ELYRA.
By the time I found my way back to the second floor, the party was almost over.
The loud music from earlier had faded into soft background jazz, and the crowd had thinned out a lot. It was close to midnight. A few guests still stood in small groups, laughing quietly, holding half-empty glasses. The bright energy that had filled the hall earlier was now dull, like a candle almost burned out.
I wrapped my arms around myself and walked slowly across the hall, my heels clicking against the shiny floor. My head was still replaying everything that had happened tonight, especially my little showdown with Star.
I spotted Raidel’s secretary near the far end of the room. She stood beside one of the tall tables, checking something on her phone. When she looked up and saw me approaching, he
