KEIRA
The lights feel too bright when we step back inside.
I force my shoulders back, my chin up, and scan the room like I'm looking for someone important. Octavian walks away and I don't look at him. I can't. He's been getting under my skin for weeks now.
The nerve of him.
With his square jaw and his sharp eyes and his you'll-get-yourself-killed attitude. I can still feel the way he looked at me out there, like I was the most reckless creature he'd ever been assigned to protect. Like I wasn't just his job. Like I was a fucking liability.
I press my lips together and smile at a couple as I pass. Pretend I'm calm. Composed.
My thoughts drown out the orchestra's soft strings and the polite laughter rippling through the crowd.
Across the room, near the dessert table, I spot Bridget Murphy, one of the admins who's been with the Trust for a few years.She's clutching a clipboard like it's a life raft, her mousy brown hair pulled into a tight bun, and she's wearing a loose-fitting blue dress that makes her look older than she is.
She's also the exact person I wanted to talk to tonight.
I make a beeline for her and smile as I weave through the crowd.
When I get close, she starts talking to some guests, nodding and smiling.
"Bridget," I say warmly, touching her elbow. "Can I steal you for a second?"
The donor, some older man in a bow tie, looks annoyed, but I flash him a smile. "I'll bring her right back," I promise.
Bridget follows me toward the far corner of the room, near the hallway entrance where the lighting is softer and the noise dies down just enough.
No one will question a quick donor update. Not here.
I lean against the wall, keeping my posture casual.
"How's the night going?" I ask, my voice low.
She shifts her weight, her fingers tightening around the clipboard.
"Fine. Good turnout. The caterers were late, but we managed."
"Good."
I pause for a moment, prepping myself.
Then I lean in slightly, dropping my voice even lower.
"You've been handling Shadowharbor coordination for what, like two years now, right?"
Her eyes narrow and she looks confused.
"Yeah. For the coordination of the winter events mostly. Securing venues. Site plans. Vendor approval. Stuff like that. Why?"
"Has anything ever felt off?"
She hesitates, her gaze darting toward the crowd like she's checking to see if anyone's watching.
"Off how?"
"I don't know. Strange. Anything that didn't sit right."
Her lips press into a thin line as she contemplates.
