She shuddered, imagining the sidelong glances and the murmured questions. Even if Cyrus had been able to announce she was a Seer, people would still have wondered about her genetic profile. She’d be an outcast, but that wasn’t the only reason she didn’t want to go.
Jasper would be there.
She pressed the tip of the pencil harder onto the page. He’d probably go back to being completely composed and barely looking at her. Her heart sank. He’d go back to being Commander Bishop.
She could handle that, right? She’d done okay for the last couple of years, and she’d asked for him to leave her alone. He’d certainly have no problem with that. He’d always been able to put his feelings aside, but she wasn’t ready to see it—see him be so cool and confident like she’d never mattered, like he didn’t want anything more between them.
A knock at her door startled her, and her hand jerked, leaving a thick black pencil line off the side of the petal. No one should be at her door right now.
Another knock.
She crept to the door. If it were Cyrus, he would have barged right in. She ran through various possibilities but none of them should know about her eyes.
“Who is it?” she asked, cringing.
A moment passed, then Jasper replied, “It’s me.”
She pressed her forehead against the door, pain mixed with longing. She wasn’t strong enough to see him right now. “You said you wouldn’t be visiting me outside of your official capacity as Head of the Guard.”
“I am here in my official capacity.”
She frowned and opened the door. “What? Cyrus wants me locked up in the dungeon for the party or something—”
Her final words were cut short. His formal military dress uniform accentuated his shoulders, and the jacket tapered perfectly around his stomach. Ribbons and medals lined the entire left side of his chest. Gold eagles signifying his rank gleamed from his shoulders.
She straightened one of her limp curls, trying not to think about the bland cotton dress she was wearing. She wasn’t even sure if she had looked at herself in the mirror today at all, but she was positive she looked awful.
He rolled his eyes. “I would never put you in the dungeon, Annabel.”
“Then what do you want?” she asked backing away from the door. He maintained a respectful distance, but with him dressed like that, she needed more space.
He stepped inside and shut the door, his gaze heavy on her. “Do you want to go to the party tonight?”
She laughed, but he remained as intent as ever. “I’m not an idiot. I know I can’t—”
“What if you could?” He leaned forward and held his hand out. A small white case balanced on his palm with two circular compartments that bubbled out on either side and were connected in the middle.
She took it and flipped it around in her hand. Seams ran along the sides of the circular bubbles. She twisted them open and found a set of black circular films floating in a clear liquid.
“They’re called contact lenses. This pair will hide the color of your eyes.”
She could have black eyes again? She ran to the mirror, not even sure what to do with them when she got there. After some instruction from Jasper, she blinked away the excess moisture and looked at herself in the mirror, a familiar set of ebony eyes shining back. It was almost as if nothing had happened—almost. Her shoulders sank. “Thank you, but my brother would kill me if I even tried to go to the party.”
He forced out a breath. “For the last time, I won’t let him kill you. I’ve already talked to him.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And you somehow convinced him that I should live?”
His features hardened. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”
She scoffed. “I doubt that.”
“Why can’t you trust me? I know what I’m doing. He’s always known he can’t kill you, but that’s especially true now. All I needed was to use his fear against him.”
Cyrus? Afraid?
She shook her head. “You’re not making sense.”
“Rumors,” he said with an impatient edge. “All it would take is a rumor that your eyes were blue. He’d never survive if the Elite Families knew you were a Variant. You’re his closest relation. He needs you alive to prove that any rumors aren’t true. And that’s the thing about rumors, they can surface at any time. He can’t kill you—ever. In fact, he wants you to have a more visible role from now on, and that includes attending the party tonight.”
Her jaw hung open. It seemed so logical. Could it be that easy? Cyrus needed her to dispel any rumors? “You came up with all this today?”
“I’ve been working on the contact lenses from the moment you got out of your procedure. There’s quite a black market for them, but I went directly to a civilian supplier so that no one in Octavius would ever know.” He inched closer. “I meant what I said. I’d never do anything to put you in danger, and I’ve planted enough fear in Cyrus that he’s quite content to let you go on living your life so he can continue to rule.”
She was free—as free as she could be—and it was all because of Jasper. She lumbered to a chair and plopped down. A master plan, beautifully executed, and the debilitating threats she’d lived under were gone.
She stared up at him, his eyes softening. The music had started downstairs. Happy voices had begun to chatter. If she had any hope of looking presentable, she should start getting ready now, but she needed to know. “Why?”
Jasper shrugged. “Cyrus knows he’s not popular with the other Elites. He knew his future was tied to yours the moment he sent you to Doctor Fry. He’s got his Seer in Leonora now. The pressure is off, so he’s able to think a little more clearly.”
“No.” She stood up. “I mean, why would you do all this for me? I wasn’t exactly kind last night, and I made it clear I didn’t want to see you again. You don’t owe me anything. Why do all this?”
He dropped his gaze to the ground. “I think you know why.”
Her fingers traced along the back of his hands, curling around to hold them. His gaze met hers, deep and open. “We’ve been back and forth for years. I don’t want to guess anymore.” Her heart raced while he eyed her silently. “I need to hear it. No more secrets.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” His gaze pierced her. He stepped closer, so close she couldn’t breathe. “I love you, Annabel,” he whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”
She bounced on her toes and planted her lips on his. He cradled her face in his hands and fit his lips with hers, stronger, deeper. After years of not speaking, he was back. He loved her, and he’d saved her.
He pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers. “You should get ready, but maybe we can continue this—”
“Yes.” She nodded, her face still in his hands. “Yes. Tonight.”
He beamed and kissed her lips gently. “Tonight.” He backed away, still smiling. “I should get downstairs. I’ll see you soon.”
As soon as he shut the door, she was moving. After a flurry of hairpins, black silk, and makeup, she was ready. She looked herself over in the mirror, smoothing the halter-neck ball gown with a jeweled neckline, but her eyes captured her attention. Ironically, they were the only thing people wouldn’t notice, but she didn’t care. Those little black films meant she could live again.
She opened the door to her suite with a beaming smile. Adrian and Jasper were speaking just down the hall, and she froze. He was supposed to be downstairs already. His brow wrinkled as Adrian squeaked in quick, barely audible sentences with his arms jerking at his sides for emphasis.
“Automated surveillance picked it up, but it’s been verified,” Adrian said. “It’s Tobin Kalos, and he was smart about it. We gathered all the footage. He made it all the way into the bank. The only time he showed his face was when he left. One of the outdoor cameras caught him. He probably didn’t know it was there.”
Jasper jerked his head forward and uttered something inaudible before asking, “The vaults? Did he make it down
to the vaults?”
“I don’t think so, but the camera footage is spottier down there.”
Jasper paced away.
Adrian shook his head. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but it can’t be a coincidence—”
“I know it’s not a coincidence!” Jasper’s voice boomed down the hall before he pressed his lips together and shut his eyes.
“How shall we proceed?” Adrian asked.
Annabel’s heart sank. Instead of being with her, he’d be leaving the district.
Jasper glanced at her and did a double-take. For a moment the wrinkles in his brow disappeared and the faintest trace of a smile appeared.
“There’s too much riding on tonight. I have to be here,” he told Adrian. “Send Brock and his team. What’s Aaron’s status?”
“Unconscious.” Adrian’s voice was flat and confident. Aaron would not be going.
“Send another tactical team under Brock’s command.”
“That will strain security downstairs.”
Jasper raised an eyebrow. “I can handle downstairs. I want Tobin Kalos killed or captured—tonight.”
Adrian nodded. “Yes, sir.” He spun and nearly ran into Annabel but never lost speed as he rushed down the hall. “So sorry.”
Jasper scowled, his eyes unfocused. She crept to his side, searching his face.
His lips curved up. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks to you, my eyes match my dress again.”
He shrugged and nodded to the stairs, flashing a crooked smile that made her melt. “I kind of like the blue.”
Warmth radiated from her chest.
The main corridor had been completely transformed. Strings of tiny lights hung between the pillars, creating the illusion of twinkling gold curtains. Guests were arriving along the white main path through the garden, which was dotted with similar lights. Music from a string quartet floated through the air.
Sweet and savory smells of food mixed, making her mouth water. She inhaled deeply trying to identify each one. Raspberry? No, strawberry and chocolate. Prosciutto. Parmesan cheese.
“Well, well, who do we have here?”
Remington Sacarro approached from behind her, a sly smile spread across his pale face. She shuddered at his hard, black gaze. She’d never gotten used to the way he looked at her—or how Tiberius had tried to pressure her into a pairing with him. Her hand fell to the pocket in her gown where she’d once kept her dagger during those days.
A Renaud-Sacarro union would have stopped any challenges to their bloodline, but it was Remington. She looked him over, trying to keep her disgust from twisting her face. How could she have ever thought she could pair with him? She smiled at him uneasily, thankful it never came to that.
Jasper stepped directly in front of her. “Remy. I haven’t seen you since…” He tilted his head to the side. “When was that? Oh, yeah. Since you washed out of the Guard.”
Remington kept his focus on her. “I don’t need Variant trash like you worrying about me, Bishop. I’ve got other ways to occupy my time.” He glared at Jasper for a moment, who never moved an inch, before craning his neck to see over him to Annabel. “Rumor has it that your brother has a big announcement. What is it?”
“You’ll see soon enough.” Annabel shrugged.
“Yep. You’ll find out when it’s announced—just like everyone else here.” Jasper leaned forward, finally commanding his attention. “Now, run along.”
She cringed at the malice in Jasper’s voice. Despite Remington’s muscle-bound build, Jasper could absolutely kill him—and it sounded like it was headed in that direction. She glanced around, hoping they weren’t attracting too much attention. A dark smudge on the ground caught her eye.
Clearly a footprint, she frowned at the odd ridges in the tread pattern. To track that much mud, someone would have to walk right through the gardens. She glanced at the lit trail, sure to be free of any dirt or debris, before her gaze settled on the darkness. Who would—
Strong currents like electricity coursed through her body. Every muscle went rigid, and she arched her back. Everything went dark. Jasper and Remington disappeared. The music and the smells suddenly ceased. Her vision cut to memories, flashing to a dozen details she’d never thought she’d noticed. The shoes Doctor Fry was wearing, Leonora in the dungeon, Jasper’s warning that Tobin would be coming, how Jasper had diverted the tactical teams out of Octavius.
“Are you okay?” Jasper’s voice broke through.
She gasped and blinked as her surroundings came back. She’d had her first visions as a Seer—and they couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Jasper’s hand was firmly wrapped around her arm as if she might fall over, his eyes wide as he looked her over. Remington raised his eyebrows at her but was speechless.
What had they seen?
“I’m fine. I’m just…” she said, trying to breathe evenly and find any plausible explanation. “I haven’t had much to eat today.”
“We can fix that. Excuse us, Remy.” Jasper led her away by the arm but in the opposite direction of the food tables.
“He’s here!” she whispered, searching the faces in the crowd as they weaved their way to the side of the corridor.
“Who?”
“Tobin.”
Jasper’s face darkened. When they reached the pillars, he turned to face her. His voice was grave but patient. “Tell me everything, from beginning to end. What happened?”
“I-I’m not sure,” Annabel said, trying to put the experience in words. “I noticed a smudge on the floor—a footprint. Then it was like I was being electrocuted. Doctor Fry’s shoes popped in my mind. They weren’t like our shoes. They had deeper grooves like this footprint. And then your warning last night and, and…”
“Okay.” Jasper rubbed her arm, scanning the crowd. When he grabbed her hands, she realized they were shaking. “It’s happening, isn’t it? You’re becoming a Seer.”
She nodded, searching the crowd again for Tobin.
“Go.” He nudged her toward the barracks. “I need to handle this. Hopefully it’s not too late to call Brock back.”
“No!” She grabbed his arms before he could stride away. “I’m a Seer now. I can help you find him.”
He pulled her behind the pillar and away from prying eyes before wrapping his arms around her waist. “That doesn’t change anything. You’ve done enough,” he whispered into her ear. “You promised me, remember? I can’t do my job if you’re not safe.”
The promise. How could that possibly matter now? “And what about you? How will I know you’re safe?”
“Don’t worry about me. Niotians kill Seers.” he replied, his eyes flashing with emotion. “You have to trust me. This is what I do. Please keep your promise.”
Her shoulders sank. “Fine.”
He tilted his head to see around the pillar, then kissed her forehead before nudging her in the direction of the guard barracks. “I love you.”
He strode away. When he had disappeared into the crowd, she made her way toward the barracks.
Tobin could be anywhere. He could already have Leonora. He could be waiting to kill Jasper, but Annabel was going to hide. She wished she’d never made that stupid promise.
Chapter 25
Annabel weaved around the remaining party guests on the outskirts of the corridor, but a cold, clammy hand gripped her arm, lurching her to a halt.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Cyrus muttered into her ear, making her skin crawl. He pulled her back and inspected her eyes. “Jasper has outdone himself. You really can’t tell.”
Her cheeks burned. She wouldn’t have needed Jasper’s help if Cyrus hadn’t experimented on her in the first place. She wanted him dead more than she’d ever wanted anything ever—
Her vision blackened, then a vision of Jasper at her hospital bedside appeared. As long as Cyrus didn’t know she was a Seer, she would be safe. She had to relax. Like fighting against a strong tide, it seemed nearly impossible, but she cal
med herself. Her vision slowly returned.
Cyrus was frowning at her. “What’s going on with your eyes? They were jittering.”
She jerked her arm away from him. “I just need to eat.”
He clamped his hand around her arm even harder, and she yelped, but no one seemed to notice. “Don’t embarrass me, Annabel. I need you alive, but it’s up to you how painful that life will be. Are we clear?”
She glared at him, but her vision cut away again. This time, she was back in the atrium when Cyrus had been standing over a bloody Doctor Fry. Then her mind flashed to Jasper, and the way he spoke of Tobin. Finally, she Saw the shackles hanging above her head in the dungeon.
Starting to sweat, she drew in a tense breath. She had no idea where these visions were leading her, but wherever it was, it was big.
Cyrus couldn’t suspect a thing.
She blinked to bring herself back to the present moment and smiled at him. “I guess I’d better get something to eat, then.”
He curled his upper lip and released her arm. She stumbled away, barely keeping her visions at bay. Every time she blinked, something new appeared. She fought her way to the shadows under an arch and hid behind the pillar.
Like pieces on a chessboard, the moves and counter-moves were becoming clear. Tobin was here for Leonora, and he’d stop at nothing to get her. Cyrus would be humiliated if Tobin succeeded—and thirsty for revenge.
Her mind flashed to the tactical team that had captured Doctor Fry. It wouldn’t take much to convince Cyrus to reassemble the team to kidnap Tobin, and Cyrus wouldn’t resist the urge to torture a bound prisoner who couldn’t protect himself, especially one who had made him look like a fool. A vision of the dungeon appeared with Jasper’s words.
We can’t teleport in or out. We can’t even message or call anyone.
That was it.
Tobin would never be taken alive as long as Leonora was captive, but if they were to escape, Cyrus could be convinced to pursue him, and Tobin would be put in the dungeon. Tobin would be bound so Cyrus could beat him just like he’d beaten Doctor Fry.
The Seers Page 20