She smiled at him bashfully. “We’re obviously doing this so he can come back to Soleil with me, but thank you for coming. It’s nice you’ll be there.”
“Wearein love, for the record,” grumbled Brayden, and Scarlett bit her lip and sighed.
James slapped him on the back before pulling her into a hug. “Of course you’re in love. Look at you two. So sweet.” He let Scarlett go and winked at her before making his way to the driver’s seat.
As James drove into Clair de Lune’s city center, Scarlett peeredout of her window. She wanted to see the city, but she was too distracted to focus on much as they drove down an old-fashioned street. She barely registered the quaint little shops with signs hanging from the twisted metal awnings, her mind consumed as she evaluated every possible way this visa marriage could blow up in her face.
He might hate Soleil. He might tire of long-distance. He could grow to resent me more and more for refusing to stay. He might decide he wants someone who doesn’t get harassed by the press every time they step outside…
Scarlett blinked as her thoughts returned to the first task at hand—speaking to the bureau. There was so much going on she could hardly keep it all straight. “I don’t think we should incriminate Laylani when we speak to the bureau agents. I don’t want to accuse her until we have enough to lock her up. Do you all agree?”
“Seems reasonable,” said Lachlan.
“Yes, I’m fine with that,” said Beni. “I want her to be punished, but it’s okay if we have to wait.”
Manon spoke up from the back seat. “Makes sense if you want to keep things cordial. You could also tell them I arranged the trip with your consent, given they don’t know I was ill. Might be less suspicious than saying Beni whisked us both away. No offense, Beni.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “I know how awesome I am. You don’t have to tell them.”
Scarlett flashed him a grin. “I know how awesome you are too.” She turned to Brayden, who was sitting next to her. “Oh, by the way, I know someone in Soleil who might be a good bodyguard.” Through his window she caught a glimpse of an enormous fountain, with a celestial-themed set of sculptures stretching high into the sky.
“Who are you thinking of?” asked Lachlan.
“Her name’s Cass,” said Scarlett. “I really like her, although I’m not sure how I’d contact her. She saved me the night the police raided a black-market boxing match she was running. She seemed strong. Well-connected. And most importantly, she believes in dropping the border, so I know she’s pro-magic. Oh, and she’s not from Soleil. I couldn’t place her accent, but she’s definitely not from Clair or Evory either. She might be looking for work. I heard the boxing matches have stopped since they were raided.”
“Any idea what kind of magic she has?” asked Lachlan.
Scarlett recalled something Cass had said that night.“It’ll take them a while to get the lights back on.”
“She turned the lights out in the whole place incredibly fast. Not sure if it was magic or not.”
“Could be a nocturna,” said Brayden, sounding intrigued.
“What’s a nocturna?” asked Scarlett. She’d wondered about the meaning of the word when Brayden used it earlier.
“A nocturna can hide themselves and others in the shadows,” said Brayden. “Sometimes they can eliminate light. I’ve read about people with a nocturna valor sucking up candlelight, electricity, anything illuminating. They can also light things up again.”
“That sounds incredible,” said Scarlett. “Can they hide themselves the same way you disappear, Lachlan?”
“No. Their bodies can’t destabilize,” he said. “Then again, I can’t hide other people the way a nocturna can. There are only a couple of them in Soleil. Cass… Could that be short for Cassidy? I know a Cassidy Darwish from Zahara who went to the Soleil Military Academy on one of those rare student visas. Her father is a general in the Zaharan military.”
Zahara was a dry desert country on the far eastern side of the continent of Hieratia. Scarlett had read it was hot as hell except for the strip of land nearest to the ocean, but she didn’t know alot beyond that.
“Her full name could be Cassidy,” she said.
“Even if they’re not the same person, a military-trained nocturna would be a great bodyguard if she’s willing. Shall I inquire with her father to see if we can get her contact information?”
“That would be great,” said Scarlett.
“Leave it with me,” said Lachlan.
Who knew it was that easy to pinpoint someone based on their magical ability?
“Lachlan is very well-connected,” said Nori.
“Beni, did your friends ever explain valors to you?” asked Manon.
“Yes,” said Beni. “I talked to Tommy and Patrick about it for, like, an hour. They both think they’re going to get a physica valor, and I think that’s what I might be too. They said it means you’re usually good at video games.”
