People chatted around the well-lit room. The sparkly chandelier from the ceiling dazzled. Glasses clinked, the band played slow music, and soft laughs were heard. Everything screamed wealth and status. Snacks and food items were placed on display on a large table upon a black velvet tablecloth. A carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the mansion and a young woman stepped out. The mask she for concealed her upper face, only revealing her deep red lips which complemented her dark skin perfectly. Her kinky hair was braided in two elegant rows which bounced as she adjusted her midnight black dress.

"Shall we?" Her partner said beside her, he had a matching mask and outfit. He held out his hand and she smiled. "Of course."

Everything screamed wealth, the perfect breeding ground for thieves. They walked in on the red carpet and the guard stopped them. "Invitation please." Her partner pulled out a white card embroidered with gold and turned it towards the guard. The guard inspected it with his head cocked to the side before holding it out to the man. "Welcome, Duke and Mrs. Lionash. I hope you enjoy your stay." 

She beamed at the guard, "Thank you. I am sure we would." The man rolled his eyes and they walked into the room. "Woah..." She gasped as they entered the main hall.

"Remain focused, Henrietta." The man said quietly and Henrietta gave him a side-eye. "I can't enjoy the scenery in peace again? Duke Lionash." She said with an eyebrow raised. The duke shook his head and turned to her. "Alright, take in the sweet scenery then. Do you remember what we are here for?" He said as he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Henrietta nodded her head and scanned the room. From the side of her eye, she noticed movement. She turned and saw some women whispering among themselves. Even with their masks, she could tell they were looking at him. 

"My goodness, not even a minute and you are already turning heads. Teach me your ways, Damien." Henrietta teased and he scoffed. One of the women broke free from the group and walked towards them. "Incoming," Henrietta said and Damien turned towards the woman. 

Her light green dress hugged her body tightly, accentuating her curves with each delicate step. Her fingers wrapped around her clutch and Henrietta was hit with the whiff of her powerful perfume. "You must be Duke Lionash, it is an honour meeting you." She said, and Damien took her expecting hands and bowed as he placed a kiss on her gloved hands. "And to whom may I owe this honour." He asked and the woman let out a light laugh. "I am Miss Aurora, chief head of the Ironfist research unit."  She said as she turned to Henrietta, "And this must be your wife." Damien circled his hands around Henrietta's waist and nodded. "This is Vivian, my beloved." 

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Henrietta gagged inwardly at how blatantly he was lying. The two ladies pecked each other cheeks. "You are more beautiful in person." Miss Aubree said and Henrietta brought her hands to her chest. "You are too kind."

"If you two don't mind, I have someone who would want to meet you two. Would you follow me?' She said and Damien said, "Of course. Lead the way." Aurora's lips curled to a smile and she walked forward. Henrietta tugged Damien's sleeve and glared at him. "Vivien?? Of all names."

"That's what is on the invitation. Better get used to it, Vivien." Damien said and Henrietta huffed. They weaved through the crowd and they got to a door. Aurora paused there and turned to them. "Please stay here as I call him out." She knocked on the door. It opened but an inner curtain covered the entrance. As the fabric rustled, she could see the silhouette of a man with a cane. 

"I wonder who this man is. Maybe he is one of those posh idiots from another..."

"Henrietta," Henrietta looked up to Damien's face at the sound of his tense voice. His hazelnut eyes stared across the ballroom and his eyes snapped to a person. They were clad in brown fabric and limped as they walked. "Poor guy must have hurt his leg," Henrietta said. Damien walked towards the person, leaving an astonished Henrietta.

"Damien, don't leave me here." She whispered but a muffled noise came from behind the door. "Miss Aurora?" Henrietta placed her ear on the door. Click! Her eyes widened as she went on the ground. Above her, a loud boom was sounded and the wood splintered everywhere. Gasps and shocked cries soon rippled across the room as an undead figure jumped out of the broken door. 

Muttering under her breath, Henrietta stood upright and ran into the room. "Miss Aurora!" A woman lay on the floor, her clothes almost shredded around her side. "Oh no, are you alright?" She grabbed the tablecloth and wrapped it around the woman. Her eyes were wide and tear-filled. Sobs tumbled down her throat as Henrietta looked out of the room with rage-filled eyes. The monster growled and caused chaos in the hall. Henrietta grabbed the green pendant from her neck and wrenched it off. She turned to the crying woman and handed it over to her. "Take this. It should protect you from those monsters." 

Still no sign of Miss Aurora and the strange man. Henrietta ran out of the room as she cast a spell.

Yes, there are different types of thieves. Those who steal materialistic things. 

Her clothes swirled around her as it changed shape and form. A staff materialized in her open hand and her mask fell off. A scar ran along her left eye towards her left ear and her eyes glowed with the usage of magic.

Thieves who steal your hearts. 

The monster turned its attention to Henrietta and roared at her. She smiled and the monster pounced. She slammed her staff on the ground and magical energy burst out from it, causing the monster to stumble. With one large swoop, her staff hit the monster on the head. The sickening crunching of bones was heard as the monster slumped. 

A piercing scream stood out in the chaos of the hall and Henrietta pointed the staff at the monster which had tackled a young girl. A green energy ball shot out and hit the monster. The wind caused her clothes to reveal a sigil on her arm. 

And there are thieves who steal your souls. It is our job to make sure that doesn't happen.