”
She glared at the door in which they had left. “What do you mean?” Phase asked helping her walk.
“Before she left, I heard her say ‘I have to report this to Nathan’ whoever Nathan is.”
“Think Darren will know who that is?”
“I don’t know. Probably. We’ll have to find them once tonight is over.”
“Alright. Let’s find everyone else then get out of here.”
The pair of them stood without buying a thing and tossed away the paddle. As they entered the main floor Echo closed her eyes and looked for their people. Phase felt the tap of her mind against his own and chuckled.
While she did that he thought back to Lucretia. Or rather Luce. Was that woman the same man that he had been fighting and known for a brief time in captivity? It would explain all of those moments of familiarity he had with them. Was this what he meant by things not feeling natural?
Going back to their talks and their dancing he was wondering if that changed anything. Though at the end of the day he supposed it didn’t. Luce was an enemy. But if he wasn’t allied with the Royals, if they could have met under different circumstances, he they would have been friends.
“They’re on their way.” Echo said breaking him from his thoughts. “And you know, I think I would have liked Luce on our side.”
He chuckled, “Me too.”
“Maybe we won’t have to kill him.”
“Maybe. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
The two of them made it to the fountain and sat on the edge of it. Phase leaned back and put his hand into the water. It was cool to his touch. Though when he dragged his hand back the water was clear. It must have been through lights that changed its color.
“Yoohoo!” Both turned as Yumi and Feint came over, Yumi holding onto Feint who was also smiling at her. “Did you guys have fun?”
“Not as much fun as you did apparently.” Phase stood and smiled at Feint who return it with a tired one. She leaned her head against his chest while Phase wrapped his arm around her.
Yumi sat down on the edge of the fountain. Kicking off her shoes she turned around and dipped her feet into her the water, kicking her legs slowly. “God. I love me some Vodka. It burns like my hands. And so refreshing. We need it in the house. Hear that leader? Get that on the list.”
He rolled his eyes at her and then smiled. “I’m a bourbon kind of guy myself.” Shade said as he joined them. “The darker the better in my eyes.”
She turned to look at him and pouted. “Was that a comment about my skin color?”
He rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through her hair. “No, it wasn’t.”
She chuckled and then looked past him and waved. “Hey look. It’s Rogue.”
The thief in name was walking toward them but also had a bag over his shoulder. “What’s in the bag?” Echo asked.
Phase and Yumi shared a glance before saying. “Swiggity swag.”
Shade rolled his eyes. “Ugh, I dislike you two sometimes.”
Rogue rolled his eyes. “You said that when we first met. And to answer your question, drugs.”
“Drugs? Really?” Feint asked with a laugh.
“Yes.” Rogue said dropping the bag onto the ground. “Enhance. Crack. Heroin. Some new stuff I’ve never seen before.”
“The Enhance we could use. The rest not really something we need.” Phase told him.
“Darren could probably do something with them. It’s better off with me than those kids using them.”
“Speaking of Darren. Where are they?” Yumi asked.
They each looked around but they didn’t see their hacker anywhere to be found.
Feint pressed a finger to her mask and dialed through their channel going to a direct line to Darren. She paused and then sync the signal to her phone and nodded, “They’re still here. Just hidden away. Looks like they have a hidden room.”
“Are we going to find them?” Echo asked.
“Hell yeah we are,” Yumi smirked.
She got up and kicked her feet slowly before picking up her shoes. Rogue picked up the bag of drugs. “I’m assuming we’re all going?”
Echo chuckled. “You really want to let leader and Yumi go do this by themselves?”
He shrugged. “You have a point.”
Shade wrapped his arm around Yumi’s arm and she smiled. Phase was joined by Feint with Echo and Rogue walking beside her. The six of them walked past the fountain and toward a set of doors. One was marked as the stairs while the other two said employees only.
“Which door Fei?”
“This one.” She said walking to the employee door. Before she could open it the door itself opened. Feint backed up as Darren exited the room and then they closed it behind them. Adjusting their mask as if they were glasses they looked at each of them with a raised eyebrow. “What’re you guys doing here?”
“Looking for you Wiz Kid. What’re you doing back here?”
“Oh nothing. Just catching up with some old friends. Nothing major.”
“Nothing Major.” Phase shook his head but backed off and let Darren get into the group. “Whatever secret meeting you were in, let it stay back there. Not our world.”
Darren laughed again and shook their head. “There’s a few different worlds out there. Mine and your world are separate but not as separate as you’d think. Did you guys manage to find anything?”
Phase waved his hand again and then glanced at Echo. “Yeah. Nathan. That name mean anything to you.”
Darren glanced at him and finally nodded, “Nathan Pierce. Aka the King.”
“You mean the politician?” Shade asked eyes wide.
“Yep. Had a few hunches that point there but this just confirms it all. Even saying it out loud feels wrong but I don’t doubt it anymore.”
“What’s this mean?” Rogue asked.
“Means we have our work cut out for us. But not too much,” Darren replied. “We’re very close.”
Yumi hit her fist into her palm. “I call the first punch on the King. I want to knock him flat on his old ass.”
“Hey I think I owe him a good punch as well.” Phase said with a small laugh.
“Each of us has a reason to punch the guy out.” Shade said throwing one hand behind his head. “So let’s start getting in line and taking numbers.”
They laughed fighting for that privilege though Yumi maintained that she was going to be the first one to do so. They piled into the limousine and were on their way back home. Once they were all inside Phase glanced at the team and said, “One hell of a Christmas party!”
The Harlequin Library 