Page 76 of Werewolves Don't Howl
“Mr. Clay, your party is exquisite,” I said, smiling up at the handsome elf who was my number one suspect.
He gave me a luminous smile of his own. “You are exquisite, Miss Era. Are we back to formalities?”
I sighed heavily and put my hand on his arm. “It seems necessary after your reporter announced that I’m engaged to the senator. We’re trying to figure out how to get disentangled without it causing havoc to either of our careers. You didn’t give the order, did you?”
He covered his hand and frowned down at me. “I did not.”
“Do you know who did?”
“I could look into it.”
I smiled brightly, even though that didn’t tell me anything useful. Maybe he had been the one who gave the order. Elves didn’t like to lie outright, but if he was a murderous monster… “I’d appreciate that. It has introduced a number of problems. My mother is desperate for me to settle down. How am I going to break the news to her that it was all a mistake? She won’t believe me. She’s so desperate to have grandchildren, so she’ll believe what she wants to believe.”
He blinked twice at this oversharing. “I’m sorry that you’re put in such an uncomfortable position.”
“Yes, well, it is unfortunate. Will you dance with me? I’ve been telling everyone I see that I’m not engaged, but perhaps seeing me with someone else will help. Or maybe it’ll make things worse. I don’t know. What do you think I should do?” I looked up at him with my warm, sweet, irresistible eyes, begging him to save me.
He bowed. “It would be my pleasure, Miss Era.”
He swept me into a dance, holding my waist firmly while I gripped his shoulder and followed his lead. I wove my gnome magic with as much subtlety as possible. I tried not to notice Cross standing on the edge of the crowd holding two cups of punch I’d sent him to retrieve before hunting down Zephin Clay. Cross didn’t look like he cared that I was dancing with someone else. He was so incredibly good at playing the pleasant, indifferent elf, but all that time, he’d been cursed to love me so foolishly. Poor Cross.
“How long have you been in Singsong City?” I asked, looking up at Clay shyly.
He gave me a soft smile. The gnome was getting its grip on him, softening him up. “I established a base here a century ago, but only recently made it my main residence. Perhaps I felt the need to keep an eye on my good friend.” He winked at me.
Hm. Maybe I was using too much gnome magic. I didn’t want him to actually try to cuddle me. I giggled and felt slightly hysterical. I did not want to play this game with my old family friend. But he was so suspicious. “I’m flattered. How long have you known Nanette? The office was well-established by the time I came to work here.”
“Well, she was one of the first graduates of Songbird Academy, my school, so I suppose it’s been fifty years, give or take.”
“Really? That’s so interesting. Do you make a point of hiring graduates of your school?” Also, I’d had no idea it was his school. He hadn’t meant to make that public knowledge. The gnome magic was turning him into putty in my tiny hands.
He gave me another smile that was almost unnervingly sweet. “Of course. You should have graduated. Your magic was so lovely. It’s a pity you let your trauma hold you back. Not that it isn’t understandable, but should you ever choose to return…”
“Thank you for the offer. You’re so generous.” I batted my lashes at him. “Was Loren there much earlier than me?”
“Not much. She was about your age. Smart girl, but personally can be a bit aggressive.”
I giggled and swatted his arm. “You mean she was chasing you? I can’t blame her. You’re so handsome and intelligent. It doesn’t hurt that you’re also a media mogul. Is that what she wanted to talk to you about at the sushi restaurant?”
He frowned slightly, almost like he was struggling against a compulsion. “She’s been treading in dangerous paths. I’m glad you’ve chosen a more tranquil course for the sake of your safety.”
“Well, Loren always has been driven to find the most salacious copy she can dig up. The more blood and danger, the better. I admire her for that. So, she’s been looking into dangerous people? Oh! The Ridley case. Was there more to that than there seemed? Why would she need to talk to you about that? Do you have a collection of secret files that you don’t release?” I laughed like that was a ridiculous joke, but honestly, what kind of information couldn’t a media mogul who’d been around for centuries dig up on people? Oh, the power to control what became public knowledge. He could announce lies as easily as truth. Is that how he amassed so much power, building up on fear and possibly blackmail? How exactly was he connected to Letitia Marin and her mob family?
His eyes narrowed as he broke the bands of gnome compulsion and gave me a stiff smile. “You’re sounding more like an investigative journalist than a society reporter.”
I laughed and then sighed. “Maybe it’s time for me to shift careers. Getting tangled up with the senator has turned me into more of a celebrity than an anonymous note-taker. I wish I knew who told the reporter to make him my fiancé.”
“I’ll find out for you.”
I gazed up at him. “Really? Could you maybe make that call right now?” I put all the adorable pleading in my gnome heart in that look.
He chuckled and then shook his head slightly before he led us to the edge of the dancing, opposite where Cross waited with my punch. He released his hold on me, took out his phone, and made a call.
After a brief moment, they answered. The voice was the reporter’s from the night before.
“Rose, this is Zephin Clay. I’m afraid you made an error with Senator Silverton’s story. They’re not engaged. Who authorized you to announce their engagement?” He frowned for a moment before nodding. “The producer? Ah. Thank you. You may be required to give a retraction. I’ll keep you updated.”
He hung up and raised a brow at me. “Someone wanted that particular information planted. Now I’m curious who would go to so much trouble to push your relationship.” He made another call that took slightly longer to answer.
