The penthouse buzzed with energy, transformed into a neon-lit homage to 80s hip-hop. The entire main floor was unrecognizable, decked out in graffiti-style banners, bright neon signs, and retro boom boxes stacked in the corners. Harper had gone all out, even hiring a DJ who was spinning classic 80s tracks, complete with vinyl scratches and booming bass that filled the room. A gigantic cardboard dance floor dominated the center, created by Aurora and Harper, where people were already showing off their best breakdancing moves.

  Mal stood by one of the high windows, adjusting his oversized leather jacket. His sisters had insisted on his costume, dressing him up like the iconic rapper Melle Mel. From the flashy bandana tied around his forehead to the sleeveless muscle tee that showed off his arms, he looked the part. A fake, exaggerated gold chain hung around his neck, gleaming under the flashing lights. Harper had always called him "MallyMal" since he was younger and fell in love with hip-hop, she had been his introduction to this music, and one play of “The Message” and his life had ever been changed.

  Harper and Aurora had taken the theme to heart, dressing up as the legendary duo Salt-N-Pepa. Harper was all attitude, rocking a black leather jacket with neon accents, oversized earrings, and a bold gold chain that bounced with every step. Her hair was styled high and wild, completing her retro look. Aurora, on the other hand, had gone for Pepa’s vibe, sporting a brightly colored bomber jacket, gold hoop earrings, and an equally massive chain. Together, they looked like they had walked straight out of an 80s music video.

  The whole room was a riot of color and style. All their friends and family had embraced the theme, showing up in Kangol hats, oversized gold chains, and neon leather outfits. Some had gone all out with retro boom box props, while others wore skin-tight, brightly colored leather. The energy was electric, and it felt like the entire penthouse had been transported back to the early days of hip-hop.

  Harper bounced over to Mal, still in full character. “MallyMal! Are you having fun yet, or are you too cool for this old-school vibe?” she teased, laughing as she gave him a playful shove.

  Mal grinned, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah, you got me. You guys really didn’t hold back.”

  “Of course not!” Sumi chimed in, dancing her way over. “You only turn 20 once, and we had to do it right.”

  “And we all know you’ve been dealing with too much stress lately,” Harper added, flashing him a knowing smile. “Tonight’s about letting loose, bro.”

  Mal smiled back, taking it all in. His sisters always knew how to take care of him, even when he didn’t ask for it.

  “Yeah, it’s perfect,” he admitted, glancing around at all their friends, dancing and laughing. The DJ was pumping out classic tracks, with everyone trying their hand at a few moves on the oversized cardboard dance floor.

  The night was exactly what Mal needed. Surrounded by friends and family, he felt the weight of the last few weeks lift off his shoulders. For one night, there were no orbs, no towers, no looming responsibilities—just the music, the lights, and the love of the people who had his back. This was the kind of escape he had been craving, and tonight, he was determined to soak in every second.

  Nezami and Roxy stood near the back of the open floor area of the penthouse, observing the scene in front of them. Mal, Sumi, and Harper were in full performance mode, lip-syncing to "Don’t Fight the Feeling" by Too $hort. The trio danced around the living room, adding exaggerated moves and playful gestures that had everyone in stitches.

  Roxy arrived dressed as Roxanne Shanté, rocking a bold, oversized red-and-blue track jacket with thick white stripes running down the sleeves. She paired it with high-waisted acid-washed jeans and an oversized gold rope chain hanging low around her neck. Her tilted Kangol bucket hat and large gold hoop earrings completed the look, channeling the fierce confidence of the legendary battle rapper.

  Beside her, Nezami embodied MC Lyte in a sleek black leather jacket with a chunky, gold chain, and a fitted baseball cap turned backward. She wore slim black jeans and clean white sneakers, capturing MC Lyte’s no-nonsense street style with a quiet, effortless coolness.

  Roxy burst out laughing. "Oh my God, this song is so ridiculous! I can’t believe they’re actually doing this! It’s funny but also, like... wow, wildly inappropriate."

  Nezami grinned, clearly amused. "Right? Mal’s really going for it! He must really love music."

  Roxy raised an eyebrow, impressed. "He’s got moves, though. Damn!"

  Nezami glanced over, a little surprised. "Yeah, he does! Who knew? I thought he was just some punk."

  Although Nezami had been witness to some of his moves prior, the commanding stage presence in the atrium was far different than the rhythm he was dancing in now.

  Roxy playfully nudged her. "Nah, he’s a super good dude. And yeah, he does have moves."

  Nezami smirked. "You said that already."

  Laughing, Roxy shot back, "Well, it’s true… those moves… I think my ovaries just released an egg!”

  “ROX!!!!”

  “What I think it might be true…mmmmm he’s a bit more delicious than I thought.”

  “Well I might have to fight you for him…” She teased in return.

  Roxy grabbed Nezami’s hand and led her toward the dance floor.

  “Well don’t fight the feeling” she laughed.

  “Smooth” Nezami replied shaking her head.

  They watched as Mal and Harper did a perfectly synchronized spin, the small crowd around them cheering. Even Nezami couldn’t help but clap a little, caught up in the energy of it all.

  Roxy smiled, her eyes glinting with admiration. "They’re such a cool group. What a fun family."

  Nezami, still taking in the scene, asked curiously, “So who’s who in that group again?"

  Roxy nodded. "Yeah, I forgot you haven’t met everyone yet. So that’s Harper, the one dancing with Mal. She’s his oldest sister’s Aurora’s best friend, she is dressed as Peppa, Sumi is the blond shorter one singing the verse right now and is dressed as a Spinderella”

  Nezami’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, this whole place is Harper’s?"

  "Yep. I think her dad owns the building. Harper and Aurora, Mal’s oldest sister, live on the top floor."

  "Wow... This place is amazing."

  "Totally," Roxy agreed. "And Mal, along with his two other sisters, Sumi and Elara, live one floor up. Elara is the one right by the bar dressed similarly to Sumi, they must be playing some whole West Coast rapper theme. Oh, and Riko, but I don’t see her.”

  Nezami’s eyes widened. "So, they’re all just... right here?"

  Roxy shrugged like it was no big deal.

  "Pretty much. They’re all close-knit, you’ll see. It’s like one big, chaotic family, but in the best way."

  Nezami smiled, watching as Momo joined the group for the second to last verse dramatically entering the sudo rap battle, Harper and Sumi followed with over-the-top dance moves. It was hard not to feel a sense of warmth, seeing them all so free and playful together.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  "Yeah," she said softly. "I think I’m starting to see that."

  They both laugh as Mal pulls off a dramatic pose, the song ending with everyone clapping and cheering.

  “Ok let’s get some drinks and dance!” Roxy said pulling to her friend as she walked into the crowd.

  “I’ll try a drink but I ain’t dancing woman, you know I have 2 left feet!”

  “Well then I will ask again after you get a couple of drinks in you hahaha” Roxy laughed.

  Mal wove his way through the crowd, weaving between clusters of friends decked out in neon colors, oversized gold chains, and Kangol hats. The energy in the penthouse was electric, the DJ spinning classic beats as people danced and laughed beneath the flashing lights. As he made his way toward the back of the room, his eyes locked on Roxy and Nezami, and he couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, grinning ear to ear.

  “Yo, are you two serious right now?” Mal exclaimed, excitement bubbling over as he approached them. “This is incredible—Roxanne Shanté and MC Lyte? You’re pulling out deep cuts. Half the girls here just threw on some B-boy gear, but this? This is legendary.”

  Nezami smirked, adjusting the gold chain around her neck. “Glad you noticed,” she teased, her voice light. “We figured if we’re doing this, we’re going all in.”

  Mal turned to her, his grin widening. “Just so you know, I’ve been in love with MC Lyte as far back as I can remember,” he said, leaning in slightly with a playful wink.

  Roxy burst out laughing, nudging Nezami with her elbow. “Look at you two, all cute,” she teased. “You better watch out, Nez, Mal’s got a soft spot for iconic women.”

  Nezami rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “You’re incessantist, you know that?” she said, but there was a warmth in her tone that made Mal’s heart race just a little faster.

  As the night went on, the laughter and music filled the air, and Sumi sauntered over toward Mal, dressed as the iconic DJ Spinderella, perfectly matching Harper and Aurora’s Salt-N-Pepa getups. Her look was spot-on: oversized gold chains, a bomber jacket, and a backward cap capturing the essence of 80s hip-hop. She gave a playful nod to Roxy and Nezami.

  “Excuse me, ladies,” she said, flashing a grin. “I need to borrow my brother.”

  Roxy and Nezami watched as Sumi tugged Mal away, leading him back up to where the DJ booth stood, ready to lip-sync another classic track.

  Mal turned over his shoulder, calling out with a grin,

  “Everyone has to take a turn tonight, so be thinking of the song you’re gonna do!”

  Nezami’s eyes widened in horror, her cheeks flushing. “Not on your life,” she declared.

  Roxy burst out laughing, nudging her. “Oh, come on!”

  “No way!” Nezami protested, shaking her head fiercely.

  Roxy smirked, leaning in toward Mal. “Don’t worry, I’ll get a couple of drinks in her to loosen her up.”

  Mal grinned. “You better. I want to see if you really know MC Lyte. I’m gonna need a little ‘Cha Cha Cha’ if you wanna get to know me better,” he teased.

  Nezami playfully balled up her fist, feigning a punch. “I got some cha cha cha for you,” she said, her voice laced with mock seriousness.

  Mal just laughed and waved, continuing up with Sumi toward the booth. As he left, Nezami didn’t notice Roxy standing there, arms crossed, watching her with raised eyebrows. The energy between Nezami and Mal had caught her by surprise.

  “Wow,” Roxy finally said, her voice soft with surprise. “I don’t think I’ve seen that kind of energy from you since junior high.”

  Nezami’s face shifted, her smile dimming slightly as a more melancholic look passed over her. Sensing the change, Roxy immediately wrapped an arm around her friend, offering a quick apology.

  “I’m sorry. C’mon, let’s get some drinks.”

  They walked together toward the bar, which had been cleverly transformed into a breakdance-themed setup. Nezami glanced back, watching as Mal, Sumi, and Momo hyped up the crowd with their lip-sync performance of Gangsta Gangsta by NWA. For a moment, she allowed herself to smile, letting the fun of the night wash over her. But as they neared the bar, her mind lingered on Roxy’s words, and she wondered if maybe, just maybe, she was finally beginning to open up again.

  Nezami sipped her drink and quietly observed the room. Mal was mingling with what seemed like half the party, bouncing from group to group with ease. She watched him laugh, give high-fives, and dance with friends, his energy electric as he moved through the crowd. It was his birthday, after all, and everyone was eager to share a moment with him.

  But Nezami felt a strange tug as she watched him. It wasn’t just the fact that it was his birthday—there was something else. She found herself wanting to be with him, to talk to him, to spend just a little more time in his space, and she wasn’t entirely sure why. Maybe Roxy was right. Maybe this boy had unlocked something in her, something she wasn’t ready to face yet.

  She caught Roxy’s eye across the room, dancing wildly with a group of people. Nezami couldn’t help but smile as she raised her drink in a little salute to her friend, who was clearly having the best day of her life. Roxy deserved it. She worked so much, took night classes, and was practically raising her younger sister on her own. Seeing her let loose and laugh like this, surrounded by friends, filled Nezami with a deep sense of happiness for her.

  But as she glanced back at the crowd, she realized Mal wasn’t anywhere in sight. Her eyes scanned the room again, but no luck. Maybe he had to change clothes or use the bathroom after all that drinking and dancing.

  Why am I walking myself through where he might be? Nezami thought, her mind racing a little faster than usual, courtesy of the alcohol buzz starting to set in. Her stomach fluttered slightly, and she bit her lip as another thought crept in. Maybe I should go find him?

  Her inner voice quickly snapped back. Take it easy, girl, she told herself, shaking her head with a small chuckle. She didn't want to overthink this.

  Upstairs, Mal made his way toward his room but noticed the faint glow spilling out of Sumi’s office and the buzz of multiple computers. Did someone sneak off from the party, or is she done and streaming already? he wondered, stepping closer to the slightly cracked-open door.

  Sumi’s office was her sanctuary, a tech-heavy command center where she spent hours streaming and managing her online presence. The space was cluttered with equipment—high-end monitors, cameras on mechanical arms, and an array of RGB-lit keyboards and soundboards. Wires snaked across the floor, connecting to glowing LED strips that bathed the room in soft hues of purple and blue. The walls were lined with soundproofing foam, and on her desk sat a professional-grade microphone and a DJ controller, further amplifying her digital setup.

  When he stepped inside, the dim light from multiple screens cast a glow over the room, but it wasn’t the usual gaming footage. Instead, Sumi and Elara were seated, locked in concentration, staring intently at the monitors.

  “Uh, what’s going on in here?” Mal asked.

  Sumi glanced over her shoulder, her face set in a serious expression.

  “Mal? What are you doing here? Go back to the party. This is your night, bro.”

  “Yeah, I was going to change my shirt because I’m drenched from dancing, but the fact that you two are hiding out here instead of at the party means something’s up. So... spill it.”

  Sumi shot a quick look at Elara, who nodded slightly, before turning back to him with a sigh. “Alright, fine. We’ve been getting an alert... an Orb is here—somewhere nearby.”

  Mal’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, what? No way. You’re telling me a random Orb shows up at the party we’re throwing? Come on. It’s one thing to see it in town or for Nova to follow a trail, but here? At my birthday party?”

  “It’s not exactly clear. I don’t know for sure if it’s inside, but we’ve been picking up traces on the cameras—here and around the building.” She tapped a key on the keyboard, switching between various camera feeds from both inside the penthouse and the street below.

  “Something’s off, and both Sumi and I can feel it. It’s close, maybe too close.” Elara said.

  “This doesn’t feel right,” Mal muttered. “How could it be here and none of us noticed until now? If it’s a Shadow Orb, everyone at the party could be in danger.”

  “Should we start shutting down the party? For everyone’s safety?” Elara asked as Aurora entered the room.

  Aurora shook her head. “It’s too early to do that. We don’t know for sure what it is yet. The person might be close, or there could be someone already inside. Elara you are the only one who can see them if they manifest so you have to be the eyes ”

  Elara, as the Horseman of Famine, had a peculiar ability that set her apart from her siblings. While the others might sense disturbances in the world through power or emotional ripples, Elara could see what others couldn’t. It was almost as if her connection to the concept of deprivation—the absence of food, energy, and life—allowed her to perceive the absence or distortion of reality itself.

  Where there was a lack of something, she could see it; where something hid in plain sight, she could detect its presence. This made her the only one able to see the Orbs when they manifested, even when they were in their shadow forms, cloaked and invisible to others.

  The Orbs, especially the dangerous Shadow Orbs, thrived on deception and subtlety. They would manifest just outside the realm of human perception, slipping through the cracks in reality. But for Elara, those cracks were as visible as the night sky. Her powers, which stemmed from her role as Famine, meant she was attuned to the hidden, the depleted, and the obscure.

  Aurora handed Mal, and Elara a small transceiver and earpiece. “We can’t do anything drastic, and we need to keep an eye out. If you guys spot anything let us know immediately. Riko is across the street, ready to swoop in if needed.”

  Mal ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up. “So I see it and then what? You two are just going to transform in front of everyone and scare the hell out of our friends?”

  “No, of course not.” Riko’s voice chimed in over the now inserted earpieces.

  Mal blinked, finally piecing it together. “So that’s why Riko left as soon as the party started…”

  “Exactly,” Aurora said, nodding as she clipped an earpiece onto herself. “We needed her in position in case things went sideways. But for now, let’s just keep things under control.”

  “Mal, you don’t need to do anything right now. Just enjoy your party and keep an eye on your friends. We’ve got this under control.” Sumi confirmed.

  Alara chimed in after her, “We’ll handle whatever comes. You just focus on staying safe.”

  “Right,” he said, standing up straighter, his jaw tightening. “I’ll just go back to the party and ignore it”