I passed by nobles I’d known since birth but hadn’t seen in years. A few of them smiled and congratulated me on a well-done performance. Others looked down their noses and gave me their backs.
But one day, they would all know who I was, and they would heed my power as High Enforcer.
My footsteps quickened as I left the glittering nobles behind closed doors. I hurried across the silent atrium, the moonlight making the marble glow like a second moon.
Following the map in my head, I navigated several hallways and stairwells until I was in the bottom southeast corner of the mansion. Wall sconces were few and far between, leaving long shadows in the hallways. Not unlike the Old Quarter at night.
I shivered. My bare feet didn’t make a sound on the plush carpet, but the gold in my hair tinkled merrily.
A guard stepped into the hallway, blocking my path. I froze until my eyes locked with Aiden’s under the shadow of his feathered helmet.
“Aiden,” I breathed.
He looked strange dressed as the guards I’d seen on the grounds. Absent his usual dark colors and cloak. But I experienced the same familiar rush as his green eyes raked over me. They darkened when he saw the streaks in my paint where Asher’s hand had clasped.
His lips parted as if he were going to say something, but then he shook his head.
“Did you get it?” he asked roughly.
A kernel of disappointment lodged in my chest. “Of course.”
I pulled the key from my silk breast band, and his nostrils flared.
But then Maz sidled up wearing the plain servant garb stitched with Asher’s insignia. He grinned. “Fucking Four, you’re even more beautiful than Aiden said you were!”
My head whipped toward Aiden, but he merely scowled at Maz. “She’s late.”
I glared at him. “It’s not so easy to seduce a manandsteal from him in a crowded party.”
His eyes smoldered like green fire. “Liar. He simply didn’t want to let you go.” He stared pointedly at my smudged wrist.
Maz shouldered his way between us. “You can have your lovers’ quarrel later. Aiden, go back to your post. I’ll grab the cart. Kiera, unlock the gods-damned door.”
Aiden growled something under his breath and stalked off.
I gave Maz a light shove. “We arenotlovers,” I hissed.
He smirked. “To quote your lover: ‘Liar.’” He poked my ribs, and I smacked his hand away. “Lovers are often of the heart and mind before they are of the body,” he added.
I snorted. “Who said that? A poet?”
“My grandmother.”
That surprised a chuckle out of me. “Figures,” I muttered.
“Maz!” Aiden called sharply.
Maz waggled his eyebrows at me and disappeared down the hall. I took a deep breath and joined Aiden by the vault door.
He said nothing as I surveyed the ten keyholes set into the ornate metal door. Swirling gold leaves hammered over iron and steel.
Second one down from the top right. I slid the key into the hole.
Holy Four, please be the right one.
I twisted it, and several tumblers clanked inside the door. Holding my breath, I pushed down the steel lever, and it gave easily.
Air whooshed out of me in relief. The corner of Aiden’s mouth hooked in a tiny smile.
