Vex smiled tightly as his father introduced him to yet another old business associate, and, unsurprisingly, another alumnus of the Lethe Society.

It was becoming an endless succession of small talk about the financial market, the current shortage of coffin-fish caviar and invitations for games of squash that in all likelihood would never come to fruition.

Vex found Kane’s amber eyes through the fray, the other man was evidently being hauled through the same processes by his own father.

They both shared a weary smirk before Vex’s attention was called back to the current demon acquaintance that Solomon was talking with.

The demon in question was puffed up with self importance, the ends of his moustache braided through the desiccated bodies of giant hornets. His name was Bernie Yarrow and Vex had already suffered through enough of his company at the triennial Dubois summer parties.

“What about your boy Natalia?” Bernie asked, his face already crimson from the large glass of port he was downing like it was water in the desert. “Surely he’s not working tonight?”

Vex watched with distaste as Bernie leant further into Vex’s aunt’s space than he strictly needed to.

“Oh no,” Natalia smiled serenely, “Felix will be in attendance. He so enjoys these events.”

Vex rolled his eyes, of course Felix would enjoy any opportunity to climb socially, rubbing shoulders with all the right people.

“Ah, there he is,” Natalia gestured, smiling widely to reveal her porcelain white fangs. Vex glanced over to where Felix had entered the ballroom before he froze in shock.

“Who’s that he’s brought?” Bernie frowned, going up on his tiptoes to get a better view due to his short stature. “Goodness Natalia, is that an aquatic demon?”

Vex stared, rooted in place as Ciel entered the Fountain Room, looking around nervously. Ciel’s hair had been tied back somehow, with a few turquoise strands framing his face.

The other man was wearing a delicate suit of muted teal, dipping in at his waist where the dark blue shirt was only somewhat successfully concealing his early stage pregnancy. Ciel’s legs looked surprisingly long in expertly seamed trousers and his dark skin was lit up warmly by the candlelight.

“Yes,” Natalia beamed, not at all looking surprised or concerned by this new development. “One of Felix’s charitable projects I believe.”

Vex whipped round, a scathing retort on the tip of his tongue when he noticed his father’s expression. Solomon’s eyes had momentarily whitened out in evident fury and the shadow tendrils at his feet were seething like rapidly boiling water.

“Excuse me,” Vex gritted out, “I should like to greet my dear cousin.”

Vex quickly crossed the room, making a beeline towards Felix and Ciel.

“What are you playing at?” Vex hissed furiously, latching on to Felix’s wrist, pleased when the other man barely hid a wince of pain. “Why have you brought him here?”

“He’s a Nessus student and perfectly eligible to attend,” Felix snapped, rubbing at his wrist as Vex led the three of them over to a more secluded corner, away from prying eyes.

Luckily at that moment, the band started up a lively tune and more and more demons congregated on the dance floor. “I didn’t realise you wanted to hide Ciel away in your rooms like a dirty secret.”

“That’s not – that’s…” Vex trailed off as he caught Ciel’s shuttered face, staring grimly at the floor whilst his tail squeezed his thigh. “That’s not it,” Vex finished firmly. “You know I’m just trying to keep Ciel away from my father. You understand right?” Vex asked, turning towards Ciel with pleading eyes.

Vex didn’t want to start another argument here but at the same time he hated the way Felix was making him out to be some sort of monster, it sounded like just the sort of thing his father would do.

“Vex is right,” Ciel whispered quietly, making both men raise their eyebrows in surprise. “I shouldn’t be here.”

“No,” Vex shook his head, “you can be here Ciel, I just…”

“I can’t be associated with you or your family,” Ciel offered with a small, sad smile. “Excuse me,” he backed away from them and quickly disappeared into the medley of bodies.

“Fuck,” Vex swore before wheeling on Felix who was suddenly looking a lot more confident. “What are you doing Felix?”

“Is my mother here?” Felix asked casually. “I promised I would introduce Ciel to her. She’s so keen to welcome a new family member.”

“That…” Vex’s eyes widened as he took a step backwards, huffing out in shock. “You and Natalia – you’re planning something aren’t you? What the hell is going on in your twisted minds Felix? Whatever it is just leave Ciel out of it alright. He’s not your fucking bargaining chip or your plaything.”

“But he plays the part so well don’t you think?” Felix grinned, reaching out to snag a tall flute of champagne off a nearby tray.

“You arrogant fucking –“ Vex took a menacing step forwards, pausing as a flash of genuine fear crossed his cousin’s face.

“Vex,” Felix snapped, “Vex!”

Vex looked to where Felix was jabbing his finger and gasped, small wisps of black smoke were emanating from the tips of Vex’s own digits, matching the onyx of his claws as they ran down his wrists in cascades of shadow.

“I suppose congratulations are in order,” Felix muttered, looking more murderous than congratulatory. “A further manifestation in your shadow development. Uncle will be thrilled – maybe that will put him in a good enough mood to tell Torrance to go wait back in the car.”

“Torrance is here?” Vex hissed in horror. He knew he should be ridiculously smug about his shadow coming on so quickly but instead he just felt sick with worry. Vex couldn’t understand why his father would bring one of his criminal henchmen to an event like this. “Where’s Ciel?”

“Better go find him Vexie,” Felix smiled placidly, looking eerily like his mother. “Before someone decides to go fishing.”

For a moment Vex was torn between killing his cousin in the middle of the ball, consequences be damned or immediately rushing off to find Ciel. In the end he chose the latter, barging through the sea of dancing demons with half-hearted apologies muttered under his breath.

“There you are!” Vex gasped as he finally caught up with Ciel by the food table. “You need to stay with me.”

“You’re joking right?” Ciel narrowed his eyes. The other man looked less nervous now than he had upon first entering the ball and his usual prickly demeanour was evidently back in place.

 “Look, just stay nearby,” Vex replied grimly. “My father’s henchmen are here.”

“For me?” Ciel’s eyes widened as the plate he was holding slipped from his grip, Vex catching it just in time.

“Of course not,” Vex replied, despite not honestly knowing the answer to that question. “But just don’t go wandering off okay?”

“I think I’m safe,” Ciel screwed up his nose. “This is a ball after all.”

“No,” Vex chuckled, “this is a bloodbath.” He gestured out across the assembled guests, some clustered in familiar cliques, whispering about the latest scandal. Deals worth millions were being shaken on across platters of prawn cocktail whilst jewel dripped demons paraded their physical worth in designer dresses and ice pick heels.

Final year students were escorted across the room by their simpering parents, making the right introductions, securing the best internships whilst others fretted on the sidelines.

“And what,” Vex took a deep breath, “did I tell you about trusting Felix?”

“I have to trust him Vex,” Ciel replied quietly as he smoothed a hand down his belly, his fingers belying only the slightest tremble.

“Fine,” Vex sighed. “Trust him medically but not when it comes to family matters.”

“You always say he’s not family because he’s not a Dubois,” Ciel frowned, “I thought…I thought that meant it would be okay for me…”

“I’m sorry I shouted,” Vex interrupted, suddenly feeling the strange but immediate urge to apologise. “It was just…a shock. I thought we had a plan.”

“Right,” Ciel smiled but there was no joy in it, “I hide whilst you drink and dance with everyone.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” Vex laughed, unable to stop himself. “Trust me Ciel, for the last half hour all I’ve wanted is to come back to the quarters where I thought you were.”

“Oh,” Ciel replied, looking surprised.

“I – I just meant,” Vex groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. He glanced back over at Ciel, “Is that my shower scraper band in your hair?”

“No,” Ciel blushed, his hand immediately going to his ponytail. “Yes…I mean. Does it look stupid?”

“No,” Vex shook his head, “you clean up great.”

“Are you making fun of me?” Ciel turned to him with a suspicious expression.

“Not at all,” Vex admitted honestly. “You look –“

“Vex!”

Vex groaned internally as he turned to find his aunt Natalia stood a few feet from them, an inquisitive smile fixed on her face. “And you must be Ciel,” Natalia announced, rounding on the other demon who looked characteristically flustered.

“Yes,” Ciel nodded, glancing unsurely to Vex.

“Ciel, this is my aunt, Natalia Blake, Felix’s mother,” Vex added as if to indicate to Ciel exactly what he thought of the willowy, pale woman stood before them.

Natalia’s mother of pearl horns were almost ramrod straight, ending in razor sharp points with a delicate pale pink chain strung between them. She was wearing a Greco-Roman style tunic dress that draped down in pleated cream folds.

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” Ciel bowed awkwardly as Natalia cooed in feigned appreciation.

Natalia’s strange smile was still stuck to her expertly painted face as if to convey the suggestion that she was a nurturing, approachable woman. Vex knew better, Natalia’s coldness was rivalled only by his father’s and as far as her maternal instincts went it was a wonder she hadn’t eaten Felix at birth.   

“Come now,” Natalia said in a low, conspiratorial voice, “no need for such formality. Felix has told me we’re practically family already.”

“Felix shouldn’t be revealing anything about his patients,” Vex snapped, feeling his temper start to fray.

“Who said anything about a patient?” Natalia cocked her head with a clearly contrived confused expression. “I merely meant that any close friend of my son’s is already dear to me.”

“Give me strength,” Vex muttered angrily, clanking Ciel’s abandoned plate down on the table.

“Ciel,” Natalia clasped the smaller demon’s hands in hers, “why don’t you dance with me?”

“I don’t know how,” Ciel admitted, his eyes darting anxiously to Vex.

“Then I shall teach you,” Natalia announced jubilantly before turning to Vex, already anticipating his interjection, “Vex, your father wishes to speak with you.”

Vex clenched his jaw, staring at Ciel’s tense posture and his aunt’s assessing gaze.

“Don’t worry,” Natalia murmured, “he will be perfectly safe with me.”

Vex grimaced, aware that somehow he had just let slip more information to his aunt than he wanted to.

Vex knew how Natalia hoarded such titbits of knowledge like a dragon with gold. Only this type of gold was used to forge weapons, ready to strike unsuspecting victims in their vulnerable areas.  

“One dance,” Vex gritted out, not caring how deranged he sounded before striding over towards his father.