M A K A Y L A

Here I was. Back where it had all started.

The difference could not have been more stark. Once on the side of royalty and inner Merridian. Now emerging from a decadent fusion craft with a hand from the most powerful and beautiful woman in Merridian.

The Empress's sky tower was lit up like a diamond in the night. True to her word we did not see a single member of the infamous Dawn Guard lining the entrance. But true to Alex's we showed in the full force of Division 52.

Her grip was strong and assured as she smiled at me secretly and led me out of the craft. Her golden eyes burned over my face in the same awe they had when I left that lift.

I couldn't help but love the effect.

"Have I got something on my face, crime lord?" I whispered, near her ear as I pulled up to stand from the craft.

She thread her arm through mine and I felt the electricity of her body briefly press mine.

"Only beauty." She murmured, pulling us forward to the large glass doors lined by pristine suited men with strange purple flowers in their lapels.

Her hand went to her ear as we neared and I caught the edge of conversation, "–stay in position."

One of the door boys had a suspicious scar over his eye and he nodded minutely. I scanned him as we passed them all and were offered a space in the large lift that could hold over twenty people easily. It was only now that the walls seemed to suddenly feel much too close. The room much too warm. I swallowed and willed it away–after all this time–I had faced worse.

To say they had made an effort tonight was an understatement.

I knew the floor we arrived at. But I didn't recognise the cavernous room at all. It was entirely redesigned tonight with pure white tapestries hanging from every wall and carpet. The accents of a royal purple everywhere you looked. Flowers hanging and standing. Glowing floor lights to lead to giant long tables forming into a square. The space in the centre was filled with an orchestra.

The lights were dimmer than the usual glare of social events. It was more intimate yet flamboyant at the same time.

Alex took two flutes of champagne from the first waiter she saw before I caught the smirk she gave him. He returned it with a tiny nod and disappeared.

"You and those god damn waiters..." I muttered. 

"I wouldn't dare do that to you tonight." She answered, holding my eyes longer than was formal. I could get lost in them all night anyway. But I saw the understanding in them as she took in my face. The stifling past rushing full speed towards me. She wouldn't be Alex if she couldn't sense these things–

"It appears our host isn't present yet." Proximo noted, coming up beside us with Florence tucked under his arm. His stark tattoos were a sheer contrast to the upper classes of Merridian that folded away from us in a wide circle. Some were already at their seats on the long white sprawled tables. The rest of the personal guard melted into the room around us built like formal warriors.

Artella Maxim was one of them and he took a flute into his hand as easily as the other went in his pocket and he dutifully scanned the room for threats. The greatest one his eyes kept coming back to was Florence. 

"Find us a seat won't you dear?" Alex replied, taking my arm and leading us further down the steps.

She would sense my discomfort here without even needing to look at me. She knew the room too. Not just that–she remembered where to go.

Two white suited staff drew the balcony doors open to us and the warm light bled out into the night and hushed the classical music for a moment. The winds ran through my hair that was held high on my head in a detailed and pinned fashion. A few strands brushed my cheeks and I sucked in a breath I didn't know I needed.

Alex melted out of the Division's leader in a heartbeat and stood before me on the edge with a calm gaze. She took my scaled shoulders and met my eyes that I was sure were panicked.

All I could see was my father again.

"Stay or go?"

I frowned, shaking my head and focusing on those golden eyes more pure than the gold I wore. 

"What?"

"Do we stay or do we leave, Makayla. I'm not doing this if you're not in."

"I'm not ending all of this–an alliance with the new Empress–"

"That wasn't the question." She answered low.

Her hand moved from my shoulder to my jaw and held it there. She was entirely serious. She would end the entire event this second if I said so. It's exactly why I would never. I took in a slow breath through my nose and close my eyes briefly. When I opened them I saw the same woman I fell in love with. The one that asked me to dance even though it was the last thing an Underworld ruler should have done.

"We're doing this. I won't be afraid of what happened here. I want the future to be better than what my father made it."

Alex waited a beat. Reading my face to sense any break–she found none. Her thumb traced my jaw carefully before she nodded.

"I'm here for one conversation with the woman on that throne. Then we're gone."

"You don't need to worry about me." I tried to assure her staring at the city lights beyond.

"It's my job to." She retorted simply.

This made me meet those burning eyes again. She still held my face, sending heat through my whole being. I turned and kissed her hand before stepping back and raising my head. 

"And it's my job to be strong so you can do what we came here for."

"I love you, Makayla Xavier." She answered, just as simply. 

It still made my entire body spark to hear it. The smile that broke across my face almost made me forget the hell of my past family all together beyond that tower.

She always had a way of doing that to me. Taking that darkness away and replacing it with herself. A protector that got her hands dirty in this city, one who had the name and reputation of a monster, yet before me she stood as ready as ever to take all of the pain away. She'd sooner wear it than let anything consume me like that.

"As I love you, Alex. Red cloak and all." I muttered, ignoring my past anxiety and striding forward to pull her collar to me. My lips met hers surrounded by the winds on the hundredth and something floor of Sector 1. She was usually so quick to respond it was second nature, but there was this shock and awe to her tonight–I couldn't quite place it. I didn't care that we were out here longer than was considered correct.

I didn't care that I made sure to kiss her as deeply as I needed to before facing that room again. I lost myself in Alex so I wouldn't lose myself to Sector 1.

When I finally drew back that gaze was lingering on me like she was stuck in a dream.

I drew my hands off her neck and slowly righted her shirt and tie. Her breathing was as erratic as my own. I felt that golden stare as I finished repairing her shirt.

"If you're going to distract me all night we won't get much work done." She said in a husky voice.

It heated my blood in ways I would have liked if we weren't here.

I kept my eyes on her tie.

"You have me whenever you want, Scorpion." I said in the same tone. "Just say the word."

"Don't make this so much harder, Makayla..." She groaned.

I smirked finally feeling it to be genuine. Alex mirrored it and let her eyes run over my dress lingering in a place that was just too obvious. I grabbed her jaw and made her meet my eyes.

"I'm not wearing anything under this dress."

Her wordless gaze told me more than enough.

I kissed her quickly and she closed her eyes. When I drew back the doors sounded behind us. Alex's eyes flashed open to stare at her inside man as he murmured urgently across the wind.

"Empress is here, Scorpion."

It was time to face the music.

* * * * * 

She wore white.

This esteemed woman I had been hearing so much about. She was naturally alluring but had classical beauty about her. Much younger than I thought possible for Sector 1. Immaculate dark hair held high above her head, formal high neck line with long arms ending at the elbow. Then that hint of purple that sparkled into the design.

I wasn't naive enough not to notice the brawn of several staff near her at the end of the stairs and so I knew the Division weren't unaware.

On the face of things she had no guards. But when did anyone in this city ever show their hand?

Alex was still beside me as she regarded the show. The music had faded to silence along with all of the Dawn Guard supporters within. She tilted her head to listen intently to something her guard said and tightened her grip on my lower back.

I brushed my fingers against her forearm that was tucked under my arm.

"Division 52!" A strong voice announced. It took me a moment to realise she was hooked up to the sound system around us. The Empress cast a warm smile across the room before the head of the table now. "It is with great pleasure, I welcome you to the new home of the Dawn Guard!"

Formal clapping ensued around us. Alex remained still and scanned the room without lingering on the parade ahead of us. "No movement at the exits?" She nodded to herself as the response came.

"Not only does your presence present a new opportunity for this city, it also presents us with a new future!" Her voice echoed around the space and made the tapestries flutter. My stomach twisted the same way it did when my father spoke. I focused on her face. On the charisma and instant charm she held in the room. Then what the words meant.

"I do hope you enjoy dinner tonight in true Sector 1 style!"

As she said this rows of service staff emerged from the doors above and branched out in sync to line the tables with silver dish trays. Alex watched them emotionless as they drew the lids back and glistening food from the finest cooks in Merridian greeted us in the low lighting. They proceeded to light candles on every table and the lights dropped lower.

"Have outside snipers switch to night vision. Thermal will be confused by the candles." She murmured calmly. 

She had an answer for every chess move the Empress made. The woman at the head gestured directly towards Scorpion and the room seemed to hold its breath in expectation. Alex watched the Empress across the room like two titans of power regarding each other. Fire and Ice.

She nodded.

Division guards began taking their seats before the rest of the room moved and took their own in the square. The music restarted in the centre and the candles burned in warm glows.

We moved to the head of the table. But not before Scorpion murmured one final word into the comms. "Do not eat or drink before they do."

The two empty seats on either side of the Empress beckoned like death traps. I made my steps slow and Alex didn't hasten me as we approached the table where she waited. She waited with her hands tucked behind her and an expectant look in calculating copper eyes. The candle light almost made them orange...

"I'm glad you accepted my invitation, Scorpion." She spoke as calmly and surely as any on the throne would. Alex took her hand and instead of the expected royal courtesy she slipped it into a forearm clasp as you would in the outer sectors.

It didn't shock or surprise the Empress. She matched it with a small smirk.

Then she turned to me. I had no qualms with Sector 1 tradition–but I was no longer from Sector 1. I mirrored Alex's greeting and didn't miss the surprise on her features. She knew where I was from. Finally she released my hand and gestured to our seats.

I instantly despised the space she forced between myself and Alex.

I took her left, while Scorpion took her right. The Underworld's leader only sat when I did. Not when the Empress did. I think I caught a small spark of irritation on her features but the dim lighting didn't give much away. I stared at the food on the table. There were four different sets of cutlery around us. Members of the Division looked more than uncomfortable as they glanced between each other.

"Tell me, Scorpion." She began as the music took up a slow lull around us in strings. "Did it make your life any easier when you took my predecessor's life?"

I froze in my seat at the casual way she spoke of my father's death. No small talk. Straight to the point. I watched the side of the woman's face with those sharp cheekbones and even sharper gaze. Alex however looked positively bored by it all.

"Not really. But I enjoyed the way he squirmed on the floor like the snake he was." She answered flatly with a sweet smile promising anything but.

The last thing I expected was a chuckle from the woman on the throne. If Alex was surprised she hid it well. The Empress took her drink and sipped thoughtfully. I knew not to drink my own until the signal came.

"He underestimated you."

"And you waste your breath flattering me." She answered in the same cool.

This made her set down her glass and turn to Scorpion fully. It hid her face from me but made my pulse race as she leaned an arm over her chair and regarded her intently. What she said next I could not made out but it made me want to disappear from the room with Alex right beside me. This is where the games were played. This was a true politicians playing field. Their words were always so damn alluring.

After a moment she leant back a bit stiffly.

Alex's expression was the same mask of calm indifference. But the Empress looked like she had bitten into a lemon. I smirked, turning my head in our personal guards direction so I wouldn't find it too amusing. People often forgot Scorpion's lethality when she was dressed up and beautiful like one of them–only I knew that she was still very much as lethal.

"Does Miss Xavier not simply look stunning?" She said simply, pointedly.

I kept my eyes on Proximo as he spoke to Florence at a near table and the heat rushed my face. I felt the Empress's eyes on me.

"Simply breath taking." She answered simply. "I must know where you found that dress?"

It took me a second to realise she spoke directly to me now. Bright copper eyes intently taking in the material with a slow smile.

"Scorpion is responsible for that." I answered, detached. "The outer sectors give the upper sectors a run for their credits in design."

"I can see that." She murmured, laced with double meaning.

Scorpion went as far to prop an elbow on the table and gaze at me shamelessly despite the formality. I fought another smile and reached for my glass instinctively before she shook her head at me minutely. I lingered with it near my lips a moment.

But the Empress's eyes were already on me in expectation. A test of sorts. One that said, how scared are you of us?

It was that smug smile on her face that made me ignore Alex's expression and sink a large mouthful before meeting the Empress's shocked face.

"Lovely." I stated.

Setting it down and looking across the room unbothered. If you want to poison me go ahead. Your head will be the first to fall if you're dumb enough to try. I felt Scorpion's glare at my gamble but she proceeded to raise her glass obviously before drinking.

The rest of the Division mirrored the move across the room. Even many of the staff.

The Empress stilled as she saw the sheer numbers throughout the room. Her smile faded and Scorpion's widened.

"Delicious." She murmured in a dark voice, making the woman flinch.

"A good year." She answered distantly.

The meal began and several decadent courses filtered throughout the room. Drinks were consumed and the energy in the room became lighter, more curious. Several members of the elite engaged with Division members tentatively at first. Before the conversation grew louder and it was like looking at a room full of people that knew each other.

When the last course was had the staff all returned to the edges of the room in lines and waited for us expectantly.

The Empress rose slowly and took in the room. It slowly came to a hush as faces found hers.

"It appears the Division know how to dine. But do they dance?" She drawled with a smile and gesture of her hand. A few chuckles returned her words and people rose from their seats to vacate the tables.

I was more than glad to step back from the formality of so much silverware. But when I closed the first step to Alex's side the Empress cut her own response between us.

"A word, Scorpion?"

It wasn't a demand. But it sure as hell felt like one. She tucked her hands into her suit and stared her down a moment before she looked past her and met my eyes. "Find Proximo for me. I'm sure he would love a dance with the most enchanting woman in the room." She finished with deliberate emphasis. 

The Empress ignored it but I smiled and gave her a mock courtesy.

"Your highness. Scorpion." 

I turned on my heel leaving Alex to the cutting eyes of the second most powerful woman in the room. I felt their eyes on me but I couldn't turn back to meet them. This wasn't part of the game. I had to play my part and let Alex deal with her in her own way–despite the alarms flaring in my head. Despite wanting to drive one of those silver forks right into her neck.

He found me before I even neared the table.

Towering above and tattooed darkly in the candlelight. The tables were already being moved away from the dance floor in preparation for music and frivolity.

"Well was that not interesting, Xavier?" He drawled darkly, linking my arm in his own.

"Where's Florence?" I asked instead.

His face was indifferent as he cast his eyes towards where she spoke intently to a few personal guards. A bit too affectionate in her handling of one man's lapel. I rolled my eyes to the moons.

"You don't have to babysit me. Leave me somewhere I can watch her majesty put her hands on our leader." I muttered.

His grin was as dark as his glare at members of the upper classes around us.

"Think nothing of it, Makayla. This is all a game."

"Why must we play?" I noted, turning my eyes unable to stop myself. I saw the Empress in close conversation with Scorpion at the head of the table. That dress clinging to her curves in ways any woman would dream for.

He followed my gaze and nodded.

"You think Scorpion hasn't had scores of women throw themselves at her like this?"

"I don't see how that would make me feel better." I hissed, trying to yank my hand away. He only tightened his hold with unbreakable strength. Those steel eyes glanced at me in amusement.

"Because it matters so little to her. You're a fool not to see it."

"And what about you?" I returned, turning to face him as we walked along the edge of the crowds. His eyes cut to Florence and her touch several times. "You're not exactly the authority on how to play romance correctly."

His grin faded and his glare returned to me. I blew him a kiss.

"How about we dance, Makayla?" He stated suddenly, drawing my hand forward without my say in it. I sure as hell never saw myself in the hands of Proximo for a start.

The music began and the rest of the Division dutifully watched their second. Florence had different ideas and dragged the first unwitting soul before her to take a stance with a dark smile. The man before her seemed lost but fully aware of her close fit dress.

Proximo's expression darkened.

Several other members of inner Merridian took couples and stances in formality but no one moved until the Empress offered a deliberate hand to Scorpion herself. Alex stared at her blankly, hands still tucked into her pockets and she didn't move. I thought for a fleeting moment she would really throw away the entire offer of alliance in this action alone. But then she moved and took the hand held out.

It still made my chest burn.

"Focus. Xavier." Proximo growled as the dance began.

"How would you like it if you saw–"

"I'm already looking at her dancing with another." He answered, casting his gaze over my shoulder and watching the dark eyed woman in a darker dress twirl with a member of our personal guard.

"I wasn't talking about Florence." I smirked.

He faltered a step before his grip on my back became a little painful. 

"Don't make me kick you in the balls with a heel." I answered with a sweet smile.

Proximo twirled me on cue before drawing me back in more of a fighting grip than a dancing one. The scales of gold shone on his face.

"Don't make me start hating you again." He answered low near my ear.

I couldn't fight the grin now and I winked at him as he drew me near and then stepped us back. But my smile vanished as I saw the Empress move with Alex between the dancers. Her hand on her waist and a small smile on her lips. Scorpion moved her at the same pace with the rest of the room but that woman was enjoying the statement too much–

Florence suddenly appeared at our side and Proximo regarded her with cool contempt.

"May I borrow him for just a moment?" She whispered close to my ear. I raised an eyebrow and released his hand instantly. But Proximo still had a hand on my waist and a glare in his eyes. "By the way you look gorgeous, Xavier." She added keeping her lips near my ear.

It was at that moment Proximo drew her off me like a prisoner of the Division.

I chuckled as they took a rather aggressive dance stance. But I wasn't left alone for long. A familiar low voice made me turn to meet the cool gaze of Art. He was a presence to behold in finely cut suit and his massive size.

"The rumours appear to be true tonight." He said simply, offering his hand to me. It dwarfed my own as I slipped it into his.

"And what are they?" I murmured, resuming the next set dance to the strings.

"That you are enchanting the room." He answered with a shrug.

I fought a smile. "Shouldn't you be flirting with someone else?"

He returned it and spun me. Then stopped my waist and answered.

"I'm not here for that, Xavier." He said intently. I frowned with a confused smile.

"Of course you are–I've seen you look at him–"

He shook his head. "Proximo and I are no longer..." He froze in step and stared at something. Those intelligent eyes clicking something together in a moment before he released me and lunged.

I had all of a few seconds to see him throw dancers out the way and jump before the man he had just been about to tell me no longer meant anything. A dagger gleamed black–familiar. My heart froze as the gasps took the room and the blade stopped in Florence's hand.

Proximo was the first to unfreeze and he disarmed her in a blink letting it clatter to the floor before twisting his arm behind her neck and holding her tightly.

"Florence what in HELL–" His roar stopped dead when Artella Maxim collapsed on the floor.

I rushed them as the room erupted into shouts and weapons started to be drawn.

"Art?" Proximo demanded, holding Florence's throat.

He gasped once and his eyes went far away as black lines started clawing up his throat. Proximo threw the woman off himself without even hesitating to think about anything else. But I knew that crazed look in her eyes and ran to kick a heel into her chest before she could reach the Vantafish venom blade on the floor again. The weapon only one person in this city should hold.

I pressed my knee into Florence's throat tightly as she snarled at me with a deranged desperation. I didn't know what the Division did now but I heard Proximo's shout before anything else.

"No, no NO! You fucking fool!" He grabbed his collar and raised his head as the venom rushed him rapidly. Art watched him passively back as he dragged in small breaths.

"Wasn't meant for him–" She hissed below me. I pushed my knee tighter and stopped her words. My dress gleamed around us in shards as the audience stayed back in a circle of fear.

"Left–pocket–" He gurgled beneath Proximo's hand.

Proximo was nothing if not precise in times of pressure. He leapt over Art's lifeless form searching inside his jacket before his hand seized something and he dropped both knees over him, plunging a syringe into his neck and pushing the handle. The gasps in the room were turning into terror but the Division was not about to let a single one of them leave after this.

The room seemed to go silent for a beat before Artella dragged in a sudden breath beneath Proximo and his eyes opened. Proximo's entire form sagged at the sight.

"You fucking bastard." He growled, glaring down at him.

"Took–your time–kid." He panted back dragging in another clear breath. He glanced at Proximo's body that hadn't moved off him.

Scorpion shoved a dancer from her path and stared at her second. Before her eyes slowly found Florence pinned beneath me.

"You."