Page 100 of Black Reign

“Is this where you explain to her that kidnapping violates several laws?”

Stella takes a sip of champagne.

“I’d need to know jurisdiction.”

I stare.

Hannah starts laughing so hard the makeup artist has to stop.

Isa points at Jade.

“I’m picturing interrogation room. Black hood.”

“Too dramatic,” Jade says.

I should leave.

I don’t.

Isa looks dreamy.

“What if she shows? What if she walks in and they recognize each other immediately?”

“Recognize what?” Hannah asks. “They don’t know what each other looks like.”

“Energy.”

I close my eyes.

Isa continues anyway.

“And then they get married eventually, and their invitations could have an encrypted monogram.”

“Stop planning my wedding.”

“I said eventually.”

“You don’t even know whether she exists.”

“She exists.”

The room goes quiet.

I realize I said it with more conviction than intended.

Stella studies me.

“You’re sure.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

I could give them the technical answer.

Behavioral consistency.

Photographic analysis.