Page 23 of The City of Stardust

… warmer at this time of year, how nice…

There’s something oddly similar about the partygoers, but it takes her a moment to register it, between all the silk and sequins. She’s stealthily filching a shrimp canapé when she catches a faintly ridgedpattern on one of the guest’s pristine shirts and it all comes together. Keys: dusting cuffs in silver thread, or strung from gold chains to rest in hollow throats—and tattooed on forearms, in black ink that seems to sparkle in the light. Keys like the one Aleksander showed her.

Her mind races back to the conversations she’d walked past moments ago. This isn’t just any party—this is a party forscholars.

She turns to Ambrose, unable to disguise her shock. “You told me you’d never heard of Fidelis.”

Gabriel stares at her. “How the hell do you know about that?”

“Apparentlyyoutold her, Gabe—” Ambrose mutters.

But Gabriel cuts him off. “She sure as shit didn’t hear that from me.”

“Then who—”

“The Everly brothers fighting at my party? Surely not.”

An elderly woman comes up to them in a floor-length gown the colour of storm clouds. Diamonds the size of raindrops pour from a chain at her throat. Violet notices the thin black line of a key tattoo underneath translucent sleeves. Another scholar, she guesses.

“Adelia, this is Violet,” Gabriel says impatiently. “Just like you asked. And in exchange?”

Adelia waves him away. “Oh yes, she’s here somewhere, with that assistant of hers, no doubt.” She turns to Violet. “Let me take a good look at you.”

Violet has the distinct sense that she should be angry about being discussed like an object, but suddenly all of Adelia’s attention is focused on her, and every thought vanishes from her head. Adelia’s gaze roves over her with a clinical interest.

“Very talented,” she says, apparently satisfied. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from an Everly. Why don’t we take a walk together, just the two of us?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Ambrose begins.

“Oh, come now,” Adelia says. “Surely you can spare her for a moment. Besides—”

The conversation ripples with interest, as a tall, pale woman sweeps into the room. Her flax-blonde hair is twisted expertly into abun, secured by a gold clasp studded with emeralds, and her chiffon dress is the colour of sunlight, winking with clusters of seed pearls. But instead of reaching for a glass of champagne or greeting the other guests, she smiles at Violet. The other guests scatter, giving them a wide berth.

She looks naggingly familiar, but Violet can’t quite place where. Like something out of a dream, too perfect to be real.

“It’s been too long, little dreamer,” she says with a beatific smile.

The shock of recognition hits her like a gut punch. Penelope. And behind her, looking surprised to see Violet here, of all places, is Aleksander. She catches a glimpse of his puzzled wave to her, before Penelope obscures her view.

“Those Everly eyes, just like your mother’s.” Penelope cocks her head to one side. “Gosh, don’t you look like her.”

“That she does,” Gabriel says, with more than a hint of menace.

“Gabriel, Ambrose. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Her gaze slides from the brothers to Violet and Adelia. “I hope I’m not interrupting something.”

Ambrose doesn’t return the smile. “We need to talk. In private.”

“Oh, how thrilling,” Penelope says, sounding amused. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll be delighted to discuss it.”

“Perfect,” Adelia says, taking Violet’s arm. “Then we shall leave you to it.”

Ambrose looks like he wants to argue further, but Adelia is already steering Violet out of the brightly lit room. She catches Aleksander’s gaze for just a second. Then they turn the corner, and the party vanishes from sight.

CHAPTER

Twelve

ADELIA LEADS VIOLETdown a series of long corridors, further away from the party. Violet knows she’s supposed to make conversation, to try and ease the silence between them. But she’s still reeling from the conversation with Ambrose and Gabriel. She should be thrilled to be here: a chance to learn more about the scholars, and the world that her uncles have been so desperate to hide from her. But not like this, with the sneaking suspicion that they’ve literally justbargainedher away.

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