Grace and Fury (Grace and Fury #1)(75)

But she did find Maris standing next to the entrance to the patio, waiting for Malachi to ask her to dance. Her gown was a swirl of silver and red, gathered at the bodice with silver netting over her shoulders and arms. Her mask, like Renzo’s, was red. Nomi grabbed her and pulled her forward.

“What—?”

“I need your help,” Nomi whispered urgently. “There’s a man here, in a red mask and black jacket. His name is Renzo. He might be lurking by the hallways or antechambers, I don’t know. I need to get him a message. Will you help me?”

Maris nodded, her eyes full of questions.

“If you see him…” Nomi said, her heart racing. Malachi’s words ran through her mind. She’d resolved to talk to Renzo, to figure this out together. But there wasn’t time. “Tell him to leave the palace. Tell him I said to run.”

She left Maris gaping behind her and moved on, toward the room she’d seen the Superior head for. Asa had gone with him. If Renzo arrived before she could stop him, there’d be nothing she could do. Renzo would implicate Malachi… and she no longer trusted that Asa wouldn’t betray Renzo.

She scoured the assemblage for that red mask, but she didn’t see it. She headed toward the arches, her feet aching, her heart beating so fast it threatened to escape her chest. Her eyes burned with tears.

There, by the greenery, just inside the doorway—

“Renzo!” she hissed.

The figure paused.

Nomi tried to run toward him, but the weight of her gown held her back, thick and impervious as mud.

“Nomi!” His voice reached out to her, infinitely familiar, infinitely comforting. “You shouldn’t be here. Asa told me what to do. I don’t want you to risk yourself.”

“No,” she said. Tears streamed down her cheeks. One moment, that was all they would have. “You have to go, Renzo. I was wrong. I’ve made a grave mistake.”

His warm brown eyes widened behind the mask. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think… I don’t think we can trust Asa after all.” Nomi’s heart cracked, fissures cutting deep.

“But what about Serina?” he asked anxiously.

“If we do as Asa says, he will break his promise. We’re going to have to find another way to help Serina.” She couldn’t hug him, not here with so many watching, so she reached out and squeezed his hand. She couldn’t read his expression behind his mask. “Right now, I’m worried about you,” she added, more desperately. “Please go, Renzo. I need you to be safe.”

He gave her a long look, confusion turning his mouth into a deep frown. Tears slipped down her cheeks. She pushed him toward the doorway. Then she turned around. She couldn’t watch him walk away again.

It was easy to find the antechamber, as Asa had said.

She stepped into the doorway. The Superior sat on a cushioned chair in the center of the small room, surrounded by warm wood-paneled walls hung with tapestries. Asa sat in a chair beside him. He looked up as soon as her shadow crossed the threshold.

Asa raised a brow. He obviously wanted to know where Renzo was. Their window was closing. The Superior would soon rejoin the party.

Nomi slowly shook her head.

For an instant, his eyes filled with something. Hurt? Betrayal?

“Where is your cousin?” he asked brashly, and now it was an ugly thing lurking behind his mask. “What did you do?”

“The right thing,” she replied, her chin high. She had hoped she was doing the right thing. Now she was sure. “He’s not coming.”

He won’t pretend to try to murder your father so you can save him, she felt like shouting. He won’t name Malachi. He won’t help you.

“Asa, what is the meaning of this?” the Superior began, with ice in his voice. He gripped the armrests with his long, bony fingers and started to stand.

Behind Nomi, footsteps echoed on the marble floor. “Father, are you ready?” Malachi asked as he entered the room.

Nomi never took her eyes off Asa. She saw when the storm broke inside him. Saw him break and become something new.

Saw him wordlessly draw the dagger at his hip and slice his father’s throat.





THIRTY-SEVEN



SERINA


THE GUARDS MARCHED Serina and Jacana up onto the stage. The amphitheater filled slowly. The women filing in looked confused, and the crowd wasn’t as silent as usual. Oracle, Ember, and Cliff took places in the front row. Oracle must feel vindicated, Serina thought. This was exactly what she was afraid of.

The other crew chiefs stood close to the stage. Serina found Slash, and they shared a look. If I’d had more time… There’d be no chance of revolution now.

When everyone had arrived, Commander Ricci strode onto the concrete stage. The other guards retreated to the balcony, except the two holding on to Serina’s and Jacana’s shackles.

“Good evening, everyone!” Ricci shouted, spreading his arms in welcome. He seemed to enjoy his showman’s role more than usual. “I have a special treat for you.”

Serina couldn’t tear her gaze from the firearm strapped to his hip. She almost wished he’d dispense with the theatrics and get it over with. But she cherished each breath in and out of her lungs, as fast as they came and went. Her pulse pounded in her temples.