Page 73 of Black Crown

Not waiting for his reply, I pushed into the throng, weaving my way through the pulsating and sweaty gathering toward Dilowa. Reaching out, I snagged what I hoped was her wrist.

She turned to me, cheeks flushed and eyes heavy with lust. Slurring, she said, “Lady Ryn?”

“Hey.” I drew the word out, doing my best to avoid looking at her partner, though they did appear to have most of their clothes on, unlike pretty much everyone else in the room.Drak, I hadn’t thought of an excuse for my interruption.

“Bathroom break?” I offered, jabbing my thumb behind me.

Her now-clear eyes narrowed. “Okay.”

“Woohoo,” I said and then pulled her away from her partner and into the crowd. I made it five feet before realizing how much resistance she was giving me, and I glanced back to see I was all-but dragging the commander along the ground.Yikes. “Sorry, my Drae is a little on edge right now.”

Releasing her wrist, I waited as she regained her footing and then averted my eyes as she adjusted her aketon.

Meet where we were before, I thought to Tyrrik.

“What’s actually happening?” Dilowa asked, now standing next to me. “I thought we were going to have the night to work the room?”

Is that what she called it? Okaay.

“Who was that?” I asked, jerking my head back at the guy she’d been with.

She arched a brow and moved in close, whispering in my ear, “Prince Marb, Queen Mily’s brother. He’s responsible for security.”

My eyes rounded. Either Dilowa knew how to pick ‘em, or she was incredibly lucky. “No way.”

“Way.”

“Can he get us out of here?” I asked as Tyrrik arrived with the rest of our team.

Zarad was shrugging back into his aketon, and an image of his butt flashed in my mind. I hoped I wouldn’t have to relive that memory too many more times.

“What’s the matter?” Zarad asked, his eyes flashing with frustration. The others in the group seemed to be hiding their frustration better if they were feeling it.

“Dyter’s missing,” I said to our group, lowering my voice, still untrusting of the clamor within the huge hall. Several of our group gave me a blank stare, and I huddled forward until they all did the same and repeated, “Dyter’s missing.”

“You don’t need us to find him,” one of the assassins said, straightening.

“Yes,” I snapped. “I do. I’m not leaving any of our group here in this strangeness.” I glared at Nielub and said sharply, “We came here for a reason, and it wasn’t just to have a good time. Or have you all forgotten that?”

Seriously, I was how old, and they werehowold?

Tyrrik came to stand behind me. “We’re searching for Dyter now. Everyone is helping. Pair up, and canvas the room. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

Neilub cast a longing look back into the crowd and then groaned. “Fine.”

He spun away toward the archway to our right. It was the closest doorway to where Dyter and the woman had been. Perhaps the assassin had been paying more attention than I thought, but then he started toward the door, and I rolled my eyes.

Ten minutes later, we were all back at the same place without Dyter. I was officially done.He’s not here,I told Tyrrik.Which means it’s possible to get out. If I have to fly out the window—

“But what are you all doing?” Queen Mily asked, appearing out of freakin’ nowhere. “Are you not enjoying the party?”

She was doing my head in, creative use of emeralds aside. Did anyone really want to see that much of her anatomy? Neimoj’s eyes were huge, so I guess someone was enjoying her peep-show.

Should we ask her about Dyter?

Do you think she would even know if something else was going on?

Maybe. Probably not. But still. . .Will you breathe on her and ask?

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