Page 53 of Expose Me

“Shit. How many?” We knew there was a high probability that the Lineg Legion would try to grab the Onuei when we did, but it was still an unwelcome element that could prove to be disastrous.

“Around sixty. Maybe more.”

I closed my eyes and released a tense breath through my nose. That was a lot. More than we’d anticipated.

“Will they sense you here?” I’d floated the idea of going in alone for this reason, but he’d shut it down immediately. Apparently, we were doing this together or not at all.

“Unless they specifically focus on me, no. One good thing about so many being here—they won’t notice one more.”

“Let’s hope so.”

The carriages stopped and everyone piled out, jovially heading towards the entrance like we owned the place.

Abraxos was causing a scene, as planned. Though technically part of the House of Sea and Serpentine, he hardly ever made any contribution or attended events. It wasn’t an obvious House choice for an angel, but Abraxos was nothing if not cunning, and that made him fit right in. I was sure that Asbesta had a good reason for allowing him to be part of the House she ruled and to take such a liberal approach to his participation.

Most of the other guests openly glared at him. He was not well liked by either the angels or the demons of his own realm, and clearly not by the members of his own House either.

His mere appearance at this ball was enough to be a distraction, but of course, he was making sure to act as sanctimonious as I was sure he felt anyway.

Zey and I stayed close to the others as they ignored the House officials’ half-hearted attempts to stop us from going in. I had no idea how much Abraxos’s people knew of who we were or what we were doing here, but they all crowded us in the middle and swept us along with them—straight into the building. So they must’ve known something.

I caught a brief snippet of an argument between Abraxos and the guards as we passed. The guards were trying to tell Abraxos he couldn’t just bring all these dirty humans into the House headquarters, and Abraxos insisted he couldn’t possibly do without his servants for an entire night. Clearly hoping to avoid a scene, the guards let us through, scoffing at the idea of humans roaming their precious space.

I could hardly believe it had been this easy and momentarily questioned my decision to go to Abraxos for help, to make a bargain that made my skin crawl. Maybe Zey and I could’ve done this ourselves.

But looking around at all the people present and how our group fit in while also drawing some disapproving looks, I knew it was Abraxos and his reputation that had done most of the heavy lifting here.

No point dwelling on it now anyway. It was done, and I was determined to make sure it wouldn’t be wasted.

I’d been to more events like this than I could count. Most were hosted by Spirit and Sapphire, but I’d attended plenty others too. Usually I was there as a representative of my House, but at times I was also assigned as security to a high-ranking member or had a secret mission. Since the Great Sacrifice, the Houses were technically at peace, but they all had their alliances and rivalries. My particular set of skills ensured Spirit and Sapphire was aware of magical assets the others may have in their possession—or if and where they moved. For instance, if someone was in possession of a large amount of gabbro, we might wonder why they were stockpiling the powerful imbuing stone. And if another House happened to suddenly be in possession of that gabbro, we’d know a trade or deal had been done.

It was no surprise to see plenty of people who were not members of Sea and Serpentine in attendance. Most of Sea and Serpentine’s members spent a majority of their time in water, so Asbesta liked to throw a ball once a year under the guise of diplomatic relations. We all knew that it was really just to remind the other Houses that Sea and Serpentine was here and was powerful—and it was a good opportunity for gathering intel and occasionally some light subterfuge.

If the other Houses refused the invitation, it would be a diplomatic incident and likely lead to war, so they all sent representatives, if not their leaders. I wasn’t too worried about being spotted by passing acquaintances from other Houses or my own. But Lowell was there, along with two other high-ranking members of Spirit and Sapphire who knew me well, even if we weren’t close friends.

“Let’s get a drink,” I said, turning my back to them and starting to head towards the bar. Zey wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in a different direction.

“Let’s dance first,” he insisted, leading me to the dance floor and turning me into his chest.

“What the hell are you doing?” I gritted out as I placed a hand on his shoulder and let him lead me through a waltz.

“There are too many Vuulectians near the bar,” he said telepathically while his face remained neutral. “I need to avoid getting too close to any of them.”

“Well, there are people from my House over by the terrace,” I whispered, leaning into him like I wanted to get intimate. The far wall of the spacious ballroom was lined in tall windows and French doors flung open to let the sweet air in. The terrace and gardens were beyond.

Zey breathed my hair in, his hand flexing at my waist. Images of all the depraved things we’d done together over the past few days flashed through my mind.

I forced them away, ignoring the ache between my legs. I had to focus.

“We will work together to avoid them all, my ...” he trailed off and spun me with a flourish. I frowned but was distracted by how well he danced. I wondered if they did that where he was from or if it was just an intuitive learning thing.

As we glided over the dance floor, I looked around, taking in as much information as possible. Where and how many exits there were, who looked like security pretending to be partygoers, who I recognized and needed to steer clear of.

With every spin Zey guided me through, I glanced at the spot near the French doors where Lowell and the others were. He looked bored out of his mind and was frequently tugging at the collar of his starched shirt. He hated these things even more than I did, and nothing made him itchier to shift than a button-up.

His eyes flicked around the room as he took a sip from a dainty champagne glass that looked ridiculous in his big hand. My heart leapt into my throat as he looked right at me, but his gaze passed over me, and his attention was drawn back to the conversation he was in.

I wasn’t sure if I was more relieved or disappointed. I missed the big guy, and I just wanted a hug from my best friend and a night of drinking beer and talking through all the crazy-ass shit that had been going on. But I knew if he touched me with a ten-foot pole right now he’d be in serious trouble, and I didn’t want that.

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