Chapter 6: A Gilded Invitation

The emergency debriefing at VDPD headquarters had lasted until dawn, with Captain Morrison looking like he'd aged a decade in a single night. Between the destruction at the Celestial Library, the diplomatic incident with the Fae Enforcers, and Drew's spectacular revelation of his true nature, there had been enough paperwork to drown a small army.

"So let me get this straight," Morrison had said, rubbing his temples. "My detective is secretly Fae royalty, we've arrested a serial killer who claims reality is falling apart, and the library's insurance is going to blame us for the structural damage?"

"That's... a fair summary," Drew had replied, looking uncharacteristically subdued in his wrinkled suit.

Now, three days later, Jade was beginning to think the paperwork might have been the easy part.

"Absolutely not," she said, staring at the garment bag Drew had just hung in her apartment. "I don't care if it's for the case. I'm not wearing that."

"It's a designer gown," Drew protested. "Cost more than your car."

"My car doesn't try to suffocate me with fabric and social expectations." Jade glared at the bag like it contained a live snake. "Find another way."

They were sitting in her cramped apartment above a 24-hour noodle shop, the persistent smell of garlic and five-spice infiltrating everything. The space was spartan—a fold-out couch, a small table, and shelves lined with carved stone figurines that she'd never admit to making herself. It was worlds away from the high-society event they were supposed to infiltrate.

"There is no other way," Drew said patiently. "The Celestial Society's annual gala is invitation-only, and after Thorne's arrest, they've gone completely underground. This is our only chance to identify other members and figure out if there are more cells operating."

"The Celestial Society?" Jade raised an eyebrow. "You mean the secret organization of alchemists that Thorne mentioned? The one that supposedly seeks immortality through magical means?"

"The very same. And before you ask, yes, I've had dealings with them before. In my... previous life." Drew's expression darkened. "They're not just alchemists, Jade. They're collectors of forbidden knowledge, and they have resources that make the Fae courts look like a college debate society."

Jade studied his face, noting the tension around his eyes. "What kind of dealings?"

"The kind that ended with me leaving the Summer Court and joining the police force." Drew's voice was carefully neutral. "Let's just say I have a history with their current leadership."

"Great. More mysterious past complications." Jade stood and paced to the window, looking out at the busy street below. "So the plan is to walk into a room full of people who might want to kill you, while I'm dressed like a surface-world socialite, and hope we can identify potential murderers through small talk?"

"When you put it like that, it sounds almost reasonable."

Jade turned to give him a withering look. "You have a very flexible definition of reasonable."

"I have connections, Jade. People who owe me favors, who can get us inside." Drew's charm was back, but it felt forced. "The gala is being held at the Meridian Estate—neutral ground, heavily warded, perfect for clandestine meetings. If there are other cells, other researchers working on Thorne's project, they'll be there."

"And if it's a trap?"

"Then we'll deal with it. Together." Drew's smile was more genuine this time. "Come on, partner. When has one of my plans ever gone wrong?"

"Do you want the chronological list or the alphabetical one?"

Despite her protests, Jade found herself in the gown two hours later, standing in front of her bathroom mirror and feeling like she was wearing a costume. The dress was midnight blue silk that somehow made her grey-green skin look almost elegant, and the designer had managed to accommodate her unusual proportions without making her look like a troll in a tent.

"I look ridiculous," she muttered, trying to adjust the neckline.

"You look beautiful," Drew said from the doorway, and for once his voice carried no hint of practiced charm. He was wearing a formal tuxedo that probably cost more than her monthly rent, his hair styled to perfection and a silver cufflink that glinted with subtle magic.

"Don't," Jade warned, but there was less venom in it than usual.

"Don't what?"

"Don't be nice to me when I'm nervous. It's unsettling."

Drew's laugh was warm and genuine. "Fair enough. How about this—you look like you could break someone's spine with your bare hands, and the dress makes it look fashionable."

"Better." Jade turned from the mirror, noting how Drew's eyes followed her movement. "So what's the plan once we're inside?"

"We mingle. You use your enhanced senses to identify anyone carrying magical reagents or unusual substances. I use my knowledge of high society to identify potential Society members." Drew straightened his bow tie. "And we both keep our eyes open for anything that looks like it might be connected to Thorne's research."

"And if we find something?"

"Then we improvise. Carefully."

The Meridian Estate was a sprawling mansion in the hills above Veridia, its grounds protected by wards that made Jade's teeth ache. Ancient oak trees lined the drive, their branches hung with floating lights that pulsed in rhythm with the estate's magical defenses. The building itself was a monument to old money and older magic—Gothic revival architecture with modern security systems and enough protective spells to stop a small army.

"Impressive," Jade said as their hired car pulled up to the entrance.

"Lord Meridian has always believed in making an impression," Drew replied, but his voice was tight. "Just remember—we're here as guests, not cops. Try to blend in."

"Right. Because nothing says 'blending in' like a half-troll in a designer gown."

The entrance hall was a study in understated opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over guests in formal wear, while servers in crisp uniforms moved between them with trays of champagne and canapés. The guest list was a who's who of Veridia's magical elite—Fae nobility, master wizards, successful alchemists, and enough political figures to staff a small government.

"Breathe," Drew murmured as they paused at the top of the stairs. "You're doing fine."

"I haven't done anything yet."

"Exactly. In high society, that's often the safest approach."

They descended into the crowd, Drew's natural charisma allowing him to navigate the social currents with ease. Jade followed, using her enhanced hearing to eavesdrop on conversations while trying to look like she belonged. The scents in the room were a complex mixture—expensive perfumes, magical reagents, and underneath it all, the metallic tang of suppressed power.

"Drew Hemley," a voice called out, and Jade turned to see a distinguished man in his sixties approaching. He had silver hair, kind eyes, and the kind of presence that suggested significant magical ability. "I heard you'd returned to society."

"Lord Meridian," Drew replied with a perfectly calibrated smile. "Thank you for the invitation. May I present my colleague, Detective Jade Hawkins?"

Meridian's eyes widened slightly as he took in Jade's appearance, but his smile remained genuine. "Detective. A pleasure. I trust you're both enjoying the evening?"

"It's quite an event," Jade said diplomatically.

"Indeed. Though I must confess, recent events have cast something of a shadow over our usual revelries." Meridian's expression grew serious. "The business with Professor Thorne has the entire community on edge."

"I can imagine," Drew said carefully. "Such a talented researcher, too. His work on elemental manipulation was groundbreaking."

"Was it?" Meridian's tone was neutral, but Jade caught the slight tightening around his eyes. "I must confess, I wasn't familiar with his recent projects. Academic circles can be so... insular."

Before Drew could respond, a commotion near the ballroom's entrance drew their attention. A group of younger guests had gathered around someone, their voices carrying excitement and something that might have been fear.

"If you'll excuse us," Drew said smoothly, "I believe I see someone I need to speak with."

They moved through the crowd toward the disturbance, Jade's enhanced senses picking up fragments of conversation.

"...found it in his private laboratory..."

"...the formula was almost complete..."

"...three more components and he could have actually done it..."

At the center of the group stood a young woman with platinum hair and eyes like chips of ice. She was holding court, her voice carrying the authority of someone used to being the center of attention.

"Professor Thorne was brilliant," she was saying, "but fundamentally misguided. True immortality doesn't come from preserving consciousness—it comes from transcending it entirely."

"Cassandra Veil," Drew said quietly, and Jade heard something like recognition in his voice. "This just got more complicated."

"Friend of yours?"

"Former colleague. And current head of the Society's research division." Drew's smile was sharp around the edges. "She's also the one who introduced me to Thorne in the first place."

As if sensing their attention, Cassandra looked up, her icy gaze locking onto Drew's. Her smile was predatory.

"Drew Hemley," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the suddenly quiet group. "How delightful. I was wondering when you'd make an appearance."

"Cassandra. Still corrupting young minds with impossible theories, I see."

"Still playing detective instead of pursuing your true calling, I see." Her gaze shifted to Jade, and something flickered in those cold eyes. "And you must be the half-breed everyone's been talking about. How... exotic."

Jade felt her temper spike, but Drew's hand on her arm was a subtle warning. "Detective Hawkins," she said evenly. "And you must be the one who thinks she's smarter than everyone else in the room."

Cassandra's laugh was like breaking glass. "Oh, I don't think I'm smarter. I know I am." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conversational tone. "Tell me, Detective, what do you know about the convergence points that Professor Thorne mentioned? The ones that are supposedly failing?"

The question caught Jade off guard. "What makes you think I know anything about that?"

"Because you were there when he died. You heard his final words." Cassandra's smile widened. "And because the convergence points aren't failing by accident. Someone is destabilizing them deliberately."

"Who?" Drew asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"That, my dear Drew, is the question, isn't it?" Cassandra stepped back, her attention returning to the group around her. "But I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. After all, when reality itself begins to unravel, even the most carefully hidden conspiracies tend to come to light."

She turned away dismissively, but not before Jade caught a glimpse of something in her hand—a small vial filled with liquid that glowed with an inner light. The same kind of liquid they'd found at Thorne's crime scene.

"Drew," she said quietly, "I think we need to—"

The lights went out.

In the sudden darkness, Jade heard the sound of breaking glass, followed by screams. Her enhanced senses picked up the scent of magical reagents mixing, the crackle of building power, and underneath it all, the familiar metallic tang of impending death.

When the emergency lighting flickered on seconds later, Cassandra Veil was on the floor, her body already beginning to dissolve into that familiar amber puddle. The scorched sigil beside her was still smoking, and the vial that had been in her hand was shattered, its contents seeping into the marble floor.

"Well," Drew said quietly, "I guess we found our next lead."

"And our next problem," Jade added, noting how the crowd was beginning to panic. "Because whoever just killed her is still in this room."