She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but her expression was pleading. He didn’t look at her for several moments before sighing and returning with her to one of the corridors that led to deeper dungeon rooms.
I glanced at Malakai and found him watching me, a smug look on his face. I quickly looked away, but he was coming over. Panicking, I glanced around for anyone I knew. Seeing Caelan, I moved quickly to his side and grabbed his arm.
“Hey!” I said in an awkward, jovial tone.
He glanced down at me with one eyebrow raised. “Anna?”
I smiled intently for a moment, trying to think of a reason for invading his personal space.
“I didn’t expect to see you at a party like this,” I said, finally.
I still saw Malakai in my peripheral vision. He was watching me but after a coy look of amusement, he moved on.
“Are you drunk, Anna?” Caelan asked incredulously.
I let go of him after confirming Malakai was out of sight.
“Oh, no, sorry,” I said. “Just, uh, trying to avoid this guy.”
Caelan looked behind us. “Who?”
“It’s no big deal,” I said. “Sorry for barging in.”
He grinned. “You are a strange one. At least have a drink with me.”
I glanced over his shoulder and noticed Saryna across the room. She was still with Isabella and Isaac, but our eyes met briefly.
“Sure,” I said.
Caelan and I sat down, but he kept glancing over in Saryna, Isabella, and Isaac’s direction. Isaac was holding his violin like a baby, chatting vivaciously as he showed it to them.
“I hear Isaac’s quite the musician,” I said.
“Yes,” Caelan said. “I hope he will play.”
“There are a lot of talented people here,” I said. “Especially the Aurkai.”
Caelan glanced at me curiously. “What makes you say that?”
“I had my private lesson with Malakai yesterday,” I said, watching Isabella laugh as Isacc leaned in close to her while he played.
Caelan’s interest piqued. “How did that go?”
“It was interesting,” I said, watching for any hint of awareness.
He hid it well, but I caught the momentary tightening of his eyes. He didn’t like Malakai any more than I did.
“What do you think of him?” I asked.
Caelan scoffed. “I do not know him.”
“Oh,” I said. “Where are you from?”
“It is a small city,” he said. “But my family has lived there for generations,” he said.
“That sounds amazing,” I said. “I can’t imagine knowing that much about my lineage,” I said.
“We are close,” he said, “but there is always conflict and never enough warriors to vanquish our enemies. War always looms on the horizon.”
