Once Sebastian convened with the others at the rendezvous point, they searched for the Nightfall.

"How do you not know where the club is?" Imogen asked as they wandered around. "You do know this Jasper guy right?"

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "I've never seen the place from the outside. I either got there via portal or jumpkey." Squinting a few street signs, he continued leading the group toward where he thought the club was. "It's around here somewhere."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Just trust me, okay?"

Imogen held her hands up. "Whatever you say, Captain."

Makaela glared at her. "He knows what he's doing."

While he was grateful for the backup, Imogen's questions weren't baseless. He didn't know what he was doing. He wasn't even sure if they headed the right way. And the more he walked and took note of the outfits being worn by people waiting to get into different clubs, he realized they were severely underdressed.

They probably should've picked up some outfits. It wasn't like they had any money, though.

Ten more minutes of aimless walking passed. Sebastian's feet ached, his stomach was empty, and Remy complaining about being lost made his head spin. He was ready to give up.

Then he saw it.

A black building stood at the end of the street. A massive line wrapped around the corner, filled with ordinaires waiting to enter. Another much shorter line was situated next to it. Sebastian knew for a fact that it was reserved for VIPs. Solaires and Eldaires alike were granted special access to the club.

Purple, white, and green LED lights glowed around the entrance of the club. Built above the double glass doors was a metal crescent with a single word underneath.

Nightfall.

Sebastian grinned triumphantly. "Told you."

"You got lucky," Imogen said. The girl tugged at the sleeve of her leather jacket. "Er, does this place have a dress code? I'm seeing nothing but dresses and suits out there."

"Yeah, but we're sneaking through the back anyways," Sebastian told her.

"Won't we get spotted by security once we're inside, though?"

He blanched. He hadn't thought about that.

Remy lifted a finger. "Hey, I once read about this charm that lets you change your clothes into something else. Well, not really. Your clothes stay the same, but they look different to everyone else."

He nodded. The Shades used a similar charm for their robes, allowing them to change their attires at will.

"That could work," he said.

The group stepped off into an alley beside the club. Imogen stood at the opening of the alleyway, keeping watch for anyone who might've walked by.

Remy stood in front of Makaela first, his forehead creased as he tried to remember how the charm went.

"I thought you had a photographic memory, Rem," Makaela teased.

"Shut up," he hissed. "I read the spell one time a bunch of years ago. Give me a sec."
His eyes lit up. "Okay, got it." Holding out his hands towards his cousin, he rhythmically moved his fingers in a sweeping motion.

Golden sparks left his fingertips, jumping onto Makaela's clothes. Her coat and bloodied shirt were covered in a gleaming veil for a split second. Seconds later, she was no longer wearing what she had on before.

Sebastian's jaw dropped.

A bronze dress fitted with sequins forming the pattern of a gryphon clung to her curvy frame. The bright lights beaming from the club flashed across her dark skin, giving her an otherworldly look as she stood in the shadows of the alley. Her wild curls fell down her shoulders, which were left exposed by the dress.

Makaela gawked at herself. "Remy, how the hell- What-"

"I know, I know. A little over the top. You look fabulous, though."

Sebastian could've thought of some other words to use. Coughing awkward, he turned his head as he felt his face flush. Up ahead, he noticed Imogen watching over her shoulder with a hint of disdain on her face.

"Alright." Remy clapped his hands together, his golden gaze now set on Sebastian. "Your turn, Sebby."

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?"

"Right. My apologies, Sebby. Er, I mean Sebastian."

He glared at the boy. I hate this kid.

Moments later, he found himself wearing a black suit with a deep, purple tie. Glossy Oxfords replaced his shoes. Even with the new garbs, it still felt like he was wearing what he originally had on. As he moved, he noticed the illusion shift out of focus, occasionally revealing his true appearance beneath it.

The charm wasn't perfect, but it would do for now.

Remy did the same to himself and then to Imogen, gifting her with a sleek white dress that complemented her tawny complexion beautifully. Now there were two immaculately dressed women standing in the alley with him. And both of them had their eyes on him.

Sebastian felt a headache coming on.

"White's not my style," the ordinaire said as she stared down at herself, "but I don't hate this."

Remy patted himself on the back. "Don't question the Fashion God."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. Then he searched the alleyway for the rear entrance to the club. He found it down the way. A tall man wearing sunglasses with a glass tablet in his mitt-like hands stood guard at the door.

Not good.

"Maybe we should try the line," Makaela suggested.

As they all turned to leave, the bouncer shouted at them. The four of them froze in their tracks. Everyone looked to Sebastian. Sighing, he slowly turned around before walking up to the man.

"Can I help you?" the bouncer asked.

He was huge and built like a bear. Lowering his sunglasses, he revealed his beady eyes. Sebastian wouldn't have been surprised if he was part giant. Clans of the massive beings were known to reside in the Rocky Mountains of America.

Sebastian puffed out his chest and angled his chin upward. "Actually, you can. Me and friends need to get inside."

The bouncer gave him a once over before examining the others behind him. An unimpressed look surfaced on his rugged face. "I'll tell you what I tell everyone. Go wait in line. No special treatment."

No special treatment, huh?

"I'm a friend of Jasper's. You know, the owner of this place?"

"Oh really? Are you on the list?"

"Er, the list?"

"Yeah, the list. What's your name, kid?"

"I'm not a kid." Sebastian scowled. "Look, we're not on the list. Can you just call Jasper out here? He'll know who I am."

"No can do. Boss told me not to disturb him. He's having some very special visitors today."

Quite frankly, Sebastian couldn't care less. His mission to get to Hodvekt and protect the artifacts was more important than whatever Jasper had going on. He glanced over his shoulder at his friends. They watched on in anticipation. Sighing, he faced the bouncer.

"Can you please just let us in?" he begged.

The hulking man lowered his tablet and moved towards the boy. He towered over him, making Sebastian look like a child. "Go wait in line."

Sebastian's hands clenched into fists. Behind him, he felt Makaela's hand on his shoulder.

"We'll find another way inside," she whispered in his ear.

He shrugged her off. No, this security guard was going to let them in. He wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Do you know who I am?" He jabbed a finger in the man's ugly face.

The bouncer rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles. "Some kid who's about to get his ass kicked."

"Okay, no one is fighting," Makaela interrupted. She shot Sebastian a disapproving look. "C'mon, let's go. It's clear we're not getting in that way."

"I say let 'em fight," Imogen said with a nonchalant shrug.

"Of course you'd say that, ordinaire."

For once, he sided with Imogen. Even without magic, he backed himself to take the muscle-head in front of him in a fight. With his face twisted in anger, he stomped up to the bouncer.

"I'm Sebastian Lazarus Ordius Tedorof, son of Thorian Tedorof."

The man froze, his eyes going wide. His hands trembled as he nearly dropped the device in his meaty hands.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me."

Revealing his identity had been a pure shot in the dark, mostly fueled by his growing annoyance. His short fuse was already lit, temper rapidly reaching dangerous levels. He wasn't even sure if this man was a magician, but he didn't care at the moment. However, judging by the look on his face, he must've been.

Thorian's name was synonymous with fear, even amongst Solaires. The most disconnected magicians knew who he was. They knew what he was capable of doing to those who crossed him.

It wouldn't have been the first time Sebastian used his name to get him into places he didn't belong. Before, it was a blessing to use the power behind the Tedorof name for his own benefit. But as he watched the bouncer quake in fear, he couldn't help but feel shame.

"Prove it," the man said, his lips pressed firmly together.

Sebastian held out his palm, revealing the decorative 'T' enclosed in an ornate circle adorned by tiny ravens burned into his skin.

The man nearly fainted.

Sebastian heard Remy and Imogen snickering behind him. Makaela didn't seem to find it funny, though. She gave him a stern look while shaking her head in disappointment. Clenching his jaw, he ignored her.

He did what needed to be done-without hurting anyone, might he add. What was she so upset about?

"My deepest apologies, sir," the bouncer said. Retrieving a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door behind him. Gesturing inside, he bowed his head. "Please, don't tell your father about this."

"Don't worry," he said as he passed him. "This'll stay between us."

The bouncer let out a relieved breath.

Grinning, Sebastian entered the club with his companions at his back. Makaela was still staring at him disapprovingly.

They had just been about to kiss an hour ago. Now it seemed like they were back where they started the night he rescued her.

Shaking his head, he kept his face forward.

Her feelings toward him weren't of importance at the moment. There was only one thing on his mind:

Find Jasper.

❁

Nightfall was truly a sight to behold.

Blinding lights of different hues strobed from the lofted ceiling, illuminating the black floors specked with flecks of silver. A bar stocked with every alcohol known to man spanned one side of the club, every seat occupied by someone with a drink in their hands. Spacious private rooms sectioned off by curtains and velvet ropes lingered off to the side. In the distance, Sebastian could see the casino that was attached to the club. Cheers and laughs poured through the wide doorway, animated sounds emitting from the rows of glowing slot machines meshing with the music blaring through hidden speakers.

The club was insanely crowded.

As he and his group slowly made their way through the dancefloor, he couldn't tell who was an ordinaire and who was a magician. They all melded together, identities masked by the strobe lights piercing the air periodically. Bodies bumped into him as they moved to the song playing.

Sebastian crinkled his nose at the music choice.

"Okay, this has got to be the coolest club I've ever been in," Imogen said as she swiped a sparkling green drink topped with a tiny umbrella from a passing waitress. "Look, free alcohol!"

Makaela pursed her lips at her. "We're not here to drink." She slapped Remy's hand after he tried grabbing one of his own. "We're here to find Sebastian's friend and get out of here."

She was right. As much as he would've liked to join in on the party around them, they had a job to do.

"How're we even supposed to find him?" Imogen asked while sipping from her glass. "He got an office around here or something?"

Sebastian wasn't sure. He hadn't been inside Nightfall in a while, and he wasn't privy to the layout of the place. He scratched the top of his head as he peered at the sea of faces around him. This was going to be harder than he thought.

"We should split up," Imogen suggested. "We'll cover more ground that way."

"That's a horrible idea," Makaela argued.

"Oh, don't be such a buzzkill." The ordinaire looked to Sebastian. "You agree with me, right?"

Both of the girls had their stares on him, urging him to side with one another. Gulping, he stuttered, failing to respond.

They both were right. While splitting up would help them cover more of the club quicker, splitting up meant less protection and more chances of them getting lost. Makaela was still carrying her bag with the Illumio, which had taken the appearance of a rather large purse. They couldn't risk losing it.

Still, they needed to find Jasper. If what the bouncer said was true, he wasn't sure how much longer than the man would be inside the club. They had to act fast if they wanted to catch him before he left.

He sighed.

"We'll go in pairs," he told them. He grabbed Makaela's hand. "Remy, you go with Imogen. Search the casino. Makaela and I will look around here."

Imogen narrowed her eyes at him. She opened her mouth to reply, but Remy spoke before she could.

"What does this Jasper guy look like anyways?" he asked.

"He's about five-foot-three," Sebastian answered. "Usually where's all black with silver ties. Green eyes, blond hair. You'll know him when you see him."

Remy nodded. "Got it." Then he dragged Imogen off toward the casino's entrance.

Sebastian turned to Makaela. She didn't meet his eye. Frowning, he grabbed her hand. She snatched it away from him and turned her back slightly.

"What's up with you?" he demanded, his nostrils flaring as he glared at her.

She folded her arms. Her stare was hotter than the sun on a summer day. Sneering, she pressed a finger into his chest. "Are you sure you're on our side? Because you sounded just like one of them back in that alley."

He bit his tongue. The words swirling around in his head would've just landed him in more trouble.

"No one knows I defected yet." He kept his voice low. "I was just trying to get us inside."

"We could've found another way."

"What do you want me to say, huh? We're on a mission. We don't have time to play nice. Any advantage I have, I'm going to use it."

She let out an agitated breath.

Sighing, he took her hand into his again. She didn't take it away this time.

"I'm on your side," he promised. "We're in this together until the end, alright?"

"Until the end..." She pondered his words. "I hope you mean that."

"I do."

Makaela bit down on her bottom lip. Her steely expression faded, replaced by one of uncertainty. Then she nodded. Squeezing his hand, she pulled him into the dancefloor.

❁

Sebastian tried not to stare as he followed behind her, but Remy's charm was working far too well. He placed a hand over the fly of his pants and hoped she hadn't noticed. Now and then, she throw him a coy smile that made his heart flutter.

Shaking his head, he tore his gaze away from her and searched the club for Jasper. He had to be around there somewhere.

Ten minutes of searching passed and they had yet to find their target. As they walked, weaving between drunken dancers, a sickly-sweet smell, almost like lotus petals, met his nose. It lingered in the air, mixing with the smoke pouring from the machines in the ceiling. The more he breathed it in, the lighter he felt. Soon, he found himself smiling at nothing in particular.

That was strange. He rarely smiled, especially for no reason.

His held felt like a cloud.

Suddenly he felt like dancing.

Despite having two left feet and the coordination of a newborn faun, he swayed to the booming music. Makaela did the same. Her eyelids were low and a dreamy look grabbed hold of her soft features.

She moved her hips to the beat. He couldn't take his eyes away from her. Before he knew it, his hands were placed firmly on her waist. Hers were draped over his shoulders, their faces now inches apart as they danced.

"I feel funny." Makaela giggled and buried her face into his chest.

"Me too," he said, stifling his laughs.

Something was in the air. And it wasn't love.

Or maybe it was.

"You're a good dancer," he blurted out. His mouth had developed a mind of its own.

She beamed at him. "You're not too bad yourself."

He felt the strong urge to kiss her. Cupping her chin with his index finger, he brought her face closer to his. Heat rushed to his own. His breath slowed as everything around him dulled into white noise. Makaela closed her eyes, lips parting slightly as they inched closer together.

They never touched, though, as someone had crashed into the back of Sebastian, sending him stumbling to the side.

Pushing his hair out of his reddening face, he whipped around.

His eyes widened.

"Well, well, well. Funny seeing you here, Seb."

He dug his nails into his palms. Scowling, he glared at the young man in front of him.

Vinitho Aterus, otherwise known as Vini the Black.

"What the hell are you doing here, Vini?"

Makaela shot them both a confused look. "What's going on?"

A sinister smile spread across Vini's snake-like lips. He brushed past Sebastian before extending a pale hand toward her. Tattoos covered his skin, stopping only at the base of his neck. Grimacing, Sebastian spotted the tally marks underneath his ear. His skin was still red from the addition of a new line. Another tattoo, a rook, was inked on his wrist.

"Vini," he said to Makaela, his dark eyes full of an animalistic hunger. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Friend of Sebastian's?" She cautiously took his hand, her eyes trained on Sebastian the entire time.

Vini brought her hand to his lips. Then he grinned. "Something like that."

"He's not my friend," Sebastian said firmly.

They might've both came from House Tenebris, but they certainly weren't friends.

Vini shot Sebastian a sideways glance. "Oh, don't be like that. You still upset about our last duel."

Seething, he stomped up to the stringy-haired magician, his hand seconds away from summoning his vayrir. "You cheated and you know it."

"If you say so." He jerked his chin toward Makaela. "She your girl?"

Makaela looked to him, eyes wide as she awaited his response.

Despite the nerves building within him, he maintained his hardened expression. Without skipping a beat, he walked over to Makaela and wrapped an arm around her. "Yeah, she's my girl."

"Fair play," Vini said with a chuckle. "Though, I don't think Daddy Dearest would approve. You know he's not a fan of...mixing breeds."

Makaela scowled. She stiffened against his arm.

"Watch your mouth," Sebastian warned.

"Or what?" Vini smiled, a nasty sight that showcased his teeth, some of which were made out of solid gold. "You gonna make me? I'm sure you remembered what happened last time." He tapped the tattoo under his ear.

"You cheated!" Sebastian bellowed, his voice overpowering the music for a moment.

The people around them stopped dancing to turn and look at the commotion. Within seconds, a crowd had started to from around them.

Vini set his slimy gaze on Makaela. "You know, you'd be better off with me. You don't want to be seen rolling around with House Tenebris' biggest disappointment. Hey, I heard you were supposed to become a Shade. What happened?"

Sebastian clenched his jaw. It took everything within him not to respond.

"Always knew you didn't have it in you," Vini continued. He smirked at Makaela. "Why don't you come over here. Let me show you a good time."

"You're a pig," she told him with her hands placed on her lips.

"Guilty."

Sebastian glared down at his shoes. The man's words rang in his ears like an echoing bell. Anger tears welled in his eyes.

House Tenebris' biggest disappointment.

That wasn't true. Was it? It couldn't be. He was their prince, the rightful heir to the seat of their house. For years, his father preached to him about how to be a good leader. A good king. But that was before he betrayed them.

He angrily wiped his eyes.

Vini was right.

He was their biggest disappointment.

"Oh, look," Vini mused. "He's crying."

Sebastian balled his hands into fists. Just as he was about to swing, Makaela's delivered a swift punch to the man's jaw. He dropped to the ground like a sandbag, squealing like the pig he was.

More people joined the crowd, taking out their cellphones to take pictures and record videos. Their startled murmurs met his ears.

"What the hell?"

"She just hit that guy!"

"Someone get security."

Rubbing the bruise forming on his chin, Vini climbed back to his feet. "That wasn't nice." He held his hand out. A silver knife slid out the sleeve of his suit.

Surely, he wouldn't try to stab them while so many people were around.

Vini sneered.

Makaela and Sebastian glanced at each other. They wouldn't be sticking about to find out.

Just as the pair turned to disappear into the dancefloor, two brutish security guards blocked them off. They were more solid than a brick wall and built like mountains. Standing in between them was a short, middle-aged man with hair the color of straw. He was clad in black a designer suit. Striking green eyes stared back at Sebastian.

"Now what do we have here?" His voice was slick, like oil.

"Who're you?" Makaela asked, her brows knit drawn tightly together.

Sebastian's eyes widened. "Jasper. I-"

Jasper Caldwell lifted a skinny finger. Sebastian's words died in his throat.

"No need for explanations." The man glanced at Vini. "I'm guessing he said or did something stupid. Again."

Makaela nodded.

"I apologize for him." Jasper smiled at her. "My, my." He grabbed her hand gently and kissed it. "And who might this beautiful young lady be?"

Sebastian's entire body went stiffer than a rod.

Makaela retracted her hand. "I'm Makaela. Makaela Moreau."

Jasper's face lit up like Christmas lights. "The Makaela Moreau." His piercing, emerald gaze traveled to the mark on her palm. "What an honor. I was under the impression everyone in House Lumai was...well, you know." He drew a line across his throat.

"Not all of us."

"What great news."

Sebastian stealthily grabbed her hand. Perhaps coming to Las Vegas was a mistake.

Beaming like a Cheshire cat, Jasper spread his arms. "Welcome to Nightfall."