One of the players folded, and so did she. With four chips left, she waited for the game to finish, the hairs on her neck rose on end. She felt the heated gazes of the whole table. She looked obviously lost. If this continued, Sedric might grow suspicious.
When the game finally ended and the dealer collected the pot of chips, Sedric turned to her. “I take it you’re not a regular. Are you sure you’ve played before?”
“Was I that obvious?” she asked, trying to appear sheepish. She wiped her sweaty hands on her tulle skirt.
He smirked at her as if, yes, she was. “Waiting on someone? You can’t be here by yourself.”
“I’m here alone,” she replied cautiously. “I thought I’d watch the dancers.”
“Then you’re a little lost. The theater is across the hall.” He scanned at her up and down, and she resisted the urge to look away from his dark eyes. She was supposedly playing the role of the assailant, yethisgaze was the one growing more and more predatory. Her skin prickled with unease. “Would you like me to accompany you? I wouldn’t want you to get lost again.”
“That would be lovely...”
“Sedric.”
“Sedric,” she echoed nervously.
“And your name, miss?” He took her arm and led her around the tables. She peeked at Levi, who was—thankfully—still too focused on his game to notice her.
“En... Emma. It’s Emma.”
“A pleasure, Emma.”
In the lobby, the air reeked of floral perfumes, cigarette smoke and the perpetual stink of Tropps Street. Groups in ruffled gowns and tuxedos shuffled between the restaurant and the casino rooms, but they all parted for Sedric as he approached. Enne couldn’t tell if it was out of respect or fear—in New Reynes, they both seemed like the same thing. She tried to avoid their wary gazes in her direction to keep herself from trembling.
“The performance doesn’t start for a half hour,” Sedric said. “Do you like dancing as much as you like watching it?”
In order to poison him, she’d need to stay with him until he bought himself a drink. But the way he held her, his arm linked so tightly with her own, her side pressed against him, she felt the urge to flee. It was nothing he had said, but the way he looked at her. It made her feel...wrong.
“I love dancing, but only if I have a good partner,” she said, swallowing down her longing for escape. She had lasted this long. She could do this.
She had to.
He smiled. His teeth were alabaster white. “I promise you will find me more than acceptable.”
He steered her to the dance floor of a grand ballroom of twinkling lights and waxy floors. The other couples danced chest-to-chest, and Sedric pulled her close. His breath warmed her forehead, and she wished she was tall enough to look him in the eyes, or at least anywhere above his neck.
She did her best to follow his steps—they didn’t have this dance in Bellamy. Left. Right. Right. Turn. A left kick. Repeat. She caught on quickly, and he smiled as she accidentally turned tighter than intended and pressed her back into his chest. His cologne smelled sweet, like toffee.
He raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t tell me you have a dancing talent.”
“You never asked.”
“Are you a Tanzer? A Glisset?” Those were the names of wealthy dancing families at her school. Enne had attempted to compete with them her whole life, even when her toes blistered and her muscles ached. She knew his words were flattery—Saltas and Tanzers were simply incomparable, no matter how hard she practiced—but the compliment still sent a thrill through her chest.
“A Salta,” she corrected him.
“There’s no need to keep secrets from me.” Left. Right. Right. Turn. “You’re too graceful for a Salta. You’re a rarer form of dancer. Or your parents must spoil you with lessons.”
Her annoyance piqued. “My nameisSalta.”
“I’m sorry,” he amended quickly, but he looked more amused than apologetic. “I meant no offense.”
The song ended on a low minor chord, saving Enne from responding. He took her arm and led her to a near-empty side of the room, to a lone velvet love seat in a shadowy alcove. It felt awfully private here, so far from the other dancers. Enne felt a prickle of unease. What exactly was he considering?
“Why here?” she asked.
“Away from prying eyes. I’m determined to learn more about you, Emma Salta. I don’t usually meet girls your age quite so...”
