The Muse Gang

Chapter ten

We teleported to the loo and gawked at what we saw. Kella and Chris didn't seem to need our help.

Harold was on his knees, hid head low in surrender and weariness. Kella and Chris seemed to have done that same thing... Yeah linked energies with Harold. Two of them against him was too much for him. And he couldn't do anything as they controlled his every intention for retaliation.

I squatted and looked at him, "Be a lucky one and tell us where the idol is."

Harold dragged his stare wearily to him and smirked again. His scar seriously almost intimidated me... He made his eyes a shade of yellow and rasped, "Do whatever you want. You can't end me... So there's no way you would make me tell you anything."

Kella frowned and made a fist. I think she did something to our victim because the sensitive muse began to scream.

Fred sighed heavily, "Let him go Kella. We already have a source of information."

Immediately, they obeyed and freed Harold and he immediately vanished.

We looked at each other and felt a wave of satisfaction. At least we had Marshall somewhere. He would surely come back with what we need.

***

My break was over and I returned to class with anticipation. I couldn't actually concentrate in class while I was busy thinking of what Marshall would find out. Somehow, I felt someone walking to my seat. When I looked up, I found her... Liza. She sat on my table and smiled sweetly, "I thought you got wounded. Where is it?"

God knows I did not practise any answer for that if I was asked. As I tried stammering for a lie, she gracefully changed the topic.

"You're kinda cool you know, "I heard her say.

I laughed in surprise, "Wow, thanks."

She narrowed her eyes at me, "That's not the point." Slowly, she came down from the table and moved so close I could feel her, "What do you say we date?"

I looked up at her and realized I was speechless. Liza... was asking me out on a date?

I chose my words carefully, "I'm in some kinda difficult situation right now. Give me some time," I lowered my eyes to swallow what will soon be mine, "I'd give you an answer when I think about it."

She knew what I was doing. To that, she smirked and moved backwards, "No problem. You have all the time in the world."

She then walked back to her seat. I laughed and shook my head. This life was so unpredictable. I faced my front now as the arts teacher came in. At least Liza made me forget about the whole muse thing.

***

Fred had called on all of us to be at the swanky mansion again. This time, we all sat aimlessly, waiting patiently for Marshall's return. He hadn't come back yet from God knows where since his disappearance with his sister. And somehow, I missed him.

After half an hour of goofing around, punching my phone and fantasizing on all I would do to Liza, my muse finally appeared with us. He was panting as though he had been running around all day.

Gently, he took a seat and spoke to us, "Everyone get ready. We're headed for a party tomorrow."

Our confusion made us dumb. How could he return after hours and announce a party?

I began doubting he actually went to stalk the fallen. Maybe he went to see a friend who invited him for a party.

Again, he glared at me,"Seriously?"

I eyed him angrily, "What's that supposed to mean? Where have you been all day? What's this crazy party all about? What did you find?"

He seemed offended by my questions and flattered when he realized they were because I missed him.

He tilted his head and continued, "Well, nothing yet. But I know where we can find something and that's this party. 7pm sharp, formal party.... Like suits and dinner gowns kinda thing. Just get ready. I will do the transportation for everyone since I know the venue. All questions will be answered there."

We stared at him and clearly showed the disagreement in our faces. But we trusted him right?

Our leader sighed, "I'm proud of you Marshall. Good job."

My muse nodded and smiled sweetly. I was prouder than anyone else that he chose me. To that, he returned a grin.

***

I knotted my bow tie the next night. Before a mirror, I admired myself. My suit was flawless, thick, black, ironed and fitted.

Solemnly, I looked down and picked up my hair brush, smoothening my light brown hair and sinking the brush in. I was enjoying this.

While I was admiring my reflection, the biggest maniac of a brother barged into my room without knocking.

He walked to me and touched my suit, "And where do you think you are going to all dressed up like this?"

I sighed and took his hand off my clothing, making sure to dust the spot afterwards. I turned and faced him, "Mom and Dad may have made you in charge of the house, but not my life.... And hey! Ever heard of knocking?"

He looked at me with controlled anger and eyed me up and down, "You've really evolved some nerves lately huh? Why don't I break your bones and ruin your night for you?"

I returned my gaze back to my reflection. It was more pleasant to look at, "You wish. Please leave my room."

He walked to my bed and slumped into it in a manner that showed he was ready for whatever I was going to do, "I am not going anywhere."

"Fine." He heard me say, "Stay. I'll go."

Clearly I did not have time for this. Besides, it was almost 7pm.

Just then, Marshall appeared, looking as dashing as ever in a white tux. He stared hard at my brother, as if inspecting something.

Alfred got up with fear in his eyes and glanced at Marshall's direction as if he could... As if he knew he was there. As if he could see my muse. But how was that possible! I frowned, "You can see him?"

Alfred stammered and managed to look at me, "I was about to ask you the same thing. Do you know the muse?"

This was getting weird. How come my evil brother knew about the muse society?

I answered cautiously, "He's my muse. You?"

Alfred was surprised. He looked at me, figuring why I had begun behaving the way I was towards him, "That explains it. Well I also have a muse."

Marshall and I stared blankly at him, reluctant to believe what was clearly obvious.

I snickered and shook my head, "Wait. You have a muse. For how long now?"

"A month, "he answered.

Marshall narrowed his eyes and looked at my brother suspiciously, "No wonder you reminded me of someone."

I thought of Marshall's words and frowned at Alfred, "Who's your muse?"

Alfred seemed to be thinking if it would be right to tell us. When we urged him with our desperate stares, he answered, "Amaya. The brave one."

Shit! Why did I fear he would say that? I opened my mouth and gawked at Marshall.

He seemed to be trying his best to control his disgust, "How come I have never felt her energy around? Hasn't she been here?"

He shook his head and replied, "No she hasn't. She always talked about fear she might be caught and shit. She helped from afar."

I rubbed my face, pacing up and down the room. Then I stopped and looked at him, "Alfred. You are among the fallen." "Let's go Edward," my muse said before he lost control.

My brother just watched me, "The fallen? What are you talking about?"

I could not answer his question. Marshall already clicked his fingers and we both vanished, leaving Alfred in a state of Oblivion.

We were in a large hotel hall.

Slowly, we emerged from the curtains where we appeared to. I stared at the big hall, filled with men and women, young and old. I wondered what the whole celebration was for. People were dressed so formally and waiters were passing drinks from place to place.

I turned to Marshall, "Where are the others?"

"Follow me," he just said.

We walked through the crowd, with me clearly reminded that I still had a bit of agoraphobia.

A table filled with food caught Marshall's attention. Not because of the food, but because of Jessica.

She was in a long, purple, silk gown, picking chicken thighs into her plate with the tongs. Her hair was curled and tucked up with a comb.

This society really had its benefits. I walked to her side and picked up a cherry fruit into my mouth.

She seemed to notice my presence without turning, "Heard we're here in search of a lady?"

I frowned and turned to my muse, then back to the cherry, "Cheee nope. But sounds good to me. Who's she by the way?"

Edna walked out from nowhere in a white knee-length dress with sparkles. This girl never ceases to amaze me.

She looked at me through her small glasses, "Complicated situation. She has to lead us to someone who will lead us to somewhere that will lead us to the fallen. Marshall thinks he keeps the idol."

I chuckled softly, chewing the fruits that now filled up my mouth, "Lacks climax. What if I added I just found out my evil elder brother is one of them."

Just then, Clinton appeared in a velvet violet coloured tuxedo. He always dressed to steal the show huh, "Alfred is a member of the fallen ?"

Marshall, who had probably been thinking about it, sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets, "Worse... My sister's his muse."

"Well that's some climax," Jessica finally looked up from her food, "Meaning you'll have to fight your brother."

I raised my brows and shrugged, "I'm as confused as you all."

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Turning my back to the table, I leaned on it and crossed a hand over the other, "Where are the rest of us?" Immediately, the five approached us from all directions of the hall, looking as dashing as I was. I loved my life. When we were complete and ready for whatever, David inquired, "What does this lady look like Marshall?"

"Fucked up," he answered. He really was in a bad mood ever since our discovery earlier.

Still, we all seemed to have a connection that helped us understand what he meant. So, we dispersed, in search of a young lady who looked FUCKED UP.

All I knew was... I could only see tons of people talking to one another. And there certainly was no woman in this party who fit my muse's description. They all looked splendid. But somehow, my host instincts still made me watch this particular lady talking suspiciously on the phone.

I said to my muse who could hear me from anywhere, "Marshall! What did you say this lady looked like?"

I looked upstairs and found him leaning against one of the pillars beside the stairs. He looked down at me and sighed, "Blonde. Thin. Tall. I can't remember if she was pretty or not."

It was sweet how we could communicate no matter the distance. Still, I frowned, "I think I'm staring at her now."

She sure did look impatient and ready to leave soon. I said again, "Target escaping."

He sighed and adjusted his suit buttons, "Expected it. There's nothing in this boring party to keep her. Do something would you. Lighten this shit up."

I smirked happily, "Got an idea. But I need your help though."

Marshall grinned and looked up above him, "You've got all the magic in the world.... I can see her too."

I looked at her again and then at my muse. The crowd seemed bored, "For now. I need this Hall's attention."

"Got it,"he replied.

Marshall bowed his head and closed his eyes, making the entire room go on a black out. He then put a spot light on me. Now I was the center of attraction.

I walked deeper to the center of the room and took a stand, "Good evening everyone. Welcome to tonight's occasion..." I raised a finger and stretched my arm towards the stage of the hall. The microphone on the stand was drawn to me... Like I was some kinda magnet. The whole crowd moved away with murmurs. Telekenesis!

I raised the mic to my mouth and smiled, "There. There. No need to be afraid. I'm here for a show. Peter's the name and magic is the game." The aura of the hall was tense and my speech didn't seem to soften it.

However, Marshall had that blue glow in his eyes again. Then suddenly, the lights came back again. Still, the blue eyes remained. There was still more magic on the way. At least I still had my attention, "Very well. I would only start the show when all of you brighten up. Now... Give me a grin."

A few people seemed to nod but the grin was fake. Oh brother, I really scared them huh.

I glanced at our Target lady again. She looked interested in the show. So I nodded, "Is everyone ready?"

More murmur crossed the entire hall... Which I somehow concluded to be a yes.

"Good," I went on, "Now for my first trick, I need a volunteer... Female to be precise."

A crazy old lady raised a hand and jumped out to me before I could say stupid.

Still, I faked a smile, "Thank you so much. Now, would you please cover your face with both your hands."

She looked at me for a while with confusion in her eyes until she obeyed and placed her hands over her face.

I faced the audience and demonstrated, "Now... Somebody should place a bet with me. I can make this mama out here as young as twenty."

Hahhhhh! As you all will have it, they laughed. At least the tension was gone. Somehow, they doubted me. How expected! And I was so going to prove them wrong.

I ignored the jackasses and watched the lady with the covered face. She seemed excited. Here goes nothing.

Raising my hand, I touched her hands and lowered them from her face. And yep. Marshall did it! She was as hot as Amaya now... Cough. Did Marshall hear that? He would certainly end me then. I then gave her a mirror. She, along with the entire hall, awed and looked at me in shock. What trick could be behind that. I smirked and gave the hall a big nod.

I heard a man shout from the audience, "Bring my wife back you creep."

I laughed and raised her hands to her face again. When she lowered them after a moment, she became her old self again.

The entire room clapped in excitement and my volunteer left the stage. As normal as they were, they assumed I used some mirror effect, lighting, electrons... Shit!

It... Was.... Magic.

"Do you need another, "I rasped and raised a brow.

They cheered a yes and I nodded to that, "I'm always at your service. But first of all," I grabbed a glass of orange juice from a passing waiter, "I'm thirsty."

Ignoring their glares of impatience, I gulped down the entire cup and sighed satisfactorily, "Woah! That was refreshing. I know you all are anxious, but I swear I need to have more of that juice." Another waiter came by with a second glass. However, that was not my point.

Solemnly, I touched the base of my empty glass with a finger and rose it gently to the brim.

As my finger ascended the glass cup, orange juice flowed up along with it, filling the glass from God knows where.

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Intentionally, I looked up at my audience, watching them gawk at the glass and shake their heads. From their faces, I could guess their thoughts... He came so soon! Oh fuck it, I wasn't Jesus, "Isn't that a glass of juice saved?"

A grin appeared on their faces at my words. And at that, I wanted to give them more.

I moved closer to the people and waved the cup of juice in their faces, "Yeah yeah. I know. But drinking two cups of orange juice is kinda boring. We'll have to agree on that."

The blonde lady watched me closely, suspiciously. She didn't seem to be going anywhere now. I couldn't hold on to this show forever. I just hoped the clan found a way to get her soon. Returning my attention to my people, "We should certainly try a different flavour... Say apple?"

Hahhhhh! Their eyes narrowed and fixed on me this time. If there was to be a trick behind all these shenanigans, they would surely find out now.

I just snickered and rotated the glass of orange juice gently.

And gradually, before their very eyes, it lightened to the golden shade of apple juice. I watched the crowd again. Darn it, they loved me. They were pleased, amazed, perplexed.

The juice found itself running down my throat and satisfying my great excitement. I returned the glass to a waitress and she stalked away with her eyes on me.

What would you expect.... I just winked.

"Oh please," I began, "I know this is kinda fun but I'm running out of time.... So I have one last trick."

I could hear the disappointment from the guests. However, their gazes urged me to go on with the last one.

Just then, Marshall appeared at my back and whispered, "We've been caught Edward. Those guys over there are coming for you."

I looked ahead and watched the blonde lady point towards me, talking to two men in suits. Immediately, they squeezed through the guests and approached me, "How did this happen?"

Marshall rushed his words and tugged at my arm, "Anthony intended to kidnap the bitch as everyone was distracted by your show. Now she has body guards presently after our boys. Now, these pussies are after you because you are clearly suspected for distraction."

Oh God. Anthony and his foolishness again, "But I promised the guests one last trick."

"That's impossible, "he snarled, "you'd be caught before you are done. Let's leave. These fools are getting closer."

I looked and noticed them struggling through the guests, paving their way to me. That was creepy but I could not just leave the show.

I.... had a plan.

"And now people. For my last trick," I seized an empty dish and smashed it on the ground. As expected, everybody looked down at the broken dish in surprise, expecting some kind of magic to escape from it. Even the blonde's bodyguards stopped for a while because of the loud crash.

When nothing happened afterwards, all the eyes fell back on me.... Me?

But I wasn't there, I was gone... Vanished. A way of escaping from the men and performing my last trick at the same time. Wit!

I appeared with Marshall at the building top. Apparently, it seemed the men after our boys had chased them to the exact same spot.

Now, Anthony and David were at a dead end... having nowhere else before them to run to except off the building.

The only way to escape the men behind them was to jump off the 30 floored building... Outrage!

They both turned around and gasped at the three men stalking towards them in fear. Then somehow, Anthony... remembered they had muses.

He screamed, "Kella! Chris!"

Immediately, the smart one alongside the evil one, teleported to the roof top.

"It's about time!" David sighed, "Little help here?"

Chris cracked his knuckles, as evil as he was, and rasped, "I thought you'd never ask."

The men wondered who David was speaking with as all muses were invisible. Well, they saw me.. and just me, standing there, posing no obvious threats. Angrily, they ignored me and faced their attention to their targets again.

I then glanced at the three ghosts by my side, "Are you guys just gonna stand here?"

Kella smirked and winked at Marshall, "Let's scare them with death."

The male muses seemed to connect and understand her immediately. As much as the men were three, so were the muses. So each muse picked a man and gave him a smackdown, possessing their victim with utmost pleasure. I studied the men. There was no blue glow in their eyes due to the possession. Meaning that only happened when a muse possessed his own host. Anthony and David joined me where I stood and we watched the show together.

Now, the muses in these men made them run and jump off... The building! Oh My God! This was thirty floors we were talking about.

That was death. But I knew my crew well enough to know that their intentions were not to kill the men. Immediately the three bodyguards began falling down to death, the ghosts left their bodies and joined us. Now we six were the ones watching the show tagged; Watch them fly.

I pitied the devils. Know why? It was because they were totally confused about how they even started falling down. I just laughed at them, watching them fall and scream in fear and Oblivion.

When the three cleared the first ten floors down, the muses lightened their eyes to the awesome glow of blue it always had when they showed magic.

And suddenly, the show was over and the falling men paused and remained in air, happy and confused at the same time. Like twenty floors were left before they met Jesus.... Or Satan.

But somehow, I didn't want it to end so easily. I still needed some fun. And for that, the men had to keep on falling. I looked straight ahead and found another hotel building. One of the rooms had a woman who was getting ready for a shower, aka, she was stripping. At that, the craziest idea popped into my head and I smiled.