The two storms stood facing each other like they were ready to throw punches. Frederick turned to look at Twilight and smiled warmly. Well, warmly was an exaggeration. The smile didn't even reach his eyes.
"Well, if a log is what you call yourself, I didn't see you then."
He slipped his hands into his pockets, smiling again at Twilight, who looked like he wanted to decorate Frederick's face with a fist.
"Fiona, let's go."
Frederick grabbed her wrist, tugging her up from her seat. She ended up standing between the two brothers, who clearly despised each other.
"And who said she was done talking to the log?" Twilight asked, gripping her other wrist. His hand was warm. Too warm.
"Umm… you guys, how about we-"
Frederick cut her off.
"It's delightful you know where you stand. Let go of her hand." His voice was calm, too calm, and that smile remained like he wasn't seconds from exploding.
"And if I say I won't?" Twilight raised a brow, staring straight into Frederick's eyes.
Frederick let out a soft chuckle.
"No one cares what you do or don't do. I said let go of her. Unless you want her to see an ugly scene."
The smile on his face didn't move, but somehow he was still provoking the dark fox in front of him. Meanwhile, Fiona, aka the person they were literally fighting over, was forgotten between them as they burned holes into each other.
Twilight finally released her hand. Fiona blinked in surprise. He didn't seem like someone who backed down easily.
He slid his hand into his pocket.
"Mom always said to leave the remnants to the less privileged."
Then he turned, swaying his steps casually as he walked away.
Was that an insult… to her? Or Frederick? Either way, she felt insulted. When it came to insults, Twilight definitely ranked first. He was nothing like the boy she'd met in the cave or the one who snuck into her bathroom like it was normal.
"Let's go."
Frederick, still holding her wrist, smiled and tugged her along. Fiona stayed quiet, and so did he.
They arrived at a VIP booth. An open hut decorated beautifully. Fiona immediately spotted Silver and her clique, along with Caesar and his boys. Silver looked annoyingly beautiful in a revealing white bikini, a matching towel tied around her waist, shimmering jewelry, and her long hair loose.
And of course, the perverted boy was seated among Caesar's clique. He licked his lips at Fiona. She ignored him like he didn't exist.
Silver sat in the center of her three girls, who honestly acted like peasants. Dressed similarly, but in purple.
"Hey guys, I'm back," Frederick said.
He led Fiona to a seat opposite Silver, who pretended not to notice her.
"Freddy, my man," Caesar greeted. Despite their rivalry on the field, he seemed fond of Frederick. All the male guests wore the same theme of clothing, except Caesar's was golden with a thick chain around his neck. His clique wore ash-colored versions.
"Is she your date?" Caesar asked, looking at Fiona, who avoided eye contact with everyone.
"One day she will," Frederick chuckled.
Fiona's eyes snapped to him. He smiled at her, joking, but also… not entirely joking.
"You came just in time. We were about to play a game before heading out to party with the guests," Caesar said.
He was surprisingly cool. Unlike his pride-driven girlfriend. He sat close to Frederick while his clique clustered near Silver. The hut wasn't big, but it was comfortable.
"Sounds fun. What game?" Frederick asked.
"The classic, but better. Truth or Dare, with a twist."
He smirked at Silver, who smirked back. Caesar used to be quiet, but ever since dating Silver in ninth grade, he'd changed. Dyed hair, flashy clothes, everything.
"Enlighten me," Frederick said.
Caesar took a sip and set his drink down.
"We spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on takes a truth or a dare. But when the top points to you, you truth the other person. When the bottom points at you, you dare them. And vice versa."
Fiona already felt dread rising. She wished she had followed Twilight instead. How would she have known his new friends were Caesar and Silver?
The table was cleared, the bottle placed, and the game began.
The bottle spun. Fiona's heart thumped. Please, not her. Anyone else.
It slowed… moved past Ramila… then stopped between Ramila and the pervert.
"Looks like Eden is daring Ramila, and Ramila is truthing him," Caesar announced.
So his name is Eden, Fiona thought. Poor Ramila. Who knew what he'd dare her to do.
"Tell me your first intimate experience," Ramila asked unexpectedly.
Fiona's eyes widened. She thought Ramila was holy, guess not. Not with Silver as her queen.
"Was wild. Had it in a car."
Disgusting. He sounded proud, too.
"My turn, Princessa," Eden smirked.
"I dare you to follow me. For fun."
He licked his lower lip. She stood up without hesitation and left with him.
"Looks like we lost some players. Let's add more," Caesar said.
Five new people joined. Three girls, two boys. One of them was Aviva, thank heavens.
Aviva sat next to Fiona.
"What are you doing here? I told you to wait for me," she whispered.
"Long story," Fiona muttered.
"Now… shall we?" Caesar signaled for the bottle to be spun again.
This time, it landed on Silver and Caesar.
"I'm daring you, babe," Caesar said, looking at her like he wanted to eat her alive.
"But before that, let's spread out for more fun. Girls to Silver's side," he ordered. The boys shifted to the other.
Silver folded her arms. "Truth me."
"Alright," Caesar said.
"I truth you to tell me how our kiss felt."
She smirked slowly.
Caesar chuckled, biting his lip.
"I felt like tearing you apart."
Silver looked pleased. Fiona felt like she'd walked into a corrupted universe.
"Now babe," Caesar said, "I dare you to remove those panties."
Fiona froze. She can't be serious.
"Really? Only the panties?" Silver asked in amusement.
Then she stood, slid her hand under the towel, bent slightly, and pulled them off. She dangled them between her fingers.
"Here. Want?"
Of course she'd do that. Fiona was no longer shocked.
Caesar motioned for her to toss them. When she did, he sniffed them like a dog.
Psycho, Fiona thought.
Everyone here is a psycho.
She wasn't sure about Frederick either.
"Spin," Caesar ordered.
The bottle swirled again…
Far from the hut, Twilight stood with Zavion near the condo.
"Are you sure you sighted a White Annis?" Twilight asked.
Zavion lifted his hood, revealing glowing blue-white eyes and long wavy brown hair. His expression was serious.
"Yes, Sire. It must have crossed through the portal."
"How did something this careless happen?" Twilight tilted his head.
"I don't know, Sire. But we need to trap it before anyone sees it."
"A white Annis can camouflage among humans," Twilight said. "Since it feeds on fear, the excitement here gives us time. But we still need to trap it."
"Did you bring the Apollo cage and the tears of a dragon?"
Zavion nodded.
"Good. Then we search."
Twilight turned to walk, but paused.
"We need to find something for you to wear. To blend in."
Zavion frowned.
"But Sire, what is wrong with my attire?"
Twilight raised a brow.
"Everything. You can't walk into a human party wearing a white cloak. They'll ask questions."
Zavion lowered his head in embarrassment.
"Remember, Zavion. You're not in Phosaither anymore."
He nodded quietly.