The one retrieved from The Void

So, where are we going?" Carmilla asked, a mischievous smile on her face, her energy lighting up the atmosphere.

"We're going to one of my aunt's clubs. We have a VIP area reserved," Lily replied, her tone calm and collected as usual.

"What's the name of the club?" Kairo asked, leaning slightly forward.

"Janus," Lily responded casually.

The car went completely silent. Janus was not just any club; it was the top club in the city and ranked as one of the premier nightlife spots in the entire solar system.

"Wait," Zola spoke up, her surprise evident in her voice. "Your aunt is Anya Petrova?!"

"Yes," Lily replied, almost nonchalantly. "My adoptive mother is Madeline Petrova."

Zola's mouth fell open slightly, shock spreading across her face. Even Aleara, Beck, and Victor were visibly taken aback. They had always known Lily came from wealth, and it was no secret that Luther, Celine's boyfriend, had some dealings with Lily's family. But hearing the name Petrova out loud added a whole new level of significance to the situation. The Petrova sisters were a massive deal, even surpassing some of the ancient families in terms of influence and power.

The realization weighed on them all—just how deeply connected Lily was.

The large vehicle pulled up to the entrance of Janus, a club renowned not only for its opulence but also for its exclusive clientele. The building's architecture boasted an elegant style, with columns and arches that echoed grandeur, illuminated by vibrant neon lights that cast a dazzling glow over the facade. The luxury of the club was palpable from the outside, with a line of sleek, expensive cars parked in a perfectly arranged row.

As the group disembarked, the velvet ropes were immediately unhooked for them. The bouncer, an imposing figure with sharp eyes, nodded deeply to the group, but his gaze lingered on Lily with a respectful deference that was impossible to miss.

"Welcome back, Miss Petrova," he said smoothly, his voice tinged with reverence. His eyes then flicked briefly to Vas before dipping his head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment not often given to just anyone.

Vas noticed the subtle shift in the air but said nothing, his face remaining neutral. The staff and even some of the patrons waiting outside moved slightly out of the way, clearing a path for them. There was a quiet murmur of recognition, but it wasn't directed at the whole group—it was clearly meant for Lily. Yet, as Vas moved closer to her side, some of that respect seemed to extend to him as well.

Inside the club, the opulence was even more evident. As they passed through the grand entrance, waitstaff greeted them with warm smiles and polite bows. Their tones were respectful, but noticeably warmer and more attentive whenever their eyes landed on Lily. Though Vas had always been more of a shadow in his dealings, a figure behind the scenes, there was a flicker of recognition in the eyes of the more seasoned patrons of Janus. A subtle nod here, a glance there—some of the respect directed toward Lily was also quietly directed at him.

"Looks like they really know you here," Carmilla remarked, her smile widening as she caught the vibe, though her eyes flickered curiously between Lily and Vas, noting the strange current that flowed between them.

Lily didn't seem to mind the attention; in fact, she carried herself with a calm confidence, as if this treatment was simply the norm for her. Vas, meanwhile, played it cool but took stock of everything inside. He quietly observed how deep Lily's influence truly went—and how, somehow, he was getting pulled along with it.

The VIP area was luxurious, with plush seating and a breathtaking view of the dance floor below. As they settled in, the atmosphere remained lively yet unobtrusively exclusive, and Vas couldn't help but appreciate the unique position he found himself in, amidst the swirling whirl of high society and the silent recognition that came with it.

As the evening unfolded, the waitstaff moved with practiced grace, delivering an array of exquisite drinks and appetizers. Their attention was clearly centered on Lily, ensuring every need was met with exceptional care. Despite their primary focus on her, Vas occasionally noticed one of them casting furtive glances in his direction.

Behind the opulent bar, the bartender was deep in conversation with the manager of Janus. The hum of lively chatter and the clinking of glasses formed a backdrop to their exchange.

"We need to ensure Miss Lily is treated with the utmost respect tonight," the bartender said, his tone reflecting the seriousness of his duty.

"Indeed," the manager agreed. "But also, be sure to extend that level of care to the one with the long white hair."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Any particular reason?"

The manager's face grew more serious. "The boss was very clear. I'm quoting her exactly: 'Under no circumstances should either of them have any complaints. Failure to comply will cost you your jobs.' And she used that tone."

"The tone," the bartender repeated, a shiver of understanding passing over him.

Even though he didn't know the identity of the young man with the striking white hair, the manager's grave instructions underscored the importance of following them. The atmosphere around them seemed to tighten, hinting at a deeper significance.

"And remember," the manager added in a lower voice, "keep the extra attention to him discreet. We don't want anyone catching on to why we're giving him special treatment."

The bartender nodded, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. He moved away, ensuring that every detail of their service adhered to the manager's stringent orders. The subtle undercurrent of importance surrounding Vas became increasingly evident as the night progressed, adding an intriguing layer to the evening's opulence.

As the group enjoyed their time in the club, Vas found himself sitting at the edge of the booth, his drink—a simple soda—resting in his hands. He glanced around, watching his siblings, Lily, Victor, and the others laugh, chat, and dance. Beck and Aleara were fully engaged with Victor and his sister Carmilla, all of them clearly enjoying the VIP experience. Kairo and Amy were sitting nearby, Amy nervously sipping her drink while Kairo kept things light, though neither were quite as boisterous as the rest.

As Vas quietly observed the scene, Zola sauntered over to him with a drink in hand, her expression hovering somewhere between amusement and mild curiosity. She took a seat next to him, crossing one leg over the other, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

"So," Zola began, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm, "how's it feel to be the mysterious white-haired kid who's apparently too cool to join in?"

Vas turned his gaze toward her, slightly taken aback by her directness. "I'm just… keeping things low-key tonight," he replied evenly, taking a sip of his soda.

Zola raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the others as they laughed over some joke. "Low-key, huh? Right. Because that's definitely what people like you do." She leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing with mock suspicion. "Tell me, Vas, do you just enjoy being a bit of a mystery, or is it something in your contract?"

Vas chuckled softly despite himself. "No contract," he answered. "Just… needed some quiet. Things have been hectic lately."

Zola's eyes sparkled with a bit of mischief as she leaned back, resting an arm along the top of the booth. "Sure, sure. Hectic. That's the excuse people like you use when they're secretly plotting world domination or whatever." Her tone was teasing, but there was a hint of real curiosity in her gaze.

Vas smiled faintly, shaking his head. "You'd be surprised how unexciting things actually are."

Zola snorted. "Unexciting? Please. You're sitting here, being all broody and mysterious, while everyone else is having a good time. That's prime 'I've got a hidden agenda' energy right there."

He couldn't help but laugh quietly. "Maybe you're right," he admitted. "Maybe I'm just too complex for my own good."

"Oh, no doubt," Zola quipped, raising her drink in a mock toast. "To your complexity. May it never get in the way of you actually having fun."

Vas raised his soda with a grin. "Cheers to that."

As they clinked glasses, Zola's expression softened for a moment. "You know," she said, her tone still playful but less biting, "if you ever feel like coming down from your brooding throne and, you know, being a little less complex, there's always room for one more dance out there."

Vas glanced toward the others, the music still pulsing through the club, and smiled slightly. "I'll think about it."

Zola shrugged and stood, her smirk returning. "You do that, mystery boy," she teased before sauntering back toward the dance floor, where she easily rejoined the others.

Amy, who had been sitting quietly nearby, looked over at Vas. "She's… really something," Amy said shyly, her glasses reflecting the neon lights.

Vas nodded. "Yeah, she definitely is."