CHAPTER FIVE

A tall, distinguished-looking man opened my door. Stepping out, I was momentarily speechless, taking in the estate from outside the car. Aidoneus approached, extending a hand which I hesitantly took. With his grip both comforting and possessive, he led me up a set of wide stone stairs that culminated in grand wooden doors. They parted with the assistance of two men also wearing a staff uniform.

The opulence inside surpassed the exterior. Sparkling chandeliers dangled high above, their reflections playing on the polished marble floors below. Exquisite rugs with threads of gold and silver adorned the ground. The solemn faces of Triad deities gazed at me from their perches on the walls. Another lineup of staff members watched us with keen interest.

"Is everyone present, Cael?" he asked the tall man who had opened my car door.

"Yes, Kyrios ."

"Good." Drawing a breath, Aidoneus surveyed the room.

"You all know what this day means, and the significance of the woman beside me. Now, you can put a face to the name you've heard so often. Korinna Hearst. My betrothed and your future Elysian."

The weight of his words nearly bowled me over. Betrothed? Elysian? My mind raced with questions, but a stern look from him silenced me. With fluid grace, he switched to the lilting tones of the Vercretan language, leaving me lost amidst its unfamiliar sounds. He turned back to me and gestured for a few elegantly attired women to step forward, their heads slightly bowed as a sign of respect.

"These are your Lysari . Follow them, and they will assist you in getting ready."

"Ready for what?" I asked, my voice a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"For one of the best nights of your life." Aidoneus leaned in, his eyes locking onto mine with an intense, possessive gaze. He placed a fleeting kiss on my cheek, his touch both commanding and intimate.

With one last order in Vercretan, he turned and departed through the doors we'd just entered, leaving me standing amidst the overwhelming grandeur and a group of strangers. I'd never felt so on display in my life, not even when I transitioned from homeschooling to an academy where half the student body had grown up together. I was relieved when a kind-faced woman, older and with a demeanor that radiated authority, stepped forward.

"Greetings, Miss. I am Meridith, head of the Lysaria ." Following her introduction, the other women chimed in with their names, each nodding politely in my direction. "How about we get you cleaned up?" Without waiting for a reply, Meridith gently took my arm and began leading me away from the foyer.

As we ascended another wide stone staircase, my attention was drawn to the walls, which were lined with regal portraits of the Maelstrom lineage. There was an obvious gap on the wall at the first landing that caught my attention—a space where a portrait once hung but was now conspicuously absent.

Meridith seemed to sense my curiosity, but it was a younger woman who had an adorable mousy appearance that whispered, "The Kyrios ordered it removed some time ago."

She was quickly silenced by a sharp glance from Meridith, but the seed of curiosity was planted. Who had been so significant to have their portrait on this wall, yet so controversial to warrant its removal? Reaching the upper floor, we navigated through a long corridor that framed a square-shaped balcony overlooking the foyer. The opulence continued with every step, every corner, every room.

Soon, we entered a particularly grand chamber, where it became clear that everything had been set for my arrival, all the way down to the pristine white dress that was displayed elegantly on a mannequin. The implications slowly dawned on me of the role I was being molded into. While my instincts screamed at me to run, I understood that resistance, at least for now, was not an option.

In what felt like mere moments, I was transformed.

After the Lysaria finally deemed me ready, I was led toward a full-length, ornate mirror. I took in my reflection for the first time since the transformation. The face staring back was familiar, yet not—it was me, but a polished, refined, and utterly unrecognizable version of myself.

Every detail was perfected—from my freshly styled hair, adorned with a delicate white bow, to the flawless makeup that graced my features.

The dress was a vision. It was breathtaking, not like a wedding dress, but certainly more than just an ordinary evening gown. The truth of what it really was, a statement to all of Elysium, hadn't yet dawned on me. Made of the finest white silk, it clung to my form in all the right places.

Delicate lacework adorned the bodice, with pearls and tiny crystals interwoven in an intricate pattern that shimmered under the soft lighting. The modesty of its high neckline was contrasted by the daring cut of its back, which plunged dramatically, drawing the eyes to the gentle curve of my spine.

The women gushed, their excitement palpable. "A true Elysian beauty," one murmured. Another added, "The Kyrios will be beside himself."

I couldn't respond to their compliments. I was barely keeping my rising anxiety at bay. I felt like a doll, a puppet readied for some grand performance in which I'd have to give the most convincing act of my life with no script to go off of. With Aidoneus pulling the strings, he was my master, and I was merely his marionette. I couldn't afford any slip-ups. The lives of my family and friends could very well depend on this.

After a few final touches, Meridith led me back downstairs. The staff still stood lined up in the entry hall with only a few having stepped away. I wondered if the rest had been standing here the entire time. As the grand doors to the Maelstrom estate swung open, the outside world greeted me once more, along with the intimidating sight of Enforcer vehicles—a fleet larger than the one outside of my house. Sandwiched between them was an Ebon Luxor, a limo that was the embodiment of luxury.

Its exterior was a seamless blend of black and gunmetal gray, with reflective surfaces that gave it an almost liquid metal appearance. The vehicle was elongated and streamlined, with angular lines and sharp edges that exuded a sense of menace and sophistication. Two Enforcers were stationed on either side of the rear entry door, their posture stiff and faces unreadable.

For a moment, I hesitated. I was on a precipice and about to dive further into the unknown. Getting in would undoubtedly drive me deeper into a world of confusion and uncertainty. I still didn't know why Aidoneus was doing this. But I couldn't run from it, either. Taking a deep breath, I approached the luxurious vehicle, the soft click of my heels on the cobblestones echoing in the stillness.

The Ebon's interior beckoned with its dark leather seats that looked soft to the touch and plush carpeting, its luxury evident in every meticulously crafted detail. The lighting inside the vehicle was dim, lending an intimate atmosphere. The world outside seemed to blur, distanced by the tinted windows.

The door was closed gently behind me, encapsulating me in the hushed elegance, a quiet sanctuary before the storm. There was one noticeable absence. Where was the enigmatic kingpin now?

As the vehicle pulled away from the grand estate, I noticed a neatly set tray on the opposite seat. A small packet of crackers, a chilled bottle of pristine water, and a pill to alleviate headaches in a small unopened packet. Beside it lay a crisp note with precise handwriting.

Unfolding the note, I read:

Korinna,

The evening ahead will be long and demanding. This should tide you over until later.

— Yours Truly.

I scoffed at the sentiment.

He wasn't anything but my captor. I may have come willingly, but it wasn't entirely of my own free will. I took the pill, hoping it would stave off the impending headache I felt building at the base of my skull.

After taking a sip of water, I nibbled on a few crackers, their bland taste somewhat grounding me.

The car navigated through Sector 1, providing me with more glimpses of its magnificence. Meticulously designed structures, and pristine streets—Elysium was clearly Nixon City's crown jewel. My attention was fully captured as we entered the grounds of a massive chapel—Sacellum. This was a place I'd heard of through whispers and lessons at the academy. A place only the most privileged and powerful could enter. It was surreal that I had been brought here of all people.

Towering marble columns, etched with intricate designs of mythical creatures and ancient battles, greeted me, their stories obscured by the shroud of time. Alabaster walls gleamed in the fading light. As we approached the walkway that led to the entrance, vehicles bearing insignias of other Triad families became visible, causing my stomach to twist.

A man with a commanding presence that demanded immediate respect opened the door for me and extended a gloved hand to assist me out.

I accepted and was silently urged to move forward alone. I clenched and unclenched my hands as I slowly walked up the massive steps and passed through the grand golden gates. The Lysari seemed to appear out of nowhere and fell into formation behind me, their presence both comforting and intimidating as we approached the arched double doors beyond the gates.

Inside, opulence nearly overwhelmed me.

The long corridor I entered was breathtaking, lined with floor-to-ceiling windows adorned with golden filigree, allowing streams of light to dance across the marble floor. The intricate gold detailing seemed to tell stories of triumph and legacy, a visual representation of the power held within these walls. As I reached another set of grand double doors, two more men were waiting and halted me with a silent raising of their hands.

One of the Lysari that accompanied me said softly, "We will have to wait here, but so long as you keep moving, all will be fine."

Nothing about this would ever be fine. I held my tongue, and not a minute later, I heard my name being announced, and the murmuring in the room beyond fell silent as the doors were pulled open.