Page 27 of Seas the Reckoning

She leads us back out of the garden.

Just in time, because the people on the patio are headed in for dinner, followed by dancing.

“Shall we go mingle?” Ji-hwan asks, clapping his hands together. The Were’s eyes glimmer, and I can see him getting into his element.

I do my best to try to think flirtatious thoughts and not focus on the ones banging on the door of my mind, threatening to break loose as they predict our impending doom.

13

MINGLE TILL YOU DROP

Councilman Taylor has been as good as his word so far. Following a formal dinner, the guests were guided to a ballroom, with the councilman giving a few words to open the annual event, after which he threaded through the crowd to locate his daughter.

The decorations inside the ballroom are gilded gold and florals, but tastefully done.

Dinner was a bust for me in terms of making any headway with people. To be fair, I didn’t go out of my way to initiate any conversations. I’m hoping Starla can give me some inside information on the attendees later tonight, since she’ll likely recognize some of them from when she grew up.

The witch is currently dancing with a man wearing a pale purple suit and a sneer that detracts from his otherwise handsome features. She’s giggling prettily. With all the fake laughter she’s doing, her cheeks will be sore later.

Exos is prowling along the outskirts of the crowd. The gargoyle wears a stern expression as he watches the witch spin in another man’s arms. Then again, he has that face regularly, and it is fitting for a conscientious bodyguard.

The councilman, with his daughter occupied, makes his way over to me. Another man is trotting at his side. He’s got dirty blond hair and brown eyes.

“Carolina,” Councilman Taylor says as they draw close. The name grates on my nerves, but I won’t be correcting him. Leena is for my friends, and he is not a friend. “This is Jon Wickham, son of an associate of mine. His father’s a warlock with a key for invisibility, and his mother’s a grey elf, but don’t hold it against him. Kidding, of course, Jon.”

Councilman Taylor claps the man on the back as he delivers the relative insult, and Jon’s smile tenses, but he laughs along. Guess we’re not the only ones faking it with Starla’s father.

“No offense taken of course, sir. My father is notable. And what about you, Carolina? What’s your magical pedigree?”

“Excuse me?” I should have anticipated this. Councilman Taylor showed plenty of interest in us. It stands to reason his guests would be just as nosy.

Of course this man wants to know what kinds of talent everyone around him brings to the table, so he can view them as an asset or a waste of time. That’s how Councilman Taylor views his daughter, and he must keep company with people of a similar outlook.

“I’m a naiad,” I volunteer.

Jon clears his throat.

“I see. How, um, fascinating. Do you enjoy swimming, then?”

“Carolina has additional talents beyond that though, don’t you, dear? I seem to recall that you have a way with song, if I am recalling correctly?”

He waits, eyes fixed on me. Jon perks up, leaning in.

“Oh?”

I blink several times. Grammy Pearl must have given him information on my siren song when she was finalizing the details of this deal. She didn’t tell us exactly how much she divulged to Councilman Taylor.

Maybe my genuine reaction is the key to leading us to our answers?

I’d wager almost anything that she hasn’t mentioned my associated curse, which I can only imagine would detract from the councilman’s enthusiasm.

I grit my teeth but force a smile.

“The councilman is correct. I possess siren abilities.”

“A powerful magic,” Councilman Taylor says, tone jovial. “I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted. Now, don’t go singing him out of the ballroom just yet, dear. I have a grand evening planned, and I’m selfish about the attention of my guests. At least on the opening night.”

I laugh along with Jon and accept the half-elf’s offered hand as he leads me to the dance floor.