Shadows

Scouting For Chains III

Fara

Even after being fawned over by young Lords and offered drinks, Fara still could not find someone fit for her. She hovered around the close cropped social circles, but none lured her in. On the other side of the room, she could see Haviland's dark hair moving through the crowd, mingling with others. It seemed she wasn't having much luck either.

Fara laced her hands together in front of her, loitering by the orchestra, the second violinist taking a short solo. She played with a loose thread from her gold dress. Maybe if she waited here long enough, someone would come along. She watched the cellist enter the second act of the piece, the cellist's brows creased in concentration. The saxophone picked up the melody, the brass like molten gold in the ballroom's light.

A stationary figure had been in Fara's peripheral vision for the past minute and she turned her head slowly.

A tall and slender man was a few yards away, his gaze fixed on the saxophonist. His emerald mask complimented his tanned skin, his hair a light caramel color, tied back in a short ponytail, stray locks framing his face. But the man's gaze slipped from the musician to her and their gazes locked. The man cocked his head to the side slightly, a grin spreading across on his face.

But the man did not come. He turned away and walked into the ever-moving crowd. Fara blinked.

Shit. Fara set off, taking as long of strides as she could in her heels to catch up to the emerald-masked man. He passed between two women, but a fairly tall man blocked Fara's path momentarily, and those precious seconds broke off her beeline.

The small hairs stood up on the back of her neck and she pivoted, her nose inches away from the emerald mask. She took a step back. The man was startled, his outstretched hand retreating back to his side.

"You're quite jumpy, aren't you?" the man mused, his voice was deeper than she expected.

She shrugged. "Fast reflexes, what can I say?"

The man's eyes roamed Fara from head to toe and a feline smile spread across his face. "You aren't from around here, are you?"

Fara didn't reply but her gaze remained steady.

The lord shook his head slightly, clicking his tongue. "You've wandered too far down the rabbit hole, girl. This isn't your scene."

"Who says it's not?" she crossed her arms.

"So, why are you here?" The man tucked his hands into his pockets. "I'm curious." That feline smile might have unnerved anyone else, but not Fara.

"I could say the same to you," she retorted.

His smile stuttered for a fleeting second.

"Is it possible," she continued, not offering room for the emerald-masked man to cut in, "that you are looking for a shadow?"

The man let out a soft laugh, but his smile melted to a grimace. "Ah, is that what you were thinking? And here I thought we were mutually flirting."

"Are you in need of a shadow, my lord?" she repeated.

His expression turned warded. "No. Not at the moment." There was no warmth in his tone any longer. A chill went up Fara's spine. "But I am looking for a pet."

The music was starting to near its finale. "Pet?" Fara echoed.

"You're from Karro," he noted. "Desperate blood-thirsty hounds, begging for a master."

Fara scoffed, realizing the man's intentions. "I'm a bodyguard, not a hound. It's against our code to be set loose on anyone. We are not assassins."

"Is that what they told you?" The man sighed, "so naive."

"What?"

"Ah, really, taking in puppies and feeding them lies, how cruel," he mumbled, checking his watch. "Your deadline is coming up."

"How did you know my-"

"Let's get this over with." He held out a hand lazily, his wrist exposed. Fara collected herself and took out the bracelets from under her gown's sleeve, securing them in place on the man's and on her own. They both winced.

"The Bond's been made."

"So it has," he said. He put a hand over his heart and bowed slightly. "Viktor Bainnor."

She dipped her head. "Fara Kane, at your service."

Viktor took a step closer. "Let's see just how far this rabbit hole goes, Miss Kane." His eyes were bright with amusement.

Fara pursed her lips. "I'll you at midnight, my lord."