I fidget with the hem of my dress skirt nervously and when the glider stops in front of Lazarus's mansion my feet grow so heavy, I feel like it has fused with the floor.

The door to my side opens and I see Lucian standing there with his hand outstretched for me to take. He is probably the only thing keeping my heart from bursting out of my chest right now. I give him a small grateful smile and take his hand.

The lawn around us is just as large as Lucian's with a vast expanse of plants and flowers. I see large horrible looking dark green flowers looming just outside the entrance, their mouths wide open ready to swallow anything that passes by.

There is a tall Plutonian attendant waiting for us by the doorway and I put as much distance between the flowers and myself as we join him.

"Welcome Master Lucian. Mistress Aria." He is holding a tray of refreshments which he holds out to us.

We greet him and I can't help but notice that his expression is far from welcoming. In fact, there is an obvious sneer on his face when he offers me a drink.

I cast Lucian a glance and he nods his head indicating that I should take one. I take a tall glass filled with a bright orange liquid and smile at the attendant who is eyeing me from head to toe.

Thankfully he doesn't wait for us to finish our drinks, instead he leads us through Lazarus's large foyer, past numerous artworks and statues similar to Lucian's only the statues here make me more uncomfortable than ever.

There are several statues of large figures holding knives, guns and long swords all punishing smaller figures that look like animals, creatures I don't recognize and even humans. I come across a towering statue of a warrior who's foot sits on top of a face. That face belongs to such a small body, I can't help but think of a child.

The eeriness of these figures greatly contrast with the large jewels and gold ornaments that adorn them as if glorifying their horrific nature.

Out of instinct, I huddle closer to Lucian as we walk to one of the corridors behind the excessive foyer. The attendant leads us down two poorly lit corridors where large paintings of images similar to the statues outside flood the walls.

The dim lighting scatters slivers of light across these menacing figures while shadows swallow the rest. If Lazarus has done this to intimidate his visitors, it certainly works.

After walking along these corridors for a few minutes I can't help but feel like the shadows have moved and that someone is lurking behind us. My grip around Lucian's hand tightens and he looks down at me curiously.

"Are there a lot of guests invited?" I ask the attendant who seems startled that I even spoke.

"No, just a small group of Master Lazarus's closest companions," He answers in a clipped tone and marches ahead before I have a chance to reply.

He then takes us up two floors on a glass platform and leads us to a hexagonal shaped dining room with a single table that occupies it. The walls in this room are a dark almost blood red, a stark contrast to the bright gold lined table and chairs. Unlike the corridors outside, the lights here shine brightly on the walls where pictures of generals look down upon us.

I catch Cassandra sitting down on one of the chairs and a surge of relief rushes through me. She catches my eye as we approach and shoots me a cheeky smile when she sees my hand intertwined with Lucian's.

At the same time I feel someone's eyes burning holes into my chest, my gaze shifts and I almost jump back in shock when I see Stela sitting across from Cassandra with a Plutonian by her side. He looks to be in his thirties and I don't recognize him but the badge he wears on the lapel of his suit shows that he is a commander.

Her face is livid as she stares at me and Lucian but I pretend not to notice, taking a seat beside Cassandra.

"I hope you don't mind but I warned her beforehand. Didn't want her making a scene and ruining your party," Cassandra murmurs into my ear.

"Thank you," I say, feeling thankful for her mere presence tonight.

Cassandra, Commander Siphus, Stela and her partner all greet Lucian and this is the first time I am meeting Siphus. Up close he looks like every other Plutonian, silver hair, blue eyes, sharp features. Although he looks much older than Cassandra and wrinkles fill his forehead when he smiles.

Despite the age difference, Cassandra seems utterly comfortable in his presence and he is extremely friendly as he talks to Lucian and I.

He introduces himself and shakes my hand earning looks of shock from both Stela and her companion and goes off on a tangent about his recent mission on a planet called Bizon in Proxima Centauri.

This conversation turns to a full on discussion between Lucian, Siphus and Stela's Commander who introduced himself as Drako.

Cassandra, Stela and I only watch and listen in on their interesting escapades. Well Stela looks like she is listening attentively but ever so often she glares at me. I turn to Cassandra wondering if she has noticed and then I catch a deep purple bruise peeking out from under the back of her dress.

She catches me looking and quickly covers her bruised skin with her hair making me frown. Before I can think about it further the door swings open and Lazarus and Luna walk in.

Luna looks even more beautiful than when I last saw her. She is wearing a dark multicolored floor length dress that reminds of the sky at the West border and her silver hair is braided down her back. Even Lazarus, as terrible as he is, looks dashing in his suit. His unique silver golden hair sparkles under the lighting and his smile is terribly engaging.

"Welcome everyone. Sorry I'm late. My beautiful date was delayed," He nods at a blushing Luna. They approach our table and she smiles at us until her eyes fall on me and then Lucian. Her gaze falters and there is no mistaking the disappointment on her face when she looks at us.

If Lucian notices, he certainly doesn't show it. He greets both of them with a warm smile. When he greets Luna, I notice her face lights up like he'd just professed his love to her.

I look around at the others, wondering if they see this as well or if it's all in my head. Nobody else seems to notice but then I catch Lazarus looking at me. He smirks and shakes his head, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

"Everyone, if I may have your attention. We're here tonight to celebrate Lucian's famous lover, Aria for her spectacularly entertaining performances in the pits so far. Let's make a toast in her and Lucian's honor." He raises his glass and everybody follows suit.

Our glasses surreptitiously clink together and everyone drinks while a bunch of Plutonian's set the table. Soon everyone begins eating the abundance of wargol meat, seasoned algae, rhye and delicious dips I've never tasted before.

My appetite is minimal as I force myself to dig into some meat Lucian has placed on my plate. Despite the cheerful chatter between Lucian, Lazarus and Luna, everything about this situation feels off. Stela being here, Luna scowling every time Lucian talks to me or hands me some food, Cassandra shifting to cover her bruise.

I am about to swallow when Lazarus suddenly address me out of no where and the table falls silent.

"Aria, are you happy your two closest friends are here? I invited them personally for you," He says.

I swallow slowly and nod my head, while Stela rolls her eyes subtlety.

"Isn't Stela the one who exposed your rebellious thoughts when you were little? The one who got you punished?" Lazarus's face is innocent but it's obvious he knows the answer to that question. "Aren't you glad for her friendship? Without her you would've strayed down a dangerous path against your great creators."

Is that why he invited her? To rub that in my face?

"Of course. Without the Plutonians and Stela I wouldn't be where I am today," I reply in a satirical tone which makes him scowl.

"Yes, her resolution is very admirable," Lucian looks so convincing as he smiles at me lovingly. He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear leaving a trail of fire across my skin.

"You must have missed Lucian these past few days," Lazarus states, looking as annoyed with our interaction as Luna is. "You know being busy with the slave quarters and the humans coming in. You girls should be excited, thousands of humans will be joining us soon."

My heart freezes when I remember this and it takes all my resolve not to lean away from Lucian now. He's been in charge of them the whole time.

"I don't understand why you went through all those sleepless nights designing quarters for them, Lucian," Luna's eyes him in concern.

"Yes, if the board had approved my proposition they would be staying in the South. You didn't have to waste our resources on such a weak species," Lazarus states angrily.

"Too many would die if they were put in the South. It would be a waste of our resources if the turnover of humans were too high. Proper quarters would ensure better health. Better health means better work. You know this," Lucian mutters in irritation. "Anyway my team handled the situation already, those who disapproved never had to lift a finger."

"I know. I'm just concerned about your reputation. We wouldn't want the masses to start thinking of you as a sympathizer," Lazarus replies calmly making Lucian stiffen.

"Of course he isn't. How could you say that, Lazarus?" Luna states looking offended.

Lucian simply laughs and then he stands up. "Please excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom." He nods at me and leaves.

After a few seconds Luna excuses herself as well with the same excuse.

I lean back against my seat feeling overwhelmed after their conversation. So Lucian spent all those days making sure the humans coming in would have proper places to stay instead of being dumped in the freezing, dusty South mines like Lazarus had wanted.

I bite my lip suddenly feeling guilty for being angry with Lucian when he was the only one who cared a little about our well beings.

After dinner, everyone starts walking around the room as Lazarus introduces us to his ancestors. I trail behind all the while wondering what is taking Lucian and Luna so long. It seems Stela notices my discomfort as well and she smiles at me smugly when she catches me looking at the door for the hundredth time.

I give it a few minutes before I sneak out whilst no one notices and head down the walkway looking for the restrooms. My feet are light and when I turn a corner I catch some hushed whispers making me walk faster.

I finally reach a room separated from the corridor by two glass panels. The whispers are now louder and I catch Luna's delicate voice. I sneak past the panels and peak into the room to see the both of them sitting on a small couch by the wall.

"Lucian, I can't bear seeing you with someone else. I know you don't like her so what are you doing touching her like that. Is this all just to make me mad?" She strokes his arm and he brushes her away looking annoyed. "She's just a puny little human. You deserve better, Lucian."

"You shouldn't have expected me to wait forever. I'm done waiting, Luna," He says angrily. "You're going to marry Lazarus next year and I'm tired of this back and forth with you."

He stands up and she grabs his arm.

"I can't help it that I love you both equally," Her voice breaks. "The three of us grew up together. I can't live without either one of you. And you pushed me away, remember?"

Lucian sighs and runs a hand through his hair looking conflicted. "I know and I'm not going anywhere. But you made your choice, Luna and you chose him. You need to live with it."

"What if I can't let you go?"

Lucian doesn't answer her question. He releases her hand and walks to the exit where I am hiding. I quickly rush out of that small lounge and run down a corridor.

My thoughts are all over the place. I knew it. I just knew it! There was something going on between them all along.

My minds a rambling mess as I pass by a small door that I don't realize is open and a hand reaches out from the darkness and pulls me inside.

I yelp but the hand covers my mouth and shuts the door immediately, engulfing us both in darkness. I struggle against the large body pining me to the wall but it is futile and I feel an arm snake around my waist.

Panic floods my veins and my breathing falters as I struggle to breath.

"Shhhh." I hear a voice.

I feel someone breathing next to my head and a pair of lips touch my ear.

"Finally I have you all to myself." Lazarus's voice pierces my ears.

Ahhh alot of shit went down in this chapter. Anyway now you know about why Lucian spent all that time building the human quarters and now we know about Lucian and Luna's history. I mean it makes sense since the three of them grew up together.