Page 21 of Dark Reign

It was hard not to feel bitter when considering the Ianite’s extravagance, but I’d have to suppress it. Soon, I’d be surrounded by their gluttony, their entitlement.

Tonight’s guests were sure to be dressed in equally outrageous attire. From pictures and footage I’d seen of past events, no expense was ever spared. My hands slipped down the dress again. The silky material was so thin. In it, I felt … naked. Exposed.

“Do we have another option?” I asked, taking a second look at myself, this time noting how much of my cleavage showed. “This is too much.”

Liv didn’t seem nearly as alarmed as I did, circling me with a pleased grin.

“Relax, it’s perfect. However, if this dress doesn’t get these men spilling all their secrets tonight, they’re all blind,” she laughed. “Here, put these on.”

A pair of sky-high, silver heels were taken from the table where she’d set them when we first started. Slipping into them, this all felt real.

Each breath I took came with a fair amount of work. Time was winding down and so much was resting on this. So many were counting on me not to fail.

“Oh, gloves!” She remembered at the last minute, handing me a pair of white ones I pulled up to my elbows. I secured my silver bracelet, Felix’s invention, on top.

Liv stepped back again, giving me one last look. “Perfect.”

I might have thanked her if I wasn’t suddenly scared out of my head.

“Now, let’s go over the details. What do you do if you accidentally get too close to someone and they notice you’re warm?”

I blinked hard, searching for the answer we’d gone over a million times.

“Nothing, because it’s only uncommon for them to be warm, not impossible, so let them assume I’m just worked up.”

“Exactly,” Liv nodded. “And if anyone tries to compel you?”

“The implant will make my ears ring, but I’ll be protected,” I answered, subconsciously trailing my fingers down the thin scar at the nape of my neck. We were all fitted with tiny devices that made us impossible to coerce—a gift only Ianites of the Eastern Dynasty possessed.

“Right,” Liv nodded. “And you’ve got your com?”

I grabbed it from the table and switched it on before shoving it down into my ear. It was tiny and translucent, made of silicone and designed by the Ianite monarchy. I managed to nab a bunch from a case behind an unmanned security desk during a run. Felix, being the genius he is, had no trouble linking it to our network. Thanks to my quick hands, perhaps a touch of kleptomania, and Felix’s tech skills, I had a solid connection to the team at all times.

“There’s a spare earpiece tucked inside your purse,” Liv added. “Just in case.”

Breathing deeply, I nodded. “Got it.”

We were down to the final minutes of prep before I’d be thrust into the field. She perched both hands on her hips and her eyes flitted to mine when she smiled.

“Well, Corina Elizabeth Prescott, I do believe you’re ready.”

I smiled at her, taking another deep breath.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Levi

I was certain there wasn’t a man alive who felt more at home in fine attire than I did. There was something about having the fabric of a well-fitting tux against my skin.

I did another onceover in the mirror, adjusting the ruby-studded cufflink I just secured. Yes, silver was the color for the evening, but the splash of red was my signature, and I wouldn’t deviate from the tradition just to abide by their dress code. If someone took issue, they were welcome to have a word with me about it.

“You know, it’s not too late to cancel with your date and take yourtruelove,” Silas pointed out with a laugh as he dropped down onto the sofa. “ … Yourself,” he added with a wink.

I smiled, smoothing my brow before moving to join him in the living room, the common area that connected our suites—his, mine, and Roman’s.

The sun hadn’t long set, leaving the glittering lights of the city to illuminate the Capitol. The view was hypnotic from up here, in the most exclusive penthouse the quadrant had to offer.

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