The luxurious hall of the Victoria Harbor Grand Hotel gleamed under crystal chandeliers, casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Victor adjusted the collar of his impeccably tailored suit, his sharp eyes scanning the room. To anyone else, he looked every bit the refined aristocrat he pretended to be, but beneath his polished exterior, he was on edge.
"Do I look ridiculous?" Mei's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see her stepping out from behind one of the large marble pillars, wearing a sleek black evening gown that hugged her figure. Her usual combat-ready demeanor was replaced with an air of grace and sophistication, though her expression betrayed a hint of discomfort.
Victor hesitated for a moment before finding his words. "You look… stunning."
Mei raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Was that a compliment from the ever-brooding Victor Hart? Mark this day in history."
He smirked, offering his arm. "Don't get used to it. Shall we?"
The gala was their cover, a chance to blend in while investigating rumors of an artifact tied to the enemy's rituals. Selina had acquired invitations under the guise of wealthy benefactors, and the team had spent hours rehearsing their roles. Victor and Mei were to pose as a wealthy couple, a prospect that had drawn no shortage of comments from Maximilian.
As they glided through the crowd, Victor leaned in, his voice low. "See anyone suspicious?"
Mei scanned the room, her gaze sharp. "Other than the guy over there trying to blend in with a bow tie from the last century? Not yet."
Victor followed her gaze and stifled a laugh. "I'll give you that one."
Meanwhile, Maximilian and Leo were stationed near the grand staircase, posing as security personnel. Maximilian's fitted uniform did little to hide his distaste for the role. "This is beneath me," he muttered.
Leo snickered. "At least you get a cool earpiece. I just get to carry a clipboard."
"If anyone asks, you're fired," Maximilian deadpanned.
Back on the ballroom floor, Victor and Mei spotted their target: a tall man in a crisp white tuxedo, his demeanor too self-assured to be ordinary. He held a small, intricately carved box—a relic Selina had identified as a key to disrupting the ley lines.
"Let me guess," Mei whispered. "We ask him nicely?"
Victor chuckled softly. "Something like that. Stay close."
They moved toward the man, their approach subtle. Victor engaged him in casual conversation, his charm disarming even the most guarded individuals. Mei played her part flawlessly, laughing at Victor's carefully placed quips and subtly guiding the conversation toward the artifact.
The man's arrogance made it easy. "Oh, this old thing?" he said, holding up the box. "Just a little trinket I acquired during my travels."
Victor feigned polite interest. "Fascinating. May I take a closer look?"
Before the man could respond, the lights flickered. A hush fell over the room as the chandeliers dimmed, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Victor tensed, his vampiric senses flaring. "Something's wrong."
The doors at the far end of the hall burst open, and a group of robed figures stormed in, their dark energy crackling ominously. Panic rippled through the crowd as guests scattered in every direction.
"Well, there goes the subtle approach," Mei quipped, pulling a concealed dagger from her gown. "You take left; I'll take right?"
Victor nodded, his own blade materializing from his sleeve. "Just don't ruin the dress."
The battle that ensued was as chaotic as it was breathtaking. Victor moved with his usual precision, his strikes deliberate and lethal. Mei matched his pace, her agility and quick thinking turning the ballroom into her personal battleground. At one point, she used the edge of a serving tray to deflect an energy blast, earning an impressed glance from Victor.
"Creative," he called out.
She smirked, tossing the tray at an approaching enemy. "Resourceful."
Meanwhile, Maximilian and Leo joined the fray, their cover as security proving fortuitous. Maximilian's brute strength turned tables and chairs into makeshift weapons, while Leo's quick thinking allowed him to deactivate several of the enemy's enchanted traps.
"Remind me why we don't do this more often," Maximilian said, tossing a robed figure into a dessert table.
"Because it's insane?" Leo shot back, ducking under a blast of energy.
As the last of the robed figures fell, Victor and Mei turned their attention back to the man with the box, who had been cowering behind a column. Victor stepped forward, his expression sharp. "We'll be taking that now."
The man handed over the box without protest, his hands trembling. "Take it! I don't want any part of this!"
Mei took the box, her eyes meeting Victor's. "Mission accomplished."
"Not quite," Victor replied, his gaze sweeping the room. "They'll come for it again. We need to move quickly."
Back at the tea house, the team regrouped, the artifact safely in their possession. Mei set the box on the table, her fingers lingering on its surface as she studied the intricate carvings.
"You did well tonight," Victor said, his voice quieter than usual.
Mei looked up, her expression softening. "So did you. For a brooding aristocrat, you're surprisingly fun at a party."
Victor allowed a small smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The room's atmosphere lightened as Maximilian walked in, still dusting crumbs from his jacket. "Do you know how many good desserts were sacrificed tonight? Tragic, really."
Leo groaned. "You're insufferable."
"True," Maximilian said with a grin. "But effective."
Victor shook his head, his gaze returning to Mei. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be harder."
Mei nodded, but as she turned to leave, she paused. "Victor, I meant it. Tonight… we made a good team."
For a moment, Victor hesitated. Then he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "We did."
As Mei turned, Maximilian leaned closer to Victor, smirking. "Careful, brother. If you're not careful, she might start liking you."
Victor sighed, brushing past him. "She already likes me, Max. It's you she can't stand."
Maximilian's laughter filled the room, drawing a chuckle even from Selina. The team, weary but victorious, allowed themselves a moment to breathe. The artifact was secure, their mission a success, but the war was far from over.
Leo broke the silence. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
Selina's voice carried a calm determination. "We prepare. The artifact holds secrets we need to unlock, and the enemy will stop at nothing to take it back."
Victor's gaze lingered on the intricate carvings of the box, his thoughts racing. They had bought themselves time, but every victory came at a cost. As the laughter faded and the team dispersed to rest, Victor couldn't shake the feeling that the next battle would demand even more.
The night deepened, the city outside a blur of lights and shadows. For now, they had won. Tomorrow, the fight would continue.
Dear Readers,
I regret to inform you that this will be the final chapter uploaded here, as I have not yet secured a contract with Webnovel. However, if you'd like to continue supporting my work, the complete book is available on Kindle.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support!
Warm regards,
Jerry