Underworld Bride Trials 1 Playboy King - Meg Xuemei X. Page 0,38
too far from them.
“Should we chase after her?” another asked.
“Her scent is gone.”
“Let’s find out what this dinner party is about before we bring the matter to the Alpha’s attention,” they concluded.
No one had heard of this midnight dinner.
The Demon King had singled me out once again, not caring that more contestants would come for my blood if they knew the king was paying attention to me. But I had my own methods to counter his selfish and careless games. I wouldn’t let him paint a target on me again.
After I informed at least five more groups and two dozen individuals, I retired from my task. They’d all arrive at the Morningstar Palace earlier than the appointed time, so I could watch the process and confirm my suspicions. When it was time for me to show, I’d find a way into the palace hall through an unguarded side window. I’d fulfill the dinner obligation yet remain unseen by my violent fellow contestants.
Tucking in my dress under a long spring coat, I arrived on the scene but lurked in the shadows. Thanks to my Titan and Fae hearing and sight, I didn’t need to stay close to the palace and thus reduced my chances of being discovered.
The grand palace rose ahead, imposing against the red sky. The engraved words “Morningstar Palace” glittered on the façade of the black stone front wall. A vast sculpture of a winged archangel perched atop the roof, staring down with cold fire in its eyes. It was Lucifer’s statue, and his son hadn’t destroyed it.
When I met the fallen angel, he hadn’t been in the best shape. He’d been deprived of his wings. He informed me that he couldn’t transform to his other form until he returned to Earth.
My gaze traced a line of contestants of different species padding along the red granite path and advancing toward the entrance. Some of them had reached the destination and were arguing with the guards at being denied entry.
“Your messenger told us to come!” a demoness shouted.
“What messenger? We never dispatched any fucking messenger!” a stocky demon guard snarled. “No excuse will be accepted!”
“Where’s your invitation then?” a horned half-demon guard also sneered. “This event is by invitation only. His Majesty and his esteemed guests, including Princess Celeste, don’t just sit with any riffraff!”
“This is outrageous,” a witch said in a shriek. “We’ll bring this complaint to the king. He invited us. Your messenger told us so!”
A giant archdemon stalked out of the palace, power rippling around him. I squinted and recognized him as the Duke of Envy.
“King Loki didn’t send any messenger,” said the duke. “Either you are lying or you’re being played. The invitation found only the intended guests by magical signature. Only one candidate from every species was invited. Now fuck off or die.”
On cue, the demon guards at the door thrust their spears forward, ready to impale anyone who came forward without an invitation.
The mob staggered back, cursing the guards and the messenger who had sent them on a wild goose chase. Before they scattered, Veronica arrived, escorted by a dozen vampires. The crowd peeled apart for her as if she was already the Queen of the Underworld. I hated to admit it, since I didn’t like her, but she looked like royalty in a strapless red ballgown and a million-dollar diamond necklace. All she lacked was an actual crown.
She glided through the parting crowd, her chin held high, not bothered by anyone seeing her at all. I couldn’t afford that kind of attitude, as I had no one watching my back, but she had an army of vampires guarding her.
Her vampire entourage spread out, watching for threats and ready to neutralize them as their princess proceeded to the door and handed a demon guard her invitation. The guards by the door bowed at her, but the duke ignored the vampire princess even though she flashed him a syrupy, flirtatious smile. The duke waved a hand with a bored expression, and a guard politely led Veronica into the palace.
Within two minutes, eight candidates, all of whom had an invitation, arrived and entered the palace. Just as the duke had declared, all of them were of a different species. I let out a breath of relief while feeling a bit let down. I wasn’t as special to the king as I’d thought. I wasn’t the only one to be invited. But then, it broadened the target.
The duke scanned the area and looked into the distance, as