Page 26 of Dark Reign

Free publicity, I guessed.

Soft classical music billowed through the room, from a small ensemble orchestra nestled between the bar and French doors that led to a terrace. Cecelia’s eyes lifted to the ceiling where a renowned dance ensemble from Roman’s quadrant leapt and twirled from one end of the room to the other. The turnout was massive like I expected. Crossing this threshold of five-hundred years postbellum was significant to both sides for very different reasons, and Ianites saw fit to celebrate. Having studied abroad a few years, encountering all sorts of people with all sorts of ideals, I developed an interesting viewpoint on the whole of our history. I wasn’t attending this event in acknowledgement of one side’s success, nor the fall of the other. I was here because I was expected to be.

“I say we make a couple quick rounds to make an appearance, speak to a few people who matter, and then bail. Should take an hour tops. I spotted atleastsix bars on the way over,” Roman leaned in to say, as he adjusted his bowtie. His expression suggested he equated it to the likes of a noose as opposed to an accessory.

“I’ll drink to that,” Levi seconded. He scanned the room and it was obvious he was no more interested in being here than me, or the others, despite his push to get us to attend. It all boiled down to social obligation.

“While cutting out early sounds good in theory,” Silas interjected with the voice of reason, “we’d never make a clean break. Too many eyes,” he added.

Levi shrugged and donned a vague smile. “Perhaps you’re right. Besides, there’s always a chance the evening could take an intriguing turn.”

Silas passed a glance toward him, but said nothing.

I wasn’t sure about the latter statement, but Silas was absolutely right about the first. Keeping a low profile had never been easy for us, it certainly wouldn’t be any easier now that so many were keeping us on their radar with the elevation taking place in one short year. With the realization, I settled on the idea of being stuck here at the precise moment I locked gazes with my father several yards away. He paused from schmoozing to give an approving nod in my direction, before sipping his champagne.

There were familiar faces all over the room—friends of the family, a few from my years at the academy. A short wave from the other side of the room caught my attention, and I waved back when I spotted Priscilla among the crowd. Cecelia stared down her nose as I dragged her toward the girl whose free spirit and sense of humor singlehandedly got me through a night course I’d taken a year ago. Had it not been for her, I would have slept my way to an F.

A solid embrace made it clear I’d been missed, too.

“Well if it isn’t thenextEmperor Westower, in the flesh,” Priscilla greeted me, offering a shallow curtsey.

I laughed off the embarrassment of being referred to in that way, although I guessed I should get used to it soon.

“It’s wonderful seeing you. How’s Gerald?”

Priscilla nodded, her smile growing at the mention of her fiancé.

“He’s excellent. Would’ve been here, but his team’s been working around the clock since the blood recall. They’ve been running all kinds of tests, hoping to figure out how the tainted supply slipped through the cracks.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize he transferred to the Tine Facility.”

Another nod. “About four months ago. He loves it, and the hike in pay has been great, but the added demand on his time has been hard.”

Her expression dimmed, and with the change, I sensed an air of sadness I wasn’t sure she meant to reveal.

My lips parted to speak. In fact, I already knew what I’d say next. It would have been something thoughtful and sympathetic, before moving on to see what other info she had about the recall. However … those words stalled in my throat, leaving my friend hanging as my vision tunneled, zeroing in on a target several yards away.

It baffled me how, even at an event where everyone had been asked to wear the same color, one girl somehow managed to stand out from all the others.

And … I couldn’t look away.

Not even for a second.

Wondering if our paths had ever crossed before and I’d somehow forgotten, I watched her.Unashamedly, I watched her.

She was deeply engaged in conversation with another, a man with dark hair just beginning to gray around the temples. It was hard to say whether the tone of the discussion was pleasant or not, but that was due in part to her intensity, that unrelenting stare as she drank every single word he spoke.

I was hit with a strange sensation I couldn’t shake, an unwavering desire to steal her attention from whoever that man was, the one somehow blessed to stand so close to such a beautiful creature.

Large eyes framed in dark lashes eased into a slight, upward arc. It only added to an already overwhelming air of femininity that made me breathe unevenly, harder, like some Neanderthal. And her lips … full with a subtle pout. The sultry curve was still somewhat visible, even when she offered the man a smile.

The lucky bastard.

A silver dress with narrow straps plunged between her breasts and I swallowed when my mouth went dry. The thin material hugged a slender, womanly figure just past her hips where a generous slit that stretched to the ankle offered a peek at toned legs that went on for days. A thick, dark mane just shy of reaching her elbow revealed its length when she pulled it over her shoulder.

My breath had literally been stolen and I realized I’d gotten lost in this fantasy in silver heels, pausing mid-conversation. I closed my mouth as I focused again, still stealing glances every few seconds.

Priscilla smiled when my gaze finally returned to hers, laughing a bit when I struggled to pick up where we left off.

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