Chapter 38 :D

Chapter thirty-eight—tracking the beautified

In a way, Nikki and I began to neglect our duties to the department, considering our studying and observations of the S.A. There were too many people in the department to notice, despite my status of genetics, I feel as though somebody told everybody to ignore me. Nobody talked or stared at me.

What a vacation.

Since tonight was the night of the Enforcement Ball, everybody was in a rush. Grateful for this distraction, Nikki and I were searching recent newspapers and documents to try to find Malistaire’s next plan, or wherever he is.

While Nikki was searching a document for Malistaire’s past, most of it we discovered was taken away when he destroyed the death school.

Meanwhile, I was studying the recent newspapers for sightings of Malistaire. Finding nothing, I sighed at the pounding in my head from the hours of searching. There was some much to do in my mental list: Find and track the next S.A., wonder if my dreams are actually correct, beware of Malistaire… And find him.

How do you avoid danger from somebody you are trying to find?

I looked up at her questioningly.

“Its head was cut off- or chewed off… We are still analyzing it. However, for now, I want you to find clues to why the Mysterious Woman would kill the dog. If you find anything, report back to me in my office.” Courtney walked out curtly, evidently stressed from the events.

“I have clues, alright.” I told Nikki when I saw Courtney walk out of view. Nikki grimaced, knowing the whole story of my dream. “The Mysterious Woman killed nobody; in fact, she’s the one trying to save these people. Thank the Fates that the wolf is dead.”

Nikki nodded, agreeing. “It makes it easier to find her, too.”

“I know.” I sighed. “Now, we should get back to work.”

“I can’t find anything but everything we already know about.” Nikki spoke through gritted teeth.

“Hah,” I fake laughed, trying to lighten up the mood. “As if anybody would know about the S.A.”

Nikki smiled weakly with exhaustion, but I suddenly seized up. I remembered the Wizard City Library all of a sudden, and the book. That dang book! How could I forget..?

“I know where to find better information!” I exclaimed, suddenly thinking of Adam Deathbringer. Unfortunately, my book bag was in my bedroom.

“Where?” Nikki now looked interested, now that I got her full attention.

“Follow me,” I smiled, taking her wrist to pull her up. “It’s worthwhile- trust me.”

Taking her to my bedroom, I unlocked my door with my silver key, and rushed to my desk. Hidden under textbooks and journals, I took out my book bag. Fortunately, the old copy of The Golden Age was still there, graying with age. The symbol in the front of the book seemed to glow with a blue color, but I ignored it. Opening it, the pages were yellowing and rough. A small bit of smoky dust flew from the pages, but I brushed it off and waved Nikki over.

Nikki raised an eyebrow, scanning the Table of Contents. “How exactly did you forget such an important piece of our quest..?

“I don’t know, but it’s just another reason I’m not like the Angel I am.” I grumbled. Nikki looked at me quizzically. “You know, the wisdom Angel?”

Before Nikki could say anything, she glanced down and gasped. “Mary, look.” She pointed a fine-manicured finger at a certain chapter. “The chapter’s name is called “Malistaire’s Quest.”

“It would be better if the chapter wasn’t written seventeen or eighteen years ago.” I sighed, flipping the pages. Reaching the right area, I let Nikki read the chapter.

While she was reading, I scanned my room boringly. Outside, a cloud shifted away from the sun, and a gleaming beam of light entered the room. In the corner of my eye, I saw something glitter a dark color.

Standing up, I walked over, realizing there was a parcel on the floor. I recognized that I probably had knocked it over retrieving the book of Adam Deathbringer. The parcel was covered in a velvety wrap, like silk.

Opening it, a large amount of sparkling silk poured out of the package. Gleaming in the light, Nikki looked up, and I thought I saw a glimpse of misery in her eyes before she took a look at the magnificent gift.

“There was nothing in the book… Well, all Adam talked about was how Malistaire wanted to bring Sylvia back from the dead… Of course, that’s not possible, since he made such an effort to kill her.” Nikki spoke, still eyeing the gift. “Mary, what in the world did you open? It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s a…” A cocked my head to the side, and raised my eyebrows. “Its something I’d never wear.”

“Are you kidding me?” Nikki asked, walking over and running her hand over the soft silk. She picked up a white card attached to the opened parcel. I saw a smile grow on her face. “It’s from the Queen, and apparently I got one too!”

Running out of my room, I heard her unlock the door to her bedroom, and I heard her squeal in excitement. I wondered what dress she had been given.

Given the time to study the dress, I lifted it onto my bed, and laid it out. It was gorgeous; I knew. But would it be so beautiful on me?

The gown was long, black, and strapless. The bottom of it swayed, and it seemed to glitter, even though it was just plain silk.

Five minutes later, Nikki walked into the room gracefully. She wore a dress that went to the middle of her calves; it was pure white, making her eyes and hair stand out. She blushed as she twirled, making her dress sway like a ballerina. The sun was once again covered by the clouds, but I could see the shimmering glow of her dress without the light. When she noticed me, she frowned. “Why don’t you try on your dress?”

I chuckled without humor. “I’m not going to wear that.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just…” I sighed, staring at the gown longingly. “I’ve never worn anything so glamorous…”

“Oh, please.” Nikki laughed. “We’ve got two hours to pretty ourselves up; it’s plenty of time to make you look gorgeous.”

“It’s not the beauty I’m worried about- It’s the attention.”

Nikki smiled sweetly. “Honey, tonight you’re going to want all the attention, because this is the night that nobody is going to be thinking about your past… Only you and you only.”

I smiled back at her. “Thanks, Nikki, you’re so sweet.” I hugged her tightly.

“That’s what sisters are for.” She answered, now opening drawers. She took out brushes, makeup, jewelry, tights, shoes, barrettes, and by the Fates, even more.

“I’ll go put the gown on,” I decided, as she began to brush her hair. She smiled at me encouragingly, and I left to dress in the powder room.

The cold flooring chilled my feet as I stepped into the silk gown. Pulling the gown up to fit my posture, the silk seemed to adjust to my body heat, but I still felt chills.

I’ve never worn a dress like this before, I thought. It was so slim at the waist, and I wasn’t used to showing off my curves. Walking out of the bathroom, I felt my face redden as Nikki clapped in encouragement.

Nikki did her makeup as I weaved the braid for her that my mother used to do for me. After I was done, Nikki was awed in amazement. “I don’t know how you do it, Mary, but the ways you make braids are beautiful.”

“Thanks, but it’s not me to blame.” I replied stubbornly.

In the next half hour, I finally looked into the mirror. I blinked, trying to think if this was actually me: The paleness of my skin glowed healthily, my colorful eyes stood out as much as my hair did- which I’ve never seen so golden. The black dress fit around my waist like a corset, and made my every step look graceful.

Nikki looked just as beautiful, with her hair in a braid and her gown gleaming in nimble grace.

By now, I wasn’t sure if it was our skills or the Angel blood inside us that made us look beautiful. However, I didn’t care.

We jumped when we heard a knock on the door. Opening it, Sierra stood there with a strange look on her face. I felt my face pale when I saw what she was holding.

The tracking potion.