Men in tuxedos and women in formal evening dresses dripping with gold and diamonds exit a Bentley, then a Rolls Royce in front of us. When it's our turn to drive up to the entrance, a valet slowly approaches the Mercedes but Katherine keeps driving. I catch the sight of the human valet's face as we drive past.

"We're not going in through the common entrance," she says with a slight tilt of her chin, looking every bit a haughty heiress. "The common entrance" is the grand-looking front doors of the Gauthier Mansion, flanked by white columns on either side. A glittering chandelier hanging in the foyer is the size of a car and can be seen clearly from the outside.

Rounding the corner of the paved driveway on a downslope, Katherine presses a button under her review mirror and the garage door opens up. There are several foreign cars that weren't there this morning parked in the garage. A stretch limo takes a couple of spots, including Katherine's usual space, so she has to park further back. If she's not happy about it, she doesn't show it.

"There are families who arrived from South Africa, Japan, and other parts of the states and they are staying here at least for the night," she tells me as she turns off the engine.

Sacha had already informed me about this, so I just nod as we exit the car and walk toward the elevator. "Breakfast tomorrow should be...interesting."

"That's one way to put it," she agrees.

We enter the elevator and Katherine punches the button for the second floor and we share a wicked smile as the door closes. Clever cheeky girl. We're going to make an appearance by coming down the grand staircase.

"If your father is known for vanity, one trait that the Nephilims are guilty of but would never admit to having is arrogance," she announces. "Those Nephilim women and their parents down there think that they're spawned from angels, therefore they're better than any demons, witches, or even humans. So chin up, Danica, don't show vulnerability or reveal any insecurities."

I have no plan to. I'm vain. I thrive on attention and admiration and I've learned to mask my feelings a long time ago. But then again, my feelings were never fully involved like tonight.

A low sultry voice of a female singer accompanied by live music greets us when the elevator door glides open. The sound of people talking and laughing can be heard from up here.

There are several guards standing on the mezzanine, but they just ignore us. The sound of our footsteps is swallowed by the thick carpet as we make our way toward the staircase.

The Gauthier mansion is always grand and beautiful but tonight, with all the decorations and lights on, the view from the mezzanine looking down below is breathtaking.

The white marble floor reflects the light from the glittering chandeliers. A raised platform is situated at one end of the hall where the singer and the musicians are performing.

Several food stations with stunning fresh-cut flower arrangements as centerpieces are placed around the room. Ice sculptures are sparkling under the lights.

The guests are dressed to the nines and the servers are flitting among them with flutes of wine on silver trays.

My eyes immediately wander around, seeking Sacha out. It's been more than half a day without him and I miss him with a burning longing ache in my chest.

Then I see him. He's looking insanely stunning in a bespoke Brioni tuxedo. His vest is striped metal grey and black with the same color bowtie. The snowy white shirt underneath is a stark contrast to his honey golden tan skin. His black leather dress shoes are shinning impeccably. His hair is a little shorter than the last time I saw him this morning and is swept back, showing off his sharp features and jawline, like one of those European male models. My heart races and my abdomen tightens. I can feel his magnetism from up here.

Standing close to a balcony with his beautiful face a mask of cool politeness, he listens to a willowy dark-haired, Mocca-skinned beauty in front of him. She's talking and smiling coyly up to him. Once in a while, her hand strays to linger on his arm and his chest.

A lot of other gorgeous looking women in the hall below seem to be watching him like a cat eyeing a tasty treat. All of them waiting for their turn to be with him. All of them wanting to sway him and catch his interest, hoping to be the one he chooses by the end of the night.

Katherine curls her hand over my shoulder. "Let's get down there to remind them who they belong to...or at least save them from some evil Nephilim clutches," she whispers in my ear before she laughs softly. That's when I notice Elias...or maybe Ronan looking dapper in a tuxedo, standing by an ice sculpture, surrounded by three women. He has his arms folded across his chest in a clear unwelcome sign. At least he doesn't have to spend 15 minutes with each of them or pretend to give them a chance like Sacha.

"Okay, let's go," I say after taking a deep breath. A week ago, would have been looking for ways to ruin this party. But now I feel different. There's a lot more at stake. Now I have to prove to these Nephilims that I am more than just an immature half-demon and that I'm worthy of their leader.

"Have I told you that you look great tonight?" I ask Katherine. She does. Nephilims are beautiful creatures, it's easy to be outshined by them. But Katherine is striking in a way that cannot be ignored. She exudes class, sophistication, and vital power.

"No you haven't and thank you," she says, giving me a quick glance before returning it to her boyfriend downstairs. Her lips curl up into a tiny smile.

As we descend the grand staircase, I feel more and more eyes fall on us. Following us. I see a few groups of men and women stop talking altogether to watch us. Some look at us with appreciation and interest while some with hostility.

But I'm not interested in watching them or concern about what they think of me. My eyes are firmly fixed on Sacha.

The Nephilim woman in front of him is still in the middle of recounting her story, but as though he could feel my presence, he turns his head sharply toward me. His eyes find and locked on me right away and my heart beats even faster. A thousand butterflies burst free out of their cage in my stomach. His expression is no longer cool and distant with disinterest. It's filled with awe and admiration before it turns fierce, fiery, and possessive.

As I reach the bottom of the steps, I vaguely notice Elias greeting his girlfriend with fervor. I watch Sacha excuses himself from the woman without taking his eyes off of me. Then he saunters toward me with such imposing power and authority that people move out of his way. His every step almost seems predatory.

When he's standing right in front of me, my heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest.

"Danica Saint," he murmurs, taking my hand in his. He's so tall, even when I'm in high heels, he's still towering over me. His eyes are glittering underneath his sooty dark eyelashes, watching me. He brings my hand up and brushes a kiss on my knuckles. "You are breathtaking. The most beautiful and exciting woman here tonight," he whispers against my skin.

I inch closer to him, unable to help myself. I'm iron and he's my magnet. Every part of him attracts me. "You don't look too bad yourself," I tell him. I pause before I push myself on my tiptoes and whisper, "I missed you."

His eyes flare and his grip on my hand tightens.

"Hello, I don't think we've been introduced," says an older gentleman who suddenly appears beside Sacha. His interruption cuts through the hum of electricity between Sacha and me.

The man is probably a few years older than Antoine but his chocolate-brown skin has no lines or wrinkles and his tight curls don't have a single strand of grey that I can see.

"Alain," says Sacha. His expression is suddenly cool and unreadable. "Meet Danica Saint. Danica, this is Mr. Alain Absil our honorable Superior from South Africa. He's also Olivier's uncle."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Saint," says the man, watching me with sharp intense eyes. His hand is suddenly clasping mine firmly. "I'd like to introduce you to one of my nieces, Elouise Absil." He turns toward a young woman who's standing beside him. She was the one talking to Sacha earlier.

The woman doesn't offer me her hand or a smile. She tilts her chin up before she returns her gaze to Sacha. A beautiful smile magically blooms on her face when she looks up at him. "I haven't finished telling you about the school that I built in Rwanda."

Alain Absil's hand tightens around mine. "Come, Ms. Saint, let me introduce you to some of the influential people and their sons and daughters here," he says, steering me away.

*************************

Hello everyone!

My next update is going to be on Tuesday evening (est). If you want to read three chapters ahead, go to Inkitt:

https://Inkitt.app.link/RA_NicoleRidd3y

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Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe!

Much love,

Nicole♥