Chapter B3C11 - High Society

Chapter B3C11 - High Society

“Vic, I haven’t slept in two days, I’m going to need you to use plain language, for a change.”

“That’s difficult. The exalted blood within my veins demands I speak in as roundabout terms as possible.”

“What exalted blood? Your dad is a merchant and your mother is a jeweller. You're as noble as I am.”

“As much as the Almsfield name rings throughout the land, there is a key difference between our families. Mine is exceptionally wealthy.”

“Get to the fucking point, Vic,” Tyron dragged a hand down his face. “I’m tired and I’m not in the mood for your delusions of grandeur.”

The Necromancer had been engaged in a frenzy of work since his unexpected visit from Shadda. Completing the order had required a furious pace of activity, but doing so while upkeeping his experiments had been exhausting. Luckily, the task had been completed on time and the delighted Dust Folk had departed back to the desert with the goods in tow only hours before Vic had arrived and begun pounding on his door.

“You wound me. I haven’t visited you in weeks and this is the welcome I get?”

“This welcome is about to get a lot less friendly,” Tyron glared.

The guard behind Master Willhem’s apprentice stepped forward, a frown on his face, only for Tyron to turn his stare in his direction.

“At least welcome me inside, damnit,” Vic sighed. “It’s getting cold out here and I’m worried I’ll get murdered.”

“You’re perfectly safe, you coward.”

Nevertheless, he stepped aside and allowed his associate into the store.

“Looks like business has been ticking along nicely,” the Arcanist observed as he walked between the glass cases of displayed wares, noting the various ‘sold out’ items. “Perhaps you weren’t as crazy as I thought you were when you opened this place.”

“Come on, Vic, please get to the point. I’m not kidding when I tell you I’m exhausted. Another time, I would love to invite you in for tea and biscuits, but I’ve just filled a big order and I need some fucking sleep. Out with it.”

The well-dressed apprentice sighed and pouted.

“Fine.”

He reached into his coat, frowned, fumbled at several pockets before he smiled and withdrew a sealed envelope. With a small flourish, he presented it to his friend, who took it with a weary expression plastered on his face.

“The Lady Shan is throwing a ball tomorrow evening and I not only have an invitation, but have also been given the privilege of granting an additional seat at the table. Naturally, I thought immediately of you, my dear friend, to take advantage of this rare opportunity.”

“Master Willhem pulled out at the last minute, didn’t he?”

“... I mean... what are you... I would never... yes.”

Tyron barked out a laugh.

“Still trying to curry favour with the Master, Vic? You should know by now he doesn’t care for this stuff,” he slapped a hand against the envelope which surely contained an invitation. “If you want his favour, then work harder. Enchantments are all that man cares about.”

“It was worth a shot,” Vic shrugged, a sly smile on his face. “Although, I must admit, I didn’t think he would accept in the first place. When he did agree, I certainly never imagined he would withdraw at the last second. So, to try and stave off embarrassment, I am forced to lure the Master’s favourite apprentice in his stead.”

“Who is going to be at this thing?”

“Why, an esteemed gathering of rising young entrepreneurs, along with a cadre of Lady Shan's close friends and allies amongst her peers.”

The apprentice waggled his brows suggestively.

“A chance to rub elbows with the nobles is worth its weight in gold. You may thank me now.”

Tyron just stared at him, disbelief plastered on his face.

“You invited Master Willhem to a gathering of young aristocrats?”

Victor’s smile slipped.

“Well... perhaps I didn’t think it all the way through. Never mind. The details are on the invitation, make sure you aren’t late, or early.”

He began to collect himself and head to the door before Tyron could object.

“Make sure you wear something worthy of the event. Don’t embarrass me. Look dashing, but reserved, arcane. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to meet someone the old goat actually approved of.”

“Wait a second–Vic?”

“Oh, and don’t forget your plus one. Everyone is expected to bring a partner. Except me. I’m escorting Lady Shan for the evening.”

Victor radiated concentrated smug energy as he stepped out of the store, his guard shadowing him closely.

“See you tomorrow, my friend!”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because, at the end of the day, that’s all you care or think about.”

The vampire sniffed daintily.

“A small price to pay for immortality. Are you sure you aren’t tempted? Eternal life has many benefits.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” he replied dryly.

When they alighted from the carriage, it was difficult for Tyron not to grimace. The structure before them was an abomination, an exercise in opulence. Fountains hovered overhead, drizzling water down into verdant gardens of exotic flowers as paintings formed of bent light glittered on either side of the path.

The residence itself was enormous, a towering edifice of radiant, golden stone and coloured crystal, studded with glowing orbs that ensured no part of it would ever be hidden in shadow.

For one family to command this much space, inside the Castle District no less.

Tyron did his best to ignore the gigantic fortress that loomed to his right, dominating the skyline. The weight of it felt as if it pressed down on him every time he caught a glimpse in the corner of his eye.

“Lukas! There you are!”

Victor stepped from a small gathering outside the ballroom door, waving. Rather than his normal apprentice robes, he was dressed in an impeccable suit, his long, dark hair pulled back and tied in a neat tail that trailed down between his shoulders.

“You’re looking very dignified there, friend, and I see you managed to find a–holy shit!”

“I’m sorry?” Tyron frowned.

His friend gaped like a fish for a moment before he recovered himself with a strangled cough. Cheeks flushed, Victor appeared to struggle to tear his eyes away from Yor with a mighty effort.

“I see... you found... a date,” he managed to grind out.

Fucking vampires. This is so pitifully easy for them, Tyron thought, not for the first time.

“This is a friend and business associate of mine, Yorin Kiris. Yor, this is my... friend, and an apprentice of Master Willhem, Victor Tarkyn.”

“A pleasure,” she said before dipping into a flawless curtsy.

As she dipped, Victor’s eyes flicked to her bosom and appeared arrested there. Tyron decided to step in and save him, placing himself between the vampire and the apprentice.

“You may want to ensure your eyes stay glued to Lady Shan tonight, Vic,” he murmured quietly in his friend’s ear. “This is a big opportunity for you, right?”

Victor closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

“You’re right, I apologise.”

He resolutely turned his back on Yor and marched away, though he walked a little stiffly.

“I’ll see you inside,” he called over his shoulder. “They’re opening the ballroom in five minutes.”

Tyron waved back before he eyed the various small gatherings scattered around the garden. Murmured conversations and laughter filled the air, dim forms drifted amongst the shadows arm in arm with heads bent together in conversation.

I hate this.

An arm slipped around his own and he found Yor at his side, watching the knots of people like a wolf eyeing sheep.

“What did you say to your friend?” she asked pointedly.

“Nothing. Just... try not to entangle him. He’s accompanying the host tonight and if he goes mooning after you, he’ll probably be found dead in the morning.”

Yor rolled her eyes.

“I know who he is. I know who all of these people are.”

She licked her lips slowly.

“There’s more interesting prey here than your little friend, of that, I can assure you.”

Tyron rolled his shoulders uncomfortably.

“Well, try to exercise some restraint,” he said.

“Not for me,” she grinned like a beast. “For you. Did you know that Lady Jana Shan’s older brother will be in attendance? The young Lord Regis Shan is a trainee Magister. Isn’t that interesting?”

Tyron stiffened.

“Yes. Yes it is.”New novel chapters are published on