Good, now work Fynn into the conversation.
Easier said than doneis Leigh’s bratty reply.
“Not famous for anything good,” the ghost replies darkly.
“So, infamous then?” Leigh asks. I drift to the side, pretending to inspect the food spread, which I suspect is meant more for Leigh than for the ghosts. He wants her fed and happy. For what?
Leigh hesitates, then tries again. “Did you do something you shouldn’t have?”
The ghost chuckles. “If spending five years robbing banks to give the money to the Nebula in the BOD counts as bad, then I suppose I’m guilty.”
Ha—I knew she was a thief, even if she stole for a worthy cause.
I clear my throat and catch Leigh’s eye.
Keep the conversation going, I tell Leigh.You need to connect with this ghost. Talk about your work on repealing the Labor Laws. Your common ground is that you’re both fighters for the Nebula, then you can steer the conversation toward Fynn. If Kosac brought you here, chances are Fynn is here, too.She may bring you to him if she thinks you are an ally.
Leigh’s jaw tightens as the woman shifts uneasily. Leigh can’t let her slip away—this bank robber and dedicated Nebula supporter could be the ally we need to find Fynn. She has moralsand cares about justice, which sets her apart from the aristocrats in the room.
How do I even start a conversation like that without it seeming fishy?Leigh huffs.
You’re not talking to her at all, which isn’t helping.
Feel free to step in at any time.
Leigh. You’ve got this.
The woman looks back and forth between us. “You two seem busy. Enjoy the party, Your Majesty. We’ll meet again soon.” She slips into the crowd.
With a groan, Leigh joins me at the concession table. She idly examines the food while I pretend to watch the dancers. “You’re better at interrogations than I am,” she mutters. “You could have had her talking faster than me. Maybe you should talk while I coach from the sidelines.”
“You were doing fine,” I lie.
She gives a wry smile. “Hardly. What would you have said to her?”
I keep my eyes on our surroundings; Kosac isn’t here, but other ghosts hover with predatory curiosity. “She stole from the rich to help the poor. She knows how to bend the rules. All the ghosts here are Kosac’s lackeys. And they share a psychic connection, like we do, which means that if a mortal boy were being held prisoner somewhere, it would be hard to keep it a secret. We have to find her angle, appeal to her curiosity, or get her to trust us.”
Leigh groans. “This is why you should be doing the talking. You do this professionally.”
I frown. “No, I don’t.” Not anymore.
She snorts. “Denial is the first stage of grief. I bet if you went home right now, Soter would give you your job back.”
“I don’t want it back.”
“Why? You love it, and you’re good at it, too. I don’t want you to quit something because of me. I want you to have everything you want.”
Longing tightens my stomach. “I want you,” I mutter.
Leigh’s gaze lingers on me. “I think you miss it.”
I’ve never been able to lie well to Leigh. Idomiss it. I loved being a Blade, but my parents… “Desiree and I paid the price for my parents’ selfishness. I don’t want that for you.”
A flush rises in Leigh’s cheeks. “Wilder, I think you’re making a mistake.”
No. Losing her would be a mistake.
“Come on, princess, let’s try someone else—” My words die as I see Leigh lift a glass of sparkling liquid. Starlight flickers in the drink. Before I can stop her, she takes a sip.
