Page 109 of House of Pain
It seemed as if his father was indeed the only fool in the crowd because nobody else countered his offer.
“Sold to Leveau,” Alatar announced, and a round of applause went around the ballroom as the woman pushed the trolley away, another one already on its way.
“Oh, it’s gonna be a long night.” Andro fetched another drink.
Blaze lifted his glass and Andro brought his, smashing them together.
After the auction, Blaze finally was feeling tipsy.
And he liked the special drink for tonight’s party, he decided after all.
He had wandered outside, standing on the deck overlooking the back garden with a lone tall willow three hanging heavily over the cliff’s edge and a pool.
Even with the cool air of autumn, the illuminated water swirling over the white rocks that lined the floor of the pool looked inviting.
As he drew another deep breath, inhaling the smoke, Blaze’s eyes wandered back to the ballroom. From outside the windows, he had a better view of everyone because no one could see that he was watching.
The Frones were surrounded by multiple people, all surely trying to appeal to the sisters who ruled over the fortune bigger than everyone in this house combined.
Blaze tipped his head to the side, eyeing the gracious woman who looked just like Jolene, but at the same nothing like the wild girl with books always in her lap and plants everywhere she went.
The rest of them flaunted their wealth, left and right. It was the only way they knew after all.
Even Alecto.
But Jolene wasn’t like them. If you didn’t know her last name, then you would have never guessed she was the sole heir of one of the oldest families in Inathis.
Blaze flicked the butt of the cigarette, already taking out another one when Alecto once more came into his view.
She stood at the edge of the ballroom, almost hidden behind the tall columns as her father towered over her, his lips moving as he said something in her ear.
Her face didn’t reveal much as she stared somewhere in front of her, but the muscle in her cheek jumped as she ground her teeth.
Blaze’s hand slipped from his lips, cigarette falling on the stone beneath his feet as he eyed the exchange.
Something in it looked vaguely familiar.
The way her jaw clenched, the way she didn’t look into her father’s eyes even though his face was pleasant and focused all on her.
Blaze knew that so well.
Toowell.
Alecto’s back straightened, her whole body stiff as her father planted a hand over her naked back, moving away from her path, and she let him lead her out of the ballroom.
Without another thought, Blaze opened the glass door, slipping inside and striding after them to the corridor and then into the other one, leading to the east wing.
The noise of the party stayed behind them as Blaze followed Alecto and her father in the darkness.
He wasn’t sure what it was, whether it was his curiosity or whether it was that weird pinching feeling in his chest that brought him there, to the double door of a dining room, opposite where Alecto’s father led her to.
It was a study, a home office of some sort.
Blaze leaned against the jamb, keeping himself hidden in the shadows as he watched Alecto come to the middle of the room, then turn to face the door.
Alatar hovered in the entrance, his back to Blaze so he couldn’t see his face. But when he spoke, there was something not quite right in his tone. “You’re not to walk around dressed like that. I won’t allow it. Do you hear me, my sweet? You’re not for others to see—”
The sentence cut off as Alatar closed the door behind them.
