“You’re wicked,” Jax says with a wide smile.
“I’m who I need to be.”
I’m impressed by Vera’s plan, and how quickly and effortlessly she organizes everything for tonight. She’s truly a mastermind, with more connections and resources than I could have hoped.
With her at my side, I can believe the victory can be mine.
Vera comes to a halt in front of the gate leading to Uringi’s estate. She turns to Jax and grabs him by the shirt.
“I trust you will not run off with that heirloom once you have it, right?”
Jax lifts his palms in the air defensively. “Vera, it pains my heart to hear those words leave your mouth.”
“I’m deadly serious,” she says.
“So am I.” Jax manages to curtsy. “We have a deal and I intend to stick with it until the very end.”
“Just so you know, I have a group of lethal Ezkai standing ready if you were to betray us. They’ll hunt you to the end of the world if they have to.” Vera glances at me and then lets go of his shirt. “Come on, then. The party awaits.”
I want to scream only at the thought of it. But I keep my mouth shut and follow Vera through the gates and into Uringi’s estate. By the time we arrive, the party is in full swing.
When we enter the main room, with tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling paneled windows, a view of the city and Ezkai Castle looming over it atop the hill, all the attention in the room turns to us. I try very hard not to cringe.
“Vera D’Argent, the person responsible for tonight’s fun,” Uringi says, walking over to us with open arms. When he looks at Vera, his eyes sparkle. Oh, how did I miss it earlier? He clearly has a thing for Vera. “Ezkai Phoenix. It’s a pleasure to host an honorable participant ofVal’taz Ezkairinhere in my estate.”
“Thank you, Nobleman Uringi, for hosting us in your home,” Vera says.
She takes the hand he offers her, and he places it in the nook of his arm.
“Yes, I appreciate your kindness, nobleman.” I vomit a bit into my mouth at the sweetness in my tone. “Your support for me throughout the trials will not be forgotten once I’m the Ezkai General.”
“Ah, she has the right attitude for a Ezkai General,” Noire says as he approaches us.
“I told you, Taaslord,” Vera says with a smirk, “some of them are born this way.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Uringi murmurs. “Tonight, we shall drink and eat and enjoy the company of the most beautiful Caetras. Hopefully that will bring luck for you, Ezkai Phoenix.”
I force a smile. Noire, Uringi, and Vera walk away towards the bar in the corner of the room. I glance over my shoulder to see what Jax is doing, but he’s not there.
When did he disappear?
I make my way towards the bar too, smiling and nodding to people as I pass them. I don’t remember the faces, but I’m pretty sure many of the people I’ve met at the Black Night ball are here.
Hel’s white head pops up in the periphery of my vision. She sits in the lap of a very handsome Ezkai in his maybe mid-forties. His hand is on her thigh, and they look very intimate.
Not far from Hel, Bart lounges in the middle of the sofa with three noblewomen around him. They chatter and giggle while he offers a casual comment here and there or a cheeky smile.
“What’s your drink of choice, Phoenix?” Noire asks me.
“Whiskey. Neat. Thank you.”
Noire orders the drink from the bartender for me, and a heartbeat later hands it to me. The whiskey is crisp and smooth. Real good stuff.
Noire pins me with his curious gaze. His shadows are hidden tonight. “Tell me, Ezkai Phoenix, how do you find the trials so far?”
“We haven’t done anything yet,” I say. The glass feels slippery in my gloved hand. “All I’ve been doing is posturing around in fancy dresses and talking with nobles.”
“Ah, yes. The fae love a good show, and they adore their pompous revels,” Noire says with a smile. “You may be a natures-born soldier, but you do seem to fit in within this environment, too.”
