Page 146 of Black Reign

My brows draw together.

Drew nods as he remembers.

“Actually, she floated around.”

“Meaning?”

“One table, then another. Talked to somebody's aunt. Then she was with those people from Chicago. Then I saw her laughing with one of Vale's European relatives.”

“Which relative?”

“No idea.”

“Did anyone seem to know her?”

“That's the weird part.”

He stops.

“Everyone acted like somebody else did.”

There.

Smart.

Very smart.

No forged staff credential necessary once she's inside.

Become socially legitimate.

Let assumptions authenticate her.

My gaze moves through the room.

“She said she was somebody's cousin?”

“Maybe. I heard her tell one woman she knew Stella.”

“Stella knows half of Europe.”

“Exactly.”

“Accent?”

Drew smiles.

“Malibu.”

“That is not a recognized linguistic category.”

“You know what I mean.”

“American?”

“Definitely.”

No French.