Free Sovereign by Celia Aaron Page A

confrontation, but he took no notice of me. His eyes were trained on Sin and Sophia several feet away.
    He was handsome, his hay-colored hair short and neat. Tall and wiry, he was older, perhaps forty. I wished him dead, just like everyone else here.
    “Ellis, my man! How are you?” Another man of about the same age walked up and shook hands. Even with the distraction, it took Ellis more than a few beats to turn away from Sophia and Sin. They fell into conversation and melded into the mix of people in the center of the tent.
    “Ma’am?” A server with black hair and dark brown eyes walked up and offered me a flute of champagne.
    I took it with a shaking hand. “Thank you.”
    He stopped and glanced back at me, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “You’re welcome.”
    I supposed no one ever thanked the servants, never said a kind word. Vultures weren’t known for their warmth. And here, where they could be themselves, their worst was on display.
    He tilted his head to the side and glanced around before approaching me again. “Are you in some kind of trouble? Do I need to do something?”
    “I’m fine.” I whispered. “But you shouldn’t talk to me. You’ll get in trouble.”
    “It’s just, I’ve heard things. This is my first time working one of these events. Money was too good to pass up. And you look…scared.”
    “Shh.” I shook my head and grabbed another flute from his tray to make it seem like I was keeping him. “Stop talking. You’re in danger.”
    He furrowed his brow. “If you’re in trouble, I know people. Something doesn’t feel right.” He glanced around.
    “Go. Now.” I wouldn’t meet his eye.
    He shook his head and backed away. After giving me another long look, he continued his round of offering drinks.
    The crowd swelled, overdressed people talking, eating, and drinking to the jazz from the band. I went almost unnoticed, pressed up against the cool stones, until I saw a flash of light red hair and heard Cal greeting, “Red, welcome, my friend.”
    Red surveyed the crowd, his gaze seizing on me for a second before roving elsewhere. Brianne walked behind him, her head down, her blonde hair hanging in curtains on either side of her face. She was a wreck, even more so than the last time I’d seen her. My stomach sank, and I leaned against the wall for support. The ages-old chill seeped into my bones, and I dreaded Brianne more than Red. Her judgment was far worse than any vitriol Red could spout at me.
    Once their introductions were complete, Red dragged Brianne into the mix of people. He glanced at me again, but didn’t seem inclined to engage for once. I sagged with relief and edged closer to the bar, toward Sin.
    He was in a close conversation with Sophia. He smiled for her as she touched his arm and whispered something in his ear. Jealousy crept along the periphery of my thoughts, but I already had too many emotions competing for my attention. I hid the shake in my fingers by downing the champagne, setting the glass down, and stuffing my hands into my pockets.
    The ghouls swirled around me, their vapid conversations focused on either themselves or the trial. I bowed my head to avoid their rude stares, though I could still hear their comments about my “chances,” and how much fun the Christmas trial had been.
    “Hey, Stella.” Gavin approached, the only friendly face I’d seen.
    He was like an oasis in a desert of sand and snakes. The warm smile on his gaunt face made tears sting my eyes. His smile faded as he neared.
    “What is it?” He smoothed his hands down my upper arms.
    “I’m sorry.” I finally said the words I’d been wanting to say since that horrible day in December.
    “For what?” The concern in his eyes made me want to vomit. I didn’t deserve it.
    I shook my head, willing the tears away. “For what happened to y-you.”
    He pulled me into a hug, his arms strong around my back. “That wasn’t you, Stella.” He kissed my hair and whispered into my