I spin around the room with the ambassador. He leans down so we are nearly cheek to cheek, but he wears so much cologne, I think I might faint. He must’ve applied more in the bathrooms. I breathe through my mouth.
“You should see the view of the city from my terrace once the rains end,” he murmurs. “My villa is not far from here.”
What he means is: I am important, and you should sleep with me soon.
“I’m sure it’s spectacular,” I say.
It’s noncommittal but not a rejection—rejecting this sort of man is dangerous. However, it’s not the enthusiastic yes I’m sure he expected.
“I—” he begins.
“Zeolin,” a familiar voice says behind me. The sound makes my blood run cold. Without even turning, I know exactly who it is. I just pray I’m wrong. Perhaps I’m hearing things, because there is no way the southern count is here in Khitan.
I keep my back to him, my spine rigid, as if I can change the stars by avoiding them.
“Ah, Seok! My old friend!” the ambassador says. He speaks louder than necessary because he wants people to know he is friends with one of the most powerful men in Yusan. “I thought I might see you here.”
“And here I am,” Seok says.
My heart hammers my chest, my dress feeling too tight. I want to tear it off and run. Instead, I plaster a placid expression on my face, because I know I’m about to be face to face with Seok. And I refuse to shudder or cringe.
“Yunga, I’d like to introduce you to Seok, the Count of Gain.” The ambassador smiles, wildly oblivious to the tension between us.
“Your Grace,” I say, turning. “It is a pleasure.”
I curtsy to the southern count, not taking my eyes off him. He looks handsome as ever in a black suit and white tie, especially when he’s smiling. And he is smiling as if he’s just met me. His coal-black hair is styled, and his dark eyes glitter as they drink me in. As I told Aeri, monsters can wear such charming masks.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Seok murmurs. “May I cut in?”
“Of course,” the ambassador says. He grins and gestures to me, although his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. He was probably going to try to tempt me with more than a nice view. Jewels were likely the new offer in exchange for bedding him.
Seok puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close. My skin crawls and my breath comes in shallow sips, but I do my best not to show it. I don’t want to make a scene here. But I press my lips together, glad I wore poison after all.
“You’re looking well, Sora,” he says as we begin to dance. “I must admit, though, I’m surprised to see you here. You had me fooled.”
“Fooled?”
“I always thought Daysum meant more to you.”
The mention of Daysum sends chills careening down my spine. At the same time, panic floods my mind. I don’t flinch, but I want to. I want to flail and scream like I did as a girl.
“Where is she?” I whisper. My nails dig into his suit jacket. My breathing is rough, my heart thundering. The ringing in my ear is absolutely chiming as I wait for him to answer.
“Ah, you’ve forgotten the terms of our deal,” Seok says. “That’s unfortunate.” He frowns for a moment and then goes back to his unaffected demeanor.
“Whereisshe?”
I stop dancing, and another couple bumps into us. We all mutter apologies.
Seok pulls me into him, forcing me to keep moving. The way he’s forced me to dance through my entire life. But I don’t even care about him touching me right now, because where is my sister?
“I imagine she’s working at this point in the evening,” he says. “But I don’t keep track of my brother’s affairs.”
The realization hits me a moment later, just as intended. It’s a dagger to the gut, yanked straight up to my heart: he sold her. He sold Daysum to the brothels.
My sister, my only joy, the only good thing I’ve been able to protect in my life, is now fresh meat for wolves.
My face tingles as blood drains rapidly from my cheeks. My pulse thuds like it’s trying to break my neck. My vision spins.
