The ice clinked in his glass as he waved his hand. “I have no appetite.”
“It’s not good to starve your animal.”
Viktor rested his left hand on top of her head and then brushed his finger around her feather earring. “You are so good to me.Da, I will eat.”
“I’ll make you eggs,” she said, standing up.
Viktor chuckled. “Anything but your stew.”
Blue went into the other room and yelled, “You’re lucky we’re all out of meat!”
Viktor smiled and lifted his glass. “She once added hot dogs to the potatoes and carrots.”
I wrinkled my nose, casting my glance toward the fire as it snapped. Where was Christian tonight? In that depressing cement home in the woods? On the streets? A loyalty was forming between us that I hadn’t anticipated, but one I’d seen between each team member, including Wyatt and Shepherd, who would have otherwise killed each other. Viktor was a smart man for creating partnerships.
Or evil.
Now faced with losing my partner, I was surprised to discover I didn’t like it. Not at all.
“Maybe I can talk to Glass,” I suggested. “If you can’t sway him to consider holding off the arrest, maybe I can. We need more time.”
“Glass told me about your evening. That complicates matters.”
I crossed my legs. “Or uncomplicates them. If I have a little more influence because of my personal relationship with Glass, then maybe it’ll work to our benefit.”
A shriek from the other room startled me.
Gem flashed into the room and zipped right past us, stopping in front of the bookshelf before flashing over and standing between us. She held a gold card with embossed lettering in her hand.
Viktor set his glass on the small table beside him. “What have I told you about opening the mail?”
“This isn’t mail,” she said, flourishing the card. “It’s an invitation!”
“Nyet. We do not have time for such frivolities.”
“Yes, we do,” she protested. Gem mashed together her pink lips, which matched her short skirt. Her long crystal pendant was almost invisible against her white sweater. Gem was the garden this house didn’t have, and I was always curious to see what she’d be wearing next.
“Invitation to where?” I asked.
Her violet eyes widened. “A masked ball!” When she noticed my impassive look, she jutted her hip and continued. “Masked balls are a long-standing tradition in the Breed world, especially among the ancients. Sometimes they’re costume themed, but guests go all out with their attire. It gives everyone an opportunity to break out their vintage clothing that’s been stuffed in the closet for years, so you’ll see people wearing everything from breeches to Elizabethan dresses.”
“Important people?”
“Yes, and apparently since we’re on the list, someone considers us important. Alas”—she fanned herself as she collapsed on the sofa beside me—“Viktor wants to be a grump.”
I risked a glance at Viktor. “It’s not a bad idea. I knowyouhave connections, but I think all of us need to make strong alliances with important people. It can only help us in the long run—especially when we have situations like this.”
“Point to Raven,” Gem quipped.
He gave her the side-eye. “You are an instigator.”
She spread her fingers dramatically over her heart. “Moi?”
“You keep an eye on this one, Raven. She’s going to get you in trouble,” he said with an amused twinkle in his eye.
“Who’s throwing the party?” I asked.
She flipped the card over. “Patrick Bane.”
