Chapter 26 #2
But he continued role-playing with his friends. The storyline sounded interesting enough, but not entirely realistic. Even though warning bells were going off in her head that she needed to pay close attention to what they were saying.
A nation in distress, an evil king, and the innocent in need of a hero to save them all. She pitied the fictional character and hoped the protagonist had a happy ending.
She was tired of the stories where the hero dies a tragic death in the end. But it was only a story, and it didn’t warrant genuine concern on her end. Imagine if it were real.
“Right now, we need to confirm that the refugees are okay and that our key witness is still alive. I’ve already sent a message to Naia to gather what warriors she can and to provide aid to the people of Azureth,” Raz informed.
“And I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that they attacked Coral Bay. Do we have any reports yet?”
“Not yet,” Nokoa said solemnly. “Eyewitnesses stated they felt a power surge from multiple wielders just before the wave was spotted.”
Soraya took another sip, and the smell of salt filled her nose. Fascinating.
“And what of the patrons and courtesans of The Pearl?”
Sakari swallowed his drink before answering. “They are safe. The Pearl’s defensive shields came up. You know how those ancient buildings have a mind of their own. Madame Melusina said it was the first time in recent memory that it self-activated. Personally, I didn’t know The Pearl could do that.”
“I heard whispers that they think it was a coordinated attack from the Golden Allies,” Nokoa pitched in.
Raz sighed. “The golden kings would never order or allow such an attack to be carried out. There would be no point.”
“It has King Titus written all over it. He’s trying to embroil the whole continent in war,” Nokoa hissed.
“And we will stop him,” Raz insisted.
Sakari swirled the wine in his tankard. “How do we convince the council that King Titus is the one behind the attacks across Alphame if we can’t find our key witness?”
“We will find him. Makoto said he hid him well,” Raz informed, then muttered, “Let’s just hope he hid him well enough. And if not… I’ll approach the gathered council myself.”
Both Sakari and Nokoa choked on their drinks.
“Are you insane?” Sakari demanded, just as Nokoa sputtered out—
“They will kill you and us on sight! We won’t let you go alone. And not to mention—”He pitched his voice lower, “Your mate. You can’t just leave her behind.”
Soraya could feel eyes on her. Unfortunately, with a belly stuffed full and a well-lubricated throat from the wine, her stomach chose that exact moment to give the chef her compliments as a wet belch erupted from her mouth.
“Excuse me,” she said out of polite modesty.
Someone coughed to cover a laugh.
“She’s definitely your mate,” Sakari drawled.
Raz ignored him. “Feel better?” he asked her.
Soraya nodded her head and then used her words like an intellectual. “Much better, thank you.”
Raz beamed down at her. “You must have many questions for me. I know I have quite a few for you, my lovely mate.”
Soraya cringed internally and realized he wanted her to play along.
She wasn’t very good at ad-libbing and wasn’t well acquainted with the story they were enmeshed in—no matter how familiar the names sounded.
Now that her stomach was full and she could think straight again, she needed to thank them for the meal and offer to pay her share. After that, she should leave before her brain can convince her that there was something much bigger happening than some actors continuing their play off the stage.
Except leaving didn’t sound like a good plan either. She didn’t want to go back to her dark, empty apartment.
And maybe she should be a little embarrassed at how she bumped into these men, ate their food, and drank their fine wine without so much as a hello. What was wrong with her? But even so, she would be damned if she had to ad-lib. Better to pay and get out now.
“You are very kind for sharing your meal with me. How much do I owe you?” Soraya asked, stepping out of Raziel’s personal space. His hand slipped away from her stomach, and she felt the acute loss of his body heat.
Raz stretched his arm out and placed his hand on Nokoa’s shoulder. His cloak, she realized, was concealing her from the rest of the room. She wondered if he was doing that on purpose—hiding her. She didn’t mind it, but it was odd behavior.
“All I ask is your name, love.”
She huffed a laugh. “It’s Soraya. And I apologize for my rudeness from earlier, I—I don’t know what got into me.” That was an understatement, but she hoped they would accept her poor excuse—and if they didn’t, she would pay and leave. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”
Raziel gave her a rakish smile, and the sharp canines of his teeth flashed at her.
Soraya cocked her head and thought, He must be wearing false teeth of some sort.
“I like your costumes. What play is your troupe performing? I would love to come see all of you on stage.”
Her question was met with silence until Nokoa said, “I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“Did she say troupe?” she heard Sakari ask from the other side of Raz.
Nokoa shifted his head to peer at her. She looked into a pair of bright green eyes set underneath dark brows.” Do you think we’re actors?”
Soraya opened her mouth to respond when he gasped, “Her ears!” She watched as his eyes flew to Raz, who never took his eyes off her. “Raz, she’s human!”
Soraya sighed. Actors.