Arriving at Downland, Mark, Casey, and I were walking into a nightclub after my last concert. The loud noise of dancers and ravers in the gigantic room filled my ears and made me feel excited. Waving our way to the throngs of people, we headed to the VIP area, which was exclusive for our guests and me. Entering the VIP area; it had brown, circular lounge booths and a table. My eyes drifted over to where there is a private bar in the room’s corner.

I hoped that most of The Hexes were of legal drinking age, but it is not like that information is too important to know. Within minutes, we were sitting down in one booth to wait for the band to show up. However, Mark had to leave for personal reasons, which left Casey and me to wait for The Hexes. I pulled out my phone, reading some text messages to pass the time. A wavy, brunette-haired girl wearing a black skirt with garter belts connects to her nylon stockings, matching her black high-heel shoes steps into the room.

The outfit comprises a white halter top shirt and black sunglasses, hiding her eyes. Following behind the girl are three young men and one other girl. The man next to her had dirty blonde hair with a face piercing on his lip. I thought to myself maybe this guy was her boyfriend, until the other guy with the odd, one sided, raven haircut walked right next to her too. Guessing these people came into the room is The Hexes.

I continued to eye the other two people: A young, dark-skinned, afro haired, young woman and bearded man were the last to enter the room. Every person in the group sat in the booth where Casey and I sat. All I did was just look at the group. They seemed to be a unique, diverse looking group of musicians.

“Hello, my name is Casey Halworth. This is my client, Roxanna. It is a pleasure to meet you, um...The Hexes," Casey started the conversation, then extended her hand out for a handshake. “Could you please introduce yourselves?”

The dirty blonde spoke out first, “The name is Nick. I’m the leader of the Hexes and...”

Odd, I thought: Electra Star is the leader of the group? Well, that makes sense. She is the face of the group. Hearing someone clearing their throat, everyone stares at the brunette girl. The girl looked at Casey and me, showing the biggest smile on her face.

“Nick is horrible at introductions. My name is Electra Star, well you can call me Amelia. These lovely people are Toby, Gabriel, and Nicola….” She finished Nick’s sentence, pointing at each person in their group.

As the leader sighed at the girl interrupting him, the odd haircut guy rolls his eyes at Amelia, showing a face of annoyance. He said, “You know, we can introduce ourselves, Amelie…”

“Toby, let Amelia do whatever she wants.” The dark-skinned man, who is Gabriel, added, while Casey and I stayed silent. The same boy continued with a question, “Can I have something to drink?”

“Oh! Where are our manners, dear Casey? Let’s get this group something to drink. Ya’ll can order whatever you like. Everything is on me,” I told the group to ease their comfort around me.

When the drinks came to us, everyone was chatting with each other. I did not want to drop my request too soon; it is best to soften the mood of the atmosphere, to try coaxing the band into talking to me. Lifting my glass of wine, I took a sip while watching the group bicker among each other. Overhearing The Hexes conversations, they sounded interesting. The conversation ranges from Amelia complaining about how Toby wouldn’t let her drink to Nick scolding the group to not use their powers foolishly.

Then I heard the Brooks siblings arguing with each other, which I did all I could to make out that they spoke some other language, maybe Japanese and cuss words. I could not help giggling to myself at the slight madness of the band. How in the world this quirky, alternative band got so much momentum in the first place? After observing everyone, I put my glass on the table, bringing the group’s attention to me once more.

“Now that everything is settled, I hope, let’s chat about opportunities….” I brought up the real reason I invited them here.

“Excuse me, what opportunities?” Their leader asks in response.

His straight face and serious tone stare back at me with such coldness in his eyes. Analyzing that face meant I had to step up my game to become convincing.

“There is no need to become so suspicious here,” Casey jumps to my rescue, which gives me more time to think of a good comeback to the leader's question.

“You’re talking about opportunities, I’m just merely asking what you are offering to us?” Nick crosses his arms, keeping his stern face in place.

Now this guy is being defensive, what is his deal? This boy needs to learn how to let other people finish what people say.

I opened my mouth once again, “I am offering a chance to become a part of a group that helps Supernatural artists like; you. I’m sure that you heard of the Rise of Light, haven’t you?”

The minute I started talking about the offer, Amelia just got up from her seat, looking down at Nick, then said, “I think we heard enough. Let’s go, guys.” 

What did I just do? This girl did not even bother to hear what I had to say.

Getting up from my seat and putting my two hands on the table, I leaned over to Amelia's side of the table. The best way to handle the situation was to smile at her sweetly. I had to be as nice as possible to this foolish girl.

“Amelia, sweetie, calm down… Can you at least hear what I have to say? The Rise of Light means no harm to your band. We just want to help you reach your potential…” I explained to Amelia.

The girl took off her sunglasses and flashes her cold eyes back at me! Her demeanor was far different from when she came into the room. “With all due respect, Miss. Bach, I know what your group does, and I don’t want to be a part of that.”

The leader nodded to Amelia when she states her opinion. Soon, all the band members were ready to leave the table with Casey and I just sitting there in shock. We never once failed at recruiting new artists in our cause! How did this Amelia girl ruin my plan to get this silly newbie band to join our winning team?! After most of the band members left, the leader stood behind, looking at Casey and me under suspicion.

Not reacting to the brave man standing up to me, I was more pissed than afraid of him. 

“Do us all a favor, don’t contact us again about some cult BS. We’re done with this conversation and not taking any deal,” Nick’s tense words broke my confidence slightly when I just watched him leave the VIP area at last.

My thoughts went where my plan went wrong with this conversation. Then I heard Casey’s voice questioned, “How the hell did we fuck this up?”