Dark Reign Read online

  She seemed surprised when I stopped her.

  “I can’t accept them. They’re too important to you.”

  With a heavy sigh, she pushed my hand aside and continued. After securing the first, she moved on to the next.

  “Just look at returning them as an incentive to make it back here,” she teased, dismissing what I knew had to have been a genuinely emotional moment.

  It wasn’t clear who they belonged to, or whether she was even sure who they belonged to, but I knew a thing or two about sentiment in these times we lived in. Any link to the past, to loved ones, was precious.

  “You have my word. I’ll be back,” I replied with a reassuring smile.

  Her eyes clouded in the brief moment it took her to nod, and then it was all business again.

  “Stand, please.” She motioned me upward with her hands.

  I did as I was asked and secured a holster around my thigh as Liv crossed the small room. I’d just secured my knife when she reached the gown that hung beside the door. Among the many other frivolous components to these galas, was the Ianites’ propensity to throw themed and color-coded events. Tonight, everyone was expected to arrive in silver, with a Parisian theme for the evening.

  The dress—sleek and form-fitting—slipped over my head and my hands went to the waist. I felt beyond out of place in the getup. It was so lavish, elegant; things I had never claimed to be. Beneath it, my skin was marred from too many scuffles and close calls to count. My body was a roadmap of pain and hardship. Among the blemishes, a severe burn to my thigh that healed poorly because we lacked supplies. Every time I was forced to look at it, it served as a glaring reminder of the incident at the apartment building so many months ago. I glanced down at the large scar for a moment, and then lifted my gaze with a sigh.

  It was hard not to feel bitter when considering the Ianite’s extravagance, but I’d have to suppress it. Soon, I’d be surrounded by their gluttony, their entitlement.

  Tonight’s guests were sure to be dressed in equally outrageous attire. From pictures and footage I’d seen of past events, no expense was ever spared. My hands slipped down the dress again. The silky material was so thin. In it, I felt … naked. Exposed.

  “Do we have another option?” I asked, taking a second look at myself, this time noting how much of my cleavage showed. “This is too much.”

  Liv didn’t seem nearly as alarmed as I did, circling me with a pleased grin.

  “Relax, it’s perfect. However, if this dress doesn’t get these men spilling all their secrets tonight, they’re all blind,” she laughed. “Here, put these on.”

  A pair of sky-high, silver heels were taken from the table where she’d set them when we first started. Slipping into them, this all felt real.

  Each breath I took came with a fair amount of work. Time was winding down and so much was resting on this. So many were counting on me not to fail.

  “Oh, gloves!” She remembered at the last minute, handing me a pair of white ones I pulled up to my elbows. I secured my silver bracelet, Felix’s invention, on top.

  Liv stepped back again, giving me one last look. “Perfect.”

  I might have thanked her if I wasn’t suddenly scared out of my head.

  “Now, let’s go over the details. What do you do if you accidentally get too close to someone and they notice you’re warm?”

  I blinked hard, searching for the answer we’d gone over a million times.

  “Nothing, because it’s only uncommon for them to be warm, not impossible, so let them assume I’m just worked up.”

  “Exactly,” Liv nodded. “And if anyone tries to compel you?”

  “The implant will make my ears ring, but I’ll be protected,” I answered, subconsciously trailing my fingers down the thin scar at the nape of my neck. We were all fitted with tiny devices that made us impossible to coerce—a gift only Ianites of the Eastern Dynasty possessed.

  “Right,” Liv nodded. “And you’ve got your com?”

  I grabbed it from the table and switched it on before shoving it down into my ear. It was tiny and translucent, made of silicone and designed by the Ianite monarchy. I managed to nab a bunch from a case behind an unmanned security desk during a run. Felix, being the genius he is, had no trouble linking it to our network. Thanks to my quick hands, perhaps a touch of kleptomania, and Felix’s tech skills, I had a solid connection to the team at all times.

  “There’s a spare earpiece tucked inside your purse,” Liv added. “Just in case.”

  Breathing deeply, I nodded. “Got it.”

  We were down to the final minutes of prep before I’d be thrust into the field. She perched both hands on her hips and her eyes flitted to mine when she smiled.

  “Well, Corina Elizabeth Prescott, I do believe you’re ready.”

  I smiled at her, taking another deep breath.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Levi

  I was certain there wasn’t a man alive who felt more at home in fine attire than I did. There was something about having the fabric of a well-fitting tux against my skin.

  I did another onceover in the mirror, adjusting the ruby-studded cufflink I just secured. Yes, silver was the color for the evening, but the splash of red was my signature, and I wouldn’t deviate from the tradition just to abide by their dress code. If someone took issue, they were welcome to have a word with me about it.

  “You know, it’s not too late to cancel with your date and take your true love,” Silas pointed out with a laugh as he dropped down onto the sofa. “ … Yourself,” he added with a wink.

  I smiled, smoothing my brow before moving to join him in the living room, the common area that connected our suites—his, mine, and Roman’s.

  The sun hadn’t long set, leaving the glittering lights of the city to illuminate the Capitol. The view was hypnotic from up here, in the most exclusive penthouse the quadrant had to offer.

  My phone sounded with an alert, and I removed it from my lapel to read the short message.

  ‘Bet confirmed.’

  I shoved it back into the hidden pocket, and could practically smell the money. The motorcycle races synonymous with the East Quadrant were illegal, yes, but the hefty payouts were worth it. Maybe not for the riders themselves, but definitely for those of us whose interest fueled them from behind the scenes. I’d never attended in person, but there was something about taking part in local traditions that always made visiting other parts of the world feel more authentic.

  At least, this was the excuse I made to justify the obscene amount of cash I’d just thrown in the pot. I was informed my usual sure thing had sat out the last several races, but that hadn’t stopped me. I chose a new rider off a hunch, and would find out soon enough if it paid off.

  I looked up to find Silas checking his watch with a sigh, an impatient gaze shifting toward Roman’s door right after.

  “Relax, he’ll be out to join us any moment,” I asserted. “Besides, no one expects us at the gala on time anyway.”

  Leaning deeper into the cushion, I crossed one foot over the other where they rested on the mirrored coffee table. While I couldn’t have cared less when we made our entrance, Silas and Julian were both sticklers for time. Hence the reason I was certain our brother from the East would be arriving any moment, at eight o-clock on the nose, just like we discussed.

  “I just prefer not to keep our dates waiting,” Silas breathed, adjusting the lapel of his tux as his eyes drifted to his watch again. “It’s … poor form.”

  I held in a laugh, positive the women I lined up for the evening were at least an hour out from being prepared for the event anyway. However, pointing this out would only unnerve Silas more, so I kept the details to myself.

  “Perhaps Roman being behind schedule is kismet.” My statement earned me Silas’ attention. “It gives you and I a moment to chat.”

  I couldn’t help the menacing grin that crossed my face right after.

&nbs
p; “Tonight’s important, wouldn’t you agree?” I asked.

  Silas was mildly skeptical when nodding, which was probably the reason he said nothing.

  “It’s a celebration of Ianite victory, yes, but it’s more than that to us four,” I stated first. “It’s no small feat we convinced our brothers to attend. And with dates, no less,” I added. “Julian can hardly take his mind off his duties, and Roman has … other things he deals with,” was the wording I chose. “Don’t you think it would be nice if, for a night, they … I don’t know … loosen up a bit? Behave a little less logically, and a bit more … spontaneously?”

  When my gaze shifted to Silas again, it appeared he knew the conversation was about to get interesting. Perhaps, because he knew me so well.

  “You have my attention,” he replied, leaning forward in his seat.

  I listened for Roman before going on, confirming the shower still ran inside his suite.

  I thought it best to just say what I was thinking instead of beating around the bush.

  “What do you say we put your gift to use for the evening?” I asked. “We could use your abilities to blind them to their hang-ups, help them follow what their hearts truly want?”

  After speaking, I pictured the beauties I’d gone out of my way to set us all up with for the gala. If ever there was a time to follow one’s heart, it was now. They’d thank me later for ensuring they didn’t get in their own way and miss out on where the evening could lead. With Silas’ help, the night would be inhibition-free, and my Dynasty Brothers would awaken in the morning with smiles on their faces, and hopefully, beautiful women in their beds.

  “You’re talking about true sight?” Silas asked.

  I gave a nod. “Yes. I want you to bestow that small portion of your gift on them—discreetly, of course.”

  When he didn’t respond right away, I feared he might not agree.

  “Are you in?” I asked.

  A long glare passed my way before he finally sighed. “A bestowal might not work like you think, Levi. Whichever of my gifts I grant doesn’t just wear off in twenty-four-hours like a hangover,” he snickered. “It takes a full week to run its course and once it’s done, it can’t be reversed. It’s with the recipient anywhere from seven to ten days.”

  I considered the possibilities for a moment before shrugging. “It’s not like you’re taking away their ability to choose, their ability to make sound decisions,” I reasoned. “You’d simply be … opening their minds to new possibilities, their innermost thoughts and desires, free from the burden of living up to their own expectations, or anyone else’s.”

  I took his silence as a sign he just needed a little more convincing before agreeing.

  “If it makes you feel better, we’ll stay in town until the true sight bestowal has worn off, an added precaution just to make sure both stay out of trouble,” I reasoned.

  I could see it now, both finally free. With Roman no longer a prisoner to his pain, and Julian no longer living for those around him, but finally for himself—even if only for a short time. For however long the bestowal lasted, he would only bend to his own will.

  No one else’s.

  “All you have to do is touch them with the intent to bestow, correct?” I inquired.

  When he nodded to confirm it was as simple as I thought, I made my final plea.

  “They’re not like us, Si. They’re not easygoing, content with life like you and me. So, help me help them finally live for themselves again.”

  As Silas’ gaze shifted to meet mine, I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

  “Okay … I’m in,” he agreed, “but under three conditions.”

  Well, that was partially what I hoped for, but I should have seen that coming. “Like?”

  “First, I’ll only proceed if an opportunity presents itself. Second, I’ll only bestow true sight where romantic prospects are concerned. To do anything more general than that would be a catastrophe,” he explained.

  With a wave of the hand, I dismissed his worry. “Got it. What else?”

  “Third,” he sighed, “ … I won’t involve Roman. He’s been through a lot and it wouldn’t feel right.”

  I hated that I hadn’t thought of that before, Roman’s mental state. Silas had always been more thoughtful than the rest of us, so I didn’t bother feeling guilty for the oversight. Still, there was no hesitation to agree to his terms.

  “Deal?” he asked.

  We leaned in to shake on it and I couldn’t fight the smile that broke free.

  “Deal.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Corina

  My heart raced each time the trees rustled. It wouldn’t have been unreasonable to think one or several hellhounds might be roaming the grounds this evening, considering the magnitude of this event.

  I prayed no one noticed as I took the lonely walk up the driveway, clutching a small purse in my fingers. It felt empty in my hands, but Liv assured me she tucked a few things away inside in case I found myself in a pinch.

  Ianites were known to have keen hearing, but with all the chatter and revving engines as bodies sauntered toward the entrance of Lord Wilford’s palace, I had little to worry about. The others all arrived by car, some escorted by personal chauffeurs, others behind the wheels of fancy vehicles. They lined the circular drive, a colorful array that reminded me of shiny pieces of candy that had spilled from a bag.

  Fast, expensive candy.

  In steady rhythm, guests pulled up to the designated area marked with orange cones set out by the valet service. A team in white tuxes took over from there, driving off once pairs of beautiful bodies filed out of the vehicles, headed for the door. Each one moved with grace, a parade of magnificent, silver, fairytale ballgowns, bold makeup, and imaginative hairstyles. I could only guess the time and effort that went into creating them. A sea of flawless skin and beautiful faces danced before my gaze. Tonight, I was surrounded by the elite.

  The rich, the noble.

  As luck would have it, I happened to arrive just as all four emperors and three empresses were making their grand entrance. It appeared rumors were true; the Lady of our own quadrant wouldn’t be attending tonight due to a scheduling conflict. Scanning a second time, I saw no sign of the princes either.

  The empresses moved like they were weightless, and I had to wonder if their feet were even touching the ground beneath their elaborate gowns. Their husbands, the tyrants who ruled with iron fists, were devilishly handsome with the paleness of their skin standing out against the dark fabric of their tuxes.

  Emphasis on devilish.

  Watching the sheer elegance with which they moved, you would never guess the hideous acts these things were capable of committing.

  I breathed deep as they disappeared amidst a frenzy of camera flashes and cheers from the crowd kept at bay by red, velvet ropes. I neared the entrance myself now, fishing the ticket from my purse with shaky hands. I stepped behind a couple linked at the arm—the man donning a black tux like all the others, and the woman a fur stole she wore crosswise around her dress like a prize sash.

  They peered over their shoulders, those blood-red eyes landing right on me. I held my breath, imagining that, in that fleeting moment, they saw through me, detected some miniscule flaw Liv and I had overlooked. But then, the second I thought the pressure might kill me … they smiled.

  “You look lovely, dear,” the woman crooned, scanning my dress for a second time.

  It took a moment, and more muscles than it should have, but I managed a smile.

  “Thank you. You look lovely as well.”

  Both faced forward again, and I couldn’t even begin to explain how grateful I was to have their attention off me. While, yes, that first interaction nearly scared me half to death, I also gained a confidence boost when I realized the couple didn’t even seem slightly suspicious I didn’t belong there.

  I relaxed a bit.

  Two hostesses seated behind a small, decorative table smiled politely wh
en it was my turn to approach. I held my composure when handing over the ticket Felix assured me was failsafe. At this point, I had no choice but to trust that was true.

  “Admittance voucher and I.D., please?” one nearly sang, her high-pitched bubbly voice catching me by surprise.

  I offered the same polite expression, doing all I could to keep from sweating when I handed over both.

  She looked them over, front and back.

  The sound of a loud hole puncher biting through my ticket nearly made me jump out of my skin. I hid it somehow, accepting my belongings when they were placed back in my gloved hand.

  “You’re all set, Ms. Travis. Enjoy the gala.”

  I smiled, pretending the fake name she read from the I.D. was my own. From there, I was quickly ushered to the lengthy gallery that ended at the palace ballroom.

  “Are we allowed to speak?” Felix’s voice came through my com. We had an agreement, no one could say a word until I was in. My nerves were too frazzled before that.

  “Permission granted, but fair warning: I’m getting ready to be surrounded by Ianites, so I might not be able to respond.”

  “Spotted anyone of importance yet?” Liv eagerly asked.

  “The royal dictators and their brides—minus Empress Westower—are all here, but I haven’t recognized anyone from the science facility yet. I will say, though, it’s interesting to see firsthand where all the blood money has gone.”

  With that whispered statement to my team, I lifted my eyes to take in the detail in the pillars I passed, the muraled ceiling. If Lord Wilford’s palace was this lavish, I could only imagine how the Emperors lived.

  The thought of it actually sickened me. Especially seeing as how the rest of us barely knew where our next meal was coming from.

  “Ok, I’m in,” I informed them, moving my lips as little as possible.

  “Cool. We’ll talk, you listen,” Felix instructed.