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The drive through New Vale’s glittering evening streets gave me too much time to think. Two weeks ago, Archer had been so excited about this event, promising to make it “epic.” He’d even left one of his silly Post-it notes under my door with sketched chibi versions of us all dressed up.

Well, if they wanted to avoid me, fine. I’d spent the last two weeks proving I could handle myself just fine without them, thank you very much.

“Oh my God, look!” Sylvie’s squeal yanked me from my thoughts. “The fans are already lined up!”

She wasn’t kidding. The Grand Crystal Hotel blazed like a beacon ahead of us, its famous crystal spires catching the sunset in breathtaking patterns.

But more impressive was the crowd—hundreds, maybe thousands lined the security barriers, many holding signs with ECLIPSE members’ names in glowing letters.

Some even floated in midair, their supernatural powers on full display as they tried to get a better view.

“The Park Clan certainly knows how to throw a party,” Aunt Senna remarked as our convoy joined the line of luxury vehicles approaching the hotel’s private entrance.

Through the tinted windows, I could see camera flashes going off like stars, paparazzi using enhanced lenses to try to catch glimpses of arriving guests.

My stomach did a nervous flip. “Are there… photographers?”

“Don’t worry, dear.” Aunt Senna patted my hand. “The security barrier is enchanted. They can’t get clear shots of protected clan members.”

The limousine glided to a stop under the hotel’s crystal-domed portico.

Through the windows, I saw a parade of society’s finest ascending the grand staircase.

Vampires in silk that seemed to absorb shadows, wolf shifters wearing pelts that shimmered like moonlight, fox shifters in traditional hanbok that defied gravity.

Their jewelry didn’t just catch the light—it created its own, marking them as elite members of New Vale’s ruling clans.

Thomas opened my door, and the sound hit me like a wave—excited fans, camera shutters, the low buzz of elite conversation.

The air itself seemed to sparkle with energy, and somewhere in that gorgeous chaos, three very distinct scents teased at the edge of my awareness.

Midnight and starlight. Lightning and winter storms. Citrus and sunshine.

“Ready?” Sylvie squeezed my hand, her eyes bright with excitement.

I straightened my shoulders, channeling every ounce of vampire prince grace I could muster. They might be avoiding me, but I refused to let that ruin tonight.

Our security detail moved smoothly into position as we ascended the grand staircase.

The crystal steps themselves were a work of art, each one containing what looked like living starlight.

Above us, the hotel’s famous dome stretched toward the evening sky, its enchanted crystals creating ever-changing patterns of light and shadow.

More than one head turned as we passed. I caught whispered conversations, catching fragments like “Whitlock Clan” and “vampire prince.” A group of young vampires from the Blackthorn Clan openly stared, their gothic elegance a stark contrast to my royal purple and black aesthetic.

The Grand Crystal’s main foyer took my breath away.

Floating chandeliers cast rainbow light across marble floors so pristine they mirrored like still water.

Living ice sculptures lined the walls, slowly morphing from one shape to another.

Waitstaff glided between guests carrying trays of blood champagne and delicacies that literally glowed.

“The ballroom is this way.” Aunt Senna guided us through the crowd. “Remember, children?—”

“Stay with security,” Sylvie and I finished together, sharing a small smile.

The double doors leading to the main ballroom were carved from a single piece of crystal, enchanted to show scenes from history. As we approached, they shimmered to display the white tiger emblem of the Park Clan.

A man immediately straightened upon seeing us. “Lady Whitlock.” He bowed deeply. “We’ve been expecting you and your party. The VIP reception for ECLIPSE will begin shortly in the Crystal Garden. Please, allow me to escort you.”

The Crystal Garden was exquisite. True to its name, crystalline flowers bloomed from every surface, their petals catching and refracting light in impossible ways. The ceiling opened to the night sky, though some kind of barrier kept the evening chill at bay while allowing starlight to pour in.

The room was already filled with New Vale’s elite—I recognized the golden leopard emblem of the Bellini Clan on several guests, and the black roses of the Blackthorn Clan seemed to be everywhere.

In one corner, a group from the Sato Clan created floating illusions of cherry blossoms that danced through the air.

“Sylvie!” a musical voice called out. A stunning young woman in a flowing hanbok floated—literally floated—toward us, her traditional dress seeming to defy gravity. “You made it!”

“Jimin!” Sylvie squealed, though she maintained her elegant posture even as she practically vibrated with excitement. “Did you see the stage setup? Those crystal formations are incredible!”

I hung back slightly as Sylvie chatted with her friend, taking in the spectacle around me.

The Park Clan had transformed the space into something between a modern art installation and an ancient palace.

Living crystal sculptures grew from the walls, their patterns shifting subtly to music that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

And then I caught it again—those three distinct scents, stronger now. They were here, somewhere in this crowd. My fangs ached at the mere thought, and I quickly took a sip of the blood champagne a passing server had offered.

A ripple of excited whispers drew my attention to a small gathering near the center of the room. ECLIPSE would be meeting their high-status fans there shortly, according to the schedule Sylvie had memorized.

“Come on!” Sylvie tugged at my hand, practically vibrating with excitement. “The VIP reception is starting!”

As we moved through the crowd, I caught those three distinct scents again, unable to pinpoint where they were coming from. The mixture of so many powerful alphas in one space made it impossible to track any single scent.

I pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the moment. I wouldn’t let their absence—or presence?—ruin this night.

“Luca?” Sylvie’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I squared my shoulders and gave her my best vampire prince smile, my royal purple coat shifting elegantly with the movement. “Of course. Let’s go meet our idols.”

We joined the small gathering of elite in the Crystal Garden, all children from prominent clan families. The Park Clan had arranged this pre-show reception perfectly—intimate enough to feel exclusive, but not overwhelming.

The idol group moved with supernatural grace, all wearing crystal-embellished outfits in pristine white and rose-gold—a stunning combination that honored both the Park Clan’s white tiger heritage and ECLIPSE’s elegant image.

Each outfit was uniquely styled while maintaining their signature luxurious aesthetic.

Jia, their leader, wore a fitted white column dress with a daring side slit, intricate rose-gold tiger-pattern crystals cascading down one shoulder.

Her signature rose-gold hair was styled in an intricate crown braid interwoven with white-gold chains, her eyes lined with shimmering gold dust that matched her stilettos.

Behind her, Aria’s white corseted dress featured geometric rose-gold inlays that made her midnight-blue bob look even more striking, the asymmetrical hemline perfect for their choreography.

Mika’s cropped blazer and high-waisted pants combination included flowing cape-like details edged in rose-gold, her multiple foxtails adorned with crystalline chains that matched her elaborate hair loops.

Lily wore a sophisticated white jumpsuit with rose-gold panels that shifted like liquid metal, while Nina, their youngest, sported a flirty A-line dress with crystal-dusted fabric that made her constellation-like spots shimmer in complement to the outfit’s modern cut.

Together, they embodied the perfect fusion of Park Clan prestige and contemporary idol glamour, each outfit unique in style but unified in their stunning white and rose-gold palette.

“Prince Valentine,” Aria said, then turned to Sylvie. “And Lady Whitlock. Thank you for supporting ECLIPSE.”

Sylvie managed to maintain her composure, though I could tell she was practically vibrating with joy. As she eagerly discussed their upcoming debut performance with Aria, Jia approached us, foxfire dancing delicately around her fingertips, creating patterns that matched the crystals in her hair.

“We’re honored to have the Whitlock Clan’s support,” Jia said, her voice musical. “Especially since we’ll be incorporating some of your clan’s crystal technology in our stage.”

Nina bounced forward, her constellation spots twinkling with excitement. “Wait until you see the transformation sequence! The crystal formations react to our powers and—” She caught herself, glancing at Jia who gave her an indulgent smile.

“What our maknae means is”—Mika stepped in gracefully, spirit lights dancing around her as she moved—”we’ve prepared something special for tonight’s showcase.”

“Speaking of special,” Lily added, her voice carrying that hypnotic quality that had earned their practice videos warning labels, “we heard the Whitlock Clan is launching something new soon?”

I blinked in surprise. “Oh! Yes, but it’s still in early stages?—”

“Unnie,” Nina stage-whispered to her group leader Jia with the familiar respect of a younger sister, “is it true you’re doing a special stage at the launch party next month?”

Jia shot Nina a fond but warning look. “That’s still under discussion with our management,” she said diplomatically.

I made a mental note to mention ECLIPSE to Archer when I saw him next. Their supernatural elements would be perfect for the Beyond Beauty campaign, but of course, we’d need Zane’s approval first.

The thought of my brothers made me glance around the room again, but there was still no sign of them. Just their lingering presence in the air…

“Prince Luca?” Aria’s gentle voice drew my attention back. “Would you like to join us for some photos? The Park Clan’s crystal formations make the perfect backdrop.”