Chapter 30 #2
They crossed the threshold into the main hall of the museum, unhindered by the two security guards posted at the door, and only marginally dazzled by what awaited them inside.
The room had been magicked into something that belonged on the Titanic, featuring an elaborate stage with stairs built out of clockwork, moving golden gears and all.
A clockface floated far above the dais, wrapped in script that wrote, erased, and rewrote itself as Dani watched: Welcome to the 24th Renard Gala and Exposition for Magical Innovation and Development.
“Impressive,” McKenna said, casting her gaze about the crowd with a regal lift to her chin. Heads were turning in her direction, and she was positively basking in it. “For mortals.”
Once they’d gotten their drinks—a tequila moonrise for McKenna, a drink she made up on the spot and that the bartender was too afraid to admit wasn’t real, and a ginger ale for Dani, whose stomach was too unsettled for alcohol—they began to circulate, as instructed.
Upon closer inspection, they discovered that all the regular exhibits had been replaced with homages to each of the gala’s presenters.
Some actually hinted at what they’d be revealing, while others were simple advertisements or descriptions of the company or individual in question.
To give themselves something to do, Dani and McKenna made a circuit of the displays.
Dani was unsurprised to discover that OneiroLabs had gone the route of extreme vagueness; instead of previewing their announcement, they had a diorama of their most important products, including DreamLite, DreamRite, and a sleep mask that blocked out negative psychic energy.
“You think that actually works?” Dani asked, pointing at the mask.
McKenna laughed. “Knowing what we know, I wouldn’t rely on anything they make.” She took a sip of her made-up drink, which had turned out an ombre blue filled with edible glitter. “This is quite good, actually. Tastes like something they’d serve at a tiki bar in Atlantis.”
They were turning away from the OneiroLabs display when they caught sight of Professor Silva on the opposite side of the room, near the musicians.
She had eschewed a gown in favor of a steel-blue satin pantsuit and skyscraper-high stilettos, and was locked in conversation with a man in a plum blazer.
When she glanced over and caught sight of Dani and McKenna, a bright smile spread across her face like they were a pleasant surprise, and she waved them over.
“Miss Lionet,” she said by way of greeting.
“It’s wonderful to see you. Dani here was a student in my introductory course,” she told the man, who looked to be in his mid-twenties and was ruggedly handsome in his suit.
He struck Dani as the kite-surfing, biohacking, techy entrepreneurial type.
“And your friend?” she said, gesturing to McKenna.
“This is McKenna,” Dani said. “McKenna Amari.”
“What brings the two of you here to the gala?” the man asked. His eyes lingered for only a moment on McKenna before returning to Dani.
“Oh,” Dani said. “I’m, um, a writer on the school paper. I’m doing an article about OneiroLabs and what they’re presenting, so I was lucky enough to get an invite and a plus one. McKenna is my best friend.”
“I’m just along for the ride,” McKenna said flirtatiously. The man smiled at her, but for whatever reason, her glamours did not seem to be especially efficacious on him—the work of an anti-glamour charm, possibly—and he seemed more interested in Dani, which threw her for a loop.
“All eyes are, indeed, on OneiroLabs,” he said, offering Dani his hand. “I’m Aaron, by the way.”
Dani took it, letting him squish her finger bones in an overly firm handshake.
“Aaron is just being modest,” Professor Silva said. “He is Dr. Virtanen, and he, too, is presenting tonight.”
Dani tilted her head politely—she had no idea who this man was.
“Dr. Virtanen of the Kielo Institute,” Silva added. “Renowned research facility that specializes in arcanobotany and its many applications. He’s had incredible success and acclaim for someone so young.”
“Oh!” McKenna said, a perfectly convincing portrait of sudden recognition. “That Dr. Virtanen! I knew your name rang a bell.”
“Guilty as charged,” the young man said with a winning smile.
“Do you ever study the use of plants in the concoction of glamours?” McKenna asked. “I’d say it’s quite an underresearched area, as a glamour witch myself.”
“I’m afraid we haven’t cracked into that particular egg,” Dr. Virtanen said, humoring her, “though I’m sure it’s quite the potent one.”
McKenna seemed keen to continue the conversation, but she was interrupted by a man’s booming voice, welcoming all the attendees to the gala.
Dani craned her neck to see the source standing on the dais in the center of the room.
He introduced himself as the emcee for the evening, then rattled off the list of a dozen presenters in the order of their appearance, with OneiroLabs at the very end.
He wasted no time in bringing up the first presenter, a Swiss manufacturer of time magic, and people returned to their conversations, talking quietly through the demonstration.
Only a handful of guests, clustered by the dais, were listening intently.
“Angel investors,” Dr. Virtanen said in Dani’s ear. She startled, turning to see him standing awkwardly close to her. “Sorry to frighten you,” he said, amused. “This is your first time at such an event, is it not?”
“What gave it away?” She was uncomfortable with his attention, but couldn’t find a polite way to send it in another direction.
He laughed and touched the side of her empty glass. “Can I get you another drink?”
She didn’t have a chance to decline. His hand was already planted like a flag on the small of her back, steering her away from Silva and McKenna and toward the closest bar.
“I know it seems strange that no one is paying attention yet,” he said as they moved through the crowd, “but this is the accepted order of things. Those people you see watching are angel investors—people with lots of money to burn who want a pet project that might make them lots more money to burn. I was one of those mid-list presenters, once, and thanks to my angels, I am now presenting only third to last.”
“That’s impressive,” she said as they joined the line for the bar.
“And yet you have never heard of me.”
“No,” she admitted. “Not before tonight.”
“Then how impressed can you really be? Come, I am only teasing,” he said at her stricken look.
She had the distinct impression he was flirting with her, and she had no idea how to react.
“I know how this seems to outsiders. And I am only here because I believe so strongly in my institute.” Her presence was bringing out his insecurities, apparently—they were the color of clover.
“You have to play the game to win the game, no?”
“That’s what they say,” she agreed, because she figured she was supposed to.
They were at the bar now, the bartender asking them for their order—but before she could request another soda, Dr. Virtanen had already ordered himself a whiskey on the rocks and her a glass of Chardonnay.
She took it, not wanting to be rude, but she planned to abandon it as soon as she could; it tasted like corn.
“What is it that you study, Dani?” Dr. Virtanen asked, sipping his whiskey and puckering his lips. “Beatrice mentioned you were in her introductory class.”
“Oh, um,” Dani said. It took her a second to realize that Beatrice must be Silva’s first name—she’d never actually known that until just now. “I’m an oracular studies major. Or hoping to be.”
“Such a fascinating course of study. I’m useless at divination myself.” He waved at someone across the hall, suddenly distracted from his current line of inquiry. “Your professor said you are interested in the OneiroLabs presentation, yes?”
“I mean, yes, for my article—”
“Then you’re in luck,” he said, “because I’m about to get you an exclusive from the CEO himself.”
Before Dani could fully understand what was happening, Dr. Virtanen’s hand was on her back again, and he was leading her farther away from McKenna and Silva, from safety.
Babe, McKenna thought to her. Want me to come rescue you? I need to step out soon, but I can make a stop on the way.
Dani couldn’t seem to formulate a thought back. She was too overwhelmed by how quickly they were moving, the lights and colors and noises barraging her from all sides as Dr. Virtanen navigated them toward the entrance, which had become congested with the fashionably late.
“It may take us a minute to get to him,” Dr. Virtanen said. “Mr. Gianakos is always highly in demand at these sorts of things. But we are quite good friends, and I’m sure he’ll be happy to give you a quote for your article.”
“Oh, but I don’t—”
Her protest died on her lips as he pushed her through the crowd, people gliding apart as they recognized him.
Then there Dr. Rodriguez was, gorgeous in an orchid-colored sheath, and beside her the man who could only be Mr. Gianakos, CEO of OneiroLabs.
He was laughing and shaking hands like a gracious descendant of royalty.
The two bodyguards looming behind him confirmed his VIP status, while his dark hair, hooked nose, and slightly bucktoothed smile were proof enough that he was Kass’s father.
“Luke,” Dr. Virtanen called, mercifully removing his hand from Dani’s back to offer it to Mr. Gianakos for a congenial, manly clasp.
“Aaron,” said Kass’s dad. “Good to see you, as always—especially in my neck of the woods.” The two men shared a laugh.
Dani used the moment to get her bearings and to say through the shell: OneiroLabs is here. I’m talking to the CEO and Dr. Rodriguez.
She was painfully aware of the latter’s eyes trained on her, and forced herself to give Dr. Rodriguez a polite smile, which was not returned.
Are they going on soon? Oliver asked.
We’re on the third of twelve presenters, Silva answered. We have about thirty more minutes before their turn.
Understood, Katya said.
Dani, so far, was not doing a good job of reporting the timing to her teammates. She didn’t have a chance to fret about this, though, because right then Mr. Gianakos was saying, “And who is this lovely young lady?”
“Dani,” Dr. Virtanen and Dr. Rodriguez said at the same time.
“Oh, then you are already acquainted?” Dr. Virtanen said. He sounded a bit petulant about it.
“Of course,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “She’s writing an article about the gala and our company.
She came for a tour of our facility a few weeks ago.
She’s a tenacious little journalist,” she added, and Dani didn’t miss the razor’s edge to her tone.
“This is my father and the head of OneiroLabs, Lukas Gianakos.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Dani said, feeling small. Gods, he looked like Kass. So did Dr. Rodriguez, now that she’d put it all together—it was incredible that she hadn’t placed the resemblance from the very start.
“Likewise,” Mr. Gianakos said, though he seemed to be looking everywhere but at her, restless to move on and greet the rest of his constituents. Dr. Virtanen, however, was not ready to release him.
“Where’s your son this evening?” he asked. “Such an important occasion, I would have expected a family show of force.”
“Ah, yes,” said Mr. Gianakos. “And we would have liked to present a united front, but regrettably, Kass—”
“Made it just in time!”
Everyone turned to look, Dani’s heart pausing its operations. The world seemed to tilt toward her from all sides, a house of cards crumpling inward, as Kass came jogging up from behind his family, a smile on his face.
“Hi,” he said breathlessly to the group. “So sorry I’m late.”