by RaeLynn Fry
“You danced with Akin?” He sounds nervous and annoyed at the same time. “You should have told me immediately.”
“I didn’t exactly have the opportunity. Pearl was practically drowning you with her drool.”
“She has a tendency to do that. A lot.”
“It’s repulsive.” I stare over his shoulder at Pearl, who’s glaring at us like an angry tiger. I pull Ethan in a little closer and offer a demure smile.
“You did quite a good job with her,” Ethan gives a satisfied laugh. “I thought I was about to witness a murder, and that’s not something I can fit into my schedule right now. I was getting ready to find a comm and get some Guards over there.”
“I’m sure she thought about it.”
“We’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.”
“Speak for yourself. You’ve obviously come to Dahn often enough to make friends. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
A smile twitches his lips. “You sound a little jealous.”
“What? No I’m not,” I sputter.
He winks at me. “I beg to differ.”
“Well, so are you,” I counter like a child.
“Me, jealous?”
I nod.
“Of what?”
“When I was dancing with Benjamin.”
“Far from it, actually.”
I shrug. “So, if I told you that he kissed me—and I kissed him back—you wouldn’t be upset?”
“What?” Ethan voice shouts over the music as we stop dancing, getting several startled looks. “That lout!” His jaw sets, and I can’t help but laugh. I take a step, and we start dancing again.
“Lout?” His eyes dart down to mine, and his face relaxes a bit. “The only thing he kissed was my hand,” I say.
“Which is still too much.”
“All you had to do was admit you were jealous.”
“Fine, I’m jealous, happy?”
“Actually, I am,” I say with a smile. “But you had your chance to kiss me first earlier.” He still has the chance.
Ethan’s eyes slip down to my mouth as his hand presses into the small of my back, bringing me closer to him. I tilt my chin up, my fingers grabbing the back of his jacket. My heart speeds up as he lowers his face closer to mine, and pauses just before our mouths meet. His lips press together before he speaks again. “So what did Mr. Hughes want?” He pulls away.
I try to find a tactful way of saying this but decide on being blunt. “I think he was flirting with me.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s nothing more than a dirty old man.”
“Keep your voice down.” I look around and make sure what he’s said went unnoticed. “You shouldn’t talk like that.”
“People’ve heard me say far worse. What did you two talk about?”
“He thinks I should go into politics and offered me a job. He asked me if I liked the masquerade and if my invitation was one of the ones delivered late.”
“He was trying to figure out who you are. None of the invitations were delivered late—the Corporation would never let that happen.”
“Figured as much. I changed the subject.” We bump into another couple, and Ethan glides us away. “Stephen came up to get him by then. Said they had important business to discuss.”
“Did he say what it was?”
“I didn’t catch much; I was in survival mode. Something about missing steel and wood finished products but increased raw inventory. He seemed excited about it. Then they left.”
Ethan’s eyes flit up to the ceiling, as if he can see through to what’s going on in the rooms above. “I need to get up there and find out what’s going on.”
“Ethan, you can’t. We came here to make a deal with D’mitri.” I know he’s still contemplating how to escape the party to find out what Akin’s up to. I can see it in his eyes. It will be hard for him to give up an opportunity like this. “For my brother.”
His attention comes back. “Of course. There’s always time to stir up trouble with the Corporation.” He gives me one of his rare, genuine smiles, and my heart skips. We spin and dance around the room with the music, our motions effortless and light.
“Ella’s looking for you,” a voice says, stopping our movement. I lean around Ethan’s frame and see Benjamin’s arm slung around Fifi’s willowy body.
“Where?” Ethan asks.
“Follow us.” We fall into step behind the couple.
“I see her,” I say, finding her at the edge of the crowd in a yellow and orange sari. We snake our way through guests, leaving Fifi and Benjamin behind.
“He’s over in the corner, by the conversation area,” Ella says when we approach, never taking her eyes from the dancers. If anyone were to see us, they’d have no idea we were having a conversation.
Ethan narrows his gaze on our target, like a hawk on a field mouse. “Got him.” Reaching back, he takes my hand and guides us towards D’mitri.
७
“Let me do the talking,” Ethan whispers in my ear when we get closer.
D’mitri isn’t what I expect a dealer to look like. I pictured someone more like the Black Market Artist, but what I get is a man more like Akin. He’s tall and slender. Everything—from his slicked-back, dark hair to his shiny shoes—is laced with lethal beauty. He’s dressed in a tuxedo and white half-mask, surrounded by young girls costumed as various flowers, felines, and jesters.
“Entertaining party,” D’mitri says as we approach, never taking his gaze from the frivolity.
“It’s lacking a certain something,” Ethan says.
D’mitri turns his head slowly and appraises Ethan and me. “And what might that be?”
“Something that only you can bring to the table.”
D’mitri stares at us a moment longer before leaning to the women flanking him. He murmurs something I can’t quite make out, and the women leave. He gestures to a private seating area set off from the dance floor. Ethan and I walk into the small room enclosed by sheer bronze curtains and take seats; me on a chaise lounge and Ethan on an ottoman.
D’mitri pulls the curtains closed, taking a seat in a high-backed chair. The fabric is far from providing privacy, but there’s adequate distortion, and the music and voices are loud enough that we can speak normally without the risk of being overheard. I hope.
“What is it you think I can provide you with?” D’mitri’s voice is soft and deep; his eyes linger on me, and I resist the urge to shift my weight in the chaise. He crosses one long leg over the other. Ethan’s perched at the edge of the ottoman, like a bird on a wire, a knot of nerves ready to take flight.
“Soloria.” Ethan says the word as if it’s the hardest thing to get out.
“Oooh.” D’miti sucks his breath in dramatically. “That’s going to be expensive.” He narrows his eyes and appraises Ethan.
“Credits aren’t an issue.” It’s eerie hearing Ethan echo Pearl’s sentiments.
“Some things are worth more than credits. Now tell me, why on earth would you need Solaria? That’s a very rare and specific synthetic drug. Highly regulated and dangerous to move.”
“Our reasons are our own,” Ethan says.
“I can only guess.”
Ethan sighs in irritation at D’mitri’s game. “Can you get it or not?” he snaps.
“Of course I can get it, boy,” D’mitri practically spits out the words. “If I couldn’t, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now asking me for it.” He’s back to being composed. “But like I said, the price is heavy.”
“Name it.”
D’mitri doesn’t even pause for thought. “Your identities.” He watches our reactions.
Ethan freezes; his chest doesn’t even move for breaths. My heart beats like a bird’s—fast and small.
“What kind of price is that?” Ethan finally says.
D’mitri folds his hands neatly in his lap. “The appropriate one for a person who’s willing to make a deal of this nature, right under the Corporation’s no
se, and obviously has something important to hide. I want to know what that something is.”
“This is ridiculous. I should think credits would be more appealing to a man of your nature.”
“I’ve given you the price. Either you pay it, or you don’t.”
I’m already reaching for the ribboned ties of my mask. Ethan’s hand snaps up to stop me. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“Apparently not unreasonable enough if she’s so willing to pay it.” D’mitri nods in my direction while Ethan shakes his head and looks at the floor.
“Or maybe I just find the price reasonable for what it buys,” I say. Ella said that without this, Ajna would die. She said to pay anything. And I don’t see this as being negotiable. I don’t plan to be in Dahn much longer for my identity to be of any use to him, anyway.
“Which it isn’t,” Ethan finally says.
“I can’t give you what you require if only one of you pays.” D’mitri’s voice has lost its soft edge. “The cost is both of your identities.”
“We don’t have a choice,” I hiss to Ethan.
“How do we know you’ll come through?” Ethan asks D’mitri.
“I’m a man of my word. The Solaria will be on your doorstep tomorrow morning before you wake.”
“One condition,” Ethan says.
“My arrangements don’t come with buyer’s conditions.”
“Make an exception.”
“I’ll hear you out, but I promise nothing.”
“You can’t reveal to anyone who we are or that we were here.”
D’mitri’s eyes light. “Very well, I can live with that,” he says after a stretched pause.
Ethan still looks distraught at what we’re about to do. I pull the string and let my mask fall into my lap.
“A beautiful stranger. Tell me, my dear, what is your name?”
“That information wasn’t part of the price.”
He’s amused if not irritated by my answer. “You are too right; I shall keep that in mind next time.”
Ethan jerks his ties loose and peels the mask from his face. This seems to be what D’mitri’s looking for. His eyes dance with excitement. He leans forward in his chair, taking hold of Ethan’s chin, examining his features.
“Ah, but this is an interesting turn.” His eyes jump from me to Ethan and back again. Something clicks and his lips curl into a devious smile. “The girl doesn’t know?”
“Know what?” I ask. “That he’s from Dahn?”
I feel Ethan stiffen.
“Is that what you think his big secret is?” D’mitri laughs as Ethan jerks his chin out of the man’s long fingers. “Remember your end of the bargain,” Ethan says through clenched teeth.
“Yes, yes, as I said, I’m a man of my word. But I won’t be leaving this on your doorstep. I think that would cause unnecessary attention for both of us. How about your doorstep, dear?”
“Fine,” Ethan says. “She’s staying with Ella Shaw.”
“The Medic?” His grin is beyond amusement. “The situation gets more and more interesting. I wonder if the Corporation knows what their Medics are up to?”
“You won’t be the one telling them,” Ethan growls.
“No, of course not. Now that we’ve reached an arrangement and you’ve paid, I think I shall get back to the party. It was lovely to meet you. I have a very strong feeling that we’ll see each other again. Soon and often.” He brushes his lips over the back of my hand. “I hope you have a forgiving nature.” He leaves through the curtains, turning around before he disappears. “Give the birthday boy my best.”
“What was that about?” I ask when he leaves.
“Put on your mask, we need to get out of here.” We tie our masks back on, and Ethan grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet a bit roughly. We storm out of the temporary room and bump through people.
“How long have you known about me?” he demands as he pulls me through the crowd.
“Long enough. I’m still trying to figure out why you would lie to me about it.”
“Drop it, Karis. It’s only going to put you in more danger.”
“Obviously, with the way D’mitri reacted. What was that all about?”
He ignores me, taking us through the edge of the crowd.
“Ethan!” I let my irritation come through in my voice. “Tell me what that was about.”
He slows a little. “It was nothing. Dealers can’t be trusted in anything they say. He’s just playing with our heads.”
Of course I don’t believe him, but I also know he’s not going to tell me what that was really about. “That was an odd price,” I say, fishing, “but not risky or costly.”
“Maybe not for you.” He squeezes my hand tighter as we slip out of the party.
७
Ethan drops me off at Ella’s door without as much as a goodbye. He’s still upset about D’mitri. I climb the stairs to my room with heavy steps, exhausted, resting against the door after I shut it, closing my eyes. I’m grateful I didn’t have any episodes like at the market.
“Did it go well with D’mitri?”
My eyes snap open. Ella’s sitting on the edge of my bed, her hair tied up in a knot and dressed in pajamas—soft pants and a loose shirt. She must have left the party right after we saw her.
“I didn't know you were here,” I say, stepping away from the door. My dress rustles in the quiet as I walk. “I thought the meeting went fine, but Ethan wasn’t too happy with how it went.”
“What was the price?”
I pull my gloves off, glancing briefly at my Mark. “Our identities.” I fold the dark blue silk and lay them on the table.
She purses her lips together tightly, giving a tight nod. “An interesting price.”
“I thought it’d be more costly.”
“For some, that’s the highest price of all. Tired?"
“Exhausted.”
“Of course you are,” she says, but doesn't move from where she sits. “Go change, Karis. We need to talk.” Her look is serious, the lines on her face deep, her eyes tired. This is the first time since I've met her that she looks her age.
“Can this wait until tomorrow?” But I already know the answer.
“No, it can't. And I think you know why.”
I know exactly why.
७
“Have you told Ethan?” Ella asks when I walk back into the room, dressed in a set of similar pajamas.
I drape the dress over the back of an oversized chair and avoid eye contact. “Tell him what?”
“I'm not the one to be playing games with, Karis.” Ella's words are sharp. I look up and meet a protective stare. She cares for Ethan as if he were her own.
“No,” I finally say, taking a seat in a hard wooden chair. I feel her scrutinizing me. “Once I get the medicine, I'm leaving Dahn and returning home. It doesn't matter if he knows. I’ll probably never see him again.”
“It does matter.” Her words aren't as pointed, but they still have an edge. “Ethan cares about you, and when he finds out about this—it’ll break him.”
“Ethan hardly knows me.”
“He’s easily attached. And if you haven't noticed his feelings for you yet, you're either blind or ignorant.”
Her words hurt. “I'm not trying to lead him on, Ella. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to get what I needed and get out. I didn’t expect to meet Ethan.”
“Life never happens as we plan. Did you plan on getting a faulty Black Market tattoo and dying before your time?”
It’s true. I knew my tattoo was faulty the day the Artist etched it into my skin. I could feel what it was doing to my body even then. But to hear it said out loud by someone else makes my heart stop. “I planned on doing whatever it took to save my brother. He comes first; everything else is a distant second,” I say firmly.
“And what about the medicine? What if you aren't able to get it in time?”
My voice goes up an octave. “The medicine won't
be ready? But you said—”
She holds up a hand, and her face softens. “Relax, Karis. The medicine should be complete in the next couple of days.” My shoulders loosen. “How long have you known about your Mark?”
“For sure? The day I fainted in the market. My body felt so foreign after that. I knew it had to be because of the tattoo. Then I started to notice my Mark changing. I don't recognize it anymore.” I pull up my sleeve and show it to her. “It's not even legible. Not really.”
She stands up and takes my hand in hers, soft, examining it. She looks up at me with pain in her eyes. “What are your symptoms?” She gives me back my arm.
I don’t have to think hard. I live with them every second of every day. “Night sweats, chills, fever, tired. So very tired. And dizzy. I'm not hungry, and I'm starting to forget.”
“Forget what?”
“Things from long ago. Memories of my mother, my Jatis, and Pairing. Things like that. I know they happened, and I remember the basics, but when I try to call up details, they just…aren't there anymore.” My throat tightens, and I try to swallow. Facing the reality of what’s happening is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.
“You’ll start forgetting things that have happened more recently.”
“How recent?”
“Within the prior couple of days. When the faulty tattoo takes effect, it comes fast. And hard.”
Images of Kavin flash in the front of my mind. “How much longer do I have?”
“Probably two days. Three at the most.”
“Three days?” I whisper, blinking back hot tears. One escapes, and I hope Ella doesn't notice. “That's not much time.”
“No, it's not. But it's different for each person. It may take longer. It may not. But before the week is out, you’ll either lose function of your mind or you’ll be dead.” Her words are like a fist to the stomach, and all the air escapes my body. “I'm not trying to be heartless, Karis. I'm trying to make you fully aware of your situation.”
“I understand.” I stare past her out the window, into the courtyard of the apartment complex.