Hallow

Halloween masquerade ball time!

A little glimpse of how I imagine Enid's dress is above.

I had so much fun writing this chapter.

I hope you enjoy it!!

➳     ➳     ➳

Theodore had thought for a while that they'd never find her.

He had been the one to first raise the idea of sharing a woman.

It made sense to him then in the same way it made sense to him now.

But then the years had begun to trickle by.

He looked everywhere.

Every street he walked down, every class he taught.

Five years went by.

And then some more.

He began to worry they were never going to find her.

That all of this had been a waste.

All the years they'd spent hoping, waiting.

Dante was too stubborn to give into worry, Alexander too hopeful to consider that she might not be out there.

So, he'd tried to bury his worries in his work.

Researched more, stayed in his office later and later.

And then, just as the last of his hope trickled away, she found him.

He had forgotten how to breathe, how to think.

There she was, sitting in his classroom, her rosy golden curls curtained over perfect features.

An angel before him.

And she was his.

Finally.

He could have died in that moment.

How badly he had wanted to steal her, to gather her into his arms and run.

For a moment, he dreaded sharing her, even with the men he viewed as his brothers.

It had been so hard for him to be professional, to teach the lesson as though his universe hadn't just finally aligned.

And then, he heard her voice.

So sweet and gentle and lovely.

Enid.

His darling.

He'd watched her bloom over the next months, fallen in love with her mind and soul.

And then she'd told them that she loved them.

He had never thought that three words could unravel him entirely.

She was his sun and moon and stars and all the infinite space in between.

A clap on his back dragged him from his memories and his vision fell onto the subject of his musing.

She stole the air out of his lungs and lit fire in his veins.

Enid took a deep breath as she clutched the stair railing, her mouth parted as she took in the hall.

The estate was decorated extravagantly, people in masquerade masks chatting and dancing below her.

Dresses blossomed like flowers as women were twirled across the floor.

Champagne glasses filled with liquid gold floated by on serving trays.

It was somewhere between Gatsby and Versailles.

Her fingers reached up to brush against her own mask, a silver shimmering sheet that matched her dress.

She had found the dress and mask in her closet that morning, hung with a note from Alexander attached.

For the brightest star in my sky. Thank you for guiding me home. I love you. Xo Alex.

The dress seemed to be crafted from stardust, sparkles stretching across the fabric beautifully.

It left her speechless.

She had done her hair and makeup to the best of her ability.

And with some help from the internet.

Still, she felt somewhat grateful for the mask pressed against her cheeks.

It gave her a feeling of anonymity; like she could actually fit into the lavish crowd gathered in her home.

Lifting the skirt of her gown, she carefully took the final steps to the bottom.

A squeal left her as she was lifted and twirled.

"Sei bellissima, cara." Dante pressed a kiss just below her ear, the edge of his dark red mask brushing against her cheek.

Peeling back, she found three pairs of eyes on her.

They were each dressed immaculately in tailored tuxedos, masks positioned perfectly on their aristocratic faces.

She grinned at their colors.

Alexander winked at her from behind his simple, gold mask.

Theodore's lips were curled at the edges, a small smile just for her.

His mask was black as night and made of feathers.

Like a fallen angel.

"You look so handsome. Happy Halloween." She told them sweetly.

"Angel, may I have this dance?" Alexander grabbed her hand, tugging her from a protesting Dante's embrace.

"I would be delighted." She giggled as he pulled them onto the dance floor.

One of his large hands rested on her waist, the other wrapping around her own hand.

Her eyes drifted to his as they began to twirl, and she smiled at the way his mask brought out the gold in his eyes.

She followed his steps gracefully, her feet following his with ease.

"You're an excellent dancer." Alex's eyebrows furrowed in amazement.

A memory of Victor, one of her father's suitors, teaching her to ballroom dance flittered across her mind and a bittersweet smile stretched across her lips.

Her father had been sitting on one of the couches, singing joyfully along to the record player as he watched them.

"Brava, my little ballerina! Brava!" He had cheered as she twirled.

"Thank you, so are you. And thank you so much for the dress. It's absolutely beautiful." She smiled up at him.

"It's only beautiful because it is lucky enough to have you wear it." His words spread warmth across her cheeks.

His hand on her waist drew her closer to him.

Their little bubble was broken as the song came to an end and Enid became suddenly aware of the eyes on them.

It was reminiscent of the charity event she had attended with him months ago.

"Don't mind them. They're just in awe of the angel that has decided to grace lowly me with her attention." He whispered into her ear and she laughed.

Dante appeared before her, an eager grin on his full lips.

"My turn." He pulled her playfully away from Alexander.

For nearly an hour, she danced.

Switching between the three regularly, taking a few breaks for drinks and to catch her breath.

Dante set a quick tempo, almost competitive as he swung her around the room.

Alexander held her sweetly like teenagers did at Prom in the American movies she had watched.

Theodore danced with confidence, his every move measured and precise.

He would whisper risqué secrets about the people next to them into her ear as they swirled, often leaving her in a fit of giggles.

It was the most fun she'd had in a long time.

And after a while the stares had stopped bothering her.

She was dancing with the three most handsome men in the room, she couldn't exactly blame them for wondering who she was.

Enid had also been glad to see Graham again.

He had given her a warm hug and told her how proud he was of her.

Although a little odd, she thought he was quite nice.

After her third glass of non-alcoholic cider, she was in desperate need of the restroom.

"I'll be right back." She told Dante, shaking her head as he tried to follow her.

"I just need to run to the ladies. Go socialize like Theodore and Alex are." Enid assured him.

The men had been making their rounds throughout the night, welcoming business partners current and future.

Enchanting every person they came across with their devilish smiles and brilliant minds.

But at least one had always kept at her side, feeding her the Halloween-themed foods and introducing her to some of the few people they trusted.

With all the people around, she needed a moment to be alone and catch her breath.

Reluctantly, Dante let her go and she headed for the restroom that was near the music room.

Running cool water over her wrists, she took a few shuddering breaths.

She couldn't imagine how Alexander, or any of them really, could stand being stared at so often.

They were probably just used to it, though.

Still not quite ready to return to the busy hall, she entered the quiet, moonlit music room.

The moon was nearly full tonight, so the silver spilled across the floor and instruments brightly.

Knowing the loud orchestra playing for the party would keep anyone out there from hearing her, she began the starting notes of one of the songs Alexander had taught her over the last few weeks.

Just as playing the cello felt, she lost herself in the way the notes brushed across her skin.

Her shoulders relaxed, her eyes fluttering shut as her fingers danced along the keys.

Her feet working the pedals, the ghost of Alexander's hands on hers guided her path.

Her fingers brushing along the cool ivory as the song came to a soft close.

The sound of clapping had her eyes flying open.

Spinning on the bench, she squinted at a tall silhouette that was just out of reach of the light of the moon.

A shiver ran down her spine.

"My, what talent. Did Alexander teach you that?" The familiarity of the voice tickled the back of her mind and she struggled to place it.

"Erm, yes." She answered warily, her hand falling to the hidden pocket in her dress that housed her phone.

The man stepped forward and the moonlight illuminated his alabaster skin and ghostly hair.

A mask as white as him stretched across his face, but she still recognized him.

The man from the café.

"I see you recognize me. Hello again, Enid." His lips furled into his razor-sharp smile.

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

She hadn't told him her real name.

"Who are you?" Her question was quiet, demanding.

"An old friend of your little trio. I'm afraid the last time I saw them wasn't on the... best terms, though." He stepped forward again and she pressed her back against the piano.

His head tilted as she pulled her phone from her pocket, a clear warning in her eyes.

"I think I need to get back to the party. Have a good evening." She stood shakily, keeping her front toward him as she backed toward the door.

"Why did you lie to me about your name?" His question stops her retreat.

She bites the inside of her lip, the copper taste of blood accompanying the sting.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I was just being cautious." She explains carefully, her eyes tracking his movement as he walks toward the wall-length windows.

"How sweet and polite you are. And so delicate. What a shame, truly." He is staring out at the grounds, but she can still feel the ghost of his translucent eyes on her.

"A shame?" Her mouth moves without her permission.

"Indeed. That I'll have to hurt you." The man turns back to her and all at once she knows.

"Flynt. You're Flynt." It is an accusation and a condemnation wrapped in one.

This is the man who killed the parents of the men she loves.

This man is a monster.

Her hands are shaking violently, and she grips the fabric of her dress to hide them.

A wide, terrifying smile stretches across his face as he looks at her with interest.

She feels like she is a small bug caught in a spider's web.

"Clever girl. You're much smarter than I anticipated." His words like molasses, slow and sticky sweet.

She despises him, hates what he has done to her men.

He saunters toward the door and she can't help herself as she throws the heavy music book resting on the table beside her at his back.

It misses him narrowly, but he spins around quickly with a quirked eyebrow.

"Y-you're a coward." She spits, outrage hot in her lungs.

Enid has never felt such burning rage before.

"And feisty, too. What a shame, indeed." He says, his incandescent eyes glowing.

Then he is gone, disappearing into the shadows like the ghost he favors.

Her head throbs as she tries to understand what just happened.

She threw a book at a murderer.

A murderer who was in their home.

And then she is running, sprinting into a room of beautiful, fabricated people.

She spots Theodore first, his head of dark hair and matching dark mask turning as he searches for her.

Her hand tangles with his as she inconspicuously pulls him out into the hall.

"Enid, what's wrong?" His sapphire eyes are dark with concern, his hands running down her arms comfortingly.

"He was here." She takes a deep breath, "Flynt was here."

➳     ➳     ➳

What an eventful evening.

Felt a little funny to be writing about Halloween in January, but such is the plot timeline.

Let me know what you think of Enid and Flynt's little interaction!

See you soon for another update.

Comments fill my heart with joy.

All my love,

Sappho ➳