“I’m pretty sure we just go in,” Lexi said, nodding. “It’s a public ball, after all—so anybody can attend.”
It was the main reason she’d been planning to go to this particular ball. Up until now, she hadn’t gotten a single invitation from any of the Yonnite Mistresses, despite the fact that they threw numerous balls and parties and Lexi was now one of the richest women in town. Lexi had her suspicions that either the Estate Agent, or more probably Mistress Crueltongue, had spread the word that she wasn’t a proper Mistress, which meant that almost every door into the Yonnite social scene had been closed to her.
Not anymore, Lexi thought triumphantly. Now that I’m dressed like them and I have not one but two huge bodyslaves at my beck and call, every door on this planet is going to be wide open to me!
With that thought in mind, she strutted confidently down the indigo carpet, (she was getting used to the feathered silver heels,) and directly into the cave mouth entrance with Gaze and Bound right behind her.
The inside of the “cave” was luxurious. The indigo carpet covered the entire floor and the ceiling sparkled with the fake gems and deposits of other precious metals streaked the walls. Golden spheres of light floated here and there, spilling pools of luminescence on the ground and there was an odd, spicy scent in the air that was very strange. It was strong—on the edge of being too strong, actually, Lexi thought—and yet she wanted to smell more of it. What could it be?
At the far end of the “cave” was a set of shiny gold doors that seemed to lead into the next area. Lexi walked confidently towards them—only to be stopped when a strange woman with a towering headdress of looping green curls appeared from nowhere and stepped right in front of her.
“Excuse me!” the woman, who was tall and thin and had a hooked nose like a beak, bugled in Lexi’s face. “But where exactly do you think you’re going?”
Lexi stared at her in shock for a moment. Before she could find her voice,
Bound stepped out in front of her.
“This is Mistress Alexa of Trindall Tower in the center of Opulex,” he growled, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“She is one of the wealthiest women on all of Yonnie Six and she’s here to attend the party,” Gaze added, stepped up beside his brother and crossing his arms as well.
“That’s right,” Lexi said, raising her chin and stepping up to stand between the two massive Kindred. “It’s a public party and I thought it might be fun to attend with my two new bodyslaves.” She nodded at Bound and Gaze. All in all, she thought the three of them put on a most impressive display.
However, the woman with the loopy green hair did not appear impressed. She looked down her hooked nose at Lexi and cocked one green, skinny eyebrow that matched her hair.
“A public party it may be, dearie,” she sniffed. “But you cannot attend until you and your bodyslaves are decently attired!”
“What…what do you mean?” Lexi faltered, losing a bit of her confidence. She had been so certain that the three of them were dressed appropriately! But maybe she was wrong—maybe her outfit was too outlandish, to revealing…
“I mean that the three of you are not fit to be seen at the party—not like that.” The woman gestured with one hand, indicating all three of them, and sniffed scornfully.
“Why? What’s wrong with our outfits?” Lexi demanded. “And who are you to criticize what we’re wearing in the first place?” she added.
“Why, I’m the Fashionista Gatekeeper of course, dearie,” the woman declared, her eyes going wide as though she couldn’t believe Lexi didn’t know her. “It’s my job to be sure that everyone who goes down the golden lift and enters the party is fit to be seen. And right at this moment, I’m afraid you are not.”
“What would you have us change?” Gaze asked, frowning. “My Mistress spent a great deal of time preparing for this party.”
“I’m sure she did and her feather suit is very nice—even if it is last season,” the Gatekeeper sniffed. “But there are a few changes that must be made—to her outfit and yours as well—before you can be allowed at the party. Come right this way.”
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away from the shiny golden doors and down a narrow passageway to the right of the entrance.
Lexi exchanged glances with Gaze and Bound.
“Do we have to follow her?” Bound rumbled, his face like a thundercloud.
“I think we do.” Gaze looked thoughtful. “If she’s been put here by whoever is hosting the party, she’ll surely have a way to alert them if people she doesn’t approve of go in without her permission.”