49 Library of Mages 9 (2/2)
This article is what I believe brought the guy in black that was after us there. But there was no need for me to think about the past, it was now and the future that matters the most.
Hearing my words Emily smiled and grabbed my hand. We knew it was now a waiting game to see how her father would react, but in the meanwhile, there was a party.
Fake smiles like fake diamonds were easy to spot, and the room was filled with them. Laughing could be heard constantly, alcohol flowing like a river down the thoughts of thirsty animals. Food worth more then a car was served every minute, filling the long tables.
Emily moved through this place filled with lies and deceptions like a master dancer, not letting those with masks instead of faces come anywhere near us. She introduced me to her mother, which unlike her father was more kind. Emily told me the story of their marriage, and how it stopped a huge feud between two families.
Her mother, just like Emily was beautiful, and even if she had a kind and calm manner, but I could see through the cracks of her character. There was darkness just like in Emily's father, not as deep or overbearing but darkness nonetheless.
Being here listening to people lie through their teeth, acting before their family and friends, it opened my eyes. This place was rotten all the way down to its bones.
Together with Emily, we spent some time talking with people, and all this while I tried to keep track of her father's movements. He said something to the butler and went back to talking with guests. After this, he did nothing else until the butler came again whispered into his ear. With a wide smile, he looked around and found me looking at him.
I gestured to Emily bringing her attention to her approaching father. ”Let's talk. Outside.” He said.
He led us to a side room, where no one will be able to hear our conversation.
”Emily, I understand you don't want to be a part of the family, but the blood in your veins belongs to us, and no matter how hard you hate it… it will be there until you die. So why don't we make a deal?”
”Go on.”
”You and Dominique will join my faction.”
”No.” An instantaneous answer. Emily didn't even consider it for a second.
”Let me finish. You will still attend the University, do whatever you want, only from time to time you two will show up on some events, maybe a fight or two. And after I take over the family… you can do whatever you want, be it completely cutting off or staying.”
”How is our presence is supposed to help you take over a family?” I asked.
”Listen, in this day and age people don't kill each other anymore, at least not often. Principally in the case of families, we don't attack our family members. Now its all a competition of who has more powerful artists under their name, especially if it comes to the younger generation. If you show up on a party, have a spar with someone, it will show that I have more power and in the future… it will only increase. More people will be swayed, and if everything goes well, next year I will lead the Flores family!”