Chapter 11
River
“Ouch.” I folded my aching body into another impossible position, dripping sweat onto the yoga mat and clenching my eyes shut.
My cluttered office wasn’t exactly a yoga studio, but it served my purposes well enough. Especially at times like this. The stretch helped unknot my shoulders, but the real tension lived behind my eyes. Lack of sleep will do that.
Then again, I was used to going days on minimal rest. Comes with the territory of having certain gifts, and using them on people who needed the solace.
Laurie, for instance.
It was my subtle influence that let her slip into a deep (hopefully peaceful) sleep after I tidied her apartment. The cost was my own exhaustion. Still, I couldn’t regret it—something told me she needed it.
Something told me she hadn’t had a good night's sleep in years.
“Ouuuuch.” I tipped into a new, spine-crumpling position, inhaling deeply through my nose. Focus. If I let my mind drift back to Laurie alone, I’d never get anything done.
I needed to think about the bigger picture, the organization she’d mentioned, and the lead Dylan had found on a possible hideout near the industrial district.
Something about a suspicious surge in nighttime activity and hush-hush deliveries.
Dylan was investigating further, but I had a feeling we’d need Laurie’s firsthand knowledge sooner rather than later.
I’d tried scanning the future for glimpses, but it was hazy, scattered. Every time I concentrated on that group I felt a suffocating fog. I was missing too many pieces. Maybe Laurie held those pieces. Maybe once she trusted me enough to share them, I would be able to see things clearly.
“River!” My name was called from somewhere outside, but considering the pounding footsteps heading my way, I saw no point in answering until Maxine burst through the door. “River, we’re heading out! Get dressed.”
I sighed and shot a glance out the window. It was dark and I was long overdue for a date with my pillow and blanket. “What am I dressing for, exactly?”
“Think fancy supernatural party.” Maxine leaned against the doorframe, tossing her curls, already dolled up like she was the star of the show. “Hunter caught wind of a bunch of highborn vamps pouring in from other cities. They’re gathering tonight—Jordan wants us to check it out.”
I straightened up, clicking my back and groaning at the ceiling. “And why can’t darling Jordan go check it out herself?”
Maxine rolled her eyes, inspecting her fingernails. “Because…” she dragged the word out longer than necessary. “Jordan is the Leyore coven leader. If she shows her face there, everybody will be on their guard. We have to do this undercover, so get dressed.”
“All right.” I exhaled in a huff, rubbing at my temples and mentally preparing for yet another sleepless night.
The gathering was taking place in a grand ballroom—one of those historic mansions turned event space for the ultra-rich. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and a string quartet played in the corner, filling the air with lilting, forgettable melodies.
Looking around, it was the kind of place you’d expect to find a charity gala, not an under-the-radar gathering of vampires and their well-funded supernatural allies. But I supposed that was the point: discreet opulence at its finest.
I caught my reflection in one of the mirrored pillars as I entered, smoothing my hands down the bodice of my red evening gown.
If it weren’t for the fatigue in my bones and the first signs of a pounding headache throbbing behind my eyes, I might have enjoyed this.
Undercover work always came with a sprinkle of excitement—plus, I did like dressing up occasionally.
Maxine breezed in at my side, wearing a pearly pink gown with a puffy skirt that shimmered like a gold-dusted cupcake. Her makeup was magazine-perfect and her elaborate hairdo looked like it took hours to prepare. I looked her up and down, tilting my head as I took in the extravagance.
Despite the excessive wealth walking around us in fancy suits and sweeping dresses, Maxine somehow still managed to look overdressed. Then again, at a glance, nobody would suspect we were anything but a pair of socialites out for a good time.
“Don’t you think you went a little overboard with the outfit?” I murmured under my breath, leading her toward a marble staircase so we’d look like we had a destination. “You look like a walking birthday cake.”
The tiny vamp flicked a curl behind one ear, swishing out her skirt. “Not possible—I look fabulous. This is silk, River. I fit right in.” She cast a sidelong glance at a passing tuxedo. “Though, I’m sure if Leah was here, she’d be dying of secondhand embarrassment.”
“That poor woman. I don’t know how she puts up with you.” I smirked, swiveling my head all the while, on the watch for anything suspicious. “How is Leah, by the way?”
Maxine shrugged, the glitter on her corset catching in the candlelight. “Still beautiful, intelligent. Still the star-crossed love of my life. Obviously.”
“I mean, how is she adjusting to our world?” I deadpanned, and it was an effort not to roll my eyes.
But I had to admit it was nice to see Maxine head over heels in love. I had no clue how someone as no-nonsense as Leah found the patience to handle such a high-maintenance fruitcake, but I was still happy for both of them.
“Well, Addison has been a bad influence on her in that regard. Leah made me shift the other night—all because she wanted to examine the texture of my wings.” Maxine grimaced with a perturbed wrinkle of her nose.
“I thought it was going to be all dramatic and romantic like when Dylan first shifted in front of Amara. But Leah wasn’t scared at all.
I had a whole ‘I’m not going to hurt you’ speech prepared and everything, but she wouldn’t hear it!
She just pulled out the microscope and told me to quit the theatrics. ”
Maxine looked genuinely glum about it, and I had to stifle a smirk and summon a speck of sympathy. “That must have been very hard for you.”
We reached the top of the stairs where Hunter waited, arms folded over a sleek black suit. She’d pinned her hair in that trademarked neat knot at the base of her skull. Part warrior, part runway model. The ring on her left hand blinked and sparkled.
I arched a brow at her. “See anything suspicious yet?”
She shrugged, scanning the crowd beneath us.
“Not really. Just rich highborns showing off their pearls, and a handful of bored locals trying not to yawn. But keep an ear out. There has to be someone here connected to the organization.” Her lips pursed.
“I’ve tried listening in, but everyone’s basically just bragging about their net worth. ”
I cast a glance around the gilded ballroom. “We’ll just have to mingle. Listen in to conversations, get people talking.”
Maxine leaned over the banister, rising to the tips of her toes. “Yes, and maybe if we’re lucky one of them will start monologuing about their diabolical plan,” she drawled, voice thick with irony.
Hunter’s mouth twitched—somewhere between a smirk and a scowl, which was her usual response to Maxine’s quips. “That’d be nice. Would save us a lot of trouble.”
My gaze migrated over the gathering crowd and I kept my voice low. “Anything else we should keep an eye on? Or is it just a matter of eavesdropping?”
“Eavesdropping, mostly.” Hunter sighed, slipping her hands into her blazer pockets. “Stick to the corners, keep your ears open. Sooner or later, someone will talk out of turn.” She gave Maxine a pointed look. “And I’d prefer if you don’t cause a scene for once.”
Maxine placed a hand on her heart, feigning offense. “Me? Cause a scene? I am the very soul of decorum.”
Hunter’s blank expression said it all. “Uh huh.”
Ethan wandered up next, tugging at the collar of his expensive tux. The newbie vamp was more comfortable in fishnets and leather than black tie attire, so it was somewhat strange to see him looking so… modest. He’d even combed his hair. Cute.
Ethan caught me smirking and raised a brow. “Something funny, River?”
“Not at all.” I tittered, suppressing a grin. “You look great.”
“I look straight. It’s a travesty.” Ethan made a face, then slung an arm over Hunter’s shoulder. “So, who’re we looking for again?”
“Anyone who might be connected to that group I told you about.” Hunter scowled and wriggled free of his arm, wiping imaginary dust from her jacket. “Keep your eyes open—and don’t touch me, loser.”
We all nodded, then splintered apart—Maxine drifting off toward a cluster of finely dressed vampire women, Hunter and Ethan vanishing in the opposite direction. I wandered alone through the swirl of guests, eavesdropping on conversations and scanning for anything suspicious.
The entire event felt like a carefully choreographed waltz: vampires and other supernaturals intermingling under the massive chandeliers, forced smiles all around. Occasional whiffs of wine and something darker filled the air.
After a few minutes of nothing eventful, I caught Maxine’s eye from across the room—she held a champagne flute, feigning interest amongst a gaggle of tall, suited vamps.
They were all talking over her, talking down to her, but I saw that predatory gleam in her eye.
As excessive as she was, Maxine was a master at prying out secrets.
A moment later, I glimpsed Ethan weaving through the masses. I was about to make my way over to him when I watched the blonde vamp walk straight into some lean man in a crisp silvery suit, who stepped backward into his path.
The collision was minor—no spilled drinks, just a startled gasp from Ethan. I watched his mouth settle into a silent ‘O’ and his lips moving rapidly as he rushed out an apology to the taller gentleman.
But the reaction that followed was odd: the man gave a polite bow and brushed a hand over Ethan’s shoulder, then tightened his grip there. I watched from afar as he leaned into Ethan’s ear and murmured something I couldn’t catch.
Ethan froze, eyes widening fractionally.
After a moment, the man nodded, then stepped back again. Ethan was still stiff and motionless when the guy moved on, backing into the crowd and disappearing behind a cluster of puffy dresses and clinking pearls.
I pushed forward, catching Ethan by the elbow. “Hey. You good?”
He blinked, brow furrowing. “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine.” He didn’t look fine. He looked rattled.
I glanced after the man, scanning the crowd, but he was already gone. When I looked back at Ethan he was still spaced out, mouth agape like he’d left a thought unfinished. “What did he say to you?”
“I—” Ethan hesitated, then shrugged, forcing a weary smile. “He just apologized, I guess. For walking into me. Was real polite about it.”
“Okay…” I kept my eyes on him, examining every slight twitch of his jaw. Ethan’s reaction was odd, but I wasn’t sure what conclusion to draw from that, so I decided to let it go. “I guess… Keep an eye out,” I murmured, patting his arm. “If you see that guy again, let me know.”
Ethan nodded, slipping away to continue his round of small talk, though tension still marked his posture. I watched him go, unsure of what exactly had just gone down, but the encounter tickled goosebumps on the back of my neck.
Hunter returned then and snapped me back to the present. She appeared at my elbow, looking around casually while she murmured in my ear, “Still haven’t heard anything useful. It’s all quiet out there.”
I shifted in place, plastering a vague smile on my face while my lips moved in increments. “How quiet?”
She shrugged. “Suspiciously quiet.” I watched her eye a woman in an emerald gown who glided past, fangs barely hidden behind a polite grin. “I don’t like the vibe. Too polished. Something isn’t right here.”
I caught another glimpse of Ethan slinking through the crowd, glancing over his shoulder like he thought he was being watched. His eyes flicked all over the place as he dipped out of sight, disappearing down a dark corridor behind the champagne tower. I had to agree with Hunter.
Something wasn’t quite right.