The grand ball

[Natalie Grey]

Evelyn's reaction was more visceral than Natalie had anticipated. Was she really so blind? Had she really trusted whatever promises Brandon had made to her? The woman's gaze moved to encompass those drifting black shapes amongst the guests, as though she had not truly seen them until now. Natalie had warned her, but apparently she had chosen to see goodness before the stark reality, while all the time betrayal happened hundreds of miles beneath her feet.

She nearly reached out to school the woman from leaving; now was not the appropriate time to demand answers, if that was what she intended. But she let her go instead, disinclined to further involve herself. Brandon made the mess. He could clean it up. Her pale gaze swept the crowd, settling briefly on the space where he entertained his guests before she turned away, finally threading her way to an escape.

Outside, the cool air burrowed a shiver across her skin. Three. She watched the shadows of the view, tuning out the noises emanating from inside -- and trying to will away the queasy itch between her shoulders. The music was not even remotely similar to the thump and bass of that night, but the anxiety did not differentiate. She could almost smell the sickly sweet stink of the chloroform.

A familiar voice broke the trance, ghosting another memory that just as quickly faded. She looked up and across the wide platform; Jay was oblivious to her presence, and the call was clearly personal. A few steps would relief her the discomfort of overhearing; there were other balconies from which to take a moment's respite. Her grip slipped from the railing as she retreated, at least until his voice rose, the raw emotion like barbs. She hovered between shadows and light. Torn.

A word of warning. A whisper of splintered loyalties.

Inside the glasses still clinked amidst music and laughter, unconcerned, whilst beyond Brandon's newest pawn declared his intention to go home.

When she turned again he was hunched over the wallet, and despite herself she watched the desperate emotion cloud his face. Now was the time to walk away. It would be easier to protect him from a distance.

But he turned before she could make the decision.