Nikki's Halloween Party - Part 4

Night fell while they were looking for the house. All at once, it seemed, the world was black. There were no streetlamps this far from town, and Desteny had the feeling they were passing into some netherworld, a place stepped outside of time.

The house anchored a long drive that terminated in a wide circle. Cars lined the drive and more than one driver sat leaning against the hood of a limousine, smoking a cigarette or lit by the glow of a phone while they waited for the cars' owners to emerge from the party.

"How did we get an invitation to this?" Elijah wondered aloud.

"A mistake?" Desteny wondered.

"This is where we belong. Not some stupid frat party. Just watch me and I'll get us through this."

Damian said nothing, but wrapped an arm possessively around Aubrey's shoulders.

"Where do we even park?" Elijah asked.

They found a spot, farther from the front door than Aubrey would have liked, and she made her displeasure known on the hike from car to the front door. They were greeted the by a pair of tuxedoed men, rail-thin and with matching mustaches that were carefully manicured to be mere suggestions of facial hair.

"Invitation," one said, extending his hand and offering his palm.

"Here," Desteny said quickly.

She placed the invitation in his hand and waited for some kind of approval. The man nodded. The other swept an arm toward the house's interior. Aubrey moved ahead of them, marching into the house with a sway of her tail, her head raised as if she belonged there. The rest of them tried to mimic the same confidence.

The house was brightly lit, and elegant piano played faintly from somewhere deeper inside the mansion. Aubrey led them toward the sound of the music, which grew until the hall opened into a grand ballroom, like something out of a period drama on television.

The floor was marble, the ceiling high and decorated by stained glass overhead, which cast the room in a soft red glow. Electric lights were fixed in the corners of the room, but most of the light came from candles in fixtures. A raised stage at the far end of the hall showcased the pianist, and a three-piece string group waited for their cue.

Moving and dancing in the hall were at least a hundred costumed party-goers. There were jesters and harlequins and human animals and masked revelers of all kinds. The one thing they all shared was an appearance of opulence. Even Aubrey felt her costume, while enticing, lacked the hints of wealth and sophistication of the others.

"Maybe we should go," Elijah suggested.

"Nonsense."

The voice came from behind them and the quartet of friends turned as one to find the woman standing behind them. Aside from the masquerade mask covering the top half of her face, she wore no discernible costume. Instead, she wore a flowing black gown highlighted by jewels that were less likely rhinestones than the real thing. She was tall and narrow, with high cheeks and full red lips. When she smiled, Desteny felt something predatory in the show of her teeth.

"I'm Nikki. This is my home. I'm so glad you could make it."