“In all things.” His hand slid from her shoulder to her collar, one finger tracing the platinum edge. “This piece, for example. Custom designed. Platinum alloy biometric locks. Both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”
Carys didn’t react. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away. She stood perfectly still while Tarsus touched her collar like he was showing off a particularly fine sculpture.
I wanted to break his fingers.
I smiled instead. “Beautiful craftsmanship.”
“Of course.” He dismissed Carys without looking at her. “Continue your rounds, my dear. Make sure everyone understands the value of having expertise available.”
She left. Three steps back, then moving through the crowd. I watched her go, tracking her path. She wasn’t just mingling. She was moving toward the ballroom’s main control panel. She was getting into position.
Tarsus watched her go. “Remarkable investment. Her contract was expensive, but she’s paid for herself three times over in commission fees alone.”
“I’m sure she has.” I finished my drink. “Though I imagine finding someone with her qualifications was difficult.”
“She’s an exception to the general human rabble.” His gaze tracked Carys. “Which is why I’m very careful about her security. Theft is always a concern with valuable assets.”
“A reasonable precaution.”
“I’m glad you understand.” He moved closer, his voice dropping slightly. “I noticed you had another conversation with Senator Valerius earlier. He seemed quite interested in your business.”
“Did he?” I kept my tone neutral. “He approached me with what sounded like a private business proposition.”
“Of course he did.” His shoulders tensed. “That’s his specialty. Poaching promising relationships before they’re properly established.”
“He mentioned several ventures that might interest me.”
“I’m sure he did. And what did you tell him?”
“That I was here as your guest. That any business discussions would naturally include you first.” I met his eyes. Respectful but not submissive. “Though I admit, his offer was generous.”
“Generous.” Danger edged his voice. “I’m sure it was. Valerius excels at making generous offers for things that don’t belong to him.”
Perfect. He was jealous, threatened, exactly where I needed him.
“Senator, you extended the invitation to this gala. You’ve shown me your collection. You’ve offered potential arrangements.” I gestured around the ballroom. “Why would I jeopardize that relationship by entertaining Valerius’s attempts to circumvent your patronage?”
His posture relaxed slightly. “Good. I’d hate to think my hospitality was being misused.”
“Never.”
He nodded, satisfied. He was about to move on, to greet another group. It was time. My part of the plan was to start the fire. I opened my mouth, ready to call Valerius out, to make this a public spectacle.
Then the world went red.
The manufactured sunset on the walls glitched, stuttered, and died. The main lights flickered and went out. The room plunged into darkness for a second before red emergency lights kicked on, bathing the ballroom in a bloody, pulsing glow.
A building-wide alarm blared. Not a polite chime. A shrieking, industrial warning.
“SYSTEMS FAILURE. ALL LEVELS. CONTAINMENT BREACH DETECTED IN SECTOR FOUR.”
Panic.
Guests shouted. A Lyrikan stumbled. A Fanaith couple clutched each other.
Tarsus spun around, his face a mask of fury. His entire security detail, the Mondian, the Nerath, the Krelaxian, all drew weapons. They weren’t watching me or Valerius anymore. They were focused on the physical threat.
“Secure the perimeter!” Tarsus roared. “Find out what that breach is! Get the guests to the safe rooms!”
