With my free hand, I plucked half a lemon from a passing waitress. I held it over my champagne and snapped, watching the lemon juice spritz in.
The ring’s hum had softened again. Vlaken was curious again, not suspicious. “Ms. Vale.” He offered me his arm. “Walk with me? I’d like to hear more about your shop.”
“Gladly.” I set my fingertips lightly on his sleeve.
We drifted along the periphery toward the stairs. Music and chatter blurred into background noise. As we stepped, I brushed the ring again, casually.
“You’re not from Cursinia,” he said, turning to narrow his eyes at me. “I know all the shops there.”
“I’m from a village deep in the mountains,” I said. “Which you’ll find is not well known.”
He laughed. “So it seems.”
“Itis,” I corrected.
My thumb rested on the seam again, and itwasunlocked. He didn’t notice.
We paused at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m happy to have met you tonight.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed before sliding my two fingers around the ring.
“That remains to be seen, Ms. Vale. Though, I do hope you don’t have any plans for me that don’t involve us going upstairs.”
Gag.
I slid it to his knuckle before we were interrupted—again.
“Sir.” Dimitri’s smooth voice, low and authoritative, hit my ears. “My apologies. Security needs a word.”
Vlaken blinked. “Security?” He turned with a confused expression. “Envoy Vlaken, right?” Dimitri said with ease, not looking at me at all. “There’s an issue with the Bizarre Academy envoy’s credentials. I’ve been asked to request your input.”
Vlaken’s earlier suspicion swiveled toward Dimitri. “Now?”
“Now.” Dimitri’s voice didn’t have a sharp edge. It was just matter-of-fact. “It won’t take long.”
“Another time,” Vlaken said to me, regret shining in his gaze. “Ms. Vale, perhaps I’ll find you later.”
“I’ll be here,” I promised, letting the promise mean something else. “I have a weakness for efficient men.”
Gag me, oh my Fates.
He smiled at that, and then he let Dimitri turn him with a professional gesture and walk him two steps away into the crowd.
Aura slid in on the other side of me, eyes tight with an apology she didn’t voice. “I didn’t—” she started.
“Youdid,” I snapped, keeping my mouth in a smile for my cover. “It’s fine.” It wasn’t. My pulse was fast, drumming against my wrist. “Next time, if you make a bartender shout poison across a ballroom, I’ll poison you instead.”
She flinched as if I’d hit her. “I won’t do it again.”
“If you do, it’ll be your last mission with me,” I said simply. I would not have a squadmate I couldn’t trust. Mom taught me enough about agent-decency. Squadmatesneverblew each other’s cover. “I had the ring.”
“I saw,” she whispered, frowning. “I’m sorry.”
“Then maybe don’t ruin my progress,” I muttered.
Her chin lifted. “I’m sorry. I’ll stay close.”
She vanished into the crowd next, but I figured she was close. That overly-floral scent she carried lingered.
