When hunting prey, one needed to be several steps ahead. To capture the prey, you needed to lower its guard. It was one of the first lessons Amanah had learned from her father. The lesson was learned well. Many of her enemies, including her clueless twin, had fallen over the years. The week leading up to the Winter Ball, she made it a point to leave her sibling alone.
She ordered her followers to do the same, forcibly overruling the complainers. If she wanted to corner Serenah, stealth and planning were needed. Her sister had grown a spine lately, and she needed to break it. Romeo was going to be hers. She wasn't going to let Serenah continue to have him. She was the oldest, he was hers by birthright.
She glared at her reflection in the mirror before swatting away Milenu's hands that were brushing her hair.
"Enough," Amanah growled. "Get out! I can finish the rest by myself."
Milenu bowed and left quietly.
"I need a new attendant. Soon, I will be queen and want only the best as my attendant. I'll make a list after the ball," she reminded herself.
Amanah stood and checked her reflection. She smirked as she smoothed her hands down the soft fabric of her form-fitting dress. She'd chosen to wear a shimmering black, strapless gown with a thigh-high slit up the left side. She slid her feet into the matching stiletto heels. The smoky look applied by Milenu made her appear even more alluring.
Completely satisfied, Amanah went to her car and drove to the venue. She made sure to call Nicholas, who confirmed he was en route with the rest of her followers.
Amanah laughed. "I can't wait to see your expression of despair, my little sister."
Still in high spirits, Amanah made it to the venue in record time. She got out of her car and coolly regarded her minions. Time to get this party started.
~***~
Amanah stood in the corner with Nicholas, glowering at Serenah and Romeo. Jealousy gnawed at her as she watched Romeo smile lovingly at her twin. She wanted to rip off Serenah's face and shred her dress. Though she hated to admit it, the dress her twin wore was stunning. It transformed Serenah into a sultry siren, and even Nicholas's gaze was glued to her twin.
Pissed, she jabbed him hard in the ribs. "Focus!" she hissed.
He had the grace to look embarrassed before standing straight.
"I'm going as planned," he told her. He stalked away from her and toward her unsuspecting twin.
She licked her lip in anticipation. This was going to be amazing.
~***~
Nicholas couldn't believe how beautiful Sera looked. Normally, he couldn't stand her, but tonight it was as if a spell had been cast over him. He was unable to look away until Amy jabbed him in the ribs, reminding him of the purpose of tonight. If he played his cards right, he might be able to snatch Sera away from Romeo. Wouldn't that be an impressive coup?
"May I cut in?" he asked once he was in range of the smitten couple. He ignored Romeo's glare, his attention focused on Sera.
Sera's eyes widened in surprise before she averted her gaze. Nicholas smirked. This was why he wanted to possess her. He liked to toy with shy girls. Watching them break when he rejected them once he slept with them was one of the highlights of his day. Sera was something to be conquered, nothing more. His goals just happened to align with Amy's, which was why he had no problem with helping her out.
"Get lost, Nick," growled Romeo.
"I wasn't talking to you, Romeo. My question was for Sera. So, how about it? One dance?" He gave her his most charismatic smile.
"No."
Nicholas blinked, unsure that he'd heard her right. "What?"
"I said, 'no,'" she repeated firmly, her head coming up so that she looked him in the eye.
Something in her gaze made him step back before he could stop himself. What the hell? For a moment, he was sure her eyes glowed. No, that was a ridiculous thought.
Determined not to give up, he decided cajoling would be better. "C'mon, Sera. You wouldn't leave a guy hanging, would you?"
"She said no, Nick. What part didn't you hear? Besides, she's my girlfriend. Why the hell do you think you can dance with her?"
"You sound like some neanderthal when you talk about her like she's some possession," drawled Nicholas. If he could make Romeo look controlling, he might be able to snag Sera from him.
"Go away, please. I'm happy dancing with Romeo," said Sera, her voice so quiet he almost didn't hear her.
Rage rose at her continued rejection. He was better than Romeo in all areas. How dare this wimpy, pathetic, mouse of a girl tell him no! Nicholas didn't even think, he grabbed Sera's arm and jerked her from Romeo, causing her to stumble and crash into Nicholas's body. He took the opportunity to cop a feel before she shoved him away from her.
"Don't touch me!" she snarled.
He grinned and backed up when Romeo stepped in front of her.
"You shouldn't have done that," Romeo snapped.
Nicholas held up his hands in surrender. "My bad," he replied with fake sincerity.
"Yeah, your bad," Romeo retorted as he escorted Sera back to their table.
Nicholas watched them go. He turned to return to Amy when his world suddenly spun, and he hit the floor with a thud.
~***~
Amanah stood in the corner, nursing her fruit punch while she watched Nicholas accost Romeo and Serenah. She was laughing at first. That quickly changed when her sister stood up for herself, and Romeo backed her up. She clenched her hands so tightly that her nails cut into her palms. She didn't feel her blood flowing as fury filled her.
She started to move but paused when a surge of magic flooded the air and slammed into Nicholas, knocking him unconscious.
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the room. She didn't sense any of her people in the venue, and she didn't sense any from her enemy, the Cornibus. Where the hell had it come from? She shook the thought off as she joined the concerned crowd checking on Nicholas. She would investigate it later. Right now, she had to play the concerned friend.
Don't worry, little sis. I'll make you suffer for tonight. Just you wait, Amanah vowed.