Florence

Once mom's hair was done she quickly got changed into her dress. It was nice off-the-shoulder emerald dress that hugged her upper body more than she liked it to. It flowed down instead of puffing out, with a slit along one side to show off her flashy high-heels. It looked nice on her.

Her hair was put up into a tight neat bun, with a few curled strands falling down on either side of her face. She even wore a little makeup to go with the look. The only time I've ever seen her go all out like this was in photos. Very old photos.

"Are we ready to go?" Eurus asked but they way he said it was more like a command then a question. Mom nodded silently and was still checking herself out. I think she was more stunned then I was. "Great! Our rides are here," he announced before taking out the front door. We reluctantly followed him, side-by-side.

"You look awfully classy," mom snickered, slightly picking up the dress as she stepped off the porch. "You're one to speak." I scoffed. She elbowed me in the side before nearly tripping over. "These bloody heels!"

"Need assistance, Misses Baker?" Eurus asked, emphasizing the misses. I guess he learnt his lesson last time. He stuck out his hand to which mom reluctantly took. "Thank you, Eurus. You really didn't have to invite us to this party and cover all the expenses!" Mom gasped while looking down at the dress yet again. "Oh, please. It was the least I could do." He hummed with a pleased expression. The least he could do? What did that mean?

Once we reached the sleek black limousine he opened the door for mom to crouch into then stared at me expectantly. I quickly hopped in with a thud. I hadn't realized how low limousines were. Then again, I've never been in one.

The inside was mostly black with gold trimming on basically everything. The seats where comfortable black leather and there was a tray for drinks. Once Eurus hopped in he immediately went for the iced water, skipping the other alcoholic beverages.

I looked through the tinted windows and stared hard at the other black vehicles. A few guards got the first two and started driving ahead while the other two stayed back. Only when we started moving did they follow suit. It was somewhat comforting and scary having guards around.

"One of my good allies is hosting the party. It's mostly for show and the 'solidarity of the new treaty'." He waved his hands around while speaking the last part. He didn't seem too impressed by it which ate at my nerves. "Wicker and Slade might show their faces but who knows. Those two are lone wolves," he shrugged.

I had to take a moment to think about who he was talking about then remembered those were Rian and Remus' last names. He didn't seem too pleased with that either. "Anyway, if I disappear halfway through the night just know I'm at a meeting." He sighed. Mom and I exchanged glances. There were a couple minutes silence with all three of us staring outside.

"Lisa. Tell me more about yourself." Eurus suddenly said. I looked at mom and she seemed startled. "W-Well. What would you like to know?" She asked. He shrugged looked around. "Anything." He stated. She exhaled then started fidgeting with her fingers. I guess that's where I got it from.

"Well I was born in O'Ceal-"

"By the sea?" He asked. He definitely had a thing for cutting people off. "Yes, that's right!" Mom said. She was excited someone was actually interested. She began talking about growing up in a fishing town and how it was always raining there and how she used to chase the ducks that use to poop on her porch every morning.

"Then I met my husband- Francis- here in Miradel! It was only for a week but I knew instantly that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him," she sighed happily. Normally she was sad whenever she mentioned dad. "And your husband? Was he already on the High Order back then?" He asked. That caught both of us off guard. "Uh no. We were only teens back then would you believe it-"

"So that was a later development? Did he have any family members in the High Order?" He cut her off. I frowned and tried to see what he was playing at. "Y-Yeah. His dad, Neil, had just become a member. I'm sorry why do you-"

She was cut off yet again but not by Eurus. The car suddenly stopped and a guard opened the door and whispered something to him. He nodded before sending him away. He turned to us and had a soft smile. "Nothing to worry about! Just a transit check point. Gated communities and such," he excused. He hopped out and promptly shut the door.

"You okay?" I asked mom. She was silent then gripped my hand. "Yeah.." she whispered. I frowned and gave her hand a squeeze. It got me thinking about why he had asked so many questions. It was hard to think about let alone want to think about but if memory serves right it could explain a few things.

"When dad- when dad was.." I started but I couldn't bring myself to say it. It was almost like I physically couldn't. Mom squeezed my hand. "Why would he be asking about dad?" I asked.

"I don't want to think about it, Florence. Can we just act like this didn't happen?" Mom urged. I gave her a hard stare but she didn't crack. I hadn't talked about what happened that day, why should I start now? I nodded then sat silently until Eurus came back.

Once he slid back in we were off in an instant. The silence wasn't meant to be awkward but it sure felt like it to me. We hit a few rough patches in the road which made me jump which was the most excitement I got for the rest of the car ride. I peeked outside and marveled at the shiney white mansions.

From what I've seen so far I could tell we were in Alps Foothills Estate. The most lavish and expensive gated community on Miradel, situated at the foothills of the only mountain not owned by either tribe. This place was quite far from the hotel. How long were we driving for?

As we got higher and higher the houses got bigger and bigger. Most had lights on and some even had parties going on. I was expecting to stop any moment but it wasn't until I heard the extremely loud music coming from up ahead did I realize where our destination was.

It was probably the biggest house I've ever seen. It towered over the other houses with it's sleek modern design, floor to ceilings windows and the sheer amount of people flowing in and out of every possible exit I could tell that's where the party was. It gave me anxiety knowing the crowd would be that big but also a sense of relief. With a house that big it would be nearly impossible for anyone to spot me. Specifically Josh and Liza.

We pulled up to a set of gates and waited for awhile. I hadn't noticed until now that there was a long queue of cars we just passed. "What the- we're nowhere near the house," Mom muttered, staring outside the window as well. Eurus laughed like it was no big deal. "My friend's estate is very large." He chuckled. I nodded and smiled. Very large was an understatement.

We started to move again, passing by lush gardens and well trimmed hedges. We also drove by an entire crowd of reporters, with their notebooks and cameras.

As we got closer though I noticed that there were a few people lingering in the gardens rather than inside the house itself. Once I got closer I could tell why. There was another queue just as long as the one outside but with people.

Men and women in fancy attire lined up at a grand set of open double doors, waiting to be let in. Some seemed tired, like they had been waiting there since the party started at eight. It was almost ten.

The car stopped right infront of the line and Eurus got out. He helped mom get out as she started talking under her breath. She usually did that when she was getting nervous. Even at the hotel, neither of us had dealt with such a big crowd.

I slid on over to the exit and nearly bumped into Eurus. He still had his hand held out, waiting for me to take it. I didn't look up and instead just took it, muttering a thank you. I didn't know why I didn't expect him to help me out.

"Welcome to the party!" Eurus exclaimed breathing in deep then exclaiming. He twirled around and caught more than a few eyes. "T-shirt place is..." Mom started but trailed off. She was as awestruck as I was. "Marvelous? Beautiful? Fabulously wealthy?" Eurus grinned. It was something about his demeanour that suddenly felt so charming. He definitely suited the partying scene.

I spotted a few guards get out of the cars as more and more people came to gather around us. I instantly put together that they were here to see Eurus. He stepped behind us then placed his hand on my back, ushering both of us forward. "Quickly now! Don't want to be caught out here!" He muttered.

We skipped past the entire queue once again but this time it didn't go unnoticed. I could clearly see a few were about to protest but silenced themselves when they spotted who was cutting infront.

"Invitation, please." One of the bulky dudes at the front spoke up. I glanced between Eurus and the bodyguard waiting for either one to respond. Was Eurus going to hand him one or was he waiting for the guy to realize who he was? "Invitation, or no entry." The guy repeated again and suddenly the queue went quiet.

"Excuse me?" Eurus scoffed. "I do not need an invitation-"

"Look pal, you're going to have to leave if you don't have an invitation." The bodyguard grunted. I could practically feel the anger rolling off of Eurus. That look in his eyes could kill. "I am Eurus Meade! I do not require any invitation!" He yelled and for a second I could've sworn the hand he still had on my back was starting to burn. He started yelling some more at the guard but I was too busy looking at his face.

Normally when someone gets bad they usually get red in the face but he seemed to be glowing. Like heat was just trapped beneath the surface of his skin. Was this a dragon thing?

"Is there a problem here?" A deep voice cut Eurus off. I turned my head to the source and was greeted with a serious face. This man had deep mahogany skin and deep blue sapphire eyes. His hair was long, gathering mostly to the side of his tilted head as he peered down at us. He was way taller than me and even taller than Eurus. He was a giant!

As he straightened up I could see many gold accessories. He had bracelets, rings and a chunky gold choker that glintef in the light. If Eurus shouted rich then this man was screaming.

"Midas Artan! It's been too long!" Eurus exclaimed as the two hugged. "Indeed it has! What's it been like up in the Alps? Anything new?" Midas asked. His whole serious face had become nothing but a warm smile. "You know how it is! A few festivals. Nothing too exciting!"

"Right, right. Now back to the problem." He sighed and his entire face changed again. He was serious again. "S-Sorry, sir. I hadn't realized that this was-" the guard was interrupted. "A dear friend of mine? A person of power?" Midas spoke. He didn't sound angry at all. His voice was creepily blank. The bodyguard began to stutter something else out but once again he was stopped early.

I know how it feels, pal.

Midas raised a hand. "I've heard enough. Just allow the rest inside without further complications and we're good," he sighed before spinning around and leading us into the mansion. We entered a massive hallway with equally giant archways leading into different rooms with people spilling out of each. We continued our walk down the hall as the two caught up.

"I see you brought some friends along?" Midas pointed out, looking over his shoulder at me. "Dare I say you found a new play thing?" He asked with a smirk. His square jaw flexed with the motion which was oddly fascinating. "Midas! We haven't even had a proper conversation and already you're trying to poke around my love life." Eurus gasped, flicking his blonde hair over his shoulder.

"Oh forgive me for wanting to know if I could rekindle an old flame." Midas laughed. There was so many people now I could barely hear myself think. The rest of their conversation was swallowed by noise as the crowd got denser and denser. This must've been the heart of the party.

I was too busy apologising for trodding on people's toes and stepping on dresses that I hadn't realized I could see mom, let alone Eurus. I started to panic and call out for them but the music and laughter were so loud that I don't think the person right infront of me could hear.

I kept weaving through the crowd, trying to find them but it was impossible. I felt claustrophobic and caged. I abandoned trying to find them and decided to seek a quieter and less crowded area. It seemed impossible in a place like this but at this point I didn't have anything else to do. I made my way past bars and ballrooms each with the same amount of people.

I noticed that each room had it's own theme, with some varying from different music to having completely different foods, decor and attire. This place was one big crazy maze.

I found a set of stairs and climbed them, hoping I wouldn't push someone over. I kept walking though the masses until the people waned and I was let out onto a balcony. I was hit with that weird feeling of fresh air as I left behind the stuffy dance rooms.

I took the moment to breathe in and out, leaning over the railing. How had I gotten lost so quickly? I started wondering about how worried mom would be and if Eurus was going to be mad. What if they didn't find me and just left?

My thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. I quickly looked around and for a moment I didn't see anybody until my eyes zeroed in on a bulky figure standing over by the doorway.

I looked closer and noticed his deep complexion, those startling deep blue eyes and his muscles. That's a stupid thing to point out, Florence.

Remus stared directly at me with a slight frown. "You."

So why do y'all think Eurus was being all snoopy? Any thoughts on Midas? Not much to go on but I'd like to hear your assumptions on who he is!

I was originally going to split this into two chapters but I felt like it would've been a disappointing ending for one of the chapters! So I hope you guys enjoy a super long chapter!