People chatted around the well-lit room. The sparkly chandelier from the ceiling dazzled. Glasses clinked, the band played slow music, and soft laughs were heard. Snacks and food items were displayed on a large black velvet tablecloth.

  Everything screamed wealth and status.

  A carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the mansion and a young woman stepped out. The mask she wore concealed her upper face, only revealing her deep red lips which complemented her dark skin perfectly. Her kinky hair was braided in two elegant rows which bounced as she adjusted her midnight black dress. She twirled her fingers around her green gemstone pendant and turned to her right.

  "Shall we?" Her partner said beside her. He wore a matching mask and outfit. His hair was slicked back majestically, and his dark skin shone in the moonlight. He held out his black-gloved hand, and her lips curled into a smile, "Of course."

  Everything screamed wealth and status... the perfect breeding ground for thieves.

  Henrietta glanced at the large mansion, lit like a birthday cake. They walked in on the red carpet and the guard stopped them. "Invitation please." Her partner pulled out a white card embroidered with gold and turned it towards the guard. The guard inspected it with his head cocked to the side before holding it out to the man. "Welcome, Duke and Mrs. Lionash. I hope you enjoy your stay."

  She beamed at the guard, "Thank you. I am sure we would." Her partner rolled his eyes and they walked into the room. "Woah..." She gasped as they entered the main hall. There were a lot of people. Tables and chairs lined one side of the room and a dance was held at the center stage.

  "Remain focused, Henrietta." The man said quietly and Henrietta gave him a side-eye. "I can't enjoy the scenery in peace again? Duke Lionash." She said with an eyebrow raised as she smirked. The duke shook his head and turned to her. "Alright, take in the sweet scenery then. Don't forget why we are here." He said as he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Henrietta nodded her head and scanned the room. From the side of her eye, she noticed movement. She turned and saw some women whispering among themselves. Even with their masks, she could tell they were looking at him.

  "My goodness, not even a minute and you are already turning heads. Teach me your ways, Damien." Henrietta teased and he scoffed. One of the women broke free from the group and walked towards them. "Incoming," Henrietta said and Damien turned towards the woman.

  Her light grey dress hugged her body tightly, accentuating her curves with each delicate step. Her fingers wrapped around her clutch and Henrietta was hit with the whiff of her powerful perfume. "You must be Duke Lionash, it is an honour meeting you." She said, and Damien took her expecting hands and bowed as he placed a kiss on her gloved hands. "And to whom may I owe this honour." He asked and the woman let out a light laugh. "I am Miss Aurora, chief head of the Ironfist research unit." She said as she turned to Henrietta, "And this must be your wife." Damien circled his hands around Henrietta's waist and nodded. "This is Vivian, my beloved and the jewel of my eyes." His voice dripped with sweetness and Henrietta gagged inwardly at how blatantly he was lying. The two ladies pecked each other cheeks. "You are more beautiful in person." Miss Aubree said and Henrietta brought her hands to her chest. "You are too kind." She can't even see my full face!

  "If you two don't mind, I have someone who would want to meet you two. Would you follow me?' She said and Damien said, "Of course. Lead the way." Aurora's lips curled to a smile and she walked forward. Henrietta tugged Damien's sleeve and glared at him. "Vivien?? Of all names." She whispered harshly and Damien chuckled.

  "That's what is on the invitation, Mrs. Vivien Lionash." Damien said and Henrietta huffed. They weaved through the crowd and they got to a section of the hall which had doors on the walls. Aurora paused there and turned to them. "Please stay here as I call him out." She knocked on the door. It opened but an inner curtain covered the entrance. As the fabric rustled, Henrietta could see the silhouette of a man with a cane. She tried to speak further but Damien placed his hand on her shoulders. "Be patient." He said.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "I wonder who this man is. Maybe he is one of those posh idiots from another..." She snickered but Damien caught her off.

  "Look," Henrietta looked up to Damien's face at the sound of his tense voice. His hazelnut eyes stared across the ballroom and his eyes snapped to a person. They were clad in brown fabric and limped as they walked. "Poor guy must have hurt his leg," Henrietta said. Damien gave a dry laugh and turned to Henrietta. "I have to leave for a moment." Damien walked towards the person, leaving an astonished Henrietta.

  "Damien, don't leave me here." She whispered angrily. So much for teamwork. What of when Miss Aurora shows up??

  She began to walk towards him but a muffled noise came from behind the door. It sounded like scraping noises, and as she neared the door, she heard a loud crack. "Miss Aurora?" Henrietta placed her ear on the door. Her heartbeat began to pick up pace as the scraping noise grew louder. Click! Her eyes widened as she went on the ground. Above her, a loud boom was sounded and the wood splintered everywhere. Gasps and shocked cries soon rippled across the room as a strange figure jumped out of the broken door. The lights flickered as it appeared.

  The horrid creature growled at the guests, its humanoid figure twitching. The mouth was twisted as though it were screaming. With the sharp clawed finger on the floor as its sunken eyes narrowed down on a victim.

  Muttering under her breath, Henrietta stood up and turned towards the room. "Miss Aurora!" She yelled as she swung the door open. The room was a mess; chairs were broken, claw marks lining the walls. She noticed the window was opened and dust was settling around the sill. Maybe that is how the monster entered? A woman lay on the floor, her clothes almost shredded around her side and her pretty blond hair dishevelled around her head. "Oh no, are you alright?" She looked around the room for anyone but saw no one. The dining table caught her eye and she grabbed the tablecloth and wrapped it around the woman. The poor woman's eyes were wide and tear-filled. Sobs tumbled down her throat as Henrietta looked out of the room with rage-filled eyes. "Dear, dear. You are alright. I got you." She patted the woman's back.

  A low growl sounded behind them and the pair turned to see another monster by the broken sofa. Henrietta grabbed the green pendant from her neck and wrenched it off. She turned to the crying woman and handed it over to her. "Take this. It should protect you from those monsters." The girl's eyebrows raised slightly as she slowly reached out for the pendant. Henrietta smiled at her and stood up, gathering her full gown in one hand.

  Still no sign of Miss Aurora and the strange man. The chaos from the outer hall rippled through the room and Henrietta started towards the room but hesitated. Do not engage. She gritted her teeth and shook her head. Henrietta ran out of the room as she cast a spell.

  Yes, there are different types of thieves. Those who steal materialistic things.

  Her clothes swirled around her as they changed; the black material turned to a dark emerald green material and the volume reduced to a comfortable weight. A silver staff materialized in her open hand and her mask slid off, revealing a scar that ran along her left eye towards her left ear. Her eyes glowed with the usage of magic. She sauntered into the room, passing some running guests.

  Thieves who steal your hearts.

  The monster, which had been turning the tables over, turned its attention to Henrietta and growled at her, its head twitching and turning to the side. She smirked and the monster pounced. She slammed her staff on the ground and magical energy burst out from it, causing the monster to stumble. With one large swoop, her staff hit the monster on the head. The sickening crunching of bones was heard as the monster slumped.

  A piercing scream stood out in the chaos of the hall and Henrietta swirled sideways as she pointed the staff at the monster. A young girl tried to run away from it but she fell. A green energy ball shot out from her staff and hit the monster on the head. The wind caused her clothes to reveal a sigil on her arm. The sigil glowed faintly as she summoned the energy, a constant reminder of her duty—and her failure.

  And some thieves steal your souls. It is our job to make sure that doesn't happen.

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