“Who died, Rafael? Gavriella?”
He stared into the Pinot Noir, which had the flat dark color of blood.
“Your dad?” I said.
“Suffice it to say, we can’t afford to be weak, because Chariot will exploit that. We can’t expose ourselves.”
That had always been my thinking, as well. Except that a continual show of strength was exhausting and, ultimately, brittle.
“You aren’t weak and what happened wasn’t proof of some character deficiency.” I gently pried the poor wineglass from his death grip and set it on a table, a crystal chandelier bouncing prismic dots off of it. “The opposite, in fact. In making yourself vulnerable like that, you made us both stronger. That’s what you need to focus on.”
His brow furrowed. “I didn’t expect this level of understanding from you.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. And don’t shut me out anymore. My magic issues, this missing scroll, we’re scrambling now because my father chose to run away with some very dangerous secrets. Communication is essential.” We stopped in front of the musicians as they launched into a waltz, and I swept Rafael a playful curtsy. “Meantime, can we start this evening again? Greetings, Rafael.”
He gave me a wan smile. “Hello, Ashira.”
“You clean up well, Attendant mine.”
“And you…” He wrinkled his face.
“Yeah. Yeah. Don’t strain for a compliment with this dress. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“Thank heavens.” He grinned. “You look lovely, if somewhat unlike your regular self.”
Mayan stopped to speak with some servers, so Rafael and I positioned ourselves at the long table covered with charcuterie, the cheeses, cut meats, and crackers presented on carved wooden boards accompanied by glass bowls of pickles and preserves.
“What happened with your uncle?” Rafael said.
I looked longingly at the delights on offer, then down at my white dress, and picked up a plain cracker, nibbling on it while I summed up the events at Inferno in a low voice.
Rafael procured me another glass of white wine from a passing server’s tray. “You confirmed he had the scroll. Good work. You’ll find him.”
I gave him a tired smile and raised the glass in cheers. “You bet I will.”
“I can put this new information against the other timeline data. We should meet tomorrow. Every slight advantage is one we must act upon immediately. Your office?”
“Sounds good.”
We spent the next couple of hours doing endless tours of the room. Jonah didn’t show, Levi and I kept our distance, and Mayan spent all her time talking up the benefits of the Lung Cancer Foundation.
I’d nursed my glass into the dregs, I couldn’t eat in case I dropped anything on this stupid dress, and I’d given up on anything interesting happening. I was ready to call it a night and go for french fries when Mayan glanced at her phone. She touched Levi’s arm, said a few words, then slipped from the room. I trailed her out to the lobby, planting myself by the rack of tourist brochures on offer.
Jonah Samuels waltzed into the hotel. In his pressed formal wear, he blended in with the rest of the crowd milling about here. The two of them had a brief but intense exchange. There was nothing alarming about their body language. Mayan wasn’t tense or scared of Jonah, nor was he crowding her space or intimidating her in any way. Jonah said something that had Mayan glare at him, before yielding with a resigned head nod.
He settled a large blue heart-shaped stone on a gold chain around her neck. Mayan gave him a tolerant smile.
Whatever was up between them, Mayan was a free and willing participant.
Jonah continued into the ballroom, while Mayan headed for the restrooms.
I followed him over to the tables containing items for the silent auction. Catching Rafael’s eye, I nodded at our quarry. I didn’t expect any trouble, but I’d brought Rafael here to watch my back.
Jonah studied the bids on a wine tasting tour.
I stopped at a glossy card detailing another item that was up for auction. “Five hundred dollars for high tea? I better get to eat my body weight in tiny sandwiches for that.”
Jonah gave me a smooth smile. “The tea is for two people so unless you’re planning on showing up stag, I think you’d be disappointed.”
“Maybe I could bring a stuffed animal, like I used to when I had tea parties as a kid.” I wrinkled my nose—hopefully adorably and not like a cocaine addict jonesing for a fix. “Girl thing. I’m sure you didn’t have tea parties.”
“No,” he said, amused. “Nor did I have stuffed animals. I had imaginary friends. Fierce ones who I built forts and stormed castles with.”
“Such a boy. And do you still storm castles, Mr…?”
“Call me Jonah.”
I readied myself for him to extend a hand to shake so I could check if he was Mundane or Nefesh, but he clasped his hands behind his back.
“Ashira,” I said. “So those castles?”
“Sadly, they remain unstormed,” he said. “I’m involved in medical research.”
Yeah, yeah. Give me something else to work with. “That sounds interesting. What kind?”
“I advanced a bonding technique. It’s actually very boring.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
“You’re very kind, but I recognize that glazed look. How about you?”
“I’m in politics.” I tilted my head. “I don’t suppose I could interest you in a drink? Perhaps somewhere quieter, like the rooftop bar?” I intended to steer the conversation to Hedon and work in my acquaintance with Mayan, but those weren’t topics one just dropped in to casual conversation with a stranger.
“I’m flattered, but I’m afraid I can’t stay. I just came to support this important cause.”
Bollocks. “My loss. Lovely meeting you, Jonah.”
“You as well, Ashira.”
I sailed into the crowd, giving Rafael the signal to keep an eye on Jonah, since I couldn’t very well turn around and stalk him. Mayan was safely ensconced in a conversation with an elderly couple, so, frustrated at being rebuffed, I stepped out of the crowded ballroom to get some air. I wound through the hallways, the noise growing distant behind me. A
