An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 27

I swallowed thickly and steadied my shaky hands. " Dante. Please. I know we haven't been the greatest of friends, but I'm asking you to forget whatever you found about me. It's for the better."

He ignored me of course, " When you said to me you're a sweetliar, read me. I was confused as to why that statement was so familiar. It wasn't until I visited the court I realized why. Children say that when they're teasing each other, specifically kids training to be sweetliars."

Dante stared at me, his face was impossible to read.

" I always thought you were too smart, and when Titus told me how you guys escaped from the prison, I knew you couldn't have been a normal merchant."

The train slowed to a stop, the motion had me grabbing the arms of the seat so that I wasn't thrown forward.

I rose to my feet, bag in hand. " You said we would team up and we would both get what we wanted. You'll get the necklace and I'll disappear, I want to disappear. Please forget what you think you know." I said, my voice almost pleading.

**

The ball was a week away. And in the week, I became the one person I fought to be. I became a sweetliar my father would have been proud of.

Everyone noticed my change in demeanor but no one said anything. Jack barely spoke to me which tugged at my heart but I pretended not to notice.

It was late evening when I reached for the bag.

The bag contained a beautiful blue gown, it was a deep v dress with baby blue lace in the shape of small flowers, the back dipped so low, I wondered if I should pin it up. The lace train dragged along the floor, reflecting in the light, I almost had mistaken it as a wedding gown.

Makeup was also thrown in a smaller bag and I utilized it well, blending in brown eyeshadow and painting on pink blush. My eyes looked larger and almost cat-like as I finished my eyes.

For the first time in a long time, I pinned my hair up, exposing my tattoo.

It was small, no bigger than a thumbprint. A rose sat snugly at the hairline of my neck, two rings surrounded the image and my father's initials were printed neatly below the rings.

I pulled the mask from the bag, it covered a majority of the top portion of my face and its blue beaded edges matched my dress perfectly.

Then I was off, I had made it to the living room when a figure stepped out of the shadows and my heart sank.

" Lin, why are you awake?"

He stared at me, taking in my entire costume.
" The real question is where are you going?"

In his fingers dangled a pearl necklace. I must have dropped it when I carried the bag in.

He handed it over, " You're not the Sia we know are you?"

I smiled softly, " The Sia you know is a part of who I am, but it's not all of me. I promise I'll explain everything when I get back."

He nodded and stepped aside for me to leave. Before I did, I glanced back taking in the entire room.

I was so fortunate that the ball was only a few cities away. As I boarded the train, I received some odd stares but no one bothered me.

As I watched our departure, I couldn't hep but wish Titus was by my side, gods even Dante insulting me would be okay.

I got off alongside other travelers and ducked into the main road. I was in the city of sweetliars, more commonly known as Gosve. Famous for its abundance of sweetliar courts and training centers for the next generation of sweetliars.

The street was crowded with people dressed to the nines. Eye catching jewelry and heart stopping gowns. Everyone had a mask on so it was difficult to figure out where Adan was until an arm wrapped around my waist.

" You look gorgeous." He grinned, his dark mask reflected in the streetlights. Adan looked handsome in the light, his hair was combed over so it fell over his eyes and he wore a dark suit with a baby blue floral coat that matched my dress.

" Thank you. You look handsome."

He led us through the crowds but I didn't miss the stares and whispers of people we passed. I heard snippets of conversation.

" Is that the lost daughter-"

" She has the exact same eyes-"

We stopped in front of two grand doors, the building looked more like a castle than a ballroom.

Inside I saw people dancing, chatting with wineglasses in hand. Laughter seemed to be louder than the music.

There was already a line forming but we walked to the front, despite the protests.

The bouncer looked bored as held out his reader to Adan. Adan pulled down his button up and exposed his tattoo. The grey tattoo was almost beautiful in the light.

Immediately the man jerked back his hand.
" Mr. Eeican. I am so sorry. I didn't recognize you with your mask on." But Adan waved off the apology.

" And you?"

This was the moment I dreaded. I turned around and felt the cool metal press against my skin. There was a beep and a soft gasp.

" Salina Dark. I thought you were missing. We all did."

I smiled the way my father taught me, lips curled up and slightly arrogant. I didn't have to confirm with anyone to know my eyes were shining with a glint of playfulness.

" Missing? Sweetliars are always so amusing" I laughed, " I've been away training."

My hand was shaking slightly and Adan grabbed my wrist to steady me.

" My apologies, Miss Dark. It's an honor to meet someone of your standing."

I nodded and he stepped aside for Adan and I to enter.

" Relax. Your tells are revealing themselves." He whispered than kissed my cheek to hide it.

I rolled my shoulders back and raised my chin, my heart was beating so fast I almost asked him if he heard it.

We stopped at a refreshment table and Adan handed me a glass of wine. It was cool and crisp as it went down.

There were too many people, too many faces. Cesar might not have even made it to the ball yet.

" How do we find him? I don't even know what he looks me." I said softly.

" Sources told me he's wearing a green suit with a white mask, he's here with a lady friend."

I scanned the room before my eyes fell on the back of forrest green suit, a women with dark skin and braids stood next to him, she was dressed in a red gown.

When they turned around, my eyes widened as I noticed two things. Titus was here. He was wearing a mask but I couldn't mistaken those crimson eyes and secondly the women was wearing the queen's necklace.