Hiro shook his head. "Hell no!”
She looked at him. “Excuse me?”
“This better not be something for the Roar. He's lucky to be here."
Reo's head turned slowly. His eyes found Hiro's across the room and settled there with a murderous glare.
Nyomi rolled her eyes. "Hiro, keep it up and you’re getting thrown out of the party."
"I would like to see somebody drag me out of here." He crossed his arms over his chest. “I already plan on sleeping under that claw this evening.”
“Whatever, crazy man.” Nyomi snapped her fingers toward the doors at the far end of the ballroom.
They opened.
A line of women walked in, wearing black floor-length gowns and carrying small black trays. On each one sat a row of golden spheres on thin gold skewers. Steam rose from them in twisting ribbons.
The violin retreated and the band shifted to upbeat jazz. The saxophone led the melody and the piano kept a steady rhythm.
Nyomi cleared her throat. "You all need food as we're drinking so much alcohol."
Hiro narrowed his eyes at those trays. “This better not be for the Roar.”
"Of course not. In fact, these bites are not in honor of anyone special." She kept her voice light. "Not even. . .anyone absolutely amazing who I love and respect with all my heart."
Reo smiled.
Hiro loudly groaned.
Nyomi picked a skewer off the nearest tray and held it between two fingers. "But I do hope that when you all eat these bites, you have aroaringgood time."
Hiro pointed at her. "I caught that!"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh shut up and eat the damn Roar bite."
Reo snickered and reached for the tray.
He took two.
Then, three.
The waitress began to walk away.
I stopped her. “Stay. He’ll want more.”
She smiled and remained next to him.
“Thank you, Kenji.” Reo looked like a man who would lay down his life to protect Nyomi in any future endeavor.
She’s stolen my Claws. Now she has my Roar.
I took one off the tray and studied it.
At least I have my Fangs. . .for now. . .
I stared at the spheres on the skewers. They were golden, about the size of large cherries, crusted in what looked like panko flakes. A thin dusting of shaved parmesan clung to their crust.
I bit down on one.
