Keeper(86)

It was a risky move. If we exposed ourselves and our purpose to the wrong people, it wouldn’t end well for us. Our whole plan would go up in smoke.

I squeezed Serena’s hand. “Let’s go.” The clock was ticking; it was a risk we had no choice but to take.

We walked slowly toward the table. The red-haired woman nudged her counterpart, and they watched us from their seats, scrutinizing our movement the way a cat stalks its prey.

We were only a few feet away when a loud commotion broke through the peaceful melody of the orchestra. There was the sound of scuffling, a loud smack of skin against skin, and someone crying out. The crowd began to murmur, and the din of the ballroom rose as people craned their necks to see what was happening.

That cry sent a chill so deathly cold down my back that my knees nearly gave way. Before my brain even had time to catch up, I was moving, pushing through the crowd. The crowd was beginning to clump, everyone trying to see what the fuss was about. I elbowed and shoved, trying to force my way through, but there were too many people in the way. I got stuck in a mass of people but could see the Master clear enough.

He looked irritated and waved his hand, the way one would swat at a fly. “Come forward,” he said. The words were quiet, but they reverberated through the room as if he had shouted them.

Several guests near him flinched visibly. The crowd quieted and there was a mass shuffling from the people trying to get out of the way as a tall figure pushed toward the Master, dragging someone behind him.

My heart plummeted to the floor.

It was the Scavenger.

Though dressed in dark slacks and a white shirt, his clothing couldn’t hide the layer of grime that covered his skin or detract from the greasy stringiness of his hair. His face was twisted in a triumphant grin. He yanked his arm forward, plucking his captive from the crowd and into the open space before the Master.

It was Maggie.





CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE


I staggered backward, bumping into Serena. A scream rose in my throat, but her urgent voice hissed in my ear: “Don’t. You’ll only make it worse.” Her fingertips wrapped around my arm, steadying me, but it was as if the room was spinning on its axis and I couldn’t tell which way was up. I swallowed hard, forcing air into my lungs.

“Serena, we have to do something. We—”

Another cry from Maggie stopped me short.

The Scavenger had yanked Maggie by the wrist until she was standing in front of the Master. Rivulets of blood dripped from a wound on her left forearm, spotting the emerald dress she wore with crimson. The fear was plain on her face.

A pulse of electricity lanced through me. I didn’t have to look down to know green lightning danced between my fingertips. The current pulsing through me was alive and ready. I have to help her. I stepped forward, welcoming the energy igniting inside me. I have to save her.

A strong yank on my arm made me stumble. Serena’s mouth was set in a hard line, her eyes locked on mine.

“Serena?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, Lainey,” she said, her grip firm. “I can’t let you do that. I promised Gareth I’d keep you safe.”

I shoved her hand away. “It’s not your call to make.” I glared at her, the anger fueling the fire that burned inside me. “I won’t just stand here and do nothing. She’s my best friend.”

Serena opened her mouth to refuse me again, her hand already reaching up to latch onto me. I shoved her hard, and she stumbled backward, tottering on her tall heels. I pushed my way forward, as much as the crowd would allow. I reached for the energy inside me, but before I could act, a roar filled the ballroom.

“Let her go!” Ty pushed through the crowd. He wasn’t wearing his suit jacket anymore, and there was a shoulder holster of long knives across his back. He rushed toward the Scavenger, his face twisted in fury. Then he turned slightly and bowed deeply to the Master. “My apologies, my Lord, but that woman belongs to me.” He pulled one of the blades from the holster and pointed it at the Scavenger. “I do not mean to interrupt, but I intend to get back what is mine.”

I let out a strangled cry, but the sound of it was lost in the cacophony of surprised gasps, squeals of alarm, and even laughter from the other guests.

The Scavenger looked surprised at first, but narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on Maggie’s wrist. She winced. “What claim do you have on her?” He took a step forward, sniffing the air. “Oh, I see. You were there that night in the woods. You’re the one who killed my brothers.” The Scavenger opened his mouth and snarled, the feral sound echoing across the walls. The murmur of the crowd grew louder.

“You will return what is mine,” Ty said coolly, slashing his blade through the air. The Scavenger jumped back.

There was surprised gasp from the crowd as Ty swung the knife again. The Scavenger shoved Maggie farther from reach and pulled a long dagger of his own from the inner folds of his shirt. He laughed, his features rippling between man and wolf.

They skirted around each other. The din of the crowd grew louder, an excited murmur pulsing though the observers. The sound of steel striking steel filled the ballroom. Ty moved like the wind, twisting and rolling, always out of the Scavenger’s grasp. When he thrust an elbow into the Scavenger’s face, there was a loud crunching sound and a spray of blood. The Scavenger stepped back holding his nose and howling. The crowd clapped in appreciation, but Ty stood stone-still, gripping his blade.