Page 54 of Death of the Glass Angel
Her date, who was no longer there.
A twinge of guilt pricked at Janus’ heart. Years ago, she’d slip away from Eros just like that. He’d been clingy, and as a young girl, she’d longed for space.
And now that she had it, Janus would give anything to spend even a single hour with Eros again.
Janus exhaled heavily. Talon was right. She needed to learn to overcome these nerves, lest she fail to solve the mysteries at hand.
Her gaze landed on Dinu, who sat at the end of the bar, drink in hand. Judging from his slightly messy hair and slightly wrinkled doublet, he no more wanted to be here than she did.
Rushing to his side, Janus reached him before the old woman who’d been watching her from across the room could launch an interrogation.
Dinu looked up from his drink. “Evening, Janus. You look different tonight, what without the. . .” He passed a hand over his eyes.
Janus studied his eyelids, confused. “Without the what?”
“Dark smudgy stuff,” Dinu gestured to his eyes again. “This is the second time you’ve come to see me first. Am I more handsome than I thought?”
“You look like you don’t want to be here.”
“Ah. You don’t want to be here, either.” He took a heavy swig of his drink. “Can’t blame you. You must be shaken up.”
“A little.” Janus sank into the seat beside him.
“Imagine how I feel.” Dinu gestured broadly. “I wasn’t at the hunt when it happened, so naturally, everyone thinks I did it.”
“Neither was Paulus.”
“Right, everyone else thinks it was him.”
“Oh.”
“And the others think it was Kahn.” Dinu shook his head. “I hate gossip. I guess I could assure you I had nothing to do with that attack, but then again, that’s precisely what the assassin would say.”
“How would you have killed me?”
“That’s a weird question.” Dinu set down his drink. “Well, for one, I wouldn’t have done it in plain daylight. Probably would have staged an accident or poisoned your drink. The former is more reliable. Barring all that, invite you to an evening out and shoot you in a back alley.”
“I guess it wasn’t you, then.”
“Fastest trial I’ve ever seen.”
Janus chuckled, swiveling restlessly in her seat. She caught the iron-eyed gaze of Royal Chief Heras, who sat at the head table with the other clan chiefs. The woman looked remarkably like her son, though Janus supposed that wasn’t surprising.
Heras offered a cordial smile before turning away.
Though Janus could not recall, Talon had mentioned Heras staring at Janus oddly. Maybe. ..
Janus took a deep breath and drained her wine glass. With every gulp, Dinu’s eyebrows rose further. Sitting the glass down with a clink, Janus stood. “I’m going to talk with the chiefs.”
“May that liquid courage do more good than harm.” Dinu offered words of support before returning to his mug.
Janus smiled at Dinu as she strode away. She was going to need it.
* * *
Talon glanced over his shoulder but caught no sign of Janus. He felt terrible leaving the girl alone, but she needed to grow a backbone. And unless someone felt particularly bold tonight, Janus was perfectly safe here.
Wandering to the dance floor, Talon joined the crowd lining its edge, watching the couples spin. An ensemble of every instrument gathered on a stage across from him, switching between various styles and cultures. As one song ended and the performers picked up violins and cellos, Talon knew a waltz was coming.
