The Devil's Student Mate

EIGHT |■ MASTEMA ■|

Sometimes I am too curious for my own good, some things are just best undiscovered and unknown because their knowledge scars you

Despite my efforts and desire to be on time for the part, I could not wrestle down the reluctance most of the time and sluggishly went about the simplest tasks and found myself a whole hour late. At nine o clock sharp I hopped into my vehicle and drove to Mrs Mauve house. I felt that presence right behind me the entire twenty minute drive, like it was sitting comfortably on my leather seats, watching me, waiting for me to acknowledge it. The fear did get the best of me, at first I cranked up the radio but the blasting music did nothing to placate me and tone down my fright so I decided to do what I always do when I am laden with fear; I called Dominic. We spoke on the phone until I pulled up at Mrs Mauve driveway. I honestly do not know what I would do without Dom, he is the only reason I still have my sanity in tact.

With a preparatory sigh, I stepped out of my car and was greeted by a chilly gust of wind. I knew I had worn the wrong dress. My gait was awkward, I could not walk probably while holding onto my short dress so the wind does not blow it up and expose my underwear. I was already grumpy, I would much rather be sleeping or getting my daily dose of optical orgasms by staring at Sir Steed's pictures. I know, I am a freak, I have accepted myself. Do not ask me where I got them because I do not know, they magically popped up in my gallery, but I go through Lucius Steed's pictures every night before I sleep when I am not with Dom.

 I languidly brought a finger to the button and rang the doorbell, my mother always emphasized how important it is to knock before you enter, all the time, even on your own bedroom door. She would always tell me;

"You should knock all the time, never make a mistake sweetie, there are a lot of things you do not know that happen behind closed doors, and you might walk into something you are supposed to see and find yourself in big trouble."

I have never forgotten to knock, ever, the last time was when I was eleven I think, it is an indurated practice. I was very glad that a peer of mine opened the door for me. Anais, Mrs Mauve's second daughter who is a year older than me and in college gestured me inside, exchanged me a sweet smile as she always did and then hugged me briefly. Anais and I used to be very good friends before her family moved when I was thirteen. She loves smiling and showing off that gaped front tooth, she is the happiest person I know, always cheerful and blithely carefree, so innocent, she is nothing like her uptight, extremely reserved parents. Maybe that is the case with all above average wealthy people, all they care about is their status.

I was surprised by the many people in attendance, I could not do a head count, but I am sure there must have been about eighty people in the Mauve mansion. Most were adults in sumptuously priced tailor made suits and evening gowns, they were probably mrs Mauve's associates. Anais' story is very similar to mine, her parents were struck by a bolt of good luck, they went from struggling financially after Mrs Mauve lost her well paying job to being millionaires in a very short amount of time. Anais told me they told her that they had made some good investments but their wealth came at a price. Doesn't it always! That was my parent's excuse for never making time for me.

I tried some of the finger snacks and chatted with Anais and her some of her male cousins, who were very arrogant and flirty and completely upset my palate. Most of the young adults were drinking, helping themselves to the wine and champagne while I looked around, looking out of place. I was not allowed to drink alcohol, my parents would go berserk if they heard the faintest rumour that a drop of alcohol fell in my mouth.

Too bad I might drink at Ambria's eighteenth birthday party, I already know that the girls are going to convince me.

As my eyes darted from corner to corner while I tried to ignore how bored I was by the tedious speeches and announcements that were made every other minute, my eyes spotted someone very familiar, some too familiar. The very last person I thought, well never thought I would see here; Lucius Steed.

What- the - freak!

What was Sir Steed doing here? I did not know that the Mauves know him, I would have never came if I knew he will be attending as well. My inquisitive nature worked against, I love observing, studying intently and watching people without them knowing it so much, that I have the potential to become a stalker. I was so enticed by the desire to investigate, that I only resisted for so long before strutting over to the table where I left Anais and her friends and pulled her away by her forearm.

"Sorry for dragging you away like that." I smiled sheepishly, peering over my shouder to see if he had moved. Thankfully the seemingly serious conversation he was having with Mrs Mauve had not end.

"It's okay. What's up? Do you need something?" Anais asked and I diverted my attention back to her. I hope he does not see me, that would defeat the whole purpose of stalking him for these coming few hours.

"Do you know that man?" I I discreetly pointed in his direction and his maroon suit and his height made him stand out from the rest so he was not easy to miss. Anais furrowed her brows in thought before nodding her head and smiling. She leaned into me like she was about to divulge some top secret information to me.

"Mom should not know that I told you this but hat is Mr Lucifer, that's what I overheard my mom call him but I do not think that is his real name. He is a friend's of my mom, but he might be her business associate or something because he is always given first class treatment like a VIP. He never comes to these events, he usually either comes to see my mother very, very early in the morning or very late at night. He is a strange man, but he is quite the looker isn't he?" Anais wiggled her brows playfully and I let out an awkward laugh while i digested what she had told me.

There are a lot of strange things that happen in Millennia, Sir Steed is quite an intriguant and kind of enigmatic, but according to Millennia standards, he is only a small grain on the scale of strangeness. I had no idea that the Mauves knew him but sir Steed is very rich, it would be no surprise if he is a businessman and owns a few companies around the country or around the world even. The Mauves are sauvy businessmen so it does make sense that they would business with sir sir Steed, if he is in business, which I think he is.

"He is my physics teacher." Anais' baby blue eyes widened in shock as I told her.

"Really?! You are not joking right, Mr Lucifer is your teacher?" She gaped and I stole a quick glance at him again. I wish she could stop calling him that, Lucifer is like the name for the Devil. As a person who has had countless encounters with the supernatural and have been gathering knowledge about paranormal activities and beings, I know that names are invocations. You could say a few wrong words and boom, next thing you know you have summoned a demonic spirit that you can't get rid of.

"Yep! He is my teacher, which is why I do not want him to see me."

"Why haven't you ducked under the tables then?" Anais chuckled lightly and for a second, I felt like someone was looking at me, I felt a pair of eyes on the back of my head.

Shit!

I hope he has not seen me.

"Gotta dash." I breathed, taking off my stilettos and holding them. You cannot stalk someone in heels, they are too noisy. I made me through the sea of people and managed to stand behind them, not that far from them without being spotted. I eavesdropped on their conversation without compunction, I was too curious and needed to know what they were talking about. What if they are lovers? Woah, you are not going to get jealous Mabel, lucius Steed is not my man. Although sometimes, okay most times it feels like he should be, i feel strangely connected to him, his presences awakens something from deep within me.

"Your debt is long overdue, I do not want to get father involved, he will not be as lenient on you." He told her sternly. His voice was so eminently dominant and intimidating, he sounded like a beast, if I were Mrs Mauve, I would be shaking.

"I will pay up my debt tonight, I promise you, great one." I have never heard such beseeching speech come from Mrs Mauve. Whatever amount she owed him, it must be a lot because her face has paled, blanched with fear, I can only see the side of it, but the look of fear must be pasted on her face.

I listened in closely, very cautious not to be detected as suspicious. It was easy to fade into the background with the noise around is and the many people in the room.

"The number has increased to forty nine, you know what will happen if you fail to deliver, I do not need to remind you." Sir Steed threatened her, he threatened better than those brutes of mafia bosses in movies, I felt a shift in my bones.

Forty nine…

Forty nine what?

Forty nine million?

No that is too small.

Forty nine billion?

Or maybe forty nine trillion? Was it possible for a person to owe someone that much money? Or was it her companies? But why was she wasting even more money throwing parties and inviting so many people when she should be saving every cent? And where was she going to get that much money in a few hours when from what I have heard, she has been struggling to pay her debt and it is even overdue. I felt like I was prying, I really was, this was not talk meant for my ears and my mother always warned me not to stick my nose where it does not belong and never to eavesdrop on conversations, even on those that I think concern me. I should have left, but something was stopping me so I stayed and awaited more in anticipation. 

"Yes great one, I will give you forty nine souls by the end of tonight, I will pay my debt, I will not fail."

"It must be quick and clean, not messy like last time or you will have me to deal with." 

Quick and clean? 

Okay what is Sir Steed talking about? Why does he sound like he is planning a slaughter or something like that? 

This is very shady, I should probably go before I hear something that will give me sleepless nights. 

"I will not make the same mistake as last time, I am not ready to offer another sacrifice."

"Good. I am giving you half an hour."  Sir Steed tilted his head the side before walking off and disappeared in the next room, that was my cue to leave. 

I am very certain that I was not supposed to hear that, but at least I did not get caught, who knows what would have happened?