Leo stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were sunken and tired, proof of the many nights he had spent awake.
The days he had spent at the haunted house were haunting him.
Everytime he closed his eyes, he saw her.
His sister, Elaine pushed open the door and her face brightened up. "Already dressed?" she walked up from behind him. "You look dashing."
He chuckled, "you're only saying that cause you're my sister." She let out a surprised gasp, she dropped down to his level. Both now staring at their reflections.
"And because I'm your sister, my comment is not valid?" she asked.
He nodded his head, "yes, you're just trying to make me feel good about myself."
Elaine rested her hand on his head, "sometimes you're so stupid. You really think I would lie to you?"
He paused, considering the possibility. He shook his head side ways, "no." A faint smile formed on his face.
She ruffled up his hair, "now let's go downstairs before your dad gets angry."
****
Ethan circled the car and opened the door, Blue stepped outside and her bright blue high heels touched the ground. Her dress flowed down her body, it dragged along the ground as they walked toward the Musuem.
"Do you need help?" He asked, cocking up an eyebrow.
"No I'm good" she replied taking in a deep breath. She felt like she was cosplaying a rich person. Even so, she loved her dress.
They came to a halt by the door. Two guards stood on either side of the door.
"Invitation," The bigger one demanded.
Ethan fished it out from his pocket and flashed it them. They allowed them passage inside and they were taken aback.
The party had begun.
The Blue Moon Museum shimmered with life. Warm golden lights poured from the chandeliers above, catching in the glint of crystal flutes and sequined gowns. Soft classical music drifted through the high-arched halls.
Guests admired the wonders displayed along the walls—oil paintings in ornate frames, ancient artifacts lit from below, and marble statues that looked like they might start breathing at any moment. The museum was more than beautiful. It was timeless. A sanctuary of stories locked in glass and stone.
And suddenly Blue felt out of place. Her eyes landed on the mayor and his entire family strolling in. Her eyes caught Elaine's and she sent Blue a disgusted look.
"Let's get some food," Ethan suggested awkwardly as he led her to a snack table.
Then came a hush.
From the second floor, Hardin Carrington emerged, descending the grand spiral staircase. His maroon suit caught the light, rich like blood velvet against his black dress shirt. His sandy blonde hair swayed with every step he took.
At his side, Aria floated like a scarlet flame. Her red dress clung to her figure, satin rippling with every movement. A slit ran high along one thigh, revealing glimpses of smooth, pale skin as she walked beside him with quiet grace. Her eyes were deep blue.
"So I'm your date" Aria teased, looping her arm through his. He scoffed at her words, "don't get ahead of yourself" he replied smoothly. "You're just here to make sure I don't suffer an allergic reaction."
She forced a smile, "charming."
As the pair reached the bottom of the stairs, heads turned. Conversations paused. Whispers floated in the air.
In the crowd, Aria's gaze caught on a familiar figure—Blue, lingering by the snack table beside Ethan. Their eyes met and before Blue could send her a toothy grin she shifted her gaze from her.
Blue's eyes shot up in recognition at the man beside her. 'A musuem owner...what could he possibly have to hide?'
Polite applause stirred through the crowd as Hardin and Aria stepped further into the room.
The mayor of Angel Creek approached, his wife Laura on his arm, both dressed to impress. And his two children tailed them.
"This is splendid," the mayor said, extending a hand toward Hardin, he shook his hand.
Hardin nodded politely. "Thanks." He withdrew his hand and wrapped it around Aria's waist.
"Hello," Aria offered with a soft smile.
The mayor turned his attention to her, offering his hand again. She stared at it blankly. "What?"
Hardin leaned in, his voice low. "You're supposed to shake it."
"I know," she replied, voice even softer. "I'm just not exactly fond of touching humans."
The mayor, slightly taken aback, lowered his hand with a polite chuckle. "This is my wife Laura," he said, recovering, "and this is Hardin Carrington, owner of the Blue Moon Museum."
Aria offered a nod, and the brief exchange passed with careful civility.
"I'm surprised you made it" Hardin said, coldness laced in his voice. Hardin glanced over his shoulder, to the two standing behind them. "And you brought the whole family."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world" The mayor smirked. "I mean look at some of these art pieces, they must've been hard to find."
Hardin shrugged his shoulders, "it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. I did come across some drawbacks."
The mayor, cleared his throat as he recalled the night Hardin had humiliated him. His voice dropped, "This is my town, Carrington. Everyone in it—every deal, every display, every secret—passes through me. That includes you."
Hardin's jaw tensed. He didn't rise to it.
Aria's eyes flicked between them, amused. "You boys done measuring egos, or should I leave you to it?"
The mayor's smile returned. "Enjoy the evening." He gave Laura his arm, and the couple walked away,along with the two kids.
Hardin watched them go. His fingers flexed once at his side.
"He doesn't like you," Aria said under her breath.
"I would be disappointed if he did" Hardin replied coolly.
Meanwhile, across the room, Blue hadn't looked away.
"If you like the guy, you could at least pretend to be subtle," Ethan teased, bumping her shoulder.
Blue scoffed. "It's not like that." Her voice was firm. "I don't think he's human."
Ethan raised a brow. "Even more reason to talk to him. Might be fun."
They wandered toward a canvas hung beneath a warm spotlight. It was a painting of the moon, distant and alone in a starless sky. Its surface, rendered in deep silvers and pale blues, seemed to shimmer with quiet sorrow.
"Art is dumb," Ethan muttered, running a hand through his fluffy hair.
Blue laughed. "Then why are you here, genius?"
He let out a sigh and suddenly took her hand. She blinked, surprised.
"Sorry," he said quietly. "Events like this make me jittery."
She softened a little. "You better get used to them. Your dad is like a millionaire and you're going to be attending events like this every week after you've graduated."
He winced. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Blue gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Now think of this as your practice run, go network with some rich folks."
He hesitated. She tapped his forehead with a grin. "Go."
Reluctantly, Ethan peeled away and walked toward a booming laugh that belonged to a rotund man in a green waistcoat.
Back near the center, Hardin stood alone before a painting—this one darker. A fallen angel sprawled across a cold field of blackened grass, his wings crumpled and broken. The image ached with despair.
Aria studied it beside him. "Let me guess. That's supposed to be the infamous Lucifer Morningstar?"
She hated how humans depicted Lucifer.
Hardin didn't respond right away. "Maybe. The artist never confirmed it."
"You knew the artist?"
"Yes." His voice grew quieter. "Several of these pieces are his. He found that art was the best form of control."
Aria scoffed. "Humans are so weird."
Hardin's lips twitched. "They're the worst. But he was... different."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you loved him."
He chuckled under his breath. "No. But I respected him."
"And where is this artist of yours?"
"He's gone" He replied solemnly.
She sighed, she took his hand in hers and led her toward the centre of the room."Let's dance," she commanded, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"Do you even know how to?" He sweatdropped, as he encircled his arm around her waist.
"I imagine it's like fighting" she joked.
They moved in sync, slipping into the rhythm as if the music had been written just for them. His palm splayed against the small of her back, drawing her subtly closer.
"You're enjoying this," she murmured. He dipped her low and her hair flowed down like silk.
He smiled, slow and wicked. "You have no idea." He pulled her back up, slowly and their bodies pressed up against each other.
"Good" she replied.
He led her across the dance floor. Their moves powerful and graceful.
"For someone who can't touch people you're pretty good dancer," Aria said, amazed.
The waltz turned, and he spun her once, twice, then caught her again, just a breath closer this time.
"You're just making it easier for me" Hardin replied. "Besides, this is not my first dance."
Curiosity sparked in her eyes. "So there was a time, you could touch people?"
He nodded his head. "But I would rather not think about it right now."
Couples poured out onto the dance floor, all around them.
Hardin twirled her around and he grabbed her waist from behind, halting her movement. Aria was surprised to find herself facing Blue's direction.
"Now, are you gonna tell me who that girl is?" Hardin asked, his voice cold and harsh.
Aria pursed her lips, impressed. The teenager was on her phone, texting it seemed. Ethan was across the hall standing by a statue. It was clear he had no interest in the piece of art, he was glued to his phone.
'These two really are close' she mused.
"She was the first person I met here" Aria replied as she leaned up against him. Her back against his chest.
"Why don't we go say hello" he pulled away from her. He grabbed her hand and basically dragged her across the heaving mess of dancers.
They reached her.
"Yo" Aria greeted, awkwardly scratching the back of her head. Blue tore her attention from her screen and cocked up an eyebrow, confused.
'So she's no longer acting like she doesn't know me?' She wondered. She placed her phone inside her purse, her attention shifting to the man beside her.
"I'm Hardin Carrington," He introduced himself. His jaw tightened, anger swirled in his emrald green eyes. "Correct me if I'm wrong but you're Jackson Valentine's sister, right?"
He extended his hand to her.
She stared at his hand for a while. "Sadly, yes. I'm Blue Valentine" she said placing her hand in his. At that exact moment, Hardin's eyes widened.
"Fuck"