"Nephilims? Aren't we like…not friends with them?" Ariella asks and I hear Adrianna snorts into her flute of champagne. "Aren't friends," is putting it mildly; we're basically enemies. In fact, the Nephilims have a powerful organization called The Order of the circle that haunts down errant witches and demons for centuries.
"They kill demons," Adrianna says, setting down her empty glass only to pluck another one from a passing server. "They kill full demons, not half demons like us." It sounds like an off handed comment, but I know Adrianna- she's actually offended that the Nephilims don't consider us worthy of their time and effort to be hunted down and killed. That's what happens when you're Astaroth's daughter and your head is filled with vanity and empty spaces instead of common sense.
I'm about to deliver an insult, when Audee pulls my arm hard, and hisses in my ear. "You've managed to piss daddy off this time. You better do what needs to be done and hope for a miracle if you want to live to see your 17th birthday.
"Audee," I mutter, blinking at my sister as I pull my arm out of her tight grip. I did a lot of things that I wasn't supposed to do, I'd never get caught. I always suspected Astaroth knew about them, yet he's waiting for the moment I would slip up, I know this day would come. "Chill, it's not like you're going to shed blood tears when he kills me…" I simply stop talking as I suddenly feel the changes in the air and the room goes silent.
The oxygen seems to be sucked out of the room and every follicle of fine hair on the back of my neck and arms stands on ends as if I'm sensing danger. Or preparing for flight or fight.
A group of three men and a woman enters the ballroom and Astaroth pushes up from his seat, followed by Belial and Asmodeus. Astaroth henchmen quickly form a protective semi-circle around the three demons as they approach the Nephilim. So my father is scared… or at least weary of them. My father smiles charmingly as though they're old friends as he greets them like they were guests of honour.
The heavenly beings among the underworld creatures. I wonder what possessed them to attend Astaroth's depraved auction.
As they stand facing each other, the difference between the Nephilim and the demons is astounding, at least in my eyes.
No matter how beautiful Astaroth, Belial, Asmodeus and all other demons appear to the humans eyes, the stench of the underworld never leaves them. It would taint your soul just to be in their presence. Even as a half demon i can't see it, it's intangible. But I can feel it.
The four Nephilim who just walked in the door are beautiful too, but they don't bear the mark of the underworld. In fact, they are glorious. The air seem to sizzle around them with a golden glow, making us the low life creature stare in awe.
"Who is that?" Ariella whispers and she doesn't need to elaborate. We all know who she is talking about.
The Nephilim in the center of the group steals the attention. He takes my breath away and makes my heart squeezes painfully in my chest.
He's tall, maybe six-foot-three or four. He has the body of a swimmer; slim yet broad shouldered.
His dark brown hair is slicked back over dark eyebrows and an impressive bone structure sculpted from marble-sharp angles of an aristocratic nose, high cheekbones, and a chiseled jaw surrounding shockingly sensual lips. I can't see the color of his eyes from here, but I can feel the intensity of his gaze even though it's not directed at me once tonight.
He's insanely gorgeous,no doubt but it's not his beauty that demands attention. It's something more.
It's his presence. He's dripping with magnetism and charisma. He wears the air of authority like a cloak despite his youthful appearance.
His bespoke three-piece suit and his shiny black leather shoes are expensive. Yet underneath that urbane, sophisticated exterior lurks something unpredictable and dangerous.
"That's Sacha Gunther,also known as the prince of the Nephilims," answers Adrianna in an equally hushed voice as if she's also in awe. "He just graduated from Harvard and he's going to take over the Gunther Empire. He's going to take the rein of the order of circle some day too."
We watch as he saunters in besides our father with indolent grace as though he rules over everything and everyone in this room. He's among enemies and yet he's without fear.
He and the other three Nephilims are led to their chairs before Astaroth, Belial and Asmodeus return to their throne like seats again.
I can't read Sacha's cold expression. Does he hold contempt for us? Hatered?
Astaroth has been issuing invitations to the Nephilims over the years…never thought they'd show up, especially him," Adrianna continues.
"You think he's going to bid on us?" Ariella asks again, sounding excited.
Adrianna scoffs. "He's twenty-one way too old for you," she's answering Ariella's question but her eyes are on me, sending me a warning. "What he needs is a woman who knows what she's doing." She smoothers her dress and fluffs up her hair. Her lips curl up in a wicked smile as she winks at us. "He needs someone who knows how to please a man. You kids should stick to the schoodboys," she says before she takes off towards the guests of honour's direction.
Ariella stares after her and Audee shakes her head.
A few men are ogling us, but I ignore them and extend my hearing to the other side of the ballroom.
"We don't have to stay long," says a handsome Nephilim with mocha colored skin who sits on Sacha Gunther's right as if assuring him. "We leave in a few minutes."
"Leave in a few minutes? Seriously, Oliver? They must have the most beautiful women in the world in this room right now," comments another man. He's gazing nonchalantly around the room with a glint in his eyes. Looks like he doesn't mind having some fun with us, the lowly demons…or half-demons.
"We're among enemies, Matthew" warns the one named Oliver.
"Or we could be the foxes in the henhouse," counters Matthew.
Sacha himself doesn't say word as he takes in everything. He looks bored.
"If you like demons or half-demons then you're in the right place," says the only woman in their group with disdain. "And of course, they have to be beautiful, how else would they get men to willingly pay thousands of dollars just for a night or two in their company?"
"I'd rather stick to humans and Nephilims, thank you very much," announces Oliver even though his eyes wanders. Just like the woman, I can see the disdain in his eyes.
She moves closer to the Nephilim prince. "There's really not much else to see Sacha. If you're ready, just say the word."
"Tell me more about Astaroth," says Sacha, without looking at her.
"Astaroth sires bastards all over the world, but only very few out of the many are openly and publicly claimed as his," the woman whispers close to his ear. "Vanity plays a big part in the acceptance of his offsprings of course, so his bastards are the most good looking men and women here tonight. There are Arnold, Archie, Audrey, and Adrianna. Incoming is Adrianna, watch out. She's as manipulative as they come.