The Launch Party ((Radiance))

[Sofia Vasilieva]

Alina Marveet

The party had been going wonderfully until the sudden burst of electricity that fell around them like a meteor shower. In surprise, Alina’s drink slipped from her hand and smashed to the floor. Maksim sheltered her from the worst of it with his own body. “I’m okay,” she assured in the darkness that enveloped afterwards, though it took her a moment to draw breath. Her heart was hammering fiercely, the sudden fear of loss still cold in her veins. Her family had called upon Iáson’s miracle recently, leaving no trace of the previous incident, but the image of Maksim’s injuries would be forever emblazoned on her mind. The burns she could see on him now were minor, but it churned the feeling back up as she gently turned his hands over in distress, and remembered that night in the hospital.

She was about to speak again, to point out his own wounds, when someone else found them, even in the eerie darkness. And this time Alina bore witness to the miracle her brother had paid for.

Her wide eyes met Maksim’s afterwards, equally speechless, as their spectre of salvation hurried on without a word. By the sounds around them, Max had not been the most injured, yet she only felt a swell of gratitude for the care. In the dark how had he known? Her palms brushed over the healed skin after the trail of Maksim's own, imitating the gesture. But this wasn’t something they could discuss here and now.

The guests were funnelled to the elevators for evacuation soon after. Alina didn’t like the idea of separation, though neither did she argue, just kissed him back and watched as the doors closed. Her hand brushed her stomach, as though steeling herself from the shock. And then she reached for her Wallet.

Radiance was supposed to be neutral territory. Perhaps it really had been an accident, but the Vasilievs did not maintain their status as one of the most powerful families in Moscow by brushing away coincidence, and when it came to her family, Alina was relentless. Pasha had promised the whole ordeal at the casino was handled, even after she’d told him what Max had said about the deal at work. She trusted her brother. But if Maksim was ever seriously hurt again, Alina would have blood.

By the time she alighted into the main foyer, her Wallet was replaced in her purse, and her composure was impeccable. Staff already filtered around to placate, reassure and redirect guests as they spilled from the three elevators, and she pulled one aside to speak to while she waited for Max to follow her down. If Adrian Kane wished to maintain the hotel’s prestige, he would be supplying an explanation for his negligence. Not that she phrased it so bluntly of course; rather, she used the weight of her name and connection to make her displeasure known. When the message was conveyed, Mister Kane would understand who he had upset and what it meant. Especially should it transpire he was playing power games that had found an unfortunate crossfire.

The message from Maksim came through then, and she directed for someone to show her up. No one argued. Her eyes cast about the suite as she entered, noting those who had stayed as she joined her husband and his brother. She watched Ezvin with curiosity, not surprised to see him excuse himself so soon from their company, but somewhat surprised that he went in a direction she would not have predicted. “What did you say to him?” she asked quietly to Max, though her expression suggested she could make a fair guess. She wasn’t angry, only teasing. Family was family.