‘I’ll take that as a yes.’
‘Is everyone watching?’
‘Yup. Oh, don’t stiffen up, you were just starting to relax.’
Luna’s fingers dug into my arm. ‘Why are they all looking at me?’ she whispered into my ear.
‘Probably wondering where you got your dress.’
‘Alex!’ Luna tried to hit me with her free hand and nearly stumbled.
‘Tsk. You don’t want to fall.’
Luna made a noise that sounded almost like she was laughing. ‘We’re new,’ I said, my voice serious again. ‘Everyone here is watching everyone else. Probably a hundred people have made a note of us by now. Don’t be surprised if you’re approached as soon as this dance ends.’
‘Me? Why?’
‘Curiosity. Information.’
‘What should I say?’
‘Whatever you like, as long as you don’t give too much away. Let them come up with their own ideas and don’t correct them.’
We did another circuit of the dance floor, passing close to the band. All four were women. They looked natural at first glance; only if you looked closely would you see the slightly glazed look in their eyes. We turned back towards the crowd, and I saw who I’d been waiting for. ‘Look over my shoulder,’ I said as I turned. ‘Greek-looking guy in a dark blue suit with fancy trim. Talking to the man in red.’
‘Mm … okay, I see him. Who is he?’
‘Name’s Lyle. Major league asshole. Tied in with the Council.’
‘He’s the one who invited you?’
‘Yup.’
We did another revolution. ‘Are you going to talk to him?’ Luna asked eventually.
‘He can wait.’ Lyle was starting to send irritated glances in our direction. The music came to a halt, and I came apart from Luna with a smile and gave her a small bow. There was scattered clapping.
‘That was …’ Luna hesitated. She looked different somehow – flushed and wondering, alive in a way I’d never seen before. ‘I’ve never …’
‘I know.’ I took her arm and led her off the floor as a new dance started. I didn’t bother to hurry; I knew Lyle would come to us.
He materialised out of the crowd before we’d even reached it. ‘Ah, Alex,’ Lyle said with a good imitation of surprise. ‘I’m glad I bumped into you.’
‘Hey, Lyle. Thanks for the invitation.’
‘Don’t mention it.’ Lyle looked at Luna. ‘I don’t believe we’ve met?’
‘I hope you’re not trying to steal her from me, Lyle,’ I said with an easy smile, then glanced at Luna. ‘This is Lyle, an acquaintance of mine. We know each other very well.’
Lyle bowed to her. ‘An honour to meet you.’ He straightened. ‘If it’s convenient, Alex, I’ve some things to discuss with you in private. Barrayar, perhaps you could show the lady around.’
A man who’d been waiting at Lyle’s side stepped forward. He looked like a functionary. ‘You’ll have to excuse me,’ I said to Luna. ‘I’ll be right back.’
‘That’s fine,’ Luna said, and gave Lyle a smile. ‘Pleased to meet you.’ Lyle gave another bow, then turned and started walking. I followed. Behind, I heard Barrayar starting to introduce himself.
‘“I’ll be right back”?’ Lyle murmured once we were out of earshot. ‘Seems you still haven’t learned not to make promises you can’t keep.’
‘I wouldn’t get too cocky, Lyle.’ Other men and couples glanced at us as we passed, first at Lyle, then with more curiosity at me. Lyle was a known quantity here; I was something new. ‘I only agreed to listen.’
‘And you think you’ll be getting a better offer?’
I grinned lazily. ‘Oh, you’d be surprised just how many people are taking an interest in your relic lately.’
Lyle gave me a sharp look, then turned away.
Servants were moving through the crowd, white-clothed figures with their faces hidden behind opaque masks offering food and drinks. We passed a crowd around the buffet table and climbed a small flight of stairs up to one of the exits from the hall. The exit led to a staircase, leading upwards and then doubling back. We went up two levels and came out into a smaller corridor, this one plain and undecorated. Windows on the left side looked down into the main hall, but the sounds were quieter up here, the music and conversation from below muffled. The corridor ended in a door, leading into an antechamber. As we walked in, I checked, staring at the figures ahead.
In front of the opposite door, facing us, were two creatures sculpted from silver and gold. They stood seven feet tall on triple-jointed legs, and had two pairs of segmented arms carrying eight-foot-tall ceremonial glaives and devices of tapering metal the size of heavy guns. Their heads were turned towards us, and faceted golden eyes watched us silently as we entered. These were
‘Lyle Trahelis,’ Lyle said as he walked up; he hadn’t stopped. He gestured in my direction. ‘He’s with me.’ He approached the door and paused, looking back at me. ‘Hurry up, Alex. We haven’t got all day.’
The mantis golems hadn’t moved an inch since we entered, and their eyes watched us, opaque and unreadable.
