The ballroom thrummed with the low, dangerous hum of old power.
Chandeliers cast golden light over silk gowns and tailored tuxedos, but beneath the glamour, wards shimmered in the air. Protective circles, binding sigils, subtle curses woven into the flower arrangements.
Everyone here belonged to the hidden world. Bloodline heirs, coven leaders, rogue warlocks who had sold their names for favors.
Alex stayed half a step behind Victoria, scanning faces, cataloguing threats.
Cassian Lockwood had already retreated into the crowd after his failed greeting, but his smirk lingered like a bad smell.
Victoria moved through the room with absolute authority. Greetings cool. Responses measured. Every interaction a reminder of the Blackwell name.
Shadows trailed her subtly, curling at the hem of her dress like an extension of her will.
[ Evil Differential Update: Victoria +180. Social dominance plus veiled threats delivered to three rival heirs. Current total: -60. ]
[ 24 Hour Negative Clock: 10 hours, 8 minutes remaining. Deficit shrinking rapidly. ]
Alex allowed himself a small breath of relief.
She was climbing fast. Pride and anger were powerful motivators.
"Cellar key," she murmured without looking at him. "And the '82 Château Margaux. Cassian's pride bottle. Bring it to me in ten minutes."
He nodded once and slipped away.
The cellar entrance was behind a velvet curtain near the kitchens, guarded by two Lockwood retainers in suits that barely hid their werewolf bulk.
Alex approached casually, drink in hand.
"Ms. Blackwell wants a bottle from the reserve," he said, voice bored. "Specifically the one your boss brags about."
The taller guard snorted. "No one touches the reserve without Mr. Lockwood's say so."
Alex focused on the shadows pooling at their feet, his new skill humming under his skin.
You're tired. End of a long night. A quick break won't hurt. No one will notice.
The shadows rippled. Both guards blinked, swayed slightly.
"Yeah… maybe a smoke," one muttered.
They wandered off, leaving the door unguarded.
Alex slipped through.
The cellar was cool and dark, racks of bottles stretching into gloom. He found the Margaux easily. Dusty label, price tag that could buy a car.
On the way back, he palmed a small vial from his jacket. Colorless, odorless, fast acting neurotoxin courtesy of a Blackwell alchemist.
One drop in a glass, and Cassian would spend the night convulsing in agony while doctors scrambled for a diagnosis that did not exist.
Classic accident.
He returned to the ballroom just as the lights dimmed and a velvet voiced announcer took the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction will begin in five minutes in the lower gallery. Please make your way downstairs."
Victoria appeared at his side as if summoned, taking the bottle without a word.
"Stay close," she said quietly. "I want you to bid on Lot 47 if it comes to it."
Alex's heart stuttered. Lot 47. The sealed Grimoire of Abyssal Tongues.
In the novel, this was the artifact that pushed her over the edge, unlocking the eldritch awakening that doomed her.
"You're sure?" he asked.
Her expression was unreadable steel. "Very."
They descended the marble staircase together into the lower gallery, a circular room ringed with display cases, seats arranged in tiers. The air here was thicker, heavy with binding magic. Each lot rested on a pedestal warded against theft.
Lot 47 waited under glass at the far end. A black leather book chained shut with silver runes that hurt to look at directly. Dark energy pulsed from it like a heartbeat.
Cassian stood near the front row, surrounded by sycophants. He raised his glass when he saw them.
"To unexpected guests," he called loudly. "May they enjoy the show."
Victoria did not respond. She simply took her seat in the second row, posture perfect, and placed the Margaux on the small table beside her.
The auction began.
Minor artifacts first. Cursed rings. Minor spirit vessels. A dagger that drank memories. Paddles rose and fell. Prices climbed into the millions.
Alex bid on nothing, watching Victoria instead.
She remained still until Lot 42, a necklace of siren tears. Cassian bid aggressively, driving the price up just to force her to compete.
She let him win.
Lot 45, a mirror that showed true forms. Again, Cassian pushed, smirking.
Victoria declined.
Then Lot 47.
The announcer's voice dropped to a reverent hush.
"Sealed Grimoire of Abyssal Tongues. Bound by the Covenant of 1897. Opening bid: five million."
Paddles shot up across the room.
Cassian opened at eight.
A witch from Boston countered ten.
Victoria raised her paddle calmly. "Fifteen."
Gasps rippled.
Cassian's jaw tightened. "Twenty."
Victoria did not hesitate. "Thirty."
The room went silent.
Cassian glared, then smiled. A nasty, triumphant thing. "Fifty."
Alex felt the system surge.
[ Evil Act Detected: Victoria engaging in ruthless financial domination (+80 points). Current total: +20. ]
[ Milestone Achieved: Subject returned to positive evil territory. ]
[ Reward: +200 evil points to host. Skill upgraded: Shadow Whisper (Intermediate). Range 25 feet. Can plant simple commands. ]
[ 24 Hour Clock: Halted. Pain penalty averted. ]
Relief flooded him so strongly his knees nearly buckled.
Victoria glanced sideways at him, eyes sharp.
"Your turn."
Alex raised his paddle. "Seventy five."
Cassian whipped around, furious. "Eighty."
Alex said, "One hundred."
The witch dropped out. Others followed. It was down to Cassian and the Blackwell table.
Cassian stood. "One fifty."
Victoria's voice was calm, almost bored. "End it."
Alex raised his paddle one last time.
"Two hundred million."
The room erupted in whispers.
Cassian went red, then white. He opened his mouth, then closed it. He could not match without bankrupting his house.
The announcer waited the required ten seconds.
"Sold. To the gentleman representing Blackwell interests."
Victoria inclined her head slightly. Acknowledgment, nothing more.
Cassian stormed out, retainers trailing.
The grimoire was brought forward on a velvet cushion, still chained. A Lockwood clerk approached with transfer papers and a blood quill.
Victoria signed without hesitation. Alex added his signature as proxy.
The clerk hesitated. "The chains remain until full payment clears at midnight. Standard precaution."
Victoria's tone was final. "Of course."
They rose to leave, grimoire box carried by a silent attendant.
In the elevator riding up, alone, Victoria finally spoke.
"You knew I would come tonight."
Alex kept his voice neutral. "I knew Cassian would not be able to resist provoking you."
She studied him for a long moment. "And you arranged it."
A statement, not a question.
He did not deny it. "Someone had to."
Victoria turned away, watching the floor numbers climb. "Efficient as always, Reed."
No praise. No threat. Just fact.
The elevator dinged. Doors opened to the now empty ballroom.
Victoria stepped out. "Bring the book to the penthouse. Midnight. Payment will clear then."
She walked away, shadows trailing her like a cloak.
Alex stood there, heart steady, grimoire attendant waiting patiently.
[ New Quest Update: Deliver grimoire to Victoria and ensure acceptance. ]
[ Bonus Active: Deepen subject's villainy (+300 points potential).]
He exhaled slowly.
Midnight.
Payment due.
Book unchained.
And whatever came next.
Alex followed the attendant out into the cold night air, the weight of the future pressing down like the city skyline above.
His boss was back in form. And for now, that was enough.
***
Don't forget to add it to your collection if y'all wanna join Alex on his nut-protection journey.