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“You can do that?” I spluttered. I hated having my status displayed like that, and now it was gone. It was such a relief that I felt a strange tightness leave my body. Was I free? At least, temporarily?
I’d fight him putting the damn thing back on me with every ounce of my being.
“When needed. It’s all in the wrist.” His eyes swept over my face and body. “Tonight, you’ll do better as simply a beautiful woman rather than an Indentured.”
“Do you really think the spirit or the woman will be this stupid?” Not that I was going to argue much. No gem. He might only be able to put it on my butt because I’d be running away if they wanted to put it back on. “Is it off for good?”
His wry smile answered me. “If I can make it so, yes. Try not to give them a reason to put it back on. If you can do that, I’m justified in living in hope.”
“Of what?” My question seemed to get lost in the sound of the doors hissing open.
We alighted from his vehicle and walked down a carpet whose deep red gleam matched his gem. A few hopefuls took pictures of us. Near us, the Dumonts stepped out of their vehicle. Robert, tall and handsome, and Elise, groomed to a high sheen that put me to shame, even with the professional help I’d received.
Walker’s voice recaptured my attention, though it took me a moment to connect his answer to my question. “Hope people will change, remember what they were. That honorable people will outnumber opportunists in the legislature.”
The regret threaded through his words surprised me. The emotions I felt from him were colored with deep age; some talented practitioners were far older than they looked. I would’ve bet my last credit that Walker was one of them. The Guild would be better off if he were in charge.
The air cooled as we passed through the carved mahogany doors. A wave of clashing perfumes rolled over me. I wrinkled my nose, and stopped at the nudge from Walker’s elbow. The first level had been designed as a meeting area and was one large room, broken apart by modular walls. The ceiling of the central open area arced three stories above, and a balcony looked down on it from all sides on the second floor. Staircases, one on each wall, led to the upper floors, which shared the changeable design.
For the Ball, a large central area had been expanded, with two rooms set apart on opposite far sides of the building, leaving two of the four staircases visible. The huge hall was crammed with people, more than a thousand all competing for notice. Clothing in all colors, with coverings ranging from barely anything all the way to robe and hood. Even though the building was warded throughout, the pitch of emotion was enough to stagger me.
I leaned on Walker’s arm. His emotions, calm as usual, welled into me from the close contact and I spun them into a shell to keep the further emotions at bay. The riot quieted to bearable levels, and I breathed deeper in relief.
Useful as well as decorative. When I ran, I was taking him with me. I’d never thought I’d find someone who came close to what I wanted in a partner. Persuading him might be hard, but I was up to the task.
Lights flashed from a stage at the far side of the hall, illuminating a dance floor full of pairs of dancers moving in an entirely different rhythm from each other. I’d never seen anything like it before. My life in Kalderon had been spent in the mountains, at Ethan’s house, and the settlement near it. There was tech, sure, but not anything like this. Nor anything like this number of people. Or this level of budget. My stomach clenched at the thought of all the people Outside, in the ‘rises, Monique, the children. How much could the resources spent on just this one night change their lives?
The glossy black floor reflected the sound, color, and movement of the festivities. Tables laden with food nestled into the long sweep of the walls. Beside them, golden swans vomited alcohol from their beaks into fountains below, although the glasses arrayed by the fountains had barely been touched. That would come after the votes were tallied.
If all went well, I, Walker, and the information I’d gathered would be long gone at that point. From what I’d overheard Robert complaining, voting took forever to tally. Though elections really only mattered to politicians since nothing changed.
Walker moved more slowly than normal. I appreciated his tact. My balance had returned, though it was still not as good as it should be. It was enough that I didn’t wobble in the 5 inch heels, growing more accustomed by the moment to the balancing act needed for ambulation.
We drifted toward the dance floor. I enjoyed dancing, though I’d never done it in shoes like these. All part of the display for Stephen Cohen-Rossi, who I spotted on a balcony above, watching the dance floor. Why wasn’t he with a group of people, enjoying himself?
Walker pulled me close, and we swayed. The music, transmitted through a variation on bone conduction, didn’t impinge on others’ ears. Unfamiliar but wonderful, with a sultry beat that pulled me into the rhythm Walker set. I let my body follow his.
An upward glance showed we’d caught the target’s attention.
I tilted my head up and Walker leaned down to take advantage of my invitation.
A hand slid under my hem from behind—not Walker’s, unless he’d grown a third. As fingers probed into my body, I decided to make use of the heels hobbling me. Rage and happiness bloomed in my chest at the idea; whoever I hurt for this deserved it. The flare of my anger blocked the lust and nasty smugness the fingers had smeared on my mind. Even if I was supposed to be an escort, I had a right not to be touched without my permission, and this ass needed a lesson. So many on this level of Guild society did.
A pity the geas limited my retribution to minor injury. At least I was allowed to defend myself.
I jumped, jerking my elbow backward. Soft bulk yielded under it. I turned, focused only on the dark suit, then faked a stumble. One heel, driven by my full weight, slammed into the instep of glossy dress shoes.
He screamed. Elderly, thick white hair, and a red gem that shone in the lights. His partner’s expression blended shock and annoyance. Young and pretty, red-haired, she drew her flowing sea-green skirt back from the spreading puddle of blood.
My ankle complained as Walker appeared at my back. His sudden iron grip held me in place as I tried to step forward onto the groper’s other foot as I apologized.
“Oh, I’m so, so sorry, I tripped.” I made my eyes wide and imitated the expression Chance used when he didn’t want to be called on his actions.
The man sprawled on the glossy floor, clenching his teeth, breath whistling in and out. The music had cut off when he screamed. The crowd shifted into clumps. Red-uniformed security arrowed toward us.
One knelt, pulling a stabilizer from his kit as the other turned to Walker. “What happened here?”
“An accident.” Walker stared down at the furious older man, whose lips had parted to speak.
