Broken People (Serial)

Forty-Two

"Nervous?"

Dale glanced at Aurore as they walked into the Hrad's yard. Her high heels clicked on the macadam. There were many visitors, so the car access had been restricted to outside the main gate. In the light coming out through the long row of rectangular windows, her legs glowed faintly.

For the first time since he'd met Aurore, her cocktail dress stopped above her knees, and she didn't wear boots, which put her golden legs on display. The short gloves left her wrists and part of her forearms bare, too. So she wasn't always hiding. Or maybe she did it to distract attention from what was going to happen later tonight. Well, it worked. People turned their heads more often than usual.

"I don't have a mayor for an uncle to save my hide if this goes wrong," he said.

"Oh, he won't be saving my hide this time."

The hint of dark amusement in her voice worried him. They were approaching the entrance, and she still hadn't told him what she wanted him to steal from the vault for her. Dale took a step closer and leaned in to whisper, "Well?"

Aurore needed a moment to figure out what he meant then replied in a similar whisper, "Cryo boxes."

Cryo boxes were used for storing body parts for later use. Four. Dale's eyes involuntarily jumped to her hands. Did she mean limbs? Why would anyone hide them inside the Hrad? And whose limbs were they?

Aurore sustained his inquisitive gaze without flinching, and Dale nodded in acknowledgement. That secret was hers to keep.

They entered the building and admired the galleries. Many people stopped to talk with Aurore, so Dale worked on being a socialite. Being a thief or an enforcer was much easier. But most conversations revolved around war, and that was one topic he knew a lot about. The most difficult part was not showing exactly how much he knew. Keeping his mouth shut and letting Aurore do the talking was not a problem, though.

She made an effort to appear more approachable, and people took the time to bow to the golden queen. Several men threw Dale envious looks as he stood by her side, while women envied her for the gracious way she carried herself and her flawless look. If he hadn't been on the job, Dale would have taken a moment to enjoy it, too, but he couldn't let that appealing sight distract him, no matter how close she was. The arctic cold still lay between them.

Aurore's eyes met her uncle's with a warm smile. Mayor Ternchiev treated Dale to a familiar up and down look as if surprised to see him still there, and grunted his approval. "I'm glad you came. There's a temporary Pre-Raphaelite painting collection worth visiting, and you must see our prehistoric Venus of Moravany."

Dale wasn't an art expect, but he imagined any prehistoric statue must have lost some limbs over the centuries, and he wasn't sure that needed to be mentioned in Aurore's presence.

"I'm more interested in the Hungarian crown jewels," she said.

"I know, my dear." Ternchiev gave her an indulgent smile. "Unfortunately, they left the castle in the sixteenth century and haven't returned since. Now, what I'm proposing is—" he rubbed his hands, "—explore the exhibitions, catch the concert in the Music Hall, then a late supper in The Castle restaurant, followed by a moonlight walk in the Baroque garden."

"Or we could make our own schedule," Aurore said with a sweet, but challenging grin.

"Or you can do that, too." The older man's defeated nod proved he knew when to pick his battles. "But you mustn't miss the circus! They should be here soon, and Renard assured me it's going to be stupendous."

Aurore's hand clenched Dale's arm. She relaxed her hold the following second, but the damage was done. She was nervous, too. A crease appeared between her blonde eyebrows.

Pretending not to notice, Dale covered her hand with his. "We're looking forward to the show." He brushed his fingers against her wrist. Her artificial skin was smooth and warm.

Aurore shivered, the smile frozen on her face.

"Good, good! I'll see you later then. I need to talk to ..." Ternchiev walked away, heading towards the most elegant group of people in the hall.

"He's as excited as a kid, isn't he?" Dale commented.

"Oh, don't let that appearance fool you," she said. "He's as shrewd as a fox. And speaking of foxes ..." She turned in the direction of the entrance.

Renard had just stepped into the hall, and seeing them, walked towards them. He tipped his top hat at Aurore, and shook hands with Dale. He wore the regular tailcoat and white gloves, even though he wasn't going to perform tonight.

"Ready for the show?" Aurore asked with a pleasant smile.

It had become clear she didn't find the magician threatening. Odd, since he was the most dangerous person in the room.

"We're always ready." Nicholas grinned. "The crew is filling the yard right now, preparing to make a big entrance."

Dale checked the time. The show was supposed to last forty minutes, with a fifteen minute song set meant to keep the audience calm and less curious when part of the crew disappeared. Hopefully, it would be enough.

Trumpets broke the eerie silence in the entrance hall. The visitors started and turned towards the exit.

The doors opened.

"Listen up, people! The Nightingale Circus is here!"