The Rise of Io Read Online Free PDF Page B

paused mid-step, looked back to where she had come from and scanned the room. Her eyes hesitated, just briefly, when she saw him, and a nearly undetectable smile appeared on her face. It was gone just as quickly as it came, and she continued searching the room for some imaginary friend.
    The hook is in. Make yourself scarce.
    The prince no longer bothered hiding his stare. Shura turned her back to him, and gave him a full view of what he wanted, or desired, and then she walked off, out of his view, away from the rest of the room that he fully controlled. This was what men like him did. This was why they sat on elevated platforms and balconies. These little men and their tiny kingdoms.
    She stayed out of his way for the rest of the party, only making brief entrances into the prince’s line of sight. Each time they were in the same room, she made a point of not looking at him, except for the briefest of moments, and always with an ever-so-slight nervous smile, and then she was busy meeting someone else.
    The rest was predictable.
    Near the end of the party, while chatting with a businessman from Frankfurt, Shura noticed two of the prince’s bodyguards move in from either side. She ignored them even as the businessman became nervous at the sudden proximity of armed men in suits. She kept her eyes on the businessman as he excused himself and beat a hasty retreat.
    Shura turned and came face-to-face with the prince. She gave him a slight bow. “Your Royal Highness.”
    â€œThank you for attending my gathering.” He reached for her hand and kissed her glove.
    I feel nothing.
    That means the prince felt nothing. Shura smiled. “Your home is beautiful, and congratulations again on your return. Your presence has been missed in the city.”
    â€œI fear you have me at a disadvantage.”
    No, she didn’t. No one within a hundred meters of someone in the royal family would have him at a disadvantage.
    â€œDominika Yumashev.” She recited a version of her credentials in a way that reflected familiarity and then proceeded to probe him with the questions that swayed their conversation toward his interests. The sheik might be rich, and he might be guided by an infinitely wise eternal being, but he was still a young man.
    Nicely done. I counted two personal bodyguards and eight more on the grounds.
    â€œConfirmed, Tabs. This job will be easier than anticipated.”
    Shura suffered through the pretense of being charmed. He wasn’t bad looking, and he was smooth. In another time, with his wealth and influence, she would consider him a possible ally, or even a consort. But it was too late now. Sides had been chosen. Destinies had been made, and all that nonsense.
    As with many parties thrown by the royal family, the party grew larger the higher the moon climbed across the night sky. A few dozen guests had mushroomed into a few hundred. Eventually, this forced the two of them to seek a quieter place to continue their conversation.
    Shura let him lead her upstairs, past his security perimeter at the party, into a private living area adjacent to his bedroom. She noted the two bodyguards trailing several paces behind. To her right was a set of double-doors opening to a balcony. To her left, an immaculately clean fireplace, unsurprising considering the heat in this region. Cords of wood were stacked off to the side. A leather couch faced the fireplace in the center of the room.
    His Highness had good taste, at least. Shura made a slow circle around the room, pretending to admire the paintings and sculptures. The sheik went straight to the table next to the sofa and slipped off his blazer. He hung his jacket on the chair and undid his cuff links. Shura stopped at the liquor cabinet and examined each bottle, settling for an Alize, waving it above her head merrily. “Let’s have a good time.”
    Rein it in a little. Your drama coach would be ashamed.
    The sheik moved around to the couch and