Page 144 of Devotion

And he vanishes into the crowd.

28

CIRO

The first tell that my night is about to waterslide straight into the toilet is Vanya looking at me. Looking at the door. Then bolting.

That can only mean one thing.

Diarrhea.

A moment later, I spot it, walking through the door.

Adil Abas.

Music resumes in earnest.

Honestly, I’m just shocked that he showed up. The entire place is fixated on him, and in that stillness, I manage to locate Vanya, sprinting up the stairs to the next level.

Which means she saw someone worth chasing.

The rest of the party catches its breath, the murmur of gossip and congratulatory drinking kicking back off as if nothing happened. As if a blood enemy didn’t just walk into the midst our ranks.

Fyo grabs my arm.

“He is here?”

“I think so. Vanya is chasing something. I hope it’s her dreams.”

“Find your sibling. And perhaps trade places with him.”

“I—”

My phone buzzes.

No more playing. You had your chance.

“Oh balls. Fyo. Get your team working double time.” I show him the text.

“Fucking Diamantes make my life hell. Go! I will find Pyotr.”

I start to follow Vanya on her chase.

That would be the natural thing to do. Try to hunt down my brother, search this massive, million-square foot maze.

But I’ve always been impulsive.

Striding in the opposite direction, I make a wide crescent through the crowd, sidling right alongside Abas and his troupe. Years of drawing attention to myself and watching Ero slip around unnoticed has had an added benefit. I know what people look for.

What they miss.

I’m standing inside the circle of guards and walking shoulder to shoulder for a few steps before anyone notices. To his credit he doesn’t jump or start.

“Ciro.”

“Adil. Mind if I call you Adil?”

“Not at all. I mind that you stepped on my toe.”

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