Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Haru rolled out of the back of the car and pulled Adrian stumbling along behind him. Swaggering in with the kind of confidence and self-entitlement that had to belong to the realm of dragons alone, he waved his gold-leaf invitation in the face of some black-clad security guard at the door, all while keeping Adrian tucked tight against him. His face held a blasé boredom that screamed, “We’re out of here in five minutes if these people don’t realize how important I am,” and Adrian could only envy him. He got why Vitor gave him the role of billionaire playboy business mogul. Adrian was sure he couldn’t have pulled it off with the same unnerving skill.
It took some effort for Adrian to drag his gaze away from Haru and to look at the overwhelming decadence they’d stepped into. Marble floors and gold everywhere to the point that it was nearly dripping from the ceiling. People in expensive clothes and jewelry danced, talked, and laughed in the grand rooms spread out in front of him. The phrase “lakes of wine and forests of meat” drifted through his mind, recalling an ancient tale of a debauched party hosted by an emperor of a long-collapsed empire.
“Mr. Visconti? Mr. Visconti?” A woman with bright coppery hair clomped to them on large, chunky heels. She was thin as a stalk of wheat and had the same brownish-gold colored skin. She hurried with one hand lifted and stuck out. “You must be Yujian Visconti!”
Haru’s smile tensed into a pained line across his face, and he lightly gripped the woman’s fingertips with three of his own fingers. “I am Yujian Visconti.” He gave her fingers a little shake and released her, rubbing his fingers together at his side as if trying to get rid of the feel of her. “Matthys Drost invited me here. Where is Drost?”
“Oh, he’s here somewhere,” the woman said with an airy wave of her arm toward the writhing mass of people. “I’m Amelia Drost, his sister. He told me to keep an eye out for you so I could make sure you feel properly welcomed.”
“Thank you. This looks like a cute party you’re having.” Haru thickened his accent as if he were afraid that his appearance didn’t scream “other” enough.
“Oh, this is just an intimate gathering of close friends. I know my brother is eager to introduce you to some people. He thinks you could have a lot of fun here in Bellcairn.”
Haru reached up with his left hand and pinched Adrian’s chin, forcing him to tip his face up to him. “What do you think? Are you interested in having fun in Bellcairn?”
Adrian released a spoiled huff. “I don’t know. Maybe. Don’t they have anything to drink here?”
Haru flashed him an indulgent grin and tapped the tip of his nose with his finger. “Let us go find something. But not too much, my precious viper. I have plans for you later.” Haru tightened his arm on Adrian and gave Amelia a passing wave. “Tell Drost to find me.”
The evening continued for a bit like that as they acquired flutes of champagne. Haru rotated between being effusively friendly and coldly distant for no rhyme or reason that Adrian could see, and these rich lunatics ate it up as if he were some kind of social genius. With the dragon pulling all the focus, Adrian was free to watch everyone who moved through the party, memorizing faces and catching bits of conversation.
After half an hour, a man in a charcoal-gray suit with shoulder-length blond hair and a closely trimmed beard walked over. This was Matthys Drost from the pictures Vitor had shared with them.
“Yujian!” the man greeted, clapping Haru on the shoulder. Adrian hurried to the dragon’s side, prepared to provide support or distraction as it was needed.
“Matthys, at last,” Haru purred. He brushed a kiss to the man’s cheek before wrapping an arm around Adrian’s waist. “Let me introduce you to my darling treasure, Mitso.”
He had no idea how Haru had chosen that name for him, but he’d been adamant about it. He had a dark feeling that it meant something to the dragon race. Unfortunately, Haru was being tight-lipped about it, refusing to say anything.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Drost. Thank you for inviting us to your party,” Adrian said. It was the first time Haru had introduced him to anyone, and it was also the first time he’d spoken to anyone other than Haru. The point was made loud and clear—Drost was the only one worthy of meeting Yujian’s pretty adornment.
“Come outside with me. We’ll find a quiet spot to chat, away from all this noise and craziness.” Matthys waved a hand at all the half-drunk, laughing people and beamed.
He led them through a set of open glass doors onto a wide stone patio that looked down onto the prettier half of the city with its gleaming skyscrapers and clean, well-maintained roads. From here, a person wouldn’t have their eyes sullied by the Little Stip or Black Water Gate districts. A young lady hurried close with a silver serving tray with three fresh glasses of champagne. There was a bright smile on her lips, but fear in her wide blue eyes. The fear morphed into relief as Matthys accepted a glass and motioned for her to leave after Haru took the other two. Adrian guessed that the workers at Matthys’s party lived in Little Stip, and their entire livelihood rested on not pissing off the boss.