THIRTY-FIVE (RUBY POV)

"Dapper..." I whisper watching Iselen who's waiting in the small entrance hall, her shoulder leaned against the wall casually, her ankles crossed and her hands inside the pockets of her pants. Her black suit fits like a glove, the jacket lapel is embellished with gold thread and matches her golden high-heeled shoes. The makeup highlights her dark eyes that are fixed on my face while she smirks mischievously because she's heard me with her vampire powers.

"Let's go, it's getting late," Terra climbs down the stairs slowly, buttoning her double-breasted jacket. She's also wearing a suit but in a navy blue shade that makes her eyes stand out, her hair is slicked back, she wears subtle makeup and swings gracefully on her high heels too. I swallow hard noticing my dry mouth, staring at them in disbelief: they look like two super models, only infinitely more beautiful than any human girl.

"I'm a lucky woman," I whisper out of breath. The werewolf smiles, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles before looking at me from head to toe.

"Believe me, Ruby Rose, we're the blessed ones. This silver sequined dress looks wonderful on you, you were born to wear diamond and sapphire jewels, even if the stones don't shine as bright as your eyes, and... are you wearing flats?" Terra asks confused, looking at the long skirt that hides my feet from view.

"Yes, I'm not as agile as you are and thought that it's better for me to feel comfortable, in case we have to run chasing Eloise." Iselen chuckles and nods, amused.

"Beautiful, smart and decisive... My fiancée is an amazing woman..." The wolf stares at her raising an eyebrow, looking at the vampire with a silent question in her eyes. "My other fiancée is also wonderful... You both are stunning. But we have to go now. Do not leave my side..." I roll my eyes hard looking at Iselen's index that's pointing right at my face before nodding.

"Yes, madam. I won't confront the witch alone, I promised it. How would I do that? I don't have magical powers and I don't want that bitch turning me into a toad. Where's Ru?"

"The members of my clan took her out for a walk, I think they're starting to like having a pet." Iselen shakes her head, chuckling while we leave the house and get into the car that's waiting to take us to the Rijksmuseum.

"Actually, they're scared of you," the wolf closes the door and the driver turns on the engine, driving through Amsterdam like he's in a trance. The vampire is controlling his mind to make sure he forgets that he's seen us tonight, Iselen doesn't want to take risks and looks even more nervous than the day we fought demons. The truth is that she's more protective than ever before since the day they rescued me from hell, she's kept an eye on me since we left the Wind Rose.

I'm not complaining, of course. It feels good to know that two powerful supernatural creatures are taking care of me and it helps me to control my anxiety tonight. I still don't know what I'm going to tell Eloise when I have her in front of me, I want her to apologize for tricking my mum, that's for sure, but I don't know what else I want from her. I should be angry because she sold my soul, ruined my life forcing me to become the Key, demons chased and harassed me and they locked me up in hell despite I shouldn't be there. But, on the other hand, if Eloise hadn't sold my soul, I wouldn't have met my girls. Thanks to her I know what true love means, and respect, devotion, happiness... I can't live without them.

"Sanne is waiting for us by a side door," Terra interrupts my thoughts and the car stops near a massive building made of red bricks. The girl with magenta hair who's wearing a white chef jacket waves her hand to grab our attention behind a big delivery van. The three of us get closer cautiously after the vampire gets rid of the driver and the witch looks at us, surprised.

"You look gorgeous," she whispers admiringly before guiding us to a narrow door. "We have to hurry, journalists are busy taking pics of the queen in the front door, this is the perfect moment for you to sneak inside because no one will notice it. If someone asks, tell them that you're members of a foundation that collaborates with the museum restoring paintings. There're more than 50 of those donating money right now, too many so nobody will waste their time checking it, you should behave with aplomb and confidence..."

"Don't worry, Sanne, my vampire charm can convince them of anything," Iselen smiles while we walk down a corridor dodging some waiters that ignore us because they're too busy working, we don't need magical tricks. "Have you seen Eloise?"

"No, I didn't dare in case the witch gets scared and runs away, but I've seen pics taken when she arrived that paparazzi uploaded to online magazines. She's wearing a dark violet dress, it'll be easy to find her among the guests scattered around several rooms. Good luck and, if you need help, I'll be in the kitchen on the other end of this corridor."

I nod, taking a deep breath and getting ready to walk through the door, I can hear the buzz of conversation on the other side while Terra takes my hand and puts it on her arm. The three of us walk into the atrium at the same time, it's a massive area covered with a glass roof and it's full of guests drinking wine and eating canapes, they all look like big shots judging by the designer dresses and suits and jewels they're wearing. There're not fakers here like it happens in Hollywood sometimes, or new rich businessmen showing off with an arrogant attitude, these guests are cultured people, elegant, and they don't compete to stand out and become the star of the party... I guess this role is reserved for the king and queen.

Terra walks slowly, guiding me through the crowd, while Iselen's eyes scan the corners looking for a trace of magical energy that can help us to find Eloise. Some guests bow their heads to greet us even if we don't know them, they just assume we're equal to them when they notice the clothes of excellent quality we're wearing and the diamonds and sapphires hanging from my ears. The vampire gets some glasses of champagne for us and we stop near the stairs, looking around for a violet dress.

"Ruby Rose? What are you doing in this party? You're far away from Hollywood..." I turn around startled and the journalist raises his camera to take a picture. Fuck, I never thought they'd allow paparazzi inside the museum, I expected to find them all outside waiting in front of the main door.

"Get lost!" Iselen hisses angrily, her eyes shine dangerously, the journalist looks at her baffled for a split second but the vampire charm is impossible to resist and the guy turns around, walking away like a zombie.

"Babe, do you realize that celebrities all over the world would pay millions to learn that skill?" I ask amused and Iselen smiles, opening her mouth to answer but something grabs her attention out of the corner of her eye and she turns around, pointing at a door that leads to a room full of 17th century paintings.

"There goes the violet dress..." we leave the glasses on the railing and rush to follow the witch, smiling at the guests while trying to push them out of our way gently, without looking rude. I don't think it's a good idea to hold a party in a museum, they all look like civilized people, chatting, drinking and eating canapes, but accidents happen and a guest could stumble and spill champagne on a masterpiece of the history of art... that would be a mess.

"I see her," Terra whispers walking across another room while leaning her hand on my lower back to guide me. There're less people here, the golden frames of the paintings stand out against the grayish blue walls, and it's easy to see the violet dress fabric flapping when it vanishes behind another door. "Where is she going? The restroom is not there, I think."

"The bitch is running away," Iselen growls angrily, walking faster down a service corridor, using her vampire charm to dodge the security guard who's watching the door. I'm happy I decided to wear flats, I wouldn't be able to run as elegantly as the vampire wearing those stratospheric stilettos. "She knows we're here, she's seen Ruby and recognized her, most likely. Or maybe se wears a protective charm that warns her when a supernatural creature gets close."

"Where is she?" I ask looking around. We've left the building through a side door and we're standing in the middle of a garden with well-trimmed bushes, surrounded by a short wrought-iron fence, there's a sign telling us the way to reach the museum library but Eloise is nowhere to be seen. Terra raises her head and sniffs the air while the vampire scans the darkness with her sharp eyes.

"That way, she's heading to the canal. It smells of expensive perfume," the werewolf explains when I stare at her baffled.

"You're right, only a guest of this party would wear fancy perfume to walk through the streets of Amsterdam late at night," I hold back a cry, startled, when Iselen takes me in her arms without a previous warning. "Let's go, I want to get this over with as soon as possible."

The three of us run chasing Eloise, or rather, they both run while the vampire carries me in her arms, crossing bridges and zigzagging through narrow streets. Fortunately, we don't run into anyone else or maybe Iselen is using the mental control to keep humans away. Terra is sniffing the air from time to time, following the perfume trace, it's pretty obvious that the witch is trying to run from us. Suddenly, they both stop abruptly and exchange a concerned look while I look around, confused: we're in a dead-end street surrounded by brick houses, with cobblestones and some trees. It looks like other streets in Amsterdam, nothing special at all.

"There..." the wolf points at a building that looks a little older, there're some stairs heading to the basement behind two massive plants in pots that hide a dark wood door. "I can feel magic pulsing inside, I bet this is the witch's den... I don't like this, I don't know what we're going to find inside."

"We must trust the protective charms that Mirabelle gave us," the vampire gets closer cautiously and puts her hand on the knob. "Yes, it's getting hot," she whispers pointing at the pendant on her chest. "This basement is protected by powerful spells. What we should do? We can wait here for her to leave the building or we can get in... Ruby! Wait, do not..."

"Move away, bloodsucker," I growl angrily elbowing her side and opening the door. A powerful force tries to stop me when I take a step into the basement and the charm hanging from my neck gets hotter on my skin, I shake my head stubbornly and walk into the room, fighting with all my strength till Iselen pushes me inside gently and I manage to cross the invisible barrier that protects the witch's den.

"Fuck, it stinks!" Terra whispers and I nod, scrunching my nose: it smells of dry herbs, bitter potions, sulfur, candle wax, stagnant air and cat pee. "It's been centuries since the last time I saw such a seedy den, it looks like something out of a fairy tale; nowadays, modern sorceresses buy furniture at Ikea."

"What the hell do you want from me?" I blink shocked when I see Eloise standing in the middle of the room, I could swear she was not there a second ago. She's a short and curvy woman, with brown hair and a pleasant face, I remember her as a kind lady and a nurse who was loved by her patients. We were all so wrong... the bitch is a good actress.

"You can start apologizing..." I answer sourly, moving a step forward, but Iselen's hand on my arm stops me abruptly before pointing down with her index. Eloise is standing in the middle of a circle drawn with chalk on the floor, surrounded by candles, herbs, bowls full of salt and colorful stones. I don't know what this means but I guess it's a spell that protects her from us and we can't get closer.

"Apologizing? Why should I? I've heard you're going pretty well: you're the lover of two powerful and wealthy women and it's thanks to me."

"Power and money? Is that what you care about?" I ask in disbelief and the witch rolls her eyes because she thinks my question is stupid, obviously.

"Only those who were born in poor families understand how important they are, people who lived an easier life can afford to be idealistic."

"That's bullshit, I grew up having little money but my mum loved me and that's the most valuable thing in the world," I answer shaking my head and looking at the witch sadly, it must be awful to live like that, obsessed with material possessions instead of enjoying other wonderful things like love, friendship, nature... or the loyalty of my pets.

"Would you love them if the did not have a massive house and magical powers?" Eloise asks angrily, pointing at my girls. Iselen shoots an offended look at her and Terra growls quietly, ready to change into her animal form and bite her head off.

"Let me think about it," I answer staring at the ceiling with squinty eyes. "If we take away their powers and the Wind Rose, what would we have left? Two beautiful women, smart, cultured, funny and protective who worship the ground I walk on. Yes, I think I could live like that, in fact, I'd still be the luckiest woman in the entire world."

"Thank you, babe," the vampire kisses my cheek while Terra takes my tattooed hand and entwines her fingers with mines.

"Oh my God, Eloise, do you realize how pathetic you are?" I ask sighing wearily. "You know, I thought I hated you because of what you did to me and believed you deserved a punishment... I thought you were a very clever and powerful witch, I had turned you into the perfect villain of the story in my mind, a dark creature lurking in the shadows, the wicked witch that terrorizes children in fairy tales. If I kicked your ass, I would be able to turn over a new chapter in my life finally, I would be able to go back home and be happy with my fiancées but... You're actually irrelevant, insignificant, weak, superficial... so stupid. Look at you, you live fearing to lose your status in society while practicing magic in a hellhole. On the contrary, other witches I know live happily, they support each other and they're proud of their knowledge... they don't show fear. I don't need you..."

"What do you mean?" the wolf asks confused and I smile, leaning forward to kiss her gently.

"I don't need to do this, babe, she means nothing in my live. Yes, she tricked my mum and sold my soul to the demons but it doesn't matter anymore because I'm Ruby Rose, I survived a traumatic childhood, harassment from homophobes and high school bullies on my own, I fought my way in Hollywood, I faced challenges and overcame hard tests with great effort and I fought demons because I'm strong and brave... And nothing of this has anything to do with her, I'm unique and special because... I am... myself. Her past actions do not affect my future. I don't need to kick her ass to be happy, go back home, get married to you, love you forever... I'm free." Both women look at me confused for a second before shrugging.

"If you're happy, I am happy," Iselen leans forward to kiss my lips while the werewolf nods. "Going back home, marrying us and loving us forever... sounds good to me. I can't wait... Listen, bitch," the vampire turns around and points at the witch threateningly. "You can go on with your pathetic existence but I want you to know that the covens in this city are monitoring your movements closely and so does my vampire clan... If I find out that you're hurting another innocent baby, I'll rip your head off and will kick you inside hell. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

"The bloodsucker is hot when she gets mad," I whisper in Terra's ear and the wolf chuckles when she notices that the vampire's cheeks are flushed.

"Do you mind? I'm trying to look like rough thug, I need this bitch to understand her place in the hierarchy..." Iselen points at Eloise with her thumb, the witch is staring at her in disbelief, shocked, she can't believe that we're making fun of her in her face.

"She knows what her place is, baby, don't you see she lives in a dump?" I wave my hand to point at the dirty walls before shrugging. "I'm done with this bitch, I'm bored and hungry... can we go back home? I want to make sure that Ru is okay."

"What do you want for dinner, love?" Terra asks putting her tattooed arm around my waist while Iselen opens the basement door. "We can go back to the museum and ask Sanne where we can find a good restaurant, I bet she knows where we can eat at this hour..."

"But... what? How dare you...?" Eloise stutters in shock but we ignore her, Iselen takes her jacket off when she notices the cool night breeze and puts it on my shoulders, I smile grateful and take a step to get out of this stinky room but the same force that tried to stop me from getting in earlier is protecting the door again and I can't reach the street.

"What the...?" I turn around bewildered when feeling the heat on my back. The witch is staring at us with rage, her face distorted by a horrible grimace, and magical energy is swirling around her, shaking her violet skirt like a stormy wind, potions start boiling and the bottles explode, slivers of glass fly everywhere and they shine like diamonds under the candlelight scattered all over the floor. The bundles of herbs hanging from the ceiling wither and turn into ashes, the negative energy concentrated in this small space makes the entire building shake and Terra's arm gets tense around my waist, hugging me against her body to protect me from the stuff that's falling from the shelves. Mirabelle's protective charms get hot on my chest till they almost burn my skin.

"I will destroy you, damned bitch. No woman mocks me!"