Page 85 of Dark Captivation

LIVY

It was the night before the party and the palace was aglow with the comings and goings of entertainers, decorators and crew. Everyone teamed up to get every last detail set up just right ahead of tomorrow’s ball.

I was in the room’s center, just below the decorative glass ceiling. I hoped to somehow get involved but all the staff I’d spoken to so far seemed to have it all covered and didn’t want help.

The ballroom was an impressively large space with high ceilings. It was shaped like a perfect circle, with garden facing glass windows taking up the entire wall opposite the luxurious entrance way.

Near the entrance, Ferina instructed the waiters on how to greet the guests when they came in and what drinks to offer them.

Malek was perched on a ladder, helping the staging crew to hang crystal ornaments along the ceiling.

Malek, who seemed to catch me watching him, puffed his chest muscles out while still working. The act of showing off caused him to lose his balance on the ladder.

He quickly steadied himself before peering around to see who saw him almost fall.

“I totally didn’t see that!” I yelled and his chest caved, his spine bending as he went back to work, pretending not to have heard me.

Finally, I found someone who needed my help. A demon with two small white horns asked if I wanted to help the entertainers set up. I gladly said yes.

I helped them get the drums installed on the platform and helped carry in the guitar, violin and microphones from their car.

They jacked into the speakers and the guitarist tested his instrument. Now we were just waiting for the lead singer to come back from the bathroom to practice.

“Just a few more minutes, Lady Sunny. Trust me. Our sets are going to blow you away.” The drummer warmed up his drums by playing a few swift beats.

“I have no doubt. What kind of music do you guys play, rock?” I asked the drummer.

“Ours is more like a fusion, we play around with rock, pop and the classics. Depends on our mood. Sometimes we do all three at once.” The guitarist strummed the strings aggressively, forming a powerful blast of sound.

It was deep and rich, sending sonorous waves bouncing off the walls and turning heads.

“Sunny, I need you.” Ferina waved as three demons carrying trays stacked with dishes dashed for me. “The chefs are here with samples but I’m super busy. Can you let them know what you think of their hors d'oeuvres?”

I turned around, and the chefs were standing there with the food samples already. “We’re getting close to the deadline but the kitchens are running behind. Could you please let us know what you think of the samples so we can finalize the menu?” One of the chefs asked urgently and all three chefs thrust their trays toward my face.

They were covered in sweat, the bags under their eyes telling me they didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.

Their food was the opposite. They were colorful, beautifully decorated and perfectly plated. There were six different meats, all with their own sauces. Some meats were fried, others baked but all were a feast for the eyes.

“It looks incredible!” My mouth watered, and they took a collective sigh of relief.

Most of these foods were of foreign origin, everything from lamb ribs with mint sauce to traditional wolf shifter dishes like sage and vinegar deer tartare.

I tried the tartare and memories of the Prometheus pack came rushing in like flood water. Some bad memories flashed by, but the good ones rose to prominence.

“Are you alright, my lady?” one of the chefs asked, handing me a handkerchief.

I took it, not understanding what he meant until a hot tear drop rolled down my cheek.

“This tartare is the most delicious thing I’ve eaten in days.” I wiped the tears away. “It’s excellent!”

“Try the others, please!” They encouraged boisterously, each of them competing with the other.

I tested them all, one by one. Some were sweet and mushy, others salty and firm.

“Perfection, every last one of them.” I kissed my index finger and thumb. “Your cooking is brilliant. Don't change a thing.”

The trio thanked me profusely before scrambling back to the kitchens.

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