Karter’s mother, Phaedra, approached a moment later as if she’d been waiting for it. She plucked the glass from Iza’s hand, deftly placing it on a servant’s tray.
“She’ll look like she’s overindulging in all the Sensationals,” she said, wagging her index finger. Her manicured nails were exceptionally long and pointed, Iza noted, making them look more like talons. The conniving older woman kept a smile plastered on her face as she spoke unnaturally between her teeth. “Water only.”
“Mother, don’t be fastidious. No one will believe she’s not drinking at her own party unless she’s pregnant. Let’s not give the Sensationals anything more to discuss.”
Iza ignored their exchange, still scanning for any sign of Braedon or the others. Maybe they didn’t come.
Then, her world came crashing down when she spotted Cierra, inexplicably barefoot. Does the woman ever wear shoes? It was a formal ball in winter. Aside from her feet, she dressed more like the future wife of a dynastic heir than Iza did.
Seeing Cierra confirmed it. Jovani knew the truth, and she hadn’t even been the one to tell him. Where is he? She’d have to ask Cierra. It didn’t sit well with her, but it was the only way without seeing him to know for sure he was somewhere in the massive well-dressed crowd.
“Tell me I’m not the only one bored already?” asked a woman with long blonde hair. Her playful blue eyes seemed to dance over the room before landing on Iza. “You appear to be a woman who needs a drink,” she slipped an arm into hers and grabbed the nearest pink drink from a servant tray and handed it to Iza. “Drink up, your smile’s fading.”
Iza did so and noticed the effects on her empty stomach immediately. She tried to smile but her concentration was on searching the crowd for any glimpse of Jovani.
“My name is Raquel, I’m an old friend of Karter’s. He’s been very secretive about you. This engagement seems so spontaneous. I can’t imagine he has the capacity for it, with that large stick up his rear end, so it must be you.”
Iza choked on her drink and laughed. She wasn’t wrong. Karter did meticulously plan everything.
“I’m sorry we haven’t met before. Do you live here on Beurias?” Iza asked.
“Most of the time I avoid it, to be honest. Parties like this where highborn exhaustingly try to impress each other are rarely exciting. However, meeting you, I think this one might be different.”
Iza liked her easy manner and her honesty.
“Ah, I see you’ve met Raquel. She’s an old friend,” Karter said, taking Iza’s arm again and guiding her away from Raquel.
“So she was telling me.” Iza pulled away from him and stood on her own power. The shoes hurt, but she didn’t want to hold on to Karter any longer than necessary.
“I’ll catch up with you later, Karter,” she said with a formal curtsy.
“Careful around Raquel,” he said, nodding in her direction.
“She seems nice. How come you haven’t tried to marry her?” Iza asked louder than was appropriate.
Karter glared at her. “What makes you think I didn’t?”
Iza hadn’t considered that he’d had time to ask anyone else. I guess I’m not the only woman who’s hesitant about being tied to him.
Iza tried again and failed to reach Cierra before the chimes indicated their first dance. Karter reached for Iza’s arm and she followed him to the center of the foyer floor, where the music was already playing. They hadn’t actually practiced, and suddenly Iza worried she’d make a fool of herself. The song was a slow one, though, and Karter moved in a predictable rhythm allowing her to follow with little work.
“You’re doing fine, try to relax,” he said.
“You’re not the one wearing heels and a dress made of liquid metal. I’m doing my best not to sweat in this thing, but I’m sure I’m failing.”
Karter laughed a little. It was the first time she realized he’d been nervous, too, as some of the usual mask of calm he wore slipped away.
“I think we’re putting on a convincing show, don’t you?” she asked.
“Yes, quite the show. However, my interests are still at risk. Worse, my cousin will insist I dance with her, so prepare yourself.”
Iza wasn’t sure what that meant, only that she wouldn’t have to spend the entire night dancing with Karter, which was a good thing. She was already counting the minutes before she could retire to her room and contact Jovani. Perhaps he hadn’t come because they were busy on Lynaeda. Possibly Trix had taken a turn for the worse. Again, she scanned the crowd for any sign of him or Braedon. She’d have to get to Cierra and find out what she’d be walking into.
The music ended and again the surrounding crowd broke out in applause. As predicted, Karter’s cousin Desirae took his hand and forced him to dance with her, leaving Iza on her own. She was lifting the hem of her dress and preparing to leave the center of the room when she looked up and saw Jovani.
The room fell away and his blue eyes held hers, trapped. The music had already begun playing several bars as he made his slow approach, but it didn’t matter. Iza couldn’t move. All the excuses she wanted to give him remained lodged in her throat. His eyes wavered over her first in appreciation and then in disappointment. She thought he might turn away and leave her standing alone in the middle of the dance floor without a partner. But he didn’t. He took a step forward and held out his hand to dance with her.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she met him the rest of the way, clasping one hand in his and putting the other on his shoulder.
His left hand on her back and his right hand in hers, he took her on a slow turn of the room. Neither speaking, just staring at each other. It wasn’t the only time she wished she could speak to him with her thoughts. Instead, there were only the silent gazes and the disappointed frown of his mouth as he led her around the dance floor.
When the music ended, they stopped moving, but his hands didn’t release her until Karter joined them.
“Well, don’t you two make a lovely couple? I better break this up before people get the wrong idea about you two,” Karter said.
It was in that moment that Iza realized what Karter had done, what he’d planned to do all along. He wanted to ensure that Jovani didn’t have a chance and felt discarded.
She glared at him with unbridled hatred. He’d played her again, but this time he’d be sorry. Their engagement was public, but that didn’t mean she’d marry him, and she was just about to say so when Raquel returned.
“You look ready to spit fire. I better make you laugh and quick,” she said dragging Iza away from the dance floor.
The guests were murmuring. Raquel was right, she was causing a scene. The whole point was to keep up the false pretense. It wouldn’t do any good to lose everything now.
“Karter can be such a fool. Whatever he’s done to make you mad, I’m on your side,” Raquel said.
Iza smiled as she was handed a glass of water. When she took a sip, though, she realized it wasn’t water.
“Nothing but the best for you, don’t worry. I knew you’d need it after that hot and heavy dance with Mr. Gorgeous Blue Eyes. Tell me he has a name.”
“Yes, it’s Jovani Saletas.”
“Jovani, I like it,” Raquel said, licking her lips in a way that made Iza want to laugh.
“He is handsome, isn’t he?”
“Yes, and clearly his brooding eyes are only for you. Some day you must tell me the story but not tonight. That a girl, smile a bit,” she said with encouragement. “Keep these stuffy shirts guessing. Let’s go find a place to sit down. I’m sure those two-hour heels have to be killing you by now.”
This time, Iza did smile. Raquel seemed to understand her in a way that no one else ever had.
Iza followed Raquel to a nearby floral-print bench seat near the kitchen door. A rush of air entered each time the servants came in and out. The window behind the bench seat revealed the snow outside was coming down harder than ever.
“Are you a doctor or somethin
g?” Iza asked.
“Nothing so glamorous. I play in the dirt digging up old junk that long-dead people barely noticed when they had it.”
“An archaeologist,” Iza nodded.
“Yes, and it’s as tedious as it sounds. How are you holding up?”
“Were Jovani and I that obvious?” Iza asked, worried now she hadn’t held up her end of her bargain with Karter.
“Only a little, but I think we caught it in time. He must be special to you, for him to throw you so off-balance.”
Iza’s mouth went dry. To admit her feelings for Jovani was to admit her engagement was a fake. It was in that hesitation she heard a commotion coming from the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Iza felt the change in the energy. She glanced around at the unconcerned guests and wondered why no one else seemed to notice it. Something’s wrong.
There was another crash in the kitchen and they both stood up.
“I don’t know, maybe we should—”
Raquel’s next words were cut off as the kitchen door flew open and several masked men armed with pulse rifles barreled into the party.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Iza reached for her handgun, forgetting it was upstairs in her suite along with the sphere and dog. She wouldn’t be able to get there without bounding up the staircase or exiting through the kitchen, which was now blocked by a man and a short woman, both wearing masks.
The woman’s head swiveled in Iza direction before her attention snapped back to pointing her rifle at the party guests.
The man directed Iza and Raquel to sit back down on the bench.
Someone must have neutralized the security, since there was no alarm. Iza couldn’t see any staff members nearby, which likely meant that they’d been locked up somewhere. No doubt the criminals had heard there would be a formal event this evening that would be attended by an impressive guest list of the Taran elite. There was a lot to potentially be gained from such a gathering.
Iza wondered, then, where Jovani had gone. Stars, I hope he snuck in a weapon.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening.” The man speaking kept his face covered but his arms were spread wide in welcome. “I wish we could introduce ourselves, but for now we’d like to remain anonymous. It’s wonderful to see such fine people as yourselves dressed up for an evening out and dinner provided by Mr. Hyttinen himself. However, every event like this one comes with a price. This evening, the price is your prized possessions. Please place all your valuables in the little black bags provided by my associates.”
Iza watched them making the rounds holding out the bags. The way one of the intruders moved reminded her of someone, though she couldn’t place it.
The two people at the kitchen door moved forward, each holding out a bag. Raquel was already grumbling about buying new jewelry for the event.
“Not everyone is insured,” Raquel complained as she tossed her necklace in the man’s outstretched black bag.
The young woman turned to Iza, holding out her bag but not speaking. She was close but Iza couldn’t make out her features under the mask. However, a small green lock of hair peeking out of the mask caught her attention, very similar to a girl who had blue hair the last time they’d met.
“I don’t have anything valuable,” Iza said.
“The ring.”
That’s when Iza recognized the young woman’s voice; they’d shared a prison cell not that long ago on Sarduvis when Investigator Hyttinen had accused Iza of her hauling illegal goods. Iza dropped the engagement ring that Karter had given her only two hours before into the bag. Then she remembered the earrings and the necklace and put them inside, too.
“Don’t forget the bracelet,” said the man, who’d finished collecting Raquel’s items. He held out his bag for Iza’s metallic bracelet. She dropped it in.
When the man moved toward the other party guests to assist with the collection, Iza lowered her voice and spoke to the young woman guarding her. “Viper?”
The intruder’s head jerked up before she realized her mistake.
“Hurry, don’t dally now,” said the man serving as the spokesperson for the group. “We’ve overstayed our welcome as it is.”
Viper took the cue and darted back through the kitchen.
“It’s been a pleasure, everyone—no doubt more so for us than for you. But it’s time to bid you goodnight. Please don’t get up and don’t follow us. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt on such a fine evening.” He bowed slightly and darted out of the room after his companions.
Iza kicked off her heels and was about to pursue them when she caught sight of Karter. He was being led at rifle-point toward the corridor. As much as she wanted to follow the thieves to try to stop them, it would be poor form to not come to the aid of her fake-fiancé.
Iza counted to ten before leaping up and trailing the intruders escorting Karter. She’d learned a few tricks traveling among criminals, and one of them was that taking hostages wasn’t the kind of thing that brought in the credits. Karter made a horrible hostage since he was far from weak and there were few with the money to pay his ransom.
Iza kept herself hidden behind the nearest marble pillar, watching Karter’s captors. They began attaching their harnesses to dangling black ropes.
Iza was plotting her move when she felt a tingle on her arm. She looked to her left and spotted Jovani, who’d done the telekinetic equivalent of tapping her on the shoulder. They made eye contact.
He held up a handgun for her to see. It wasn’t his, but she imagined he’d got it from one of the thieves. He gave her a grin that made her heart quicken and then nodded once, giving her the signal to go ahead when ready. He’d cover her whatever she did.
For the moment, Iza waited and observed, looking for the right target.
The thief who had their pulse handgun pointed at Karter bent over to adjust their harness, which pulled up the back of their hood. Iza glimpsed a flash of unmistakable bright pink hair. Reis! Of course, that rat Douketis would pull this kind of stunt. Suddenly, the brazen break-in made a lot more sense; there had been help from the inside.
Knowing from experience that she could take her, Iza ran up behind Reis without a sound. She grabbed the woman’s wrist and twisted it behind her back, wrenching the pulse handgun free. Using her other hand, she gripped Reis by the throat and pulled her ear toward her face.
“Hey, Pink, you’ll be leaving without this prize,” Iza said, expecting Karter to make a run for it. When he just stood there with his mouth hanging open, she yelled, “Run!”
Karter bolted. Pulse fire rang out as Jovani covered Karter’s escape.
Reis glared at Iza for a moment before her rope pulled taut. She zipped up to the ceiling with the rest of her gang.
Iza ran over to where Karter had joined Jovani in the corridor.
“Are you okay?” Jovani asked.
She nodded. “I think that was Reis.”
Jovani’s eyes widened with surprise. “From the Iron Dog?”
Karter frowned. “But they were on the guest list.”
“Yeah, makes me question your choice in acquaintances,” Iza said. “And here everyone was questioning my suitability for mingling with highborn.”
Jovani didn’t look happy to be reminded about the engagement, but it was worth it to see the displeased look on Karter’s face.
“I don’t know why they would try to capture me,” Karter said. “Holding me wouldn’t help any of the people I can think of.”
“Well, we can’t stay here,” Iza told him. “Pack a bag and be ready to leave.”
Jovani looked even less enthusiastic about that.
“Why?” Karter objected. “The thieves got what they wanted they don’t have any reason to come back.”
“You’re assuming they weren’t trying to get at you for ransom or something else.”
“I can’t leave,” Karter complained.
Iza shrugged. “Fine, stay here, but you’ll be on your own
. I’m going back to my ship and going after them.” She turned to face Jovani. “Gather the rest of the crew and let’s get back to the ship. They might have left a trail that we can follow.” She thought for a moment. “Did Braedon come? I only saw Cierra.”
“He’s back on the ship with Trix. She’s better.”
“Better how?” Iza asked.
“Moving around and talking again. You’ll see soon. We need to go.” Jovani’s voice was tight but he’d gone into Agent mode again. Like her, he was used to burying his emotions. It wasn’t something that went away because you quit working for the TSS.
Iza picked up the hem of her dress and led the way back toward the foyer. “Tell Braedon to prep the Verity for departure and track the Iron Dog. Is my shuttle here?”
“Yes.”
“Get Cierra and meet me there. I need to get out of this dress.”
“Among other things,” Jovani grumbled. He marched ahead with purpose.
“I heard that,” she called to his back.
Saying anything more would draw unwanted attention. Groups of guests standing around were lamenting loudly over their lost gems and jewelry.
Their complaints prompted Karter to look down at her hand, and he noticed for the first time the missing engagement ring.
“They took it?”
“They took everything,” she replied dismissively.
Iza wasn’t the least bit sad about it, but Karter’s eyes darkened and he tightened his right hand into a tight fist as if preparing to hit something. “Those people are going to pay for this. I need a minute to get my things together.”
She took a step away from him. “Pack a bag and then meet me back here. Don’t take too long. We don’t want their trail to go cold.”
“Are you leaving?” Raquel asked, coming up behind her. Iza snapped her mouth closed, hoping that the woman hadn’t overheard their exchange.
“Yes, it’s not safe here. You should go, too.”
Raquel nodded but still seemed distracted by all the commotion. She took a step to leave but then stopped and stared at the people rushing around her. She seemed lost. It dawned on Iza that she’d probably never been robbed or had anything like this happen to her before. Iza couldn’t count the times she’d been in similar situations.
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