“Do you want to make a wish? It’s my birthday!”
Singing and chortling, the Mad Hatter skips around the ballroom, knocking tables over and throwing every champagne flute that crosses his path. His eyes are unnaturally wide from the dose of amphetamine Marlin registered half an hour prior.
The explosions Christopher planted has the ballroom in a state of disarray. Smoke clouds the air as clumps of rubble are kicked around, sharp stilettos and polished dress shoes scrambling to make it to safety.
“Guards! Seize him!”
An order that sends a dozen guards racing towards the old man grinning atop the open bar. Bottles smash and alcoholsplatters along every surface as Maddox Shoreshire kicks and sings, wishing everyone a happy birthday.
“There’s two of them!”
Evie dashes through the room, his lopsided skip near identical to the real one. Dressed in pink from head-to-toe, he chortles and sings along with the madman, confusing the guards long enough for chaos to ensue.
I watch villains and their offspring flail around the ballroom, a panicked-filled dance that sets the stage for our evening activities.
“Calista! Stop him-
Words that get cut off when a swarm of people hustle past the Dragon. I watch her stumble back, the slight flush in her cheeks paling when Evie offers her a bow.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
Another scream has a bottle of champagne shattering against the wall behind her, forcing Maleficent to duck and cover.
Sliding into the closest shadow, I crouch low and wait for the guards to go charging past. One by one, they stomp past me, their Achilles tendons almost as satisfying as their heels.
Shouts ring out as the guards fall beneath the slash of my blade, the sharp twist of my knife ensuring none of my mother’s men make a reappearance tonight.
Glass tumbles from my dress as I stand up and step over the men writhing on the ground. Clucking my tongue in sympathy, I offer the guards a consolidating smile.
“Better luck next time.”
They curse and reach for my legs, a futile attempt that gets knocked aside with the heel of my stiletto.
“Guestsmusthave a cup of tea, I say. They must-
Maddox stutters to a stop before me. His mouth opens and closes, two blunt teeth needling the shrivelled skin of his lip until a drop of blood dribbles down his chin.
A withered hand reaches out and touches my hair. Pulls at a curl and watches it spring up, his eyes widening with every bounce.
“Lost and found. The treasure-
“Come on, darling. We’ve got to go.”
Christopher grabs my arm and forces me forward, his barrelling presence breaking the connection between us.
I stumble forward, hearing my mother’s roar and the mad scramble of her remaining guards. Bullets start to fly as weapons are pulled from their holsters and guests start to scream louder.
“Which one is it?”
Christopher shouts at me from over his shoulder as we go sprinting through Drache Manor, passing corridor after corridor until we reach the access point.
“Next one on the left.”
Rounding the corner, I go crashing into his back as the Brit comes to an unexpected stop.
“That’s not good.”
The trapdoor Vector helped me install hangs awkwardly from the ceiling, it’s wooden frame angled and unable to openall the way. Marlin stands grimly beside it, his suit jacket carefully folded on the floor as he attempts to pry off the hinges.
