Giuliette

Lexo turned the round handle and the door opened with a gentle screech. Selena was shoved inside, tumbling to her knees on the dark rug. She looked up from the red carpet, gasping in shock as her eyes rose past her uncle’s desk.

Giuliette.

She wore a long-sleeve black dress with a purple robe over it. It had a square neckline, showing off a little of her cleavage. Her feet were up on the desk, crossed over, showing off her shiny legs as usual. Her hair was a shiny black, with a purple bow in one side. Anyone else might be fooled into thinking she was dainty and innocent.

She gave Selena a malicious smile, showing rows of white teeth behind bright red lipstick.

“Ah, Selena,” Giuliette said with fake surprise. “It’s nice to see you again after all this time.”

Lexo stepped into the room, making his presence known. “I have what you wanted.” He placed the tiara down on the desk.

“Good job, Shadow Blade.” Giuliette tossed him a bag of gold. “Now begone. I have business with Selena.”

Lexo nodded. “I was hoping she might be included in my reward.” He turned his head towards Selena, who shuddered at the thought. She was still on her knees, and couldn't muster the courage to rise to her feet.

Giuliette turned her head with a wry smile. “Perhaps I can arrange something in the future, but not right now.”

“Alas.” Lexo bowed theatrically, then left Selena alone with Giuliette.

Selena looked back at the open doorway, wondering whether to make a run for it. Giuliette looked over at it too. Then it slammed shut seemingly of its own accord, and the lock clicked. Selena's heart raced. It was true, she really was a mage.

“Now sit down, Selena. We have some catching up to do.”

It seemed she had ****, Selena rose to her feet and sat on the chair in front of the desk.

“You came with Captain Varga Roche, didn’t you?” Giuliette said with a filthy smirk on her beautiful little face. She looked so innocent with the cute smile and the bow in her hair.

Selena’s mouth opened wide. She covered it with a hand.

“If you want him to stay safe, you’ll do everything I say, understood?”

“Please don’t hurt Varga, please.” How much had she begged and pleaded tonight? Selena felt utterly pathetic.

“As long as you obey my commands, he’ll be safe.”

“What are you going to do with the tiara?”

“You think I’m going to destroy House Reyes, don’t you?” She shook her head. “Now that I have the tiara, the orb and the sceptre, House Reyes can combine power with the mages. Your house will be more powerful than ever, when I am its ruler. All you and your family have to do is bow to me, and we shall rule all of Hellsmere, together. The elves, the dwarves, the orcs; they will serve you, and you will serve me.”

It was too good to be true. The mages never handed over power like that. Selena looked into Giuliette’s eyes, wondering what the catch might be. Her eyes were dark, a sinister glitter in them.

“Tonight, Selena. I need your help.”