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I fled the ballroomas fast as I could. The crowd parted, uncertain.

“Don’t follow me,” I begged, knowing he’d hear me.

Raphael simply stood there, a stunned look on his face.

I turned away and ran faster. But Iademos was on my tail, and I couldn’t have a guard for what I was about to do.

I had to leave.Now.

Pardon or no pardon, I couldn’t be here any longer.

“Leave me be,” I insisted, knowing the generalwould hear me.

“I’m to guard you,” he replied from the shadows. Where my voice shook, winded as I ran quickly, his was even, monotone.

“An hour,” I said. “Give me an hour. I’m going to my rooms. I… I need to be alone.”

“Raphael would behead me if I did not see you there.”

I made a hysterical sound and continued to run. The little rat in me knew only one thing—scurry, escape,faster. The stone steps turned to familiar carpet as I reached my chambers. The halls were empty—everybody on this level and below would be at the ballroom.

“Leave, Iademos. I want to be alone. I’ll be in my rooms the entire night—and Raphael will behead you for not listening to my wishes,” I bluffed.

“As you listened to his?” he snapped.

I flinched at the ire in his normally carefully controlled voice. “Just leave me be,” I pleaded, more forcefully.

Demos looked displeased, but he turned on his heel and left. I watched him disappear around the corner, then shut my door. I locked it, even though I would be gone in a matter of minutes.

I need to leave.

Damn Titus and all his bargains. Damn Raphael and his confusing words.

I couldn’t cause his death… but I couldn’t stay here either. One small bag was packed and stashed within my bed. What was left of the coins from when I’d arrived, some jewelry Amalthea had foisted on me I didn’t think she’d miss. I slung it over my shoulder and went for the grimoire. The necromancer—I’d find them. Even if it meant going back to the Witch Kingdom and certain death.

The vampires celebrated Anagenni by taking human blood, but this was the will written in the book. The goddess wanted a witch to rein the vampires in. I would give the witch the tool they needed for that.

I’d had nothing before.

I can do it again. I wished the thought felt less like cleaving my heart in two. Now I had a purpose.

I cast a look around the room, something thick and hot in my throat I couldn’t quite swallow. It had been my home for several months. Now that I was leaving, I could admit that to myself. There was no other explanation for the grief that sliced through me. It had been more of a home than I’d had in many years. Raphael, Thea, Demos—not a family, exactly, but I’d had people I was safe with.

Grieve later. Get out now.

The ballgown was cumbersome when it came to escaping. I’d needed Amalthea to get dressed in it. Undoing the lacing would be nearly impossible by myself. A pair of trousers and a tunic would have to suffice for when I had time to change. I bent into the dresser and selected the least conspicuous colors, then quickly set them aside. I’d have to use the dagger on my thigh to cut myself out of the dress.

“Where, precisely, do you think you’re going?”

I jerked upright and slammed the drawer shut behind me.

Titus.

His invisible magic slid away, revealing the spymaster. He was only a few feet away, dressed in nondescript gray servant clothing. His dark eyes latched on to my bag with accusation.

“I locked that door.” I knew I had.

He smiled, but there was nothing friendly in it. “Doors are nothing when you have cards that let you move through walls, you foolish chit. Now, I’ll ask once more: Where do you think you’re going?”