“Aren’t you funny?”
Des shifted, staring at the Gaevral’s table across the room, where Heras sat with Brand and Esseg’s family. “I can’t stand it.” She leaned closer to her mentor. “I don’t know when Talon will strike. And once she’s gone, the answers die with her.”
“The palace is empty. Every guard is here, in the ballroom.” He swirled his wine. “A perfect time to snoop around and search for those answers.”
“I would if I had the means.”
Gemellus planted a hand on his hip and looked away. “What if you did have the means?”
“Then, I’d-” Des cut herself off and frowned at him. “Are you and Alfaris incapable of being straight about anything?”
“Who do you think trained him?” Gemellus teased. He paused, listening to the chatter and footsteps behind them. “Some evokers can invoke a phenomenon to make themselves appear invisible.”
“How?”
“Remember when I taught you about mirages?”
“Um. . . distortions of light, in the desert. They cause illusions.”
“Right.” Gemellus nodded. “But mirages can also make it appear as though something that is there isn’t.”
That made sense. “But I’m not an evoker.” She protested.
“I know. But I am.” Gemellus whispered.
“Won’t you lose concentration on the spell once I get too far away?”
“Well, that’s the benefit of being blind. I needn’t see you to keep you in my mind.” Gemellus smirked.
Though she’d never say it to his face, Des was convinced Gemellus was the greatest evoker alive. She trusted him completely. Nodding, she grinned. “I’ll run to the powder room, then.”
“Wait.” Gemellus grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “Can I have your dragon?”
Eyebrows raised, Des slipped her hand from his grip. “How did you know I have it?”
“Good guess?”
“Why do you want it?”
“It’s you. The. . .proverbialyou in my mind’s eye. That way I can keep ‘eyes’ on you.”
“Ah.” Des pulled the old, stuffed toy from her bag and pressed it into his hands. “I didn’t realize you were an adorable little softy.”
“Me, a softie? I’m not the one carrying a stuffed toy around.” Gemellus tucked the dragon under his arm. “Don’t get caught.”
Returning to their table, Gemellus rested the dragon in his lap. Fixing her hair, Des sauntered across the dance floor, heels clicking on the tiles as she retreated to a washroom down the hall. Slipping inside, she closed the door behind her.
After a moment, Gemellus’ voice arose beside her, though he sat far away. “You should be quite hidden now.”
Des opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off.
“This is just a memory of my voice—don’t respond. Off you go anddon’t get caught. More than men in steel lurk in the dark.”
Must he be so ominous? Stilling her breath, Des pulled off her heels and tucked them into the corner under a bin before slipping back out, checking to ensure no one was looking.
She re-entered the quiet ballroom, hurrying to the table at the head of the room. Heras rose from her seat, a red tweed gown trailing behind her as she excused herself and slipped through a door to her north.
Hiking up her dress, Des loitered by the door. If it swung open, people would notice, even if they attributed the mystery to a ghost.
