Lazarus moved out of his parents place the moment he turned sixteen and joined the army as a certified officer. He's been living in a sprawling mansion in the inner sector of the North City, the most upmarket region on the planet. 

I didn't bother with a driver, opting to take my glider there alone instead. 

His door attendant greets me with confusion written all over his face when I walk up the steps to his front door. 

"PG Luna, we were not expecting you today," He murmurs, tugging on the neck of his shirt collar nervously. 

"I know. I was hoping to meet with PG Lazarus. We have something to discuss in private," I say, ignoring the looming Tarantula flowers he'd purposely placed at his front door to scare off unwanted guests. 

The sight of them has never frightened me but the look on his door attendant's face has me a little on edge. 

"Master Lazarus currently has guests over," He stutters when I walk past the threshold into his house foyer. "Please give me a moment to check-->"

"If I'm allowed to enter?" I raise my eyebrows in question and he visibly pales. 

No one has ever denied the Trinity access and I can tell this is putting him in a tight spot. 

He touches the ear piece in his left ear and nods to whoever is on the other side of the line. I tap my boot impatiently, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare at him. Every clack of my boot heel on the cold cement earns a nervous glance from him. 

After a few seconds he bows quickly and gestures for me to follow him. 

"Master Lazarus is currently in the games room." He proceeds to show me the way but I raise my hand to stop him. 

"It's fine. I know the way," I say curtly, more irritated with his master than I am with him. After all he is only the messenger. 

I grit my teeth together as I walk down those familiar corridors that lead to the underground game room in Lazarus's house. Since when did I need clearance to walk these halls?

The attendant still trails by my heels, most likely making sure I don't make any unexpected detours. 

I stare into the small green dot at the edge of the corridor ceiling. You really don't trust me do you, Lazarus?

I can hear the sound of music and laughter from the steps that lead to his underground game room. I push the heavy, velvet laden doors open and walk inside to see it crowded with Plutonians. 

I greet a few of them whom I recognise. There's Yuza, Commander Inspiron's niece and Zami, Commander Bardotta's nephew. The smell of smoke stings my nostrils and I can tell that most of the Plutonians here are high from the famous Cixin nerve agent we use to relax. Most of them are lying on the plush seating, their eyes red and glazed over. 

All of the guests here are young and unimaginably rich, most set to inherit their parents trade businesses or places in the army. I didn't know Lazarus was having a party but then it slowly dawns on me that Lucian and I weren't invited. 

Meaning this gathering was more about politics than it was about enjoyment. 

"Luna. The most beautiful star in the universe." Lazarus drawls from across the room and even through the music and chatter, his voice still manages to singe down past layers of skin and muscle, igniting my nerves with excitement. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I blink a few times, eyes adjusting to the cloudy air that has started to make my throat itch. I walk through the smoke and by pass the rows of chairs, all filled with intoxicated guests. There are televisions plastered over the back wall, where some use consoles to battle it out with each other.

Others crowd over the games table but Lazarus is seated in his chair, the largest one by the back wall. 

I make my way towards him, heart sinking to my stomach when I see two women perched on either side of him. They might as well be wearing nothing and I see them cross their bare legs over his thighs. 

"Lazarus, " I address him and watch him put his arm around the woman on his left. A tall, relatively attractive Plutonian who looks rather familiar. I stare at her hair that has been dyed red and then it clicks that she was that actress who'd just won an award recently. 

He smiles at me, gaze challenging and my eyes narrow. 

He then tugs the women closer and they have started to look nervous with our silent exchange. 

"You are always welcome, Luna. Please make yourself at home." He gestures to the bar that spans the entire wall on our left. 

"Are you sure about that? About me being welcome here?" I ask him and the room is eerily silent, most of the Plutonians here watching our exchange with stony expressions. Only deep electronic music reverberates from the speakers that have been built into the gold accents in the walls. 

"Of course. You more than anyone," Lazarus drawls, his tone teasing. 

"Then would you entertain me with a private conversation?" I lean my weight on one foot and wait for him to answer. 

"Now, now Luna. I am the host. It would be rude of me to leave my guests unattended." He leans in closer to the red head and kisses her cheek, never taking his eyes off me the entire time. 

My jaw clenches but I have too much pride to back down from this obvious power play. Watching him being so tender with another woman makes me want to smash something into the wall. I should be used to it by now, I've seen him with other females for years but my throat is so tight, it feels like I'm choking. 

Talking seems impossible so I nod curtly and make my way to the bar. 

"Give me something strong," I say to the bartender and he quickly fixes me a Deadly Halogen. I gulp it down and order another one, relishing the way the harsh liquid burns my throat. 

"PG Luna. It's been awhile." I grimace when Zami takes a seat across from me. I've tried to block out the memory but I vaguely remember him being the one who stole my first kiss during on sixteenth birthday. 

Every time I see him I feel like cringing into a ball of embarrassment and regret. 

"Pleasant day, Zami," I say, enjoying the way the drink rushes through my veins, making me feel light and airy. If only it could remove the heaviness in my chest. 

I turn slightly, wanting to see the source of my pain only to see him staring at me. The women by his sides are still latched on to him but I notice he's not holding them anymore. He's currently clutching the arm rests of his chair tightly. 

Lazarus smiles at me and I almost want to roll my eyes at how annoying he's being. 

Zami puts his arm out on the table, looking like he wants to reach for mine. I turn my attention to him and subtly move my hand further away. 

"How have you been?" I ask, trying my best not to turn around and look at Lazarus again. 

"Been good. Busy but good. The initiation ceremony for new recruits have started and we have more joining the force soon. That's always exciting." 

I nod absentmindedly. Commander Bardotta overlooks officer trainings, second only to General Mondric. It's a very influential position in the army and I wonder if Zami plans to usurp this post when his uncle retires. He's been very helpful to his uncle but he still has Commander Bardotta's daughter to worry about. 

"PG Luna, do you have plans for your eighteenth birthday?" Vela, a very prominent business man's daughter approaches and puts her arm around my shoulders. 

Vela has always been open about her affections towards me and honestly right now I'd prefer her company much more than Zami's. I've always found him slimy, like a slug who could weasel his way out of every conflict. 

Vela's an exceptional officer and even better in business than her parents. She doubled their profits during her internship and has been a diplomat for Pluto on numerous occasions. 

Honestly, if it weren't for Lazarus and Lucian, I would probably be taken up with her. She's two years older and has always cared for me dearly. 

"Have you received my presents?" She smiles at me, her full lips painted a glossy red and I nod, inhaling that intoxicating scent she always wears. 

"Those sea stones were exquisite," I murmur, my head feeling lighter by the minute. 

More people start to join our conversation, some friends and others who have vested interest. I soon find myself by the games table, hitting the ball before it ricochets off the edge. 

I scream when my opponent misses and high-five my teammates excitedly. The listening devices General Lyra planted in my pockets are now the furthest thing from my mind, along with Lazarus and his two mistresses or whatever they are to him.

We seem to be making the most noise in the entire room and I watch Lazarus make his way towards us. 

His fingers circle my wrist tenderly and he tugs, pulling my attention to him. "Shall we team up or would you prefer me as your opponent?" 

His gaze is testing and through all the intoxicated fogginess in my brain, I wonder if his words have double meaning. 

"You know I love it when we are on the same side," I stare up at him and he tenses, looking like he's trying to control himself. 

"Shall we?" He says after a pause and we start the second round of the game. 

We laugh and shout and I've honestly missed this feeling. Lazarus is as competitive as I am and we beat our opponents easily within minutes. Either that or they purposely lost because we are the Trinity. 

We play a few more rounds together and after awhile we all find ourselves in the centre of the room, dancing to the music from the walls. 

The women who were with Lazarus are still seated and they stare at us with jealousy evident on their faces but Lazarus hasn't left my side since we played that first game together. 

We drink and then dance in tandem to the beat, everyone getting more intoxicated by the minute. 

I feel Lazarus behind me, his lips dangerously close to my ear. "You're always testing my resolve, Luna. How do I keep away when you come here and tempt me like this?" 

"No ones asking you to stay away, Lazarus." I turn around to face him. The lights dim and shadows dance across his beautiful face. "I haven't stopped thinking about our kiss." 

I stare at him boldly and his eyes widen in surprise. His fists clench by his sides and he excuses himself. "I need another drink." 

My chest feels heavy with dread as he leaves me and heads for the bar. Why is he so resistant when he's the one who kissed me first?

Curiosity gnaws at me and I want to go after him and force him to tell me the truth but Zami blocks my path. 

"Luna, I've missed dancing with you." His pale blue eyes devour me from head to toe and he takes a step closer. 

I swallow hard, suddenly overcome with nausea. He's most definitely the last person I want to dance with right now. 

"Umm, Zami I'm not feeling so good." I move around him but he sways his hips, pretending not to hear and blocks my path in the process. 

I glare at him but then he whips around and I see Lazarus's hand on his arm. He pulls Zami towards him and glowers at him. 

"Do you honestly think you have a chance?" He asks Zami, who tries to shake out of his hold. 

"Hey, relax. We were just dancing." Zami says, wiggling under Lazarus's death grip like a worm on a hook. 

"Luna is mine." Lazarus seethes and I don't know why but hearing him say those words cause a fluttery feeling in my stomach. "Did you hear me?" 

Zami remains silent and Lazarus picks up an empty glass, looking like he's about to smash it on Zami's face. He cowers, pleading for Lazarus to stop. 

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please." 

Lazarus releases him and slams the glass on the table, shattering it in the process. People stop dancing and everyone turns to look at him. 

"The party is over. Everyone leave now." Lazarus announces, wiping his bloody hand and everyone gapes in shock when he walks out of the games room.