of gold leaf and red velvet, hummin

k, silent sheets. Inside, the air was

ering the upper half of her face, leaving

hissed in her ear. "Smile. Look lively. And if you see anyone of importance... w

ng was incognito,

Imogene. Just

a vase he wanted to show off. The altered dress did its job. She could feel

abruptly. "I see Lord H

. Just like he h

soon as his back w

go. The east stairwell. It was drafty, poorly lit, and led to the private boxes. I

vy velvet curtains and into

re, the air was cooler. A single gas lamp flick

counted the seco

Two.

descended the stone stairs. The sound of

d against her ri

ldered, dressed entirely in black. He wore a simple black domi

Ala

d when he

the light catching the silver of her m

Another sycophant trying to

," he said. His voice was deep, rougher than

urtsy. She d

turned her face just slightly to

angle. She had practiced it in t

ic f

id-air. She saw his pupils dilate behind the mask. The annoyanc

wn. Then another.

command was there, but beneath

. Two. She let him see the fear in

, sh

rts and bolted down

" he s

arrow. She was smaller, faster. She burst

didn't stop. She wove through the crowd,

lance

couldn't chase her. Not here. Not in front of ev

d, his chest heaving. His eyes were scanning th

and and snapp

red at his side. Sterl

ugh to see Alaric point in her direction. She cou

d h

ear. It was the thrill of the gambler who

e you

her around. "I told you to stay p

nd. He was sweating. He

lied smoothly. "It

nk the King is leaving early. There's a commo

the balcony, Alaric was still standing

was th

, Kenney," she said softly. "I th