"So, what's this party about?"
Taking off the spectra glass, I asked as we walked out of the museum.
The sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and lavender.
Though we'd left Akasha in the morning, the ti difference made it feel as if the day had sprinted ahead of us.
"Do we need a reason to party?" Amaury, walking beside , stretched lazily as he replied.
"Fair enough." I shrugged, rolling my shoulders. "How many people are in on this?"
"Us four, Carson, and Heather," Elijah said.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him, frowning. "Heather? Why?"
"It was her idea," Amaury answered before Elijah could. "She said she wanted to try drinking for the first ti—"
"That's good and all, but why with us?" I interrupted, looking back at Elijah. "You sure she would fit in?"
Elijah scratched the back of his head, his awkward smile making it clear he'd already had this debate in his mind. "She seems pretty adamant about it."
"Then you guys can have your party," I replied, walking away from them. "I am out."
"Hey! At least listen to us," Elijah said, quickly blocking my path. "It won't be that bad, trust ."
"It will be that bad," Aimar chid in, his tone as dry as ever. "We can either have an all-boys party, or you and Amaury can babysit Heather."
"What my side chick said," I added, pointing at Aimar. "Either us or Heather."
"Who's your side chick?" Aimar snarled, slapping my hand away.
"I will be looking around the place," I said, looking at him. "Wanna join?"
"Sure."
"Wait!"
Elijah once again blocked my path.
I frowned, not hiding my annoyance.
"What now?"
"We can work this out," he said, smiling brightly. "You and —"
"We can't," I cut him off, deadpan. "It's over. We're going our separate ways now."
His expression turned pleading, his hands clasping over his chest. "You can't do this to !"
"It's my final decision," I replied flatly, brushing past him. "We're done—"
"Are you two breaking up or sothing?"
An annoyed voice chid in between our drama.
I turned to look at Zenith walking along with Pasithea and Elise.
"You got a problem, shorty?" I tilted my head at her.
"Don't talk to , idiot," she shot back, her glare sharp crucifying . "And I'm telling Mother how you tried to flirt with the Elven queen."
"He did what now?" Elijah asked with an amused look on his face.
I ignored him.
"Already snitching on your father?" I replied, and she imdiately turned red from anger.
"You are not my father!" she snapped, pointing at . "Say that once again and I will—"
"Zenith." A voice cut through her outburst.
I glanced at Siersha standing with Heather at the side.
Zenith drew in a deep breath.
"Urgh, anyway," she said, looking at Elijah. "Heather isn't going to join you guys."
Zenith huffed, visibly restraining herself before tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Us girls are also having a party."
"Kitty party?"
"No!" she snapped at . "Shut up for a while."
"Aimar is invited," Elise chid, and Zenith nodded.
We all turned to look at him, and he stood dumbfounded.
"I kindly refuse," he replied, looking at Elise. "I have plans."
Her greenish eyes narrowed, but she nodded nonetheless. "Okay."
"Whatever, rember our promise," Zenith said, grabbing Elise and walking away.
Though I was interested in the promise, I kept quiet.
It's better they both are getting along.
Sighing, I looked at Heather talking with Amaury about sothing.
"So," Elijah began with a smile. "Are you in?"
*****
The hotel room was dimly lit, the golden glow from a single lamp.
It was past nine, and the five of us—Elijah, Amaury, Carson, Aimar, and myself—sat in a loose circle on the floor.
"This," Amaury announced with a grin, holding up a dusty vintage bottle, "is Namulam. Unopened for almost 300 years."
"Will one bottle be enough?" Carson, sitting with us, asked doubtfully.
"One glass is more than enough," Amaury scoffed. "It's one of my holand's specialties."
"And where's that, exactly?" I asked, sinking into the sofa. "It's not Akasha, is it?"
"Nope, I'm from Lumina," Amaury said, pouring a small amount of the drink into each glass.
"Sir Drake brought to Akasha when I was a kid after noticing my potential."
"I see," I mumbled, shifting on my side. "I heard you werewolves are very submissive."
"We are not," he scoffed. "But yeah, we only marry once in our lifeti."
"That's quite romantic," Elijah mumbled. "Living your entire life with one wife."
"Isn't it, Himl?" Aimar chid in, smiling towards .
I averted my gaze from him.
"Here," Amaury passed the glass towards .
"Hey, Carson," I said, grabbing my glass while changing the subject. "I heard vampires are submissive too."
"Can you shut up?" he grumbled, glaring at .
"Really," I replied, taking a sip of the tasteless drink. "I can prove it."
"I am interested," Aimar chid in, drinking the beer. "How?"
I turned to look at Carson. "Get into missionary position."
"What!?"
"Just do it," I urged him. "Pretty please."
Carson let out a deep sigh before setting his glass down.
Without a word, he shifted, sliding farther down until he was sprawled on his back, one leg bent and raised lazily in the air, as if the effort to remain upright was too much to bear.
I smiled. "Alright, thanks for proving my point."
He got up with confusion etched on his face.
The others laughed as they finally got what he did wrong.
"What?" he asked with an annoyed look.
"Shouldn't you be on top?" Amaury replied, still laughing.
"Wait! That's not—"
Carson tried to explain himself, his pale face turning crimson, but no one was listening.
Laughter bubbled around the room as I leaned back, taking another sip of the beer.
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