Chapter 1 - Yulian
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
That quote by Sun Tzu flickers through my mind as I walk into the crowded event.
I don’t imagine he was encouraging me to sneak into my enemy’s masquerade ball with my identity hidden behind this black satin mask, but hey, whatever it takes to keep my enemies closer. I can’t shake the suspicion that they’re planning an attack against my family, and I refuse to sit back and wait like my brothers. Patience is lacking in me.
I’d rather be prepared.
I weave my way past other guests walking up the marble steps. The people around me areinvitedguests, wearing beautiful gowns and slick suits, all of their faces kept secret behind lace and satin and a wild array of unique masks. My name isn’t on the list at the door, but I’ve scouted a way in around the side. So once I get up the stairs, I dart left towards the staff elevator being used by the catering company this evening. It carries me up onto the same floor as the party.Eighteen, the light above the doors flashes before they slide open into a kitchen.
“Tony, where are those appetizers?” I shout as I walk in. Several tuxedoed men turn towards me, looking worried.
“Sir, the appetizers are already heading out to the party. Was there a specific one you wanted? We’ve followed the schedule to the minute.”
“No, no, that’s good. Did Madison tell you the guests wanted more champagne?”
“We’ll have a few more bottles opened and circulated, sir,” he says professionally. I had an inside guy give me the names of the event organizers. Had to at least sound like I belonged around here when I took a chance getting in this way.
“Good, good, thank you,” I murmur.
I brush the caterer away and head deeper into the kitchen, pretending to inspect trays of food. “This looks great. Keep it up,” I declare, then walk past the waiters and into the venue through a side door.
My mask conceals the top half of my face, leaving only my mouth and jaw uncovered. Walking into the party, I’m immediately struck by the intimate nature of the lighting and decor.
The venue is over-the-top extravagant. The Kroliks sure as hell know how to throw a party. A live band plays on a stage at the far end of the room.
There are red crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, white sheer drapes with red fairy lights twinkling behind them flow from the ceiling to the floor, and candles flicker in every corner. It’s dim, romantic, and secretive, something I’d expect to find in a modern gothic castle. Every woman in here tonight must feel like a princess.
And every man, like Dracula himself.
I chuckle to myself. I shouldn’t be here. I am a sworn enemy of the Krolik family. But behind this mask, no one will question who I am or what I’m doing.
My brother, Arkady, and his lovely wife, Tania, are hell-bent on keeping a distance from the new Krolik leader, Tania’s cousin, who took over from Boris Krolik after his death. But I’m not comfortable staying back and justwaitingfor something tohappen. If Artur Krolik is planning a move against my family, I want to know. I’m here for information. Intel. If there is no plan against us, then fine, I’ll step back and wait, too.
My other brothers agree with Arkady. Keep a watchful eye from a distance.
Sure, our family’s style is to stay out of this Bratva business as much as we can, but Boris was a dangerous man, and I don’t want to take any chances with Artur. I know Boris was already feeding him bad information about us Andreevs. He already hates us.
He might make a stand by attacking us as a show of force. I can’t just sit and do nothing until he makes the first move.
“Champagne?” The waitress is wearing a simple black dress, holding a tray of glittering champagne glasses, bubbles floating up through the gold liquid.
“Thank you,” I nod, lifting one off the tray. She smiles at me, her glossed lips curling. Behind her mask, her eyes glimmer with mischief.
I’m not here to flirt or admire beautiful women. I’m here on business. Turning my back on her, I scan the room. It’s so hard to tell who’s who. Everyone is someone else tonight. They’re wearing their bolder personalities, laughing louder than usual, perhaps flirting more, too. The seductive atmosphere is going to cause mayhem the more champagne these guys consume.
I assume the whole point of this masquerade ball is for the new Krolik leader to hunt down some new alliances. He needs to grow his strength in this city, and I’m sure some of Boris’s old allies want nothing to do with him or his family after what Boris did.
Artur Krolik has his work cut out for him. That would explain why he went all out on this party.
I just fucking wish I could work out who is who.
The masks are a bonus for me, to stay hidden, but also an annoyance—everyone else is hidden, too. I only need to work out where the Krolik family is and try to stay close to them for the evening.
A little eavesdropping. A little silent mingling.
Across the room, I hear someone shout a hearty greeting: “Artur, my boy, so good to see you!”
