The situation was familiar to Alina: complete isolation though thousands surrounded her, never a friend to rescue her from the awkwardness. She ducked into the crowd, her eyes picking out and examining every blue dress. Jade, where are you?
Maybe she could find Rex. He might not know where Jade was, but the idea of talking to him comforted her. She crossed the street to his estate, slipping through the tangled lovers on his lawn to the front door. More couples filled the corners of his foyer and front room, and she felt their heavy eyes on her. Rex wasn’t there.
She stepped back onto the porch and her heart rose to her throat. In the front yard she saw Eris and Zaiden, fused together, her white-tipped fingers running through his hair. Alina clutched the pearls around her neck and swallowed. Eris met her eyes and smirked, then locked her lips with his in a tight kiss.
Alina lifted her gown and ran into the street, her eyes blurred with tears. She ran to where she last saw Jade, then stopped. She couldn’t face Jade like this. Sampson would see her upset when she should be happy. She’d have to go alone and invent an excuse for leaving early. She spun around and started toward home, but after a few steps, a hand seized her arm.
“Come with me, Alina,” a low voice commanded. The grip tightened, as if he expected her to run away. She wiped her tears with her free hand before turning to face him. She recognized him as one of the men who followed her from Rex’s the night before.
She forced a smile. “Where are we going?”
He didn’t smile back. “You’ll see when we get there.” She didn’t resist as he led her, but her eyes scoured the crowd. It was unlike Jade to leave her.
They reached the end of Infinite Way the same moment a sleek, black aircar pulled up. Only Sampson’s top officials owned aircars. Her heart raced in her chest. This was it, her final moments before she vanished forever. Sampson had planned her capture perfectly. By ensuring she had no friends, only Jade and Rex would know if she disappeared. Even Zaiden would forget her, if he hadn’t already.
The man opened the door for her, and she gave one final, desperate glance down the street. No one noticed her; their wine and dance partners consumed them. Alina ducked into the aircar, slid across the smooth seat, and gasped.
Father Sampson was sitting beside her.
“Hello, Alina,” he said in his deep, oily voice. The aircar began to move. “How nice to see you again.” She could see one side of his face where the party lights illuminated his perfect features. He was the handsomest man she’d ever seen, but his was a dark, threatening beauty.
“I d–don’t remember meeting before,” she stammered.
He chuckled. “Oh, you wouldn’t remember, I suppose.” He spoke as if he knew her intimately. Her pretense had failed.
What about Rex? Sampson must never find out what he’d told her. The game had to go on.
“I’m sorry not to be more presentable,” she said, smoothing her hair. “You caught me at a bad moment—a girl was rude, and I was upset. Please don’t be angry. I love Pria so much, I don’t want to be sent away.”
Sampson’s hard eyes unnerved her. She kept talking.
“I think Rex can help me feel better; he did yesterday. Can I see him now?” It was a daring move. She wrinkled her brow innocently.
Sampson continued to glare. “Don’t worry. You must know I can give you more than Rex ever could. I will be far more helpful in soothing you.” His chilling tone made one thing clear: he didn’t trust Rex.
“Oh—yes, of course.” She cleared her throat and looked out the window at the passing lights, crossing her arms to hide her tremors. “Where are we going?”
“You are my special guest tonight,” he said. “How would you like to see Gordian Palace? Have you been there before?”
“Um, once, on a school trip.”
“Ah, yes. Then you haven’t seen what I will show you tonight.” He stared as if he saw right through her, down to her naked skin.
She straightened her back and tried to appear calm. What could he do to her? Put her in a comatose state or torture her to speak? She shivered. Could he trick her into exposing Rex or Jade? She was grateful Rex hadn’t told her any of his plans. She didn’t trust herself to keep them safe now. She forced a smile. “I’m interested to see it.”
He smiled back, showing white, even teeth. He must be the handsomest man in Pria. He makes sure of it. His silver hair fell behind his ears, bright against his olive complexion. His eyes were dark and captivating, his shoulders wide and solid. Any girl would covet her place. Everyone knew he had a way with women. But she felt only repugnance as he stared at her.
“Can I ask you something?” Alina said.
“Of course.”
“Why are you taking me now, during the feast? I was having a great time—well, except for that rude girl—but I’m sure you don’t want to miss the party either—”
“Quit the charade, Alina,” he ordered. She froze in her seat.
He leaned in, his face inches from hers. “Do you think you can fool me? Do you think I don’t see right through this pathetic act?” He straightened in his seat, his black eyes flashing. “I know more than you realize, and what I don’t, I soon will. Ah! Here we are.”
An iron gate opened, and the majesty of Gordian Palace stretched before them. The innumerable gold turrets looked sharp and threatening, as if piercing the sky.
Alina’s mind raced. If he knew the truth, then he knew about Rex. Was Jade safe? She had no time to think of a plan.
“Thank you, Leonard,” Sampson called to the driver.
