Djinn (34 page)

"Just council things, I assume," she said, but didn't elaborate.

I wanted to ask more questions, but we walked into the ballroom and my mouth dropped open, all words lost.

The room looked like an indoor forest. Vines and ivy climbed the walls with silky white lilies scattered everywhere. Small trees were dotted around the place, their branches twisting together into chairs and benches. There were long tables filled with food and a dance floor in the centre that was empty at the moment. A small orchestra strummed away on their instruments, creating a peaceful, earthy vibe.

"Fancy," I said, then felt stupid for not saying anything more meaningful.

"Kyra," Millie called from across the way. She stood with Seth, who wore a suit that looked to be a few sizes too big for him. "Over here." Millie waved me over.

I looked to Isabelle and she nodded. "Go, have fun with your friends," she said.

"Thanks Mum." I kissed her on the cheek and walked slowly over to Millie and Seth, making sure I didn't fall over in the heels I was wearing.

"Hey," I said. "Seth, you look handsome." Seth actually blushed at my compliment, and flicked his hair out of his eyes.

"How's the party?" I asked. "The room looks amazing."

"All my idea," Millie said. She looked like she might burst at any moment; she was vibrating with excitement.

I noticed several men looking our way, their eyes caught on Millie's dress. They were older than us, but only by a few years; probably the Djinn who had trained before us.

"You're getting a lot of attention," I noted.

Millie waved it off. "Of course I am, but they're looking at you, too. You are so hot in that dress. I'm jealous. Don't you think she looks great, Seth?"

He shrugged awkwardly, and mumbled something I didn't quite catch.

I stood by while Millie pointed out which guys she thought were hot and which she wouldn't go near with a fifty foot pole. I moved closer to Seth, who must have felt just as uncomfortable as me. He gave me glances every now and then when Millie would go off on a rant about something. It made me smile, like we shared a secret no one else knew about.

I turned my gaze to the rest of the party. There was a scattering of Gaurdjinn around the room, mostly standing off to the side of the ballroom and talking amongst themselves. They were suited up too, though. Some of the other Djinn narrowed their eyes at the Guardjinn, whispering and glancing. I stifled my flared anger and focused on how much I really was enjoying the party.

"Oh, that one has great hair, but his jawline is a little off." Millie gestured across the room, but I wasn't really paying attention.

"I'm going to get a drink," I decided, mainly so I could get away from all the boy talk.

"Girls don't get themselves drinks, boys do," Millie said like it was obvious. "Seth should get you one."

I looked to Seth, who was confused about whether to go or stay. I put my hand up.

"Millie, girls can get their own drinks. I don't need a man to do things for me."

Millie winked at me. "You go, girl."

I walked carefully over to the refreshments table and stared blankly at the array of drinks on offer. Most of them were strange colours: purple, blue, silver and bronze. I wasn't entirely sure what the flavours were.

"None of them are alcoholic," came a voice from behind me. I turned to see Pyke, actually looking rather dashing in a suit. "Trust me; I tried all of them."

"Nice suit," I said, pouring myself some orange liquid.

Pyke smiled broadly and puffed out his chest. "It was my dad's," he replied, and a wash of guilt fell over me. I looked away at the other guests enjoying the party.

"Enjoying the shindig?" he asked, leaning on the table.

"Not really my thing, but I am enjoying myself," I replied. I found it easier to talk to Pyke about things without having to sugarcoat them.

I glanced quickly around the room to see where Ivan was. He'd hate the idea of me talking to Pyke, but luckily I couldn't see him anywhere. He must have still been talking to Celeste.

"It's alright, I guess. I had my own little party planned tonight, though, if you know what I mean?" He nudged my arm and winked.

I scrunched my face at him. "Gross."

"Don't be jealous. I was only joking. No other girls are even on my radar." He smiled. "You look amazing, by the way." Pyke looked me up and down with wanting eyes, but he restrained himself to only looking.

"What are you doing here? You didn't join the Palace Guard too, did you?"

Pyke leaned in closer to me. "I was hired tonight to keep an eye on you," he replied. "Which is a pretty easy job, I might add."

"What?" I said, almost choking on my drink. "It wasn't enough that Ivan hired Mia, but now he has you, too?"

Pyke gave me a confused look.

"What?" I asked.

"Ivan didn't hire me," he said. "Isabelle did."

My eyes shot across the room to Isabelle talking with some woman from the council, including Millie's mother.

"Isabelle hired you …" I whispered, turning back to Pyke. "But why?"

Pyke shrugged and drank the rest of my drink. "No idea, but she's paying me a lot to make sure you're safe. I would have done it for free. Don't think Ivan knows anything about it."

I was confused, like,
really
confused now. Why would Isabelle hire Pyke without telling Ivan? What was she worried about?

"Looks like your lover boy has moved on," Pyke said, gesturing with my empty cup.

Will was on the other side of the room by the buffet. He looked unbelievably handsome in his black suit and tie. Then I noticed Mia standing next to him—well, more like leaning in on him. She was sporting a purple gown with long black gloves.

They were deep in conversation. Mia was standing really close to him. Will raised his hand and brushed Mia's hair out of her eyes.

My temper flared and I felt the force in my mind. I practiced the exercises Seth had taught me to stop me from moving things with my mind, but I was still mad as hell.

"If you want, I can kiss you to make him jealous." Pyke raised an eyebrow at me with a smug grin.

"That wouldn't just make him jealous," I said. "It'd make Ivan murderous."

"It'd be totally worth it," he replied, watching me the way he had that night in the park. Even though the drinks hadn't been alcoholic, I suspected Pyke had found a way to get some.

My mind was focused on Will and Mia, though. The burning pit in my stomach was calling the shots, and it wanted to hit Mia really hard in the face.

"Excuse me," I said to Pyke, and stormed across the room.

Chapter Thirty-Three

I stomped across the ballroom, headed straight for Mia and Will. I had no idea what I was going to do or say; all my mind thought about was punching them both in the face.

I shouldn't have been this mad. Will had made it clear he didn't want me, and I had promised myself to get over him, but I sure as hell wasn't going to let them flirt like that in front of me. It was just cruel.

"Hey, Kyra," Mia said as I approached. She could see the fury in my eyes, and it looked like she was loving it. She moved in closer to Will, who only stared at me with his usual demeanour.

"Ivan hired you to guard me, not flirt," I hissed, fists clenched in tight balls.

"You're not in any danger at the moment, except maybe of looking ridiculous in that dress." Mia laughed.

"I suggest you leave now, before I make you eat those words."

I didn't want to start a fight in the middle of the royal ball. Ivan would kill me, if Millie didn't kill me first, but Mia knew just how to rub me the wrong way.

Mia stopped laughing and leaned in close. "You wouldn't dare," she said.

"Try me," I countered.

"Mia," Will said, and she turned to him with puppy dog eyes, like she was the innocent one. "Ivan did hire you to do a job, and you should do it well."

I felt smug that Will had told her off, but still furious. Mia put on a sweet smile. "You're right Will."

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. My own cheeks flushed red as I watched her walk away.

"What the hell was that?" I demanded once she was out of earshot.

"What?" Will replied, acting the fool.

"Don't pretend like you weren't just flirting with Mia right in front me." I tried to keep my voice down, so as not to attract attention.

"Whom I flirt with is none of your business," he countered.

I was taken aback. He was right; we weren't together. I had no claim to him. He'd used me before, and if he used Mia now then all the better, right?

"Do you have any idea how hard this is for me? Seeing you all the time is bad enough, but flirting with Mia? Mia! She hates me, Will. You could have picked anyone. I never thought you could be that cruel."

"Kyra, I …"

"Save it. You and Mia deserve each other." I could feel tears welling up, but I forced them to stay down until I was somewhere no one could see.

"Is there a problem here?" Nate appeared from nowhere, standing between Will and I. He looked like his usual dashing self, always acting the gentleman.

"Prince Nathaniel." Will bowed.

"Will." Nate nodded back. "Now, what's going on?"

"Nothing." I breathed, glaring at Will. "Nothing at all. We're done talking." I slipped my arm into Nate's. "I'd much rather go with you."

"Very well," Nate said. "I wanted to talk with you anyway, Kyra. Have a good night, Will."

Nate led me away from Will and it took all my willpower not to look back. Burning heat raged in my stomach again. I was mad at myself for letting Will produce that reaction in me. I'd tried so hard to me calm, but all it took was for him to be with another girl to set me off.

Nate's hand on my arm diverted my thoughts as he led me off to the side of the room where a twisted tree bench stood under the floor-length windows. He offered me a seat and sat next to me.

"Would you like a drink?" he asked.

"No, thank you," I replied.

Nate had his head down and remained silent for a while.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked. "Is it to do with training?"

"No," he replied. "Though I am sorry I haven't been around much lately."

I waved it off. "It's fine. Seth has been a great teacher, plus we share the same ability. He's better suited for the job."

"You look stunning, by the way," Nate said.

"Oh," I said, surprised he would even notice. "Thank you. You look lovely, too."

"Kyra," he began, taking my hands in his.

It felt awkward; not unpleasant or anything, just strange. Nate's tone had me worried, like he was about to give me bad news, and I shifted in my seat.

"My mother wanted to make the announcement soon," he said.

"The surprise announcement," I recalled.

"Yes, but I wanted to talk to you first before she said anything. I think you should know, so it's not just dumped on you."

Now I was really worried. What was this announcement and why did I have to know? Was Celeste going to introduce me to everyone, as I was the newest member of the community lost for sixteen years? Would I have to make a speech?

"Kyra, our parents made an arrange—"

Glass shattered above my head. I looked up. Figures in black were entering the room. My heart caught in my chest and my breath came in short sharp bursts. Women screamed, and men stepped in front of them for protection. Glass from the window above us showered down on our heads and Nate shielded me with his arm as I watched a figure fly overhead.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Blooders!" Nate realised and got to his feet. "Guardjinn!" he shouted. "Stop them!"

Forty Gaurdjinn, including Will and Mia, stepped forward, ready to fight, but they were outnumbered two to one. The Blooders were dressed all in black gear, red eyes staring back. One Blooder made the first move, slamming his fist to the floor. He caused the ground to rumble and shake, like there had been an earthquake.

Will was the first to retaliate, charging at the Blooder and tackling him to the ground. All hell broke loose as Blooders and Guardjinn leaped into battle.

Nate grabbed my arm. "Come on."

I could see Djinn fleeing the ballroom, though some were caught by Blooders and dragged away toward the windows, disappearing from sight. Their screams were drowned out by the battle, and I watched in horror, wondering what would happen to them.

"They're taking them!" I shouted, pulling against Nate's grip.

"They'll take us if we don't get out of here," he replied and pulled me back. "There's nothing we can do for them now. We have to get to safety."