Chapter 16

  Society Gathering

  “How does it look?” Lunamilla asked brightly, turning gracefully to her right to show off her white gown.

  Her evening dress complemented her beige complexion perfectly, and her gold jewelry elevated the whole ensemble. Even her usual shyness had given way to a confident smile.

  “It suits you wonderfully,” Aaronn said lightly.

  Jaje Neima’s reception would begin in a few hours. And though Lunamilla looked stunning, Aaronn was far more concerned with how she would handle the mission itself.

  “Thank you,” she replied warmly.

  The hotel room door opened, and Linart stepped inside.

  “There’s still no alert regarding our escape from Mine A-6,” he announced, brows furrowed. “And it’s impossible they haven’t noticed we’re gone… Only the Eyes can override the mandatory alert in case of escape.”

  “You think he ordered them to stay silent?” Aaronn replied. “Then he definitely had a plan in mind.”

  He didn’t like it. What did that warrior of light truly want? And what had he seen in Lunamilla?

  “I suppose so,” Linart said. “Because of that, Niel asked me to be even more cautious. No direct contact. Not even during the party. If an alert is issued, we must not be associated—near or far—with Niel or Senator Solana. Under any circumstances.”

  “And the invitations?” Lunamilla asked. “Niel gave them to us.”

  “They’re invitations reserved for the high caste—the tier just below nobility. Niel can obtain them easily without leaving a trace. It’ll be hard to trace them back to him.”

  “Perfect. Where’s the reception?” Aaronn asked.

  “Follow me. I’ll take you there now. I’ll explain the rest in the car.”

  Linart led them up to the hotel rooftop. Night had fallen, and streetlamps cast a pale glow over the vehicle waiting for them.

  Once inside, Linart started the engine. It hummed softly before the car lifted off the ground and ascended into the city’s aerial lanes. Traffic was light. Around them, the lights of other vehicles and skyscrapers shimmered like a living network of neon veins.

  “Vehicles are reserved for public transport, the high caste, and of course the nobility. Niel managed to secure one for tonight.”

  “How do we communicate?” Aaronn asked from the back seat.

  “Not by phone or earpiece. Niel insists on maximum discretion. The only authorized frequency is the one I use to contact him—and only in extreme emergencies. So we’ll just have to avoid losing sight of each other.”

  “Understood.”

  The ride continued in silence before Aaronn broke it again.

  “This Jaje Neima… why did he adopt a child?”

  “He’s sterile,” Lunamilla answered. “That’s one of his strongest arguments for becoming Chief Senator.”

  “Exactly,” Linart confirmed. “As you know, amarite is abundant on our planet. But its use is heavily restricted in the world below. Jaje Neima has promised to unlock medical research rights tied to amarite. It’s an incredibly malleable material—capable of miracles.”

  Aaronn knew that all too well. Amarite was one of the most coveted resources within the Arcane.

  “He wants to cure his sterility too,” he guessed.

  “Yes,” Lunamilla confirmed.

  The car landed atop the venue’s rooftop platform. Just before parking, a drone hovered beside the driver’s window to request their invitations. Linart presented them. Clearance was granted.

  “I’ll come pick you up when it’s over,” he said. “From here on, it’s up to you.”

  “Thank you,” Aaronn and Lunamilla replied before stepping out.

  Linart departed as soon as the door closed.

  A wide wooden walkway stretched ahead, framed by meticulously trimmed shrubs leading toward the apartment entrance.

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  “Take my arm,” Aaronn said, raising his elbow.

  Lunamilla hesitated.

  “Why? We’re—”

  “Yes, I know. We’re supposed to be siblings.”

  Niel had crafted entirely new identities for them.

  “But it’s to draw Jaje’s son’s attention,” Aaronn added. “If he sees us, we’re just two siblings who are… very close.”

  Lunamilla found the idea clever—and oddly appealing. She slipped her hand around Aaronn’s arm. The firmness of his bicep didn’t escape her notice. Her heart skipped.

  They approached the entrance. Guests lingered on either side, sipping cocktails and chatting.

  Inside, the swell of high-society chatter rushed into their ears. Lunamilla felt as if the sky were collapsing onto her shoulders. Yet the noise quickly dulled as a wave of eyes fixed on them.

  Aaronn stood tall at one meter eighty-five. Despite the refinement of his black suit, the physique forged through years of training was impossible to ignore—a striking contrast to most of the men present, whose presence relied more on noble titles and bank accounts than physical command.

  Then attention shifted to the young woman at his side—her white gown radiant, her golden jewelry gleaming in harmony with her features.

  The party’s rhythm gradually resumed as they moved forward. Aaronn had studied photographs of their targets days earlier. He spotted Jaje Neima immediately.

  The senator wore his official mantle over a tailored gray suit, speaking with guests near a podium.

  “Hey,” Lunamilla whispered, tugging Aaronn’s sleeve. “Jaje’s son—Conrad Neima. He’s at the buffet.”

  Aaronn turned. Slightly shorter than his father, Conrad wore a similar outfit. His eyes were wide, fixed on Lunamilla. He had not forgotten her face.

  “I—I’ll go,” she said, her voice lacking confidence. “I’ll get something from the buffet… big brother,” she added with a forced smile before stepping away.

  Aaronn blinked at the term. His second sister, Ashe, had never called him that—despite being the youngest of their mother’s triplets.

  Lunamilla approached the buffet, pretending interest. She let her hand drift across several appetizers before selecting the last shellfish canapé.

  “Luna… milla? Is that you?” a voice asked, wavering between certainty and disbelief.

  She turned quickly, feigning surprise mid-bite, catching crumbs with her fingers.

  “Wait—let me help,” Conrad said immediately, producing a cloth from his pocket.

  She accepted it, embarrassed. Such clumsiness hardly suited the setting.

  “Conrad?” she replied after wiping her mouth. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

  He smiled, confidence returning.

  “Were you looking for me? I didn’t expect to see you here—especially you, who used to hate anything related to nobility.”

  True—but she ignored that detail.

  “I knew you’d become a Neima. When the opportunity arose to attend this reception, I took it. I wanted to see what you’d become. And… I’ve grown used to this kind of environment. I was adopted by a wonderful family.”

  “Congratulations,” Conrad said. “I’m really happy to see you again.”

  She smiled, searching for her next words. She needed information about his father.

  Conrad’s gaze flickered nervously past her shoulder.

  “The man you came with… is he your boyfriend?”

  “N-no,” she replied quickly. “He’s my brother-in-law, Sa?mone. He’s interested in politics and didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”

  “Ah, I see!” Conrad exhaled in visible relief. “So—”

  “Conrad!” a deep voice interrupted. “It’s time!”

  His father called him to the podium.

  “I have to go. We’ll talk later,” Conrad said, plastering on a hopeful smile.

  He joined his father, who stood behind the lectern.

  Aaronn returned to Lunamilla’s side.

  “Well?” he asked, already knowing. Conrad’s aura had flared with excitement throughout their exchange.

  “I think I can get closer to him,” she said. “But… I didn’t expect to feel like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “Guilty. I don’t like taking advantage of people’s feelings.”

  Yet the desire in Conrad’s gaze had made her feel alive. Her heart had lightened each time. Aaronn had sensed it—the natural exchange of energy between them, unbalanced, flowing mostly from Conrad toward her.

  “We’re two of a kind,” he said gravely, eyes fixed on Jaje Neima at the podium.

  A crackle echoed through the speakers. Jaje Neima tested the microphone.

  “Everything seems in order,” he began. “Welcome, and thank you for accepting my invitation. I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”

  Smiles answered him.

  “As you know, election day is approaching—an event of great importance to me. But before that, I’d like to remind you that my son, here present,” he said, stepping aside to reveal Conrad, “will turn eighteen in just a few days.”

  Applause erupted.

  “As tradition in my family dictates, that is also the day he must choose his bride.”

  Lunamilla’s heart jolted. She hadn’t known.

  “Hm… this complicates things,” Aaronn whispered. “Are you ready to go that far if necessary?”

  “No,” she replied firmly.

  “I understand.”

  Applause rose again.

  Lunamilla didn’t know how to react. Marry a man she didn’t love—for the resistance? Strategically sound. Personally unbearable. And the election was only a month away. Proof against Jaje would have to surface long before that.

  “Though he is not of our blood,” Jaje continued, “Conrad has perfectly embraced our family and its values. I consider him my son.”

  Conrad nodded gratefully.

  “My sterility is no secret,” Jaje went on. “It has fueled my political fight: the right to health for all. The family of Senator Solana—present here—” he gestured toward her.

  She stood beside Niel in the front row and offered a brief wave.

  “—and mine were among the pioneers in mastering the stone known as amarite, long before Eile?n rose into the sky. However, with all due respect to the royal family, our research has been restricted by countless royal laws—out of fear of renewed wars over this resource. That is why its free use in the world below was forbidden.”

  Murmurs of agreement filled the hall.

  “Construction bans—military and technological alike. Only Eile?n holds the right and wisdom to use it. These measures are justified to preserve hard-won peace. However, medical research should not be bound by such restrictions. The health of the people is far too precious to deny therapeutic study of amarite.”

  Applause followed.

  “Amarite’s versatility allows true miracles. I am convinced the world below could benefit greatly—without endangering peace.”

  Jaje concluded beneath a storm of applause.

  Aaronn was struck by the senator’s conviction. What, then, was Senator Solana’s counterweight?

  As the party resumed with renewed fervor, Aaronn’s attention drifted toward the balcony windows. The atmosphere outside had shifted. Something was—

  Without warning, a projectile shattered one of the windows and rolled among the guests. Screams erupted. Thick smoke flooded the hall, choking the celebration.