Chapter Twenty-seven

Ravi never should’ve put his mouth to Yaz’s skin. Now, all he wanted to do was lower his head and place his lips against hers. He’d nearly done it in the stairwell when she looked at him with a flicker of surprise and a flash of longing that sent blood straight to his cock. The temptation had been heady, his desire thick.

Then he remembered that she was acting a part. They were both supposed to be performing. And that was the problem.

Ravi wasn’t.

He had to get ahold of himself. He knew better than to let his emotions in while on assignment. Obtaining the device was his goal. Nothing—and no one—could get in the way of that. Not even Yaz.

“You’re playing a part,” Ravi said, as much to her as him. “The person you were outside these walls doesn’t exist tonight.”

Her lips softened into a smile for the benefit of a couple passing them. “I understand.”

He leaned closer so his mouth was next to her ear. Anyone watching them would think they shared an intimate moment. He inhaled the scent of sandalwood that lingered on her skin from the bath and briefly closed his eyes as it spread through his body. This ache for her was growing out of control.

“You watched these people for years,” he whispered. “You know their actions, their movements. Become whoever you want to be.”

Her head turned slightly toward him, her mouth brushing his cheek. “Is this what you do? You become different people?”

“When it calls for it.” He leaned back to meet her gaze. He missed the deep blue color of her eyes.

“How do you not forget who you are after being so many others?”

Ravi glimpsed a tray bearing drinks coming close. He stopped the woman and grabbed two glasses, handing one to Yaz. “I’ve never thought about that.”

She quirked a brow, her look suggesting she didn’t believe him. Yaz took a sip and said, “You’ve played a part since we left the city?”

“Nay,” he said, sharper than intended. “There was no need.”

He watched the glass touch her lips as she took another drink. Ravi tore his gaze from her and scanned the room. The floor was quartz cut in diamond shapes with smaller diamond-shaped onyx situated between them. Six enormous obsidian columns towered over them, supporting the elaborately painted ceiling above.

The grand salon was large and brightly lit from every angle to show off the beauty of the room and its occupants. Sconces lined the walls, and a colossal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Standing candelabras edged the room.

He took a closer look at the walls, noting the many doorways. He spotted stairs leading upward. He lifted his gaze to the second and third floors above, each with a balcony that ran the circumference of the main area. Yaz had said people watched from above. He saw many of them leaning on the iron railings, drinks in hand. He couldn’t see faces. Once out of the room, the lights became dim. The main salon was the place to be seen. Everywhere else was where things happened. Deals, trades, and other transactions. All of it turned his stomach.

Ravi swept his gaze around the people near him and saw a male ogling Yaz, displaying flagrant interest. The Sea Elf grinned at Ravi and motioned to the Wood Elf on his arm. In answer, Ravi turned his back to them and led Yaz away.

“We should make a round,” she said behind her drink.

He rolled his shoulders to take out the tension. They kept smiles on their faces, nodding to others as they walked. Ravi knew any of those in attendance could be the ones who had constructed the device or the ones purchasing it. Dain’s undercover operative had only given them a name. A single name. Kumar. They didn’t know if he was the buyer or the seller.

“That is a lovely color on you,” said a voice.

Ravi was pulled from his thoughts as they paused so Yaz could speak to the female. As the two of them exchanged compliments, Ravi found himself nodding to the Sun Elf opposite him. “Brutal weather outside. We’re glad to be out of it.”

“Us, too,” the male said. “I’m Manish.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Navin, and this is Abha,” Ravi said. “This is our first time in attendance.”

That caught the female’s attention. She shot them a wide smile. “Is it? There’s so much to experience. I recommend the orange room.”

Yaz stiffened slightly beside him. He put a hand over hers on his arm. “I’ve heard of that. Is it really what I think it is?”

“If you mean a roomful of naked bodies waiting to please you, then aye,” the female said. She looked Yasmin up and down. “I think the two of us could have fun together.” Then she looked at Ravi and her companion. “As well as all four of us.”

Ravi nodded, keeping a smile in place. “That sounds enticing.”

“We did say we would try anything,” Yaz said as she met his gaze.

“Perfect,” the female said. “We have to make the rounds. Manish must speak to his friends before we have any fun.”

Manish gave her a crooked smile. “The meeting won’t take long. Look, Kumar is already here.”

At the mention of the name, Ravi looked in the direction Manish pointed. Ravi couldn’t make out who Kumar was.

“We’ll find you shortly,” the female stated as they walked away.

“Did you see Kumar?” Ravi asked in a soft voice.

Yaz shook her head. “Who is that?”

“That’s the name of the person I’m looking for. Shite. I’ve lost the couple amid all the people.”

“Let’s keep walking,” she suggested. “Maybe we’ll find them again.”

Ravi guided her through the room. It wasn’t long before it began to thin as others made their way upstairs into the different rooms. But there was still a large crowd in the salon. They hadn’t spotted Manish and his companion again, which meant Ravi hadn’t gotten eyes on Kumar. They could be anywhere. He looked up.

“They won’t go up yet,” Yaz stated.

He glanced her way. “How can you be sure?”

“I know this place. Now, wipe that frown away and smile. You’re supposed to be having a good time.”

He finished his drink and waved to a passing staff member. The human girl paused long enough for him to set his empty glass on the tray. Yaz placed hers on it, as well.

“Hello,” Yaz said to the girl. “Where is Neela? I heard she was someone I needed to see.”

The girl’s dark brown eyes jerked to Ravi before she answered. “Neela is gone.”

“Gone? Gone where?” Yaz pressed.

Ravi looked at Yaz because he knew what was coming. He had deduced as much when they’d visited Neela’s old room.

The girl swallowed. “She’s dead. She died four years ago.”

Yaz said nothing more, and the girl walked on. Ravi maneuvered them to a semi-secluded spot. He sensed Yasmin’s shock and regretted not saying something sooner about her friend. He’d forgotten about it until Yaz mentioned her. “Do you need another drink?”

“Neela’s dead. Because of me.”

“You don’t know that.”

Yaz snapped her light blue eyes up at him. “I do.”

“Then get your revenge.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

She tugged him to continue walking. Once out among the crowd, she put away her anger. They sampled some delicious food. His stomach rumbled for more after having only dried meat for so long. He looked around. Each Dark he spotted made him wonder if it was the undercover elf. Or had they disguised themselves as Yaz had? Ravi didn’t want to blow their cover, but he might need to do it to secure the device.

He and Yaz talked to other people as they moved about the room. It wasn’t until he heard a loud ~dong~ reverberating that Yasmin faltered. He looked at her to find her gaze locked on something. Ravi followed her line of sight and saw a woman being led out by two guards, with two more behind her. Her hair was pulled back to show her rounded ears, just like all the other staff.

The four guards brought the woman to a stop in the middle of the salon. Everyone gathered around, voices rising in excitement. A disembodied male voice from somewhere above began the bidding process. The offers came quickly as they vied for the woman.

“There’s no reason to stay. We should head up to the second floor,” Yaz suggested.

Ravi led her to one of the two sets of stairs on either side of the salon. Everything in Shaldorn was done on a massive scale, and the stairs were no exception. They were white quartz with a solid black runner down the middle.

“Not much has changed,” she said as they walked up to the second level.

He glanced below at the woman being sold as the bidding came to an end. “What will become of her?”

“It wasn’t announced beforehand, meaning whoever wins will get to decide what they wish to do.”

Ravi glanced at Yaz. Her voice gave nothing away, and neither did her face. But her tight grip on his arm was another story. “Once we get the device, we’ll return and end all of this.”

“That is a nice thought,” she said with a smile.

“Someone needs to do something.”

She briefly met his gaze and nodded. “I agree. But you can’t end evil like this. It might be snuffed out for a short while, but it always returns. One way or another.”

In all the years he had been fighting to stop crimes in Shecrish, he knew how true her words were. That didn’t mean he would let it continue.

They carried on along the perimeter of the second-story balcony. Soft music continued to play, and more conversation milled around him. A person had been sold below, and no one cared.

“The market is to the right,” Yaz said.

They walked so closely together that their bodies brushed again and again, making him yearn for more. He turned her to the right and proceeded down a wide hallway that opened into another larger corridor. The market was just as she had said. Booths were set up along the walls from one end to the other.

As they passed, he saw many things being offered for sale. Ancient swords probably stolen from wealthier households. Modern blades crafted specifically for the Asavori Rangers, impossible to come by unless someone was at Shaldorn’s market. His steps slowed when he reached a booth with dozens of the same containers he had given Yaz earlier.

“Careful,” she whispered.

He flashed her a grin to let her know he was in control. The booth’s owner was all too happy to explain what the vials were and how they worked.

Ravi raised a brow. “Are you telling me that yellow one would make me look human?”

“I am,” the Wood Elf behind the table declared with a wide smile. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I have no idea why anyone would want to be human, but some elves like to indulge in such things. If they want it, I supply it,” he replied with a shrug.

Ravi studied the table and the colored liquid in each tiny container. “You craft these potions?”

The Wood Elf laughed, flashing white teeth. “I have my hand in some things, but I’m not the scientist behind it. There are others for that.”

Ravi grunted.

“Most of these will be gone by the end of the night. Get it now or wait until the next gathering. If I have any then. I never know what I’ll bring with me.”

Yasmin lifted her face to his. “I may wish to try one, too.”

The Wood Elf’s smile widened as he looked between them, his excitement for a transaction evident. “I have a special price for couples. Second vial is half off.”

“We’ll think about it.” Ravi turned away and put the elf’s face to memory.

They hadn’t gone far when Yasmin nudged him and said his name. Ravi followed her gaze and spotted Manish and his companion from earlier. Next to them stood a Sun Elf surrounded by bodyguards.

“I think we found our target,” Yaz whispered.

Ravi zeroed in on the Sun Elf. “Let’s find out.”