Page 23 of Hound

“What’s going on?” I whispered into Anabella’s ear as I assisted her into her seat. This spontaneous visit was one I had prepared for the moment Sonia received notice. In spite of that, it didn’t calm the nerves that tightened my abdomen as we had a deal.

I had to approve calculated appearances before they could occur.

Anabella’s gaze roamed on each sibling as they settled around the extensive, iron-forged table. Conversations between pairs filtered around us. “Where have you been? You haven’t visited Le Maudit.”

“I. . .” What was I to tell her when I couldn’t fathom answering the question for myself?

“Father’s pressuring our mothers regarding the marriage arrangement. Tensions continue to rise between the Ministry and the Human Bureau. They need an answer.”

“We have until the Christmas Ball.”

“Yes, but. . .” An exasperated exhale escaped her, and servants silently entered, resting blood-filled goblets before us. Her voice thinned. “I’m worried, stressed to the bone. They’re going mad, and in turn,I’mgoing mad. The Mubaraks are gone. The Premier seems to be operating on havoc instead of restraining it. There’s no trace of Mal, and Christopher, they’re hunting him like lunatics. They’ve visited the parlor more than I would like. What if he truly is connected to the Mubaraks’ disappearance?”

Before my tongue could form a consolation, eyes fell on us, particularly the three youngest: Esmeralda, Fortuna, and Gia on the opposite side of the table.

Anabella promptly buried our subject by announcing, “The ball’s underlying theme has been approved.”

Catalina’s murmurs chimed, yet her words were inaudible underneath Noah’s resounding voice as he leaned into Bethany. “Oh, Bethany! I hope you have thought about our matching attire. I have no preference, though I wouldn’t mind sporting a dress this year.”

Anabella added, “This year’s Christmas Ball will be dedicated to appreciation.”

“The invitation has been extended to select Elected Officials within the Human Bureau and Ministry alike. Even close servants that assist them,” Bethany said.

A sharp smile stretched across Davina who sat at the opposing corner of the table before Alek. “All high-ranking guardians are to attend. Which includes the one behind us.”

Eyes whipped to the foyer and onto the body that suddenly halted, the familiar outline carefully turning to the dining room. It was the guardian who was put at risk after Kaleb’s scheme, the one who had put my very brother in his place at our first meeting.

I wasn’t one to appreciate a guardian overstepping their bounds, but in that instance, Ms. Eli earned a sliver of my respect.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked, almost adrift.

“It’s quite simple.” Davina’s slate eyes fell on her. “There will be a curated list for every guest and household, the max of invited guardians depending on how large the attending family is.”

“In your case, it would be three,” Bethany commented.

Davina added, “You, deary, must take a spot.”

Anabella vibrated beside me as she spoke, desperation oozing between words, “Father wants us all to showcase our unification. In hopes it keeps the Mubaraks’ disappearance outof view. News outlets have begun raising questions regarding their absences during hearings. The confirmation of the Christmas Ball’s theme and the new attendance sheet will bury it.”

With a narrow yet possessive gaze that stumbled on Alek, clouded emerald eyes glinting, Ms. Eli crossed her arms against her chest.

A murmur silenced beneath Kaleb’s mockery, “So not only will guardians be guests but still operating like usual.”

“Oh my, what a brilliant idea!” Noah bounced in his chair and clapped enthusiastically. “Continuous labor disguised as fun.”

There was something familiar about Ms. Eli’s demeanor, the way she carried herself in a room where she was meant to be reverent—not bold.

Catalina quarreled, “No, you idiot. It’s not an undercover job. But if by chance something out of the ordinary occurs, then the already stationed guardians will have reinforcements.”

The soft lights within the dining room contoured Ms. Eli’s umber flesh as her expression suddenly melted, admiration dilating her pupils in a way I’d seen before in the murkiness of a cave.

“Not in the mood to bite today?” Davina challenged.

Catalina scoffed to herself. “She shouldn’t be. A mutt should know its place.”

“Don’t call me that,” Ms. Eli rapidly bit back, irritation binding her words to stand her ground. It was practically identical to the guardian I hadn’t seen and?—

Metal clinked against the table as Noah rested his goblet. “Ah! There’s that gleam we all favor!”

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