Four Dead Queens(73)

The narrow entrance opened onto what appeared to be the living quarters, although the furniture hardly looked comfortable. Like Varin’s apartment, everything was streamlined: polished floors, sleek metal tables and basic white chairs. Even the Eonist queen didn’t live in luxury—I supposed it would be contradictory to a quadrant determined to achieve and retain equality.

Unless you had a condition like Varin’s.

My chest ached at the thought of him being killed at thirty as though he were some wounded animal. It wasn’t right. Varin was a good person, and he had hardly begun to live his life. Surely there was a way we could both use HIDRA?

I slipped my fingers underneath a cupboard door when I heard a thump. I spun, crouching to the ground, prepared to be face-to-face with the ruthless assassin, a silver knife glinting in their bloody hands. But nothing moved. No flickering of shadows in the darkness. I took in a small, quiet breath and waited.

Nothing.

I searched the adjoining room for the source of the noise, my fists clenched. But the room was empty. The noise must’ve come from the guards outside.

There was a small panel I recognized beside the bed. I swiped my hand across it. A clothes rack slid out, four dermasuits of various shades of gold hanging from the metal bar. Touching the fabric between my fingers, a shudder ran down my back. Could I wear it, knowing the material contained conscious microorganisms?

Suck it up, Keralie. This is for HIDRA. And the queens. Do the right thing.

Quickly, I shed my Torian clothes, wincing as my starched skirt swept across my split knee. The wound had stopped bleeding, but it was still raw and angry that I hadn’t given it the required rest to repair. The dermasuit would not only provide a good disguise but also prevent the wound from reopening. I shoved my Torian dress into the incinerator by Queen Corra’s desk, then pulled a muted gold dermasuit over my head.

A strange feeling settled over my skin as it shrunk to fit me. A cool, soothing effect like the flutter of snowflakes on bare skin. Beads of perspiration, which made my old dress cling to my back, were absorbed instantly, and the ache of my knee immediately began to subside. I stretched my arms and legs, feeling my muscles flare with energy. I clipped on the gloves to complete the look. It was like slipping on a different skin.

Now I could walk around the palace without leaving a trail of my blood behind, for who knew who might follow it.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE





Keralie



I continued to scour the palace for the assassin. Or assassins. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense that Mackiel’s henchmen were behind this. And I wouldn’t have been surprised if Mackiel allowed them to take the fall for the murders, washing his hands clean of them.

After an hour or so, I’d still uncovered no sign of the henchmen. Perhaps they were in hiding with the guards now on alert. I decided to return to Varin to see if he’d discovered anything.

The storm I’d created in the processing room had escalated, allowing me to easily exit the vent. People were throwing the food and water they’d been given at the guards. The noise was deafening, and the room stank of sweat and piss. Were they not letting people out even to relieve themselves? It wouldn’t be long before this room broke into a full-on riot.

Would they open the doors then? To keep the peace?

Varin was standing at the front of the room with the palace guards. He’d removed his Torian disguise to reveal his dermasuit. He couldn’t help but help.

I pushed my way to the front. “Hey,” I whispered to him, standing close.

Varin startled, his eyes flashing over my body. “Keralie?” He was looking at me in a way he’d never looked at me before.

“What?” I asked, before remembering I was dressed in Queen Corra’s dermasuit. Was he looking at me like that because I now looked like an Eonist—like him? His eyes roamed over my body. His response should’ve sent a flush of heat to my face, and yet I stayed cool, thanks to my new microorganism friends.

He cleared his throat and said, “You’re back.”

I ensured my voice sounded even when I replied, “What’s happening here? What have I missed?”

“The guards refuse to give any further information.” His face was cautious. “It seems your announcement was enough to start a war.”

“Oops,” I replied with a sheepish grin. “I was only aiming for a distraction. Trust me to overachieve.”

“If the guards don’t tell them something soon, I don’t know what might happen. It’s been hours since the guards were informed of any updates.”

I glanced to the processing room clock; it was nearing nighttime.

“And when did they hire you as a palace guard?” I nodded to the guards who braced their destabilizers in the air, prepared to take down the next person who raised a fist.

“They didn’t. They needed help in controlling the crowd. And I’m—”

“Eonist,” I filled in.

“I was going to say strong.”

I bit my lip, halting my retort. He didn’t have to make it this easy.

“Did you uncover anything about the assassin?”

“Not yet. However, I did manage to acquire this lovely ensemble from Queen Corra.” I tilted my hip out and waved my hands. “It’s made it easier to move around the palace.”