Rowan re-entered the full Ballroom as if nothing had happened. She then
heard some drowned out voices coming from where the corridor adjoined
the Ballroom. She walked to the adjoined area. It was quieter here. She
stopped and leaned against the wall as near to the corner as she dared.
“These feelings of yours seem to get stronger,” observed Kiyor scientifically.
“I sometimes wonder if they are connected with
whoever wants Rowan,” stated Scythe. The two men talked as if
they were on official business.
“Well, whatever the reason I get them for,
they always make me suspicious of Kron,” explained Zareen with
concern. “We’re no closer to solving this, Scythe and I can
go home now.”
“Actually, we can’t,” stated Scythe matter-of-factly.
“Why not?” whined his wife.
“It will seem suspicious if we just came here for 10 minutes.”
Footsteps were heard and the voices grew louder.
Rowan walked back the way she came in a graceful and lady-like manner.
Zareen sighed. “Well, at least we can find out if Kiyor finds a wife.”
“Now is not the time for joking,”
reminded her son stonily. They came round the corner. “Miss
Rowan!”
Rowan turned in surprise. “Master Kiyor?”
At first he didn’t seem certain on what to do,
then he indicated his parents behind him. “These are my parents,
Scythe and Zareen Vilkon.”
Zareen smiled in greeting. “Pleasure.” Rowan nodded to both in acknowledgement.
A new tune was playing. “Care to dance?” asked Scythe.
Zareen smiled in surprise. She held out her arm.
“Lead on.” He led his wife by the arm to the dance floor.
In turn, Rowan held out her arm and Kiyor took it, as expected, then
led her to the dance floor.
As the two held each other from each side, they
swayed gently with the music. It was easily noticeable that they were
dancing naturally. Their eyes were locked with each other’s. The
sight of Rowan and Kiyor dancing distracted Dorania from talking with a
Lord and Lady for a moment. Korat and Kirrinis were dancing towards the
young couple.
“What are you Kiyor?” asked Rowan
quietly, yet easily. “Light or Dark Citizen? Korat declares all
four of you are both yet neither.”
“More than just four. We act accordingly to the time of day.”
Astonishingly, her eyes portrayed nothing but
surprise. “Why are you being honest with me? I can use this
information for your family’s downfall.”
“I don’t have much allegiance for my
extended family,” Kiyor explained in a deadly whisper, though it
was somehow easier to hear than the music. “If anything happened
to them, I can go to the Light Kingdom and stay there.”
Korat and Kirrinis were now dancing beside them.
Korat spoke. “We have a problem. Look at the champagne.”
Kiyor turned his head. He turned back as Rowan
looked in the same direction. “A member of the Bloodknife
Gang?” he wondered quietly. Rowan bowed her head.
“We need to get to the exit,” Kirrinis quietly ordered.
“I have to tell Manar,” Rowan said as quietly.
“Don’t,” cautioned Kiyor.
“It’ll cause a scene. Manar’ll catch up anyway,
she’s smart.”
The couples danced to the entrance. When reaching
the adjoining area between the Ballroom and the corridor, the couples
broke and walked as a small entourage. Manar watched them from where
she danced. Lona was already waiting for them. They walked along the
corridor in a stately fashion, oblivious to the possible threat. They
stopped at a lift, which was called by Niss. When the doors opened, the
entourage entered the lift with an orderly demeanour. Once inside,
Kiyor pressed ‘B1’. The doors closed and the lift went on
its way.
“What happens next?” asked Rowan, without showing sign of fear nor trust.
Lona answered with her soft, quiet voice. “You
will come with us to our car. As it drives to somewhere hidden, we take
our usual attire from the compartments in the car-”
“But those compartments only contain clothes
for us,” reminded Niss. “What do we do about Rowan?”
“My clothes are underneath my dress,”
said the protectee. They all turned to stare at her. Quite easily done
considering that Rowan was standing in the middle. “Manar taught
me to be prepared for any possible situation.”
Kiyor couldn’t help but grin at her
brilliance. He quickly composed himself. The lift doors opened. The
entourage of five walked out in no hurry and entered the Car Park. They
made their way to one of many stately cars-black of course. The driver
was leaning against the bonnet and saw them coming. He opened the
passenger door and each one climbed in, except for Korat.
“Take us to Meldar Street,” he ordered.
The driver nodded and once Korat was seated inside, he closed the door.
The driver seated himself and the car drove out of
its parking space. It drove past other cars, guards, then through the
exit. Lona and Kiyor opened rectangular compart-ments in the sides of
the car and pulled out pieces of folded clothing. Rowan undid a zip in
the side of her dress and slipped out of it. Underneath, she was
wearing a black bodysuit, which was sleeveless and the shorts were very
short. Stockings were connected by straps.