Page 83 of Dragon Unleashed

“Can’t believe he’s invited Prof Allegra though,” she mutters, skipping away to the bathroom.

Allegra. She’ll be there. With Zephyr, and her guard will be down. This is it. My break. I’m due one. I fire a quick message to Alarick and yank on last night’s clothes. My shoes are fastened and I’m out the door before Naeve’s finished in the bathroom.

At least Alarick agreed to meet me… but by his hunched shoulders and folded arms, he’s not delighted about it.

“No.” Alarick’s refusal is blunt, to the point. “I can’t help you.”

“Seriously? It’d be a scoop for NewShift. I could basically write the story, you could get the photos to go with it from one of the most prestigious events of the year. Just picture it—?Professor Seduces Student Almost Half Her Age.’”

“No,” he barks. “One, it’s not a tabloid. And two, Chano would kill me. His orders are still that the Maveriks have nothing to do with you.”

Now what? I kick at a pile of leaves and turn to avoid him seeing my desperation.

He sighs, passing a hand over his face. “I can get you a state-of-the-art camera. Something you could hide on a ball gown. Give me a few hours.”

I swing around, punching the air. He grins back at me.

“Donotlet Chano find out about this. Not unless you want to be responsible for him having a new fur coat.” The shifter shivers, vanishing deeper into the woods.

Okay, so it’s not the front-page news article I was hoping for. But maybe with pictures I can sell the story to someone else.

It’s déjà vu. Sitting in the Virrey’s mansion, in an elaborate ballgown, chasing off maids with a snarl. The last ball here was only five months ago, but it feels like a lifetime. Everything’s changed. I glance at Naeve, catching her eye, and nod at the huge grandfather clock. It’s time.

I trail down the corridor after her, acknowledging the nods from the occasional member of staff. I recognize soldiers among them, although today you’d never tell—they're all dressed up in impeccable serving uniforms. Naeve turns back to me and raises an eyebrow when the butler places the flat of his hand over his heart as he passes, his bulky shoulders blocking the gesture from anyone else. I shake my head slightly and we keep walking.

The boys are all holed up together in a suite of rooms. At one end Chano and Beck stand, stiff postured, with their backs to the wall, in stark contrast to Zephyr and Farrell sprawled in club chairs at the other.

“Making friends I see, boys,” Naeve trills, linking her hand in Beck’s.

Chano’s gaze rakes over me, the intensity behind it scattering goose bumps across my skin. For a brief second his eyes hold mine. His irises are luminescent purple. His demon’s close to the surface tonight. He stalks closer, breathing heavily through his nose. With an unintelligible grunt he offers me a stiff elbow and jerks his chin at the door.

Stupid of me to think he might actually talk. I roll my eyes and slip my arm into his. He’s so damn tense I may as well be holding a tree branch.

As we head toward the ballroom, a tall, slim figure sashays toward the group. Camille throws herself into Farrell’s arms andI can’t hold back the grumble in my throat. Chano snorts beside me, inching farther away even though I still hold his elbow.

By the time Allegra is crawling all over Zephyr I’m already done with the evening, and we haven’t even been announced to the party yet. Not one drop of booze has touched my lips either. I eye one tray of drinks out of reach a few feet away. I slip my arm from Chano’s just as a fanfare blasts out. Hell. Our cue to enter. Real live fucking trumpets.

Chano grips my waist and steers us through the ridiculously overdecorated archway into the ballroom. I relax under his touch, something about it soothing away my anxiety.

As soon as the introductions are over he drops his hand and takes a large step away from me. My side is suddenly cold. Nothing like making a point.

Naeve shoots me a sympathetic look and drags me over beside her and Beck. I angle myself so the little camera hidden in the folds of my cowl neck points straight at Allegra. If I get nothing else from tonight, I’ll get plenty of footage. I just have to hope she slips up.

It’s physically painful forcing myself to stay in the ballroom. The Virrey’s overbearing presence is everywhere. And Camille’s high-pitched giggles set my teeth on edge. When Professor Allegra drags Zephyr down a dark corridor off the ballroom, it’s almost a relief to follow them. I hesitate at the edge of the dance floor before stepping into the poorly lit hallway. I can’t let them see me.

My delay nearly costs me. I almost miss the door as it clicks shut a few yards ahead. I sidle up to it, pausing with my hand on the handle. They could be just on the other side. Carefully, I creep the door open, allowing just enough space to thrust the tiny gadget Alarick gave me through the crack. I flick the reverse screen on, and two tiny figures flicker to life.

Pressed up against the back wall of what looks like a small study are Zephyr and Professor Allegra. Hard at it. This is exactly what I need. I record for a few minutes, before I shut the door quietly and back up. If I stay any longer, I’ll vomit. I should really rejoin the ball, but watching Camille climb Farrell, playing third wheel to Naeve and Beck, and having Chano scowl at me? No thanks.

I reach the boys’ suite before I realize I don’t know where I’m meant to sleep. Kicking off the red heels some idiot thought were a good idea, I curl up on their sofa. Quickly syncing my tablet to the little device in my dress, I download the footage, backing it up as I go.

I must have drifted off. I wake to girly giggling. Opening my eyes, I’m treated to the sight of Beck and Naeve disappearing into one of the bedrooms off the suite. Great.

My toes ache and I just want to fall asleep somewhere comfortable.

Light footfalls hurry down the corridor. Zephyr’s slim figure appears, silhouetted in the doorway. His man bun is slightly squiff as he glances wildly around the room.

“Lorelei! There you are. Have you seen Alice since you’ve been here? Actually, how longhaveyou been here?”

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