I moved slowly and carefully through the crowd. Unhurried. Calm. Not allowing a single trace of concern to surface. My mind was searching for her voice.
I exited the ballroom and stepped into the long, wide corridor at the end of which the open balcony revealed itself. I kept close to the wall, approaching discreetly—unnoticed, yet close enough to see and hear everything.
“My lady, Kira,” Zmeu said smoothly. “Do you realize the turmoil you’ve caused tonight? Some of the attendees haven’t shown their faces at events like this for centuries. You must terrify them.”
“And you, Zmeu?” Kira asked, a seductive smile playing on her lips. “Are you terrified?”
“Not in the slightest,” Zmeu replied immediately, stepping even closer. “Someone like me has no enemies, my lady. We are irreplaceable. E
