Masquerade in Chaos: Kable VonSable

by M J Hutto

  Mother was less than thrilled when I took so wholly to those beliefs. Granda and Babushka believed in love, karma, magic, knowledge, honesty, justice, and loyalty. That did not mean they followed conventional rules; it meant they followed the laws they believed in. Sometimes those two things coincided, others they did not.

  Mother left me with Father to swirl though the party guests performing her hostess duties. She ushered drinks to those without and pointed out various “attractions.” The guests smiled and seemed genuinely happy to socialize with her and each other.

  My father was entertaining in other ways, telling stories to his business associates and society friends alike. He definitely told great stories-half of them were even true. He had a flair for the dramatic, it served him well with people. They always loved it and he knew just how far to take it without looking foolish.

  I wandered away from his group toward the refreshments. Jaylin was never far away, she would go off listen a little and come back to me, reporting back conversations. They were all pretty meaningless; nothing even remotely related to murder. I hadn’t spotted Dorian. Jaylin said he was around mingling. She also commented on how hot he looked in this suit. I rolled my eyes, that girl’s libido was in overdrive even in death. I reminded her he was family to which she replied, “Not mine!”

  Thibbs remained with me. When he perched on my triangular dangle earring, he looked almost like part of it. This put him close to my ear for ease of conversation as well. Thank you, Rachel Morgan, for that fictional and now functional how-to, pixie/lightning bug partner style.

  I felt more than heard someone behind me and glanced around. Victor was looking over the display of food, same as me. He had two plates in one hand while he placed varying things on the plates with the other.

  “What’s good?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t tried anything yet. But knowing Mother’s taste in caterers, everything. I thought I’d just try a little of everything.”

  He nodded. “Might be the best plan of action.”

  He continued placing food on the plates and I did the same. We both decided to leave the dessert and sweet table for later. There was so much. I followed him back to tables and chairs set up near the decorated trees.

  “So, Kable, I haven’t seen you at any of the fundraisers or really any of the holiday parties?”

  I looked up with wide eyes. He’d asked after I put a large cherry tomato full of cheese and other deliciousness into my mouth. I finished eating, took a drink of my water (I’d traded out the wine) and wiped my mouth.

  “I don’t really enjoy such large gatherings usually. I’m more of a small group or one on one person. Also, I don’t really get involved in politics. I vote, I support causes close to my heart, but I’m not nearly so involved as the others in my family. I leave that to them.”

  I waited for him to ask or answer. He didn’t so I continued to eat. He was nodding to himself. Karmine was nibbling her food, I’m not sure I’d seen her take a full bite. Her wine glass had been refilled and she was switching to water as well per her conversation with the wait staff.

  “Do you not like politics?”

  He’d waited until I put food into my mouth again. This time I took my time savoring the mini quiche before answering.

  “I don’t dislike politics.” I nodded hello to Kent, Dorian, and Vera as they sat. They were all beautiful and elegantly dressed. “I simply don’t follow like one might a sports team. It’s just not my thing.”

  He nodded his understanding and brought another bite to his mouth. He really was quite beautiful. I’d seen him on television, the camera loved him. And the media loved him more. He seemed concerned for my political, I don’t know, health? Maybe he was just trying to make sure he had my vote, I wondered if that part was ever really allowed to sleep when you belonged to that arena. That seemed incredibly exhausting.

  He smiled that perfect mouth, dimples appeared on both cheeks. “I guess it’s okay to leave the political savviness to everyone else in the family. You can focus on your business and other pursuits.”

  I managed not to spit my food in his face; besides, the bruschetta was too good to waste. I took a deep breath to answer but Vera beat me to it.

  “I’m confused. Kable, didn’t you say you don’t follow politics closely, not that you don’t at all? Victor, I think you misunderstood what she was saying. She understands politics, I can assure you, as we’ve discussed Orokkian party candidates when I wasn’t sure what to think. And I cover the political scene.”

  Kent grinned at me and rubbed Vera’s back. She was leaning across him to look at Victor who was calmly eating the last of his canapés. He seemed unbothered by her critique.

  “I didn’t mean to offend. I wasn’t trying to imply anything. I just meant you shouldn’t have to be involved in politics if you don’t want. Sometimes I wish I had chosen a different path.”

  Everyone but Vera and I rushed to tell him he was amazing, doing just what he was meant to do and was where he was meant to be. Vera, in fact, told him she couldn’t imagine him doing anything else. I wondered if he caught the dryness of her tone.

  I simply remained silent. I really had no opinion. His political views were mainstream, middle of the road. He wasn’t staunchly left or right, nor was he pro or anti Orokkian. His votes had been noncontroversial and, if not in favor of Orokkians, then not against them either.

  “No worries,” I said standing. “I’ll be back. I’m going to build a snowman, maybe dance a little.”

  Jaylin was standing behind Victor poking him in the back of his head. He wasn’t responding at all. She swirled her finger inside his head, and I nearly lost it. Something about seeing that made my stomach roll, it looked like she was scrambling his brains. I frowned at her but Karmine thought I was frowning at Victor-if the distressed look on her face was any indication-so I smoothed my features and plastered on a smile.

  Her worried frown melted away. She must really like this guy. I’d have to remember to tell her to be careful. His aura had been violently passionate, I was closed tight tonight but it couldn’t have changed much. Some things are part of who a person is. He probably went into anything he did whole-heartedly and with reckless abandon.

  I nodded to everyone, turned, and ran into Santa. Not another night of running into people. This is getting ridiculous. Maybe this was the universe telling me to slow down? Or maybe I was just clumsy.

  Santa dipped me, then twirled me in time with the music to finally bow with a flourish when I was standing upright. Who had Mother gotten to play Santa, Sinatra?

  I genuinely laughed when Uncle Cisco stood up straight. Of course, he would’ve agreed to be Santa. Dorians’s father was amazing and loved to have fun. He was grinning from ear to ear.

  Jaylin clapped; she’d only met him a few times. Once had been after a performance of Les Mis. We also got to go on set during the filming of Arthur the Great. It was a magical and fantastic set and he’d been Merlin, which was amazing too.

  “He does community theater now that he’s retired. I think his last professional show was a few years back,” I said under my breath. Uncle Cisco didn’t even blink.

  “You wanna dance, cutie?”

  He motioned to the dance floor and I followed him out. The band was playing a version of “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. We started dancing and laughing, and by the end, we were singing at the top of our lungs; me, Uncle Cisco, and Jaylin. The band was amazing!

  I’m sure we made quite the picture, Santa dancing with a little blue girl. If only they could see the little cyan ghost twirling along with us. Others were joining in, so the band kept it upbeat.

  We tangoed to “Bad Romance” by Gaga. Have you seen that part of A Knights Tale where they are dancing in their medieval attire to modern music? It was that sort of juxtaposition in my mind. Thibbs cheered us on from my earring.

  We danced and danced and finally made up our own moves to the Game of Thrones intro music. The violin
pulled my heart along in swirls and twirls and dips. Uncle Cisco was a fantastic dance partner. We finished with a series of turns that left me breathless and got us a round of applause.

  I blushed hotly. I’d forgotten where I was for a little while. I didn’t usually dance in front of people. And there, front and center, was Detective Hottie applauding. The band started playing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and I stared at him, confused. Unfair, universe, unfair, I thought furiously as I turned to disappear from the room; Elvis was not to be used in vain. I’d have to have a heartfelt chat with the universe and her absurd sense of humor.

  Now was probably a good time to check out the attic for my boxes of Granda’s stuff. No one would be able to find me for a while and I could let my embarrassment dissipate. Maybe Detective Hottie would be gone by the time I came down. Didn’t that guy work? I mean he was starting up a new division, wasn’t he supposed to be busy doing stuff?

  “What the hell? Why’d you run away? Y’all were amazing and the detective was gonna ask you to dance. He’s looking for you now.”

  “Shut up, Jaylin. You know why I ran away. I was having too much fun and forgot where I was. I’m enough of a distraction without doing things to draw attention to myself.”

  “Listen, chick, I love you but you gotta get over that shit. I thought you’d outgrow it, but you seem to have gotten worse.”

  I huffed at her. “I don’t hate myself or anything.” She snorted as I went on, “I just would like to fit in sometimes. I don’t mind being different, I always have but I think it makes things easier sometimes to just blend in, a little. I don’t have to be the brightest bird in the room is all I’m saying.”

  She rolled her eyes. “But baby, you are the brightest bird in the room. Ain’t no reason to try to ‘blend in,’” she said, using air quotes for the last phrase.

  “I’m not like you, Jaylin. I get embarrassed, I need solitude, I don’t want attention.”

  “You don’t have to be like me. I’m not saying you have to go be a diva and steal the show, I’m just saying you don’t have to hide yourself. Be your authentic, beautiful, bright self and do it without apology. I see your apology in your eyes every time you draw attention.”

  “I know. It’s hard. Some things are just so ingrained from childhood they’re hard to change. I don’t even realize I’m doing it most times.”

  She chuckled. “Luckily, you have me to point it out. I’ll do my best to help you stop hiding in shadowy corners.”

  I had been looking through the boxes in the attic. There wasn’t any dust-Mother paid extra for the cleaning services to keep the attic clutter and dust free as well. I found two boxes labeled Granda’s Stuff: Don’t Throw Away, written in my own scrawl.

  I peeked inside, there were books, jars, vials, and a couple of ceremonial knives among other things. I grabbed the boxes and took them down to my rooms on the second floor. I pulled out the shark tooth amulet to give to Dorian, I’d tucked the blood in the refrigerator after I dropped my things in my room earlier. Mother would just love to find that.

  Thibbs decided to stay in the room to rest until I came back from the party, or he grew bored. I felt comfortable with that decision. Jaylin went to scope out the party. She promised to let me know if Detective Hottie was still looking for me.

  I gently closed the door behind me and turned to find an empty corridor. I felt a chill, the skin under my hair tightened and prickled with dread. There was an eerie whistling from somewhere. I couldn’t tell how close it was, but it was annoying familiar. A nagging feeling that I should recognize it was overwhelming.

  I walked toward the back of the house, back towards the attic but it became quieter. I turned back towards my rooms and the party, but the closer I got to the living room and party the more pronounced it became. I walked into the room full of people, the tune had stopped but I remembered where I’d heard it before. My dream, I’d heard that whistling in my dream from the person I’d known was going to kill me.

  My throat constricted and I felt the room spin a little. Oh shit, I’d let both my backup leave me and a killer was here, in this room, now. I looked around to see who it might be. There were so many people. Plus, a group had just walked out into the snowy wonderland where even more people were. Mother must have invited over two-hundred people, plus any dates they brought or anyone who crashed. No one was checking invitations.

  I was standing in the doorway looking between the inside and outside trying to decide what to do next when Detective Hottie walked up to me. His face held friendly concern.

  “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. And I know you can, so?”

  I looked up into his dark eyes. Could it be him? I didn’t believe in coincidences. Had he been waiting for me? I wanted to trust him but I still hadn’t looked at his damn aura. It never seemed to be the right time.

  “Kable?” He took my elbow to steady me since I’d been swaying.

  I blinked. “Can you whistle?”

  His confusion was plain. “What? Whistle? Why?”

  I tried to stop looking weird and lost. I plastered a smile on my face and shrugged.

  “Just curious? Can you? Whistle, I mean.”

  “Yes and no. I can whistle, like to get someone’s attention but I can’t whistle a tune to save my life.”

  He attempted to whistle something that was probably supposed to sound like a song but didn’t. He grinned, shrugging.

  I smiled back, relieved, and charmed. He could be faking it, but I didn’t think anyone could fake whistle that badly on purpose.

  “What’s up? Why’d you leave so fast? Your dancing was amazing and with Santa!”

  “Yeah, I don’t usually do that in front of anyone. Uncle Cisco taught me years ago and he brings out the kid in me. He’s playing Santa tonight. If you haven’t met, I’d be glad to introduce you. You can tell him all your Christmas wishes.”

  He glanced at my mouth and his lips curved into that sinful smile while his eyes glittered. My own mouth went dry, and my breath caught.

  “I’d love to meet Santa. First, I want to know why you wanted to know if I could whistle. Did you figure out what that song was from your dream? Thinking I’m a killer again?”

  I bit my lip and backed up to lean against the doorframe. It put a little extra distance between us, and I didn’t have to crane my neck quite as much to maintain conversation. I wasn’t making eye contact, I didn’t want him reading all my thoughts at the moment, they weren’t very pure, and I didn’t think he needed any more encouragement.

  “I still don’t recognize the song but its catchy. I’ve almost got it but not quite. Maybe while I’m asleep tonight. I’ll put my subconscious on it.”

  He nodded but his eyebrows went up in question. I had tried to dodge his other questions without much success apparently. He didn’t look like he was going to just let it go.

  “I heard the song tonight. Right before you came up here, actually. It was outside my room or at least at the end of the hallway out of sight. I didn’t see anyone, but I heard them until I made it into this room.”

  His posture changed from slouched against the opposite side of the frame to stiff and erect. His dark eyes scanned the room and then the conservatory. I saw him come to the same conclusions I had, there were just too many people. It could be anyone.

  “It isn’t me. Believe it or not, but I’m not a bad guy.”

  He stepped forward and pointed up at the mistletoe above my head. “But I am a bit of an opportunist.”

  He leaned in, giving me plenty of time to say no. His eyes never left mine and held delicious, decadent promise. I felt the heat of his body, the faint smell of cedar-wood from his aftershave, and watched his pupils dilate the closer he came to my lips.

  “If you say no, I’ll stop,” he whispered, a breath away from my mouth.

  I could taste the wine off his words, feel his desire and almost hear his heartbeat. Or maybe that was my own. It was definitely pounding in my ears.
I closed my eyes against the temptation of him. I tilted my chin up to meet empty air.

  I felt his hand cupping my cheek and then caress my face but when I opened my eyes it was to see his back as he walked away. My lips throbbed and my stomach twisted. I felt my heart flutter, stutter and then skip a few beats before resuming it’s normal routine.

  A tear fell from the corner of my eye, and I wondered what the universe was getting me into. And why had I hesitated? This was too much, that was why. I had too much to do to worry about a relationship. I had too many things going on to even think about a relationship. So why was the universe putting us in these situations?

  I looked up and breathed deeply. I saw the mistletoe and scowled.

  “Mistletoe, Mother, really?!”

  Jaylin walked up. “What’d I miss?”

  “Oh, not much. I heard the whistler, tried to find them. Failed. Almost molested the nice detective in front of all the guests. Oh, and I think the universe is having a go at me. I think she’s playing some kind of fucked up reality TV show game with me. Trying to see how far she can go before I break.”

  “Dramatic much?!”

  I threw up my hands, “Well, lets see. First, she brings back my ghost best friend, which I’ve previously hallucinated but am totally not now. Then, I’m told I’ve got to stop my own death but not how or why or when. Then this incredibly gorgeous guy pops up who might be my killer, might be charmed, or might just really like me,” I said waving wildly at myself. “AND THEN I’m having prophetic dreams again. Might be related to my death, might not…you figure it out. Then there is also this attraction to said incredibly hot detective that is RIDICULOUS. Oh, and let me throw in an obsessed dude or two and one chick, don’t want to be sexist.”

  “I see your point. So, what’s next?”

  I saw my mother walking towards me, “Looks like I open presents.”

  I glared at the mistletoe again. Fucking mistletoe! My lips were still throbbing and tingling. I shook my head and met my mother halfway with Jaylin in tow.