– S C O R P I O N –

"Scorpion, the—the woman that was here... she—"

"I know." I interrupted calmly.

I was well aware that the emperor's daughter had unwittingly stumbled into me--her greatest threat. My scout looked at me in confusion.

"Then, do you not want us to act on it?" He said unsure.

I didn't respond. I was distracted... I had been all day. I twirled a dagger on one of the arms of my throne and watched nothing but the light glint off the blade. Sort of like how it shone from her hair.

"Not yet." I finally responded. I lifted my eyes to see him bow his head and scuttle back to a screen in the long room.

But what was I to do? Kill her and be done with it? That would probably ensure a war if it hadn't already begun... Do I steal her away and demand that he beg for forgiveness and never lay a finger on my people again? But how long would that last... He'd just stab me in the back as soon as she was returned.

I groaned and sank deeper into the chair.

But of course I wasn't allowed solitude for very long. I noticed a pair of impeccable boots stood in front of me and I didn't have to look up to know who it was.

"Proximo." I said curtly.

"Scorpion." He returned with a small smirk. "It has no doubt come to your attention that the very girl you had me escort is the Emperor's daughter, therefore I wish to know why you didn't have me imprison her rather than free her." He said as if he were discussing the weather.

I chuckled quietly.

I couldn't give him a sane reason even if I wanted to. Why did I? I had the emperor by the balls if she was in my possession. Then an idea flashed before me.

"What do you think would be more painful, Proximo?" I asked quietly. "Having your daughter taken by force? Or having your daughter at the enemy's side by choice?" I watched him as I said this.

His smirk faded and he looked at me intently.

"The latter of course. But how could you achieve such a thing?" He asked with true curiosity shining in his analytical eyes.

"Something tells me that she didn't run all the way out to Sector 48 for a drink..." I murmured. "I think she wants a taste of the Underworld, my friend." I smiled wickedly at him as I spoke. "And if that's her desire, then who better to accommodate than the queen of the Underworld?"

His eyes held the same realisation as mine. The wheels of his mind turning as he understood that getting to the emperor's weakness might not be so hard after all...

All I had to do was bring her back.

"Look sharp, Proximo. We're paying Sector 1 a visit tonight." I said, grinning at him.

The glint in his eyes told me that he was already steps ahead.

"Consider it done."

– M A K A Y L A –

"I'm afraid you no longer have a choice, Miss Xavier." Matty told me sheepishly.

I stared at her blankly. There was no getting around it. I was being forced to attend tonight's hideous event. Dress nicely, smile, socialise to the same mundane pompous morons--

"It won't be as bad as you imagine." My maid interrupted my thoughts. "Besides, I think you'll actually approve of what you'll be wearing tonight."

I groaned and pushed my face deeper into the pillow below me.

I heard ruffling and when I opened my eyes I saw the dress held in front of me. Okay, well at least it was stunning. I thought as I admired the design of the fabric. It was a deep royal navy, long sleeved beauty that was fitted in all the right places. It would hug my body like a glove and the patterned arms and backless cut would only add to the mystique. A few seams of silver cut into the patterns and represented the colour of The Silver Sun but it also completed the blue perfectly.

"When is it?" I mumbled instead of letting my appreciation show.

Matty clapped her hands excitedly. "It begins at sun down! Oh, you'll love it and you'll look absolutely gorgeous AND it is a masquerade ball tonight."

God, at least I could cover my boredom under a mask this time...

"And Tristan will be there!" She said excitedly.

Oh, god... It took all of my self-contol not to shiver in disgust. Now I'd have to stand listening to his bombardment of flirting and touching for another night.

Matty of course, was completely oblivious to my distaste and thought we were destined to be together. It's not that he wasn't attractive. He was. He just had nothing in common with me, had nothing of interest to talk about other than courting me and had the emotional intelligence of a twelve year old.

"Your father would be thrilled to see you two dance together tonight. He might even forgive you for yesterday..." She murmured thoughtfully.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'll go but I will choose my own dance partner. I'm sure Tristan has plenty to choose from anyway." I muttered hopefully.

* * * * *

It was hell as usual.

The ball room dripped upper class and monotony. Waiters rushed in-between the sea of dancers with champagne flutes and the musicians filled the hall with classical music.

But when I began to descend the grand staircase, all eyes found me.

Whispers flew between the crowds behind the masks and I tried to get clear of the attention as soon as possible. My hair was curled down one side of me and my dress had fitted me to perfection. The blue had a slight sparkle to it that seamed to give my entire form a shine in the light.

They probably think this is as ridiculous as I do...

When I hit the final step my father found me and secured my arm. He congratulated me on my presentation as if I had any hand in it. But I held my tongue and pretended to look happy. We spoke to officials, presidents, mayors, political figures and so on... The conversation was dry and the smiles were fake. But at least father seemed appeased.

I shifted my silver eye mask slightly and subtly slipped my glass onto a waiter's tray behind.

"If you will excuse me, I think I need some air." I smiled politely at the political figures we spoke to. My father nodded slightly as he turned his dark half masked head to me.

"See if you can find Tristan, I'm sure he would love the honour of a dance." He responded.

I nodded with a smile.

Like, hell I was.

I moved away from them then. Slipping between colourful dresses and robes. The long glass windows along the sides of the hall provided exits onto the balconies. The perfect escape. Two staff in white robes pulled the doors back swiftly at my arrival. I nodded to them with a smile before stepping out into the cool night air.

I leant on the glass balcony that overlooked the inner sectors. It was stunning. The sky towers were all alight like crystals and the fusion crafts dashed between them like comets in the night.

"I would say that it's a beautiful view, but the beauty is all yours tonight." A painfully familiar voice said from behind.

He was dressed in a dark tux with silver outlines to show his allegiance to The Silver Sun. His mask was similar and covered his eyes and nose. His square jaw was now smirking at me with the usual confidence that made girls swoon and his black hair was swept back neatly.

"Tristan." I smiled politely as I turned away from the balcony. "How have you been?"

Because I care so much...

"I would be better if I had the chance to see you last night?" He said moving closer to me. He stopped a foot away and I fought the urge to step back.

"Yes—I, er was not feeling up to it."

He smiled at me lazily. "Well, we're here now. Maybe you'd like to join me for a dance?" He murmured looking at me through the mask intently. I guessed that it was supposed to be the kind of gaze that made your knees weak and faint.

Not even close.

"Not tonight, Tristan. Maybe another night." I smiled with as much sincerity as I could manage.

He took another step closer, leaving only inches between us. I could now smell the alcohol on his breath and the cologne on his neck. I took a step back but his hand found my waist stopping me.

"Tristan--" I started as I tried to push him off me.

His hands had begun to roam the sides of my dress and I was getting more uncomfortable by the second. Then my breathing stopped for an entirely different reason.

A figure leant against the balcony glass not three feet away. It seemed to have materialised from the darkness itself. The form was wearing a tux as well but had a slimmer form and a black cloak sat over its head.

Tristan pushed me against the balcony now and I gasped. But before I could push him off me again a blade appeared at his throat. He froze and widened his eyes at the weapon.

"Release her." A voice growled with so much venom I thought that a demon spoke.

Tristan instantly dropped his hands and gulped. "Wha-what the hell do you want?" He stuttered in terror.

"For you to leave, right now. If I see you again I will end your life faster than you can take the next step." The growl finished.

The blade disappeared suddenly and Tristan bolted away. He didn't even take another look. He just fled into the crowds probably to drink himself into another stupor or hit on another poor girl...

It was too dark to make out anything other than a scarlet half mask under the shadowed hood. The shadow made no move to get closer. In fact it dropped an elbow onto the glass balcony and watched me leisurely. There was something about this shadow that felt familiar.

"Hate to intrude on your date but he seemed rather insufferable." A clear female voice rang out.

I stared at the figure in shock. There's no way in hell...

"You're... the girl from last night." I said in a daze.

"Girl." She said with heavy amusement. "Most know me by much more intimidating names." She murmured.

"Scorpion." I blurted.

Instead of responding she turned fully to the city below and drooped both arms over the edge. I looked around the long glass balcony. No one was here but us, they were either enjoying the party or blocked off by whatever guards the dangerous girl brought with her tonight.

"This thing really does itch." She suddenly said as she took off her mask and pulled off her hood and cloak, letting it drop to the floor. Her long brown hair was pulled into an intricate plait running down her back and a few loose strands brushed against her flawless skin. Her three piece tux fit her like a glove and only added to her allure.

I stood uncomfortably for a few seconds deciding whether or not to return. But the thought of going back in there made me walk up to the balcony and lean on it a foot away from the stunning girl.

"That's three times now." I said quietly as I watched the city. "That you've helped me."

She continued to watch the city as if she hadn't heard me. But finally she spoke and it was as soft as a whisper.

"Not a usual habit I make."

"Because you're a killer?" I said without thinking.

She chuckled darkly. "Oh, I'm much more than that, Makayla Xavier."

My entire being burst into chills at the sound of my full name on her lips.

I could feel the blood rushing up to my face where her amber gaze burned but I couldn't take my eyes off her. I was paralysed under her gaze.

"You run the Underworld... the outer sectors past 10." Yes, I had done my research on the subject soon after our impossible encounters.

Her eyes scanned my face for what seemed like forever but she finally spoke.

"That doesn't frighten you." She stated factually. "Even last night... Despite your state, you never once considered that I may be more dangerous than those men hunting you." She drew her brows together as her gaze intensified. "Why is that?" She asked.

"I--what gave you that idea?" I mumbled innocently.

I felt our closeness much more and couldn't stop myself from leaning into it. The charge seemed like a living thing. Those blazing eyes had a pull over me that I couldn't deny. She didn't seem to notice my any of it because she was still trying to figure me out, to understand why I didn't fear this ruler of darkness and death.

I have gone absolutely mad surely.

We were inches apart now. The invisible pull drew me like a magnet and I could feel her warmth surround me and her light breaths on my neck.

"You say things no one else would dare to. As if you know they will have no consequence." She finished quietly.

"Consequences of being an Emperor's daughter." I said breathlessly trying to lighten the mood.

Her eyes sparked in amusement and a smile tugged at her mouth. Instead of answering her question, I continued to let her into my mind once again. "What if you only played the part of the monster... You did it because you had no choice." I whispered. Feeling a sharp sense of symmetry between us.

She froze and the spark of warm fled her eyes instantly. She seemed to finally notice our closeness and retreated some inches.

"That's not how the story goes." She said, with what looked like sadness in those flaming eyes.

What was that supposed to mean? Who she is or who people say she is?

I had to bite my lip to refrain from arguing. I had no logical reason for knowing that she was more than her reputation but how could that even be true? She was right. I had no idea who she really was outside of the rumours and stories.

Her eyes flicked down to my lip under my teeth--not missing a thing--before returning to my eyes.

"But, I suppose you'll never know." She said, breaking my trance and turning back towards the city. I felt the cold of the night as soon as her attention left me.

"Unless..."

My eyes darted back up to her face. Unless what?

"You come with me." She finished casually.

I was sure that my heart had stopped beating all together. Because there is no chance in hell that the ruler of the underworld just asked me to go with her.