Sarina wasn’t sure what to make of the comment. Who is ‘their man’? And why do we need his forgiveness? The riots aren’t our fault.
“Eve and the others are gonna show up later than us,” Ace said. “So if he gets mad at us, it’ll be worse for them.”
Sarina assumed they were referring to their other friends who would introduce them to Gentleman.
“Raven is gonna be late for sure, ‘cause he’s not flying to Paris,” Ace added. “Probably safer for him to keep a low profile right now, but maybe he’ll be pissy enough to leave that smug grin home.”
Sarina’s ears perked up. The name Raven sounded familiar. He was a rogue Darkshaper who led a group of mercenaries—a group that a lot of people wanted to join because Raven, supposedly, could make others fly. Under different circumstances, Sarina might have been tempted to join herself, not that she would ever admit that to Ace. He acted more than a little hostile towards the mercenary Darkshaper.
Sarina cleared her throat. “Where are we staying?” she asked, wanting to think of something more pleasant. They were in Paris, after all.
“A real nice mansion,” Ace said enthusiastically.
“So your friend Gentleman’s rich?” Sarina asked, then checked herself so she wouldn’t sound rude. “I mean, housing prices in Paris must be through the roof, right?”
Ace shrugged. “Maybe he’s rich, maybe not. But it doesn’t matter, ’cause it ain’t Gentleman who’s hosting us.”
“It’s not?” Sarina asked in a small voice.
“Nope, Wondergirl, it’s not. But don’t worry. We’re all gonna be royalty tonight.”
***
After Ace’s grand announcement, the house where they pulled up left Sarina underwhelmed. Sure, it looked nice, but it was not nearly as palatial as she’d expected. It blended with the neighborhood’s nineteenth-century theme: two stories of heavily ornamented golden brown stone with tall, narrow windows. Its roof consisted of multiple dark-blue domes. The house itself was protected by high walls and a massive iron-barred gate, with an expansive overgrown garden surrounding it.
Sarina considered the sprouting thicket with suspicion. Too bad they can’t afford a gardener.
The gate opened as their car approached, by remote control, without a security guard in sight or an intercom system to demand an identity check. Tess steered the car down a long driveway, stopping in front of the house.
“No welcoming committee this time?” Ace commented, peering out the window. “The man’s not losing his charm, I hope.”
“He’s probably short on staff,” Tess said. “Everything’s changed now that the streets are full of protesters and the Covenant’s out for blood.”
Sarina didn’t want to talk about the Covenant anymore. “Where are we?” She asked.
She looked to Jasper for answers and he was quick to comply. “From what I’ve gathered, the rest of the group visited this place a few weeks ago before I hooked up with them,” he explained in a quiet voice. “Back then, at least, a few rogues stayed here at the court. It looks like most of them have left Paris.”
Sarina nodded, but she was still confused. Why were other Evolved fleeing when France offered them more freedom than most other countries? And if other Evolved were fleeing this place for their own safety, then why did the Nameless bring her here? She forced herself to get out of the car. She knew if she chickened out now, she’d make an ass of herself. It didn’t sit well with her, but it was too late for any doubts. Besides, Jasper still didn’t look concerned.
The mansion’s massive front door swung open on its own accord as the six Nameless approached it. Sarina couldn’t help but gasp as she stepped inside.
The house’s interior far outshone its outer appearance. Every inch of the entrance foyer had been tastefully decorated, arranged, or painted in a way that suggested a strong Renaissance-era influence. All the wealth and beauty of the early days of Versailles, brought to life in modern day. Sarina noticed immediately that the light seemed to obey different laws here—laws that could only have been redefined by Lightshaper powers. A faint golden glow clung to every surface, making the entire space appear in the best possible light.
“This isn’t real,” she said, impressed against her will. The anxiety she’d felt only moments before evaporated in the warm golden sheen.
The magical atmosphere seemed to have a similar effect on Jasper, too. He stopped dead in his tracks beside her, ear buds dangling from his neck.
As Sarina looked all around her, she was once again startled when her eyes landed on Snow. Despite her stark white hair, her teardrop tattoo and her alabaster doll’s dress, she was easy to overlook. She wasn't exactly removed from the picture, but she lacked presence as much as she lacked color. The smile that was now on her face was unusual enough to draw Sarina’s attention.
“Welcome to the land where nothing is as it appears to be,” Sunny chortled, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“What is this place?” Sarina murmured. Before anyone could answer her, a dwarf hobbled into the entrance dressed in a miniature page’s livery complete with frills and a white wig. She couldn’t help but stare, and not just at the ridiculous outfit. His little person’s stunted stature made him identifiable as Colosso, a powerful Revoker and the world’s shortest Evolved.
The tiny man called out to the arrivals in a surprising sonorous voice, heavy with an Italian accent. “Welcome to the Sun King’s court.”
So this is the Sun King’s house. Sarina finally understood. The Sun King was an eccentric French rogue who had become relatively well known for his friendship with France’s president. Sarina hadn’t known the Lightshaper ruled over a court of his own, but, given his Evolved name, she supposed it made sense.
“Please, come in,” Colosso urged.
Ace waved a hand in Snow’s direction. “Her, too?”
“The white girl does not enter the court,” Colosso ordered. “I’ll show her to a room upstairs, same as last time.”
Sarina felt sorry for the girl. Sure, she was a little creepy looking, but she was also harmless. Sarina turned to Snow to give her a commiserating look, but the girl’s faraway expression gave no indication that she cared, or that she even knew what was going on.
Sunny must have noticed Sarina’s look because he brought a hand to his mouth for a stage whisper. “The Princess doesn’t like Snow.”
The Princess? This day keeps getting weirder and weirder.
Before she had a chance to ask Jasper about it, the foyer’s interior double doors swung open to reveal a reception room even more luxurious than the entrance. Tall windows lined the back wall, expanding into a semicircular niche housing a long antique table. A dozen high-backed chairs were drawn up to it, and the flowing curtains, decadent furniture, and impressive artwork gave the same impression of opulence as the foyer. The early evening light flooded the room through the windows, painting the furniture and interior décor in soft hues.
Sarina’s attention was drawn to the dark-skinned man, sitting at one end of the grand table. From his attire of lavish late Renaissance–era garments, she supposed that he was the Sun King. His red velvet frock featured enormous wide-cut sleeves and white frills that spilled over his chest. The long curls of black hair, extending to his elbows, suggested he wore a wig. But it was his magnetic aura that captured her attention. His radiant personality was almost palpable, making it had to look away from him.
Is this a power, too? Sarina wondered.
She noted the little girl who sat on a chair to his right when the Sun King turned his head to address her. “Odette, salue les visiteurs, je t’en prie.”
Oh. So this is Princess Odette.
Sarina had read about her. At only six years old, the Princess was considered the world’s youngest Evolved as well as the second most powerful clairvoyant after the Oracle. The guys in charge of power classifications couldn’t decide whether she was an Empath or a Visionary. Regardless, it looked as if the orphan girl had found
a new home.
Odette gingerly slipped off her seat, clasping the full skirt of her blue silk dress with both her hands. As she pattered to the new arrivals, Sarina noticed her tiny gold-clasped princess shoes.
Odette's attention landed first on Tess. When she glanced at Ace, something about the rugged Australian brought a frown to her small face. Sunny drew the little girl’s interest next. Unlike his team leader, he held her gaze for a moment. Odette tilted her head and watched him with a finger pressed to her bottom lip.
What’s with all the scrutiny? Sarina wondered. She glanced around for Snow, but the white-haired girl had disappeared along with the page.
When the Princess’s eyes landed on Jasper, she smiled. The little girl stepped closer to him, taking the fingers of his hand into her own. He held her attention half a minute or so, and no one spoke. Still grasping Jasper’s fingers, the girl turned her eyes on Sarina. Odette’s eyebrows hiked up to the ceiling, and her mouth formed a small “o.”
Sarina looked around anxiously, not sure if she had done something wrong.
“Do not be afraid,” the Sun King said in French-accented English. His voice carried across the room with a presence that demanded attention. “She only wants to get a feel for you.” For whatever reason, he sounded pleased.
Princess Odette let go of Jasper’s fingers and grasped one of Sarina’s hands instead. The child gave the hand a tug, and then another until Sarina took the hint and leaned over.
Odette raised her lips to Sarina’s ear. “Ange,” she whispered in the tiniest of voices.
Angel?
The little girl dipped a curtsy before scampering back to her seat with small ladylike steps.
Sarina was left feeling dazed, not sure what to make of this strange introduction. The others stared at her with questions written all over their faces, and Sunny’s mouth twisted into a pout.
“What does that word mean?” he whispered.
He heard that? Sarina was surprised. Odette’s whisper had been barely audible even for her. He must have super hearing.
“I don’t know what it means,” Sarina lied. She made a mental note not to whisper unless she wanted the sharp-eared kid to overhear.
“Magnifique,” the Sun King said, clapping his hands together. “Finally you bring me someone interesting!”
Sarina wondered if she should be concerned by the Lightshaper’s apparent interest in the new arrivals. She looked over at Jasper for direction. His posture wasn’t tense, but there was a hint of surprise on his face.
“Sit, sit!” the Sun King commanded.
Ace pulled the hat from his head and ran his fingers through his hair, then nodded to the others before leading the assembled Nameless to the table.
Princess Odette had already returned to the Sun King’s side, saying something into his ear with her hand cupped around her mouth.
What’s with all the whispering? Sarina looked over at Sunny.
“I hate that my French sucks,” the boy muttered.
Sarina turned her attention back to Princess Odette, relieved to see that the little girl looked comfortable in the man’s presence.
As Ace approached the Sun King on the way to an empty seat, he bowed a low bow. The Sun King nodded in acknowledgment. The others followed Ace’s example, with Jasper’s bow making his limbs look especially gangly. Since Sarina was last in line she felt silly when it was her turn, but she bowed anyway so she wouldn’t stand out.
“Louis,” Ace said, pronouncing his name “Louie” in the French way. He pulled out a chair across from the Lightshaper. “Thanks for having us.”
“De rien. Now, will you please sit? Everyone, please! Ciro should bring dinner in a few moments. I presume you are all a little hungry from your travels, non?” Louis smiled, showing off teeth that were bright white in contrast to his dark skin.
Ciro? Does he mean Colosso? Sarina wondered. It made sense that the Sun King wanted a Revoker at court. Revokers with their power-canceling abilities were useful for keeping other Evolved at bay.
Odette climbed back onto her chair with the aid of a small footstool. Another footstool sat beside a chair to the Sun King’s left, most likely for the dwarf.
Sarina and the other Nameless chose seats further down the table from the Sun King. Sarina made sure to claim the chair across from Jasper. She wanted to be near someone she could trust in case this evening took a turn for the worse. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable, exactly; the near overwhelming beauty of the Sun King’s palace and radiant aura had a soothing effect. But she still didn’t trust this whole Paris gathering deal.
“So the girl’s your main advisor now?” Ace asked, indicating the Princess’s chair on the Sun King’s right.
Louis gracefully laced his fingers together. “There is a saying about wisdom from the mouths of fools and babes. Have you heard it?”
Ace didn’t look convinced. “I’ve never put much faith in those old wives’ tales.”
“Ciro’s advice as well, of course,” the Sun King pointed out, seemingly unoffended by the Aussie’s questioning. “I have little need of more personnel, especially now that things are getting complicated. But my court does still lack something.” He pursed his lips in contemplation, then continued. “An orchestra, maybe, or perhaps just a skilled composer. Ciro may be Italian, but he is no Jean-Baptiste Lully.”
Was that some kind of inside joke? Sarina wondered.
The Sun King wheezed a laugh at his reference to the real King Louis’ famous court composer before turning his attention to Jasper. “But here is an Englishman composer, brought right to my doorway. Correct?”
Jasper met the Sun King’s gaze just a little too eagerly. “I’m a composer, yeah. I’ve brought some samples, if you’d like to check them out. I could grab them right now if you wanted.”
“Louis, you’re cheating,” Ace said. “No powers on my group. DJ, stop gawking at him.”
Sarina took the advice as her cue to tear her own gaze from the man. She had to invest some willpower to break her stare, though. Whatever power he’s got, it sure is compelling. She grasped the silver fork on her embroidered dinner napkin just to have something different to stare at.
She felt eyes on her as she squinted across the table at Sunny, who’d taken the seat beside Jasper and only had eyes for her. Noting her shift in attention, he quickly glanced away.
Sheesh. Kiddie crush. The thought amused her.
“Yes, later perhaps,” the Sun King said in response to Jasper’s offer. “But before that, I must insist on seeing the girl dance.”
Sarina’s eyebrows shot up. “What? Now?”
“No, no, of course not. You just arrived,” the Sun King assured with utmost grace. “And the others will not arrive until later tonight or early tomorrow. We will wait until the morning when we are all gathered.” He turned to Ace. “We will need to know the extent of support she can provide.”
Sarina’s eyes sought Ace’s. He flashed her a lopsided grin which was a little on the apologetic side. But only a little.
So they wanted to use her power for their own purposes. That’s why the Nameless had to see for themselves that she could access her power before they would consider taking her to Paris with them. The realization sunk in like a stone dropped into water.
“I don’t want to be rude, but just why are we here?” she asked no one in particular, her fingers tightening their grip on the silver fork.
“Because, ma chérie, we may very well be facing worldwide disaster in the near future.” The Sun King addressed her with amiable patience. “My good friends and I are meeting to discuss what we are going to do about it.”
And how you’re going to use me to do it, Sarina thought in reply. She looked at Jasper, who met her gaze with less certainty than before. Was this news to him, too? Sure, she told him a hundred times over their chats that she wanted to use her powers, and apparently he had set her up with an opportunity to do so. She trusted his judgment, yes. But she still wasn’t
sure about the others.
Sarina returned her attention to the Sun King. “Are you villains?” She didn’t exactly have proof of that, but a few facts were starting to add up: avoiding the Covenant, hacking into computers, keeping her in the dark about this gathering. She had to ask.
The Lightshaper looked her in the eye. “And by that, you are referring to fairy-tale villains, non?” He sighed and shook his head. “I have no love for the pop entertainment that keeps promoting those silly ideas. Nobody is all good or all bad, regardless of how some list-maker classifies them. The Covenant just murdered Shanti, did they not? Yes, they followed orders. But ‘hero’ is a word with little meaning now.”
Before Sarina could decide how she felt about all of this, Colosso entered the parlor. “The white girl has been shown to her quarters, and dinner shall be served in a few moments,” he announced in his strange sonorous voice before toddling out the door.
“Merci, Ciro,” the Sun King called after him before returning his attention to Sarina. “Now, what was I saying? Oh, mais oui. None of us wish anyone harm, I assure you. Everyone in this room wants to do what they believe in their hearts is right.”
Sarina let that sink in. She wasn’t entirely convinced, but she didn’t want to rush to the door, either, especially without Jasper and the two kids.
“So if you’re not villains, you’ll let me leave anytime I want?”
“Naturellement,” the Lightshaper responded. “I am a Frenchman, a firm believer in freedom. But I hope that, out of respect for the hospitality I have shown you, you will at least stay until tomorrow. My friends have come a long way to see you dance.”
The Princess and Sunny looked back at her with pleading eyes.
“Okay,” she finally agreed.
Princess Odette clapped her little hands in glee, and the Sun King smiled. He didn’t look surprised by Sarina’s agreement.
When she looked over at Jasper again, he made his index and middle fingers form a victory sign against the edge of the table. It wasn’t much, but it was reassuring. She made a mental note to pull him aside at the earliest opportunity. She had a million more questions that needed answering.
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