by Jasmine Walt
Lord Cedris himself was present, of course, and he diligently circled the crowds, talking and laughing and rubbing elbows. He was tall and lean, dressed in a set of red and white robes that did nothing for his long, pale blond hair and haughty, aristocratic features. I saw Iannis speak with him for a few moments, but Cedris seemed much more interested in talking up the other delegates, presumably to persuade them to vote for him.
“Good evening, Miss Baine. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” a low, throaty voice came from my right.
I jumped at the sound of my real name, nearly spilling the glass of champagne I was nursing, and turned to see Thorgana Mills standing next to me, a smile on her glossy lips. The owner of Mills Media & Entertainment was resplendent in a white mermaid-style gown that clung to her willowy figure, and her ice-blonde hair was swept into a classy up-do and secured with a diamond-encrusted hair-clip.
“Good evening, Mrs. Mills,” I said in a low voice. “How are you this evening?” It figured someone of her great wealth and status would be invited here, and I cursed myself for not donning a better disguise. I had worked for her as a bodyguard on occasion, and she had seen me in Iannis’s palace not that long ago.
Thorgana laughed lightly. “You have gumption, I’ll give you that,” she said, “daring to show up at such a public event so thinly disguised and expecting no one to recognize you. You seem to be moving up in the world. You could not have afforded that dress on an Enforcer’s income.”
“Indeed.” I smiled apologetically, though what I really wanted to do was smash her in the back of the head with my champagne glass and lock her up somewhere before she blew my cover. “I hope you won’t rat me out, Mrs. Mills.”
“Not at all,” she said, still smiling. “I admire your audacity. I’m sure Lord Iannis is making good use of your valuable talents to gather information and support so he can secure his title as the new Minister.”
“Oh I don’t know about that,” I demurred, lifting my glass of champagne to my lips. I took another sip as I studied her over the rim of my glass, trying to figure out what her angle was. Was she just toying with me for the hell of it? “Lord Cedris is a very strong contender.”
“It certainly seems so, though I can’t understand why exactly,” Thorgana mused. Her perfectly plucked brows drew together in a faint frown. “There are dozens of Chief Mages who are more qualified, Lord Iannis included. I would think that Lord Iannis would be confident enough in his abilities to not be intimidated by Lord Cedris?” she prodded.
“Perhaps,” I allowed. It seemed like she was trying to get me to confirm that Iannis was running for Minister, and just because he wasn’t didn’t mean I was about to let anyone know that. “I suppose you’ll have to ask him yourself.”
“Oh I have, and he’s just as tight-lipped as you.” Thorgana laughed again. “It seems that you are learning well from him. He wouldn’t give me any details about what happened after his airship crash-landed in the middle of nowhere, either.”
“Well you do own several newspaper companies,” I pointed out with a teasing smile. “I think you can understand his reluctance to share information he doesn’t want distributed by the media.”
“Oh how silly.” Thorgana waved a hand as if the notion was ridiculous, but even though she appeared to be little more than diamonds and silk on the outside, I wasn’t so sure that Iannis’s caution was misplaced. After all, she was the owner of the company, wasn’t she? “I have little to do with the business I inherited from my father. It pays for my jewels and parties, but I leave the muck-raking to my managers.”
“Of course.” I smiled indulgently. My nose told me she wasn’t lying, but there was something about the way she said it that made me unsure whether to believe her protestations.
“Well, I suppose I ought to get back to my husband,” Thorgana said with a little sigh. “I’m done here, but my husband isn’t, so I must be the dutiful wife and finish making the rounds with him. Don’t worry, though,” she added with a wink. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Enjoy the party,” I murmured as she walked gracefully back to her husband, who was schmoozing with a couple of delegates in Cedris’s camp. I toyed with one of the jewels in my skirt, still trying to discern exactly what it was about my conversation with Mrs. Mills that made me uneasy.
I didn’t have long to dwell on it, though, because Coman passed in front of my line of sight, and something about his purposeful gait gave me pause. He wore a pair of dark maroon robes shot through with silver threading, and the embroidery sparkled in the light as his robes rippled about his tall form. I thought perhaps he was going to join the group of mages clustered near the hors d’oeuvres-laden tables to talk to his boss, but Lord Cedris was no longer amongst them. Instead, Coman headed for the ballroom exit. Senses tingling, I handed off my half-empty champagne glass to a waiter, then made my way across the room as quickly as I could without drawing attention. Coman could just be looking for the restroom, but my intuition told me that he was up to something.
I stepped out into the hallway and looked to my left just in time to see Coman’s robes follow him into a room about thirty feet down. The door clicked shut, and I frowned as I heard him slide a bolt into place. The sign on the door proclaimed it to be a smoking room, as did the noxious odor of tobacco and cigarette ash that lingered on the air outside. It didn’t make sense that Coman would lock it unless he was meeting someone in private.
Knowing it would look odd if I stood outside in the hall to listen in, I tried the door to the right of the smoking room and found that it was a broom closet. Sandwiching myself between a large mop bucket and the wall, I closed my eyes, put my ear to the thin wall, and focused in on the conversation occurring in the other room.
“You have an excellent chance at securing the vote tomorrow,” Coman was saying, sounding quite pleased with himself. “If only half of those still undecided throw their support behind you, the odds are better than even.”
“You say that, but quite a few of the delegates I talked to tonight seemed to be favoring Lord Iannis,” Lord Cedris remarked. The dark undertone to his smooth, cultured voice suggested he was not happy about this.
“Yes, but you have the upper hand,” Coman insisted. “I’ve spoken to the mages we discussed, and all but one promised their support in exchange for raising the gold production cap of their respective states. Some actually sounded offended that Lord Iannis had not approached them with similar promises. You have many key players on your side.”
“Just as well.” There was a pause. “How is the Minister faring? All of this will come to nothing if he recovers or if someone discovers the truth about his illness. Has anyone tried to visit him?”
“Not since we moved him to that house on Blixton Road,” Coman reassured him. “The number of guards we had outside the last location were drawing too much attention, so I’ve lightened the detail. Nobody is likely to go looking there since it’s on the south side of town, and besides, it may not matter soon. From what the guards tell me, he is not improving.”
“So much the better.” Lord Cedris sounded satisfied. “We ought to get back to the ballroom before we are missed.”
I held my breath as I listened to them exit the smoking room, and waited until their footfalls had long faded before I cautiously let myself out of the closet and went to report what I’d learned to Iannis.
26
Excitement thrummed through my nerves as I re-entered the ballroom – I was sure we could manage to locate the Minister with the information I’d overheard in the broom closet! Plus, it sounded like Lord Cedris was trying to rig the vote, and it was definitely suspicious that he seemed to be the only delegate who knew where the Minister was. If we got our hand on the Minister and brought him back to health, we could bring Lord Cedris’s campaign crashing down.
I navigated the sea of colorful and bejeweled guests, searching for Iannis, but between the crush of bodies, the loud chatter, and the amalgamation of scents, it was l
ike searching for a single flower in a sea of blossoms. Not seeing him amongst the groups of gossiping mages, I made my way to the dance floor to check if he was out there twirling some female on his arm.
Long fingers curled around my upper arm, and a familiar, lightly-accented voice murmured in my ear, “Would you care to dance?”
“Iannis.” The name escaped me like a sigh, and I turned to face him. A slight smile played on his lips, and his iridescent eyes shimmered in the muted yellow light from the chandelier.
He offered me his hand, and as I placed my palm in his, an electric current ran between us, sending heat rippling through me like a gust from a sirocco. I allowed him to lead me out onto the ballroom floor, and though I felt the stares from the other dancing couples as their swirling robes and skirts brushed up against us, my eyes were locked on his.
Gently, Iannis took my right hand in his, then slid his other hand behind my left shoulder blade. I wrapped my fingers around his upper arm, mimicking the other couples, and just like that we were waltzing with the rest of the dancers.
“The rumor that we are lovers has spread through the delegation like wildfire, and is being used to discredit my so-called campaign,” Iannis murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes. “We might as well give them something to gossip about.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say some of my rebellious streak is beginning to rub off on you.” I grinned, enjoying this side of Iannis that few people ever saw.
“Perhaps.” The tips of his fingers caressed my exposed upper back, sending a lick of heat through my spine. “I do wonder if perhaps I should consider the role of Minister. If we are left with Lord Cedris as our next leader, the Federation will not be in safe hands.”
“Maybe.” I leaned in a little closer so that my words wouldn’t be overheard. My breasts brushed against his chest, and the words momentarily caught in my throat. “But before you start worrying about that, we should visit the current Minister ourselves and see if you can’t do something about his illness.”
Iannis’s dark brows shot up. “Have you discovered his location?” he asked, his lips hovering a few inches from mine.
“I have,” I confirmed, my voice a little breathless. “I snuck into a broom closet and overheard Lord Cedris and Coman talking about it.” I recounted to him exactly what I’d overheard.
Iannis’s expression never changed while I spoke, but by the time I was done his eyes were sparkling dangerously. “It sounds like Lord Cedris knows exactly why the Minister has fallen ill, and is keeping him sequestered to prevent anyone from helping him. He should be surrounded by physicians and healers, not just guards.”
“That’s kind of what I’m thinking too.” I hesitated for just a moment. “Should we go and get him tonight?”
“We’ll get him now.” Iannis’s mouth tightened. “The vote is tomorrow, and if the Minister is as gravely ill as Coman indicated, we cannot afford to delay.”
“Do you think it’ll be suspicious if we leave early?” I turned my gaze toward the dancers around us, who were still casting surreptitious glances at us.
“You could feign an illness of some kind,” Iannis suggested. “If you swoon in my arms, I’m sure no one would think it suspicious.”
“I’m not swooning,” I started to snap, then caught the glint of amusement in his eye. “You’re teasing me.”
“It is remarkably easy to do.”
I caught myself just as I was about to roll my eyes, then instead hunched forward a little and pressed a hand against my abdomen. “Oooh,” I groaned, just loud enough that the dancers near us would be able to hear.
Iannis placed steadying hands on my shoulders. “Are you alright?” he asked, playing along.
“I think those salmon canapés didn’t agree with me.” I braced a hand on his forearm, as if for support. “Perhaps it’s best that I turn in for the night.”
“I’ll make sure you’re seen back to the hotel, then.” He tucked my arm in his and guided me carefully off the dance floor, as if not wanting to move too fast lest he upset my stomach. I kept my hand placed over my abdomen, allowing lines of strain to tighten my face, and the dancers who saw us hastily cleared a path. Guess they weren’t really into the idea of getting projectile vomit on their finery.
I stiffened momentarily as I caught an excited whisper. “Can she be expecting his child?”
“Why else would he be so solicitous of a mere assistant?”
I bit back a snarl at that. I wanted to give those two gossips a piece of my mind, but I had bigger things to worry about, so I bit my tongue and kept moving.
“Leaving so soon?” The Finance Secretary approached us as we headed for the exit.
“Ah, Cirin.” A faint smile curled Iannis’s lips. “I’m taking Miss Sernan back to the hotel as she isn’t feeling well, but I’d like a word with you. Would you mind following us outside?”
“Certainly.” The Finance Secretary’s expression never changed, but curiosity flickered in his dark blue eyes as he fell into step with us. We made quick goodbyes to the variety of mages who came up to us, then boarded the elevator and asked the operator to take us down to the second floor.
“What is it that you wanted to speak to me about, Lord Iannis?” the Finance Secretary asked once we were out on the front steps awaiting our carriage.
Iannis glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot, then leaned in. “Miss Baine has discovered the Minister’s whereabouts.”
“Is that so?” Cirin’s eyebrows winged up as he turned his gaze toward me. “How did you manage that? I’ve made discreet inquiries of my own, but I’ve yet to turn anything up.”
“Yeah, well, you don’t have my super-hearing skills.” I tapped my left ear, then grinned as Iannis and Cirin both gave me vaguely annoyed looks.
“The how is not important at this moment,” Iannis said impatiently. “Miss Baine and I will go see the Minister now. It is likely we will be bringing him back with us. Apparently Coman ar’Daghir, Rhodea’s Legal Secretary, is hiding him somewhere on Blixton Road, on the south side of town.”
Cirin frowned. “I’m gathering it’s no coincidence that the Chief Mage of Rhodea is the frontrunner as the Minister’s replacement?”
“You can put money on that,” I assured him.
“Alright. I’ll prepare a room for the Minister, and discreetly tell the rest of our delegation.” Cirin hesitated. “Are you sure you will be alright on your own? I could always put one of the other delegates on this and come with you.”
“No, Miss Baine and I will be fine.”
“Very well.” The Finance Secretary bowed deeply. “Good luck, to the both of you.” His eyes met mine for a heartbeat longer than necessary, assessing me, and then he was gone, headed back up the stairs and to the light and laughter of the ballroom.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Are you sure he can be trusted?”
“Cirin is ambitious, but loyal,” Iannis said. “He’s gotten to where he is because of me, and he won’t damage that alliance.”
The carriage the concierge had called for us pulled up, and a footman jumped down from the rear to open the door and help us climb in. Iannis gave the driver directions in a low voice, and the vehicle bumped and jostled along the streets as it headed over to the South Side neighborhood.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked, reclining against the plushy upholstery. “Are you expecting me to fight the guards in this dress?” I could do it, of course, but I was growing fond of the garment and I didn’t want to ruin it.
“Of course not,” Iannis said “We’ll use magic to distract the guards and then sneak in.”
Iannis used illusion magic to disguise us, swapping out our finery for dark, unassuming clothing and hooded cloaks that would hide our faces. The carriage came to a stop, and I stepped onto the cracked sidewalk and looked around while Iannis paid the driver and gave him instructions to wait until we returned. Sewage and brine laced the air, and many of
the houses here sported peeling paint, rickety fencing, and dingy windows. Every third streetlamp or so was cracked, casting the neighborhood in more darkness than it perhaps deserved, and I couldn’t help but think that Lord Cedris had chosen a good location to hide the Minister. No one would think to look for him in a rundown neighborhood like this.
It took a bit of searching, but we found the house several blocks up, sitting in the middle of a wide, unkempt yard that prevented the other houses from cozying up to it. I picked out three guards total, two by the front porch and one by the rear, a dead giveaway in this poor area.
“They set wards set around the perimeter,” Iannis murmured as we studied the rear of the property from across the street. “Likely to prevent the Minister from leaving. I will need to disable them in order to get him out safely.”
I sighed. “Are you sure we can’t just knock the guards out?”
“Doing so will only alert Lord Cedris,” Iannis reminded me. “I’d like to keep him in the dark about this until after the vote.”
“Oh alright.” I huffed out a breath, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’ll do this your way.”
Iannis muttered a Word, and the streetlamp posted on the sidewalk outside the rear of the house flickered twice before plunging the street into darkness. The guard, who had been lounging against the two-story house’s faded siding, straightened up with a curse and fumbled for his flashlight. In the time it took for him to find it, Iannis and I darted across the street and up the back steps, our feet making no sound as we alighted on the porch.
The guard’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to say something, but Iannis held up a hand and the man stopped. His lips moved, but no sound came out, and I gathered that Iannis had frozen his vocal chords just like Fenris had done to me back when I’d been mouthing off to the Council.
“Vyagari,” Iannis whispered, and the guard’s eyes glazed over. “You will open the door and let us through, and you will not tell the other guards about this.” Power resonated in his voice, sending chills down my spine. “When we come out again, you will lock the door behind us and forget that we were here.”