Witch's Pyre (Worldwalker #3)(15)

Flowers exploded from vases. Flowers were pinned up in ladies’ hair. Flowers decorated the buttonholes of men’s jackets. Flowers adorned every table, and Lily knew that in some of those flowers a Worker was picking its way through the petals on needle-like toes.

As Lily entered the ballroom, heads turned. Drinks were halted halfway to mouths. Eyes stared, unblinking. Lily resisted the urge to look at the floor, and instead met some of the stares. No one held her gaze or tried to engage her attention.

If they’re all here to meet me, she asked Juliet, why are they avoiding me?

They’re here to see you, not meet you.

I feel like an idiot.

Keep your chin up, Juliet encouraged. Lily felt her sister briefly squeeze her hand before letting it go.

Mala melted into the crowd, abandoning Lily without making one introduction. As jostling bodies swallowed Mala’s lithe figure, a man’s thick shoulders replaced hers. He was making his way toward them, lifting a hand to hail them. He was tall, well over six feet, and he had thinning blond hair and blue eyes that reminded Lily of sky rather than ice. His features were thick, his cheeks were ruddy, and his chin was dimpled by a deep cleft. Physically, he looked about thirty, but he might have been nearer to fifty for all the cares he seemed to carry. Around his neck he wore the largest golden willstone Lily had ever seen.

For kitchen magic—simple but tiring stuff to make, like cleansing mists and water purifiers. Useful guy, Lily thought, and wondered whether Lillian was listening. She could feel Lillian in the back of her head, but she wasn’t actively engaged. Lily could sense that Lillian was occupied with something that was taking her whole attention again.

“Ah, Toshi,” he said, approaching them with a distracted look. He pulled Toshi aside to tell him something in private and then turned his attention to Lily’s coven. “So, we’re all here, then?” he said, smiling broadly.

He looks like a retired boxer, Breakfast whispered in Lily’s mind. His description was so dead-on that Lily had to stifle a snicker.

“Good to see you again,” Juliet said, recognizing him as the final member of the trio of attendants that came with Grace to welcome them into the city.

“And you,” he said. “You were all a bit too tired for introductions when we first met. I’m Ivan Volkov. Head Mechanic of Bower City.”

Lily’s coven greeted the Head Mechanic. She noticed Ivan marking Caleb’s golden willstone, and the two of them sharing an exchange of understanding. Golden stones weren’t given as much glory as smoke or rose stones, and because of that their bearers tended to be overlooked. Ivan’s position as Head Mechanic was exceptional—something that Lily couldn’t imagine happening back east.

“I’m sure we’ll speak more later,” Ivan said with an apologetic smile. He was a busy man, apparently, and left them, saying, “Ah, Simon,” in the same tone he’d used to greet Toshi.

“That’s Ivan,” Toshi said, smiling after him warmly. They continued on toward the far side of the room.

“You’re fond of him,” Lily remarked.

“He’s my mentor. Not that Ivan picks favorites,” he amended quickly. “That’s why we all respect him so much. He gives each of us an equal chance to advance.”

“He’s from Russia?” Una guessed.

“His family was, like my family was from Japan. But it’s been so long since the Hive has allowed anyone new to immigrate to the city no one here is really from anyplace else anymore.” He lifted his eyebrows. “Why do you think we’re throwing you this party?”

“You know, I’m not really sure.” Lily looked up at Toshi, testing him. She spread her hands to indicate the glittering room. “It’s a bit much.”

“Being chosen is a big deal,” he assured her. “It hasn’t happened in almost twenty years. If you’re here, it’s for a reason.”

“So the Hive kidnaps people and flies them to a strange city to fulfill some kind of purpose?” Caleb asked. “What could a bunch of insects want from humans?”

Toshi turned to him, his face taut. “The Hive selects people. And all it wants is a well-run society.”

“Oh, great,” Breakfast said wryly. “Because perfect societies never have a downside.”

Toshi laughed, dispelling the tension. “No one ever claimed Bower City was perfect,” he said. “But it is well run.”

They arrived at a large table, where Grace was half listening to Mala say something in her ear. Grace saw Lily arrive and stood before Mala had finished.

“Lily. Thank you for coming,” she said, looking pleased. She was wearing a buckskin suede dress decorated with turquoise beads and an impressive feathered headdress. Tribal paint streaked her face and dotted her shoulders and thick silver bracelets were clipped over her wrists like gauntlets.

Lily didn’t have a response, so she just smiled. Grace invited Lily to sit next to her. Mala was obliged to move down a chair, which she did with pursed lips. Toshi and the rest of Lily’s coven seated themselves around the table. Ivan circled back to place his drink down between Tristan and Caleb before he darted off again. Once everyone had claimed a seat, there was still an extra place setting.

“Did you enjoy your visit to the docks?” Grace asked.

Lily pulled her gaze away from the empty seat. “Some of us more than others,” she replied.