The after party was wild. There was a live band that played anything from a rock version of a classical piece to an iconic ballad. Along with the music, scantily clad dancers twirled and teased throughout the guests, and waiters made sure no one’s glasses were empty.

I stayed at the edge of the party, hoping no one would notice me. The dancers made me extremely uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to attract any attention. It wasn’t the violence I saw tonight that made my uneasy. The one event that had shaken me was the blatant and graphic threat Aurelio had given me right before Algea’s fight. According to him, I wasn’t supposed to show any acknowledgment or connection to Algea. He had gone on to describe what would happen if I did and how I would beg for Fox to dismember me instead. With the description he gave me, I would agree.

Hiding near the back of the party, by the food table, I only half watched the gusts as I ate plate after plate of food. Having not eaten much these past few days my stomach was constantly complaining, and I was famished. Apparently demigods don’t have to eat as frequently as humans. I think Ridley had said something about how they were made to fight and not having to eat that much helps. Regardless of the reason, I was hungry, and the grapes were refreshing.

“Ahem.” A voice to my right spoke. I jumped. The grape that was about to go into my mouth hit the floor, and I turned to the person who startled me. He was probably no older than sixteen with what looked like an eighteen hundreds’ newsboy cap on his bald head. Big mirthful eyes looked me up and down as the boy sat down next to me.

“The name’s Aadish.” He reached out to shake my hand. “I believe you and I have a mutual acquaintance.” Grinning, he piled his plate up with food.

“I’m S-Anakh.” A small wave of panic pierced my heart. I almost said my name to a complete stranger. This whole true name thing is really frustrating. “Who exactly is our mutual friend?” This guy was giving me warning bells, and I have learned the hard way to trust my gut.

“Oh she goes by many names, but you would most likely know her as Algea.” He studied me like I was an ornate jewel he can sell but didn’t quite know where to set the price. It creeped me out. Shifting closer to the edge of my chair, I eyed this Aadish with caution.

“I see. How do you know our mutual friend Aadish?” He grinned. The more he talked the more I didn’t trust him.

“Oh, we met a long time ago. She was in a bit of trouble, and I helped her out of it, for a price of course. After that we discovered we liked each other's company, so we stayed in touch.” He smiled. “Our partnership has been very rewarding.”

I looked down at my now empty plate. “Algea must have seen something in this guy. Something that I do not.” I thought to myself. “But, I still have this gut feeling this guy is bad news.”

“Anakh!” I whipped around to see who just called my name. Aurelio was walking up to me with a big sloppy smile on his face and loose stride. Turning back, I saw Aadish scowl in disgust before quickly standing up.

“It was a pleasure to finally meet you Anakh. Till we meet again.” With that, he quickly got up and melted back into the crowd. Now completely confused, I turned my attention to the obviously drunk Aurelio.

“Anakh! This is where you have been hiding all night.” Aurelio pulled me up and started dragging me over to the middle of the party where I saw a girl with fire-red hair talking to Algea. Algea herself was dressed in a deep blue satin dress with a slit up the side. The blue really contrasts with her mask. Which confused me. Why was Algea the only one in the room wearing a mask? As we got closer to the pair I started making out their conversation.

“Have you seriously not found anyone yet. It has been years Algea.” The new voice was soft and joking.

“Honestly, I have the worst time with these types of things, and if I am being honest, I don’t want to go through that again. I’m too busy trying to stay alive. Considering I am still a wanted woman.” I could hear the smirk in Algea’s voice which was reciprocated by the other girl’s trilling laugh.

Aurelio came over and leaned heavily on the red-headed girl’s shoulders. Grinning, he kissed her before whispering in her ear. Whatever he said surprised her and they both started to rapidly converse. It was only for a few seconds and was quickly broken by Aurelio turning to flash a smile at Algea and myself. The other girl seemed not to be happy she was cut off, but she quickly schooled herself and looked in my direction.

“Aurelio, it seems you haven't introduced me to your new friend. I guess I’ll fix that myself then. My name is Rani, and I am the wife of this idiot here. What might be your name?” I was left speechless for a moment. This black leather clad fire-red haired girl married Aurelio. They looked like polar opposites, but love is love I guess.

“My name is Anakh, and it is a pleasure to meet you Rani.” I held my hand out to shake, and Rani’s face lit up. Her grip was firm and over eager as she shook it once, but Aurelio’s scowl and Algea’s snort was worth any awkward tension.

“Oh, I like you Anakh. I hope you stick around.” Rani grinned, and, grabbing Aurelio’s arm, dragged him into the fray to dance. I could watch them only for a little bit before the crowd obscured them, but what I did see was soft and sweet. They were swaying to the music heads resting on each other like they were drifting off to sleep.

“Sweet, wouldn’t you say?”

I jumped. I had forgotten Algea was there. My cheeks warmed with embarrassment, and I tried to hide it by turning around. This only resulted in a soft chuckle, which only caused me to get more frustrated.

“Hey,” She grabbed my shoulder and made me face her. “I want to apologize. I know you are not used to this, and you are not comfortable now. But, have you been mistreated? You would tell me if you were?” To say I was startled by her tone would be an understatement. Her grip was almost bruising and I could see the fierceness in her eye. She exuded a threatening air as she stared me down, and all rational though left me.

“I am fine Algea. Not a scratch on me.” I tried to sell my compulsive lie with a smile. It seemed to work as Algea let go of me and returned to a relaxed stance.

“I see. That’s good. I was worried for a little bit there. I know Foxglove’s capabilities, and I would hate for anyone to experience that.” I paled. Of course she knew Foxglove was here. Fox had just the other day been angry at Algea for taking Aurelio’s attention. It wouldn’t be too far of a stretch for Algea to have known I was in her care. She may have even gloated about it to Algea. “Why is my first instinct to lie?” I reprimanded myself. Looking over I could practically see Algea’s smirk. She knew she had me, and I couldn’t deny it.

“Okay, okay, I lied. However I didn’t lie about how I am fine.”

“Really now? Because when I gripped you, you stiffened on your left side. If I were to bet, if I pressed on your sides and back you would probably have a lot more trouble keeping a straight face. Also you have cuff marks around your wrists.” She didn’t even take her eyes off the crowd as she diagnosed all the flaws with my lie. “You also have been avoiding touching your back to chairs, and you have been walking stiffly. Need I go on?” She turned to me with a serious daring smirk. I was beat.

“Fine, Fox can be a little rough, but I haven't said anything. Comparatively, Fox has been the one talking.” I was not expecting the laugh that slipped out of Algea’s mouth. She was clutching her sides as she continued. It was getting to the point that people were staring, and I didn’t know what to do.

“Um Algea, people are staring.”

“Oh. I’ll stop, but you don’t know how hilarious that is for me to hear. Anyway,” She shook her head as she smoothed her dress. “I have a plan to get us out of this hell hole, but it required this bit of luck to get started.”

“Algea if this is another one of your gut moves we might want to wait.” I nervously shifted my weight.

“No, I have an idea, come with me.” Sighing I followed while secretly hoping this idea wouldn't end in a flaming mess like I think it will.