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A lump rose in my throat. Not only had Yvette supplied me with a disguise, but she’d also finagled more food from Cook. Three rolls wouldn’t last long, but on my journey, they might become the difference between life and death.

As quickly as I dared, I moved through the shadows until the main gate came into view. Once in position, I lifted my hands to cup my mouth and performed my best impersonation of an aura owl hooting.

At our signal, Yvette slipped from the alcove of the western door. Rushing forward, she entered the small courtyard between the wrought-iron gates that protected us from outsiders and the slave quarters. Throwing up a hand, she waved to the human man on guard duty. “A word, if you please!”

“What are you doing out this late, woman?” The young man on guard scowled and prowled closer to Yvette.

“Don’t ‘woman’ me, Elias!” Yvette scolded. “I changed your soiled nappies!”

“Oh, I—sorry, Yvette.” The tone of the first guard shifted into apologetic and a faint snicker from the other, a human named Ted, filled the air. “You caught me off guard. We were told to be extra careful tonight. The vampires are celebrating, and they might take liberties.”

“Like that one Neve offed.” Ted added his two cents, swaggering over. “I think Master Aldéric is scared one might seek retribution.”

“Newbloods don’t have friends, stupid.” Elias snorted out a derisive laugh. “They can’t hold themselves together and its sire can just buy her tomorrow, if they want.”

“Be that as it may,” Yvette said. “I require help.”

“How so?” Elias asked.

“Anna is ill again. She can’t walk, and I’m not strong enough to lift her on my own.” She lifted a thin arm and shrugged. “Not all the way down the hall anyway.”

“I’ll help,” Elias offered as we’d known he would when Yvette mentioned he was on duty. He’d fancied Anna for many turns.

“I’ll keep watch.” Ted turned back to the black gate.

“We’ll be quick,” Yvette assured him, and together she and Elias walked toward the main door.

The moment they disappeared into the complex; I double-checked that Ted’s back was still turned. Once I was certain he wouldn’t see me coming, I sucked in a breath and made a run for it. As a faerie, I had wings, and if they’d been usable, I would have flown in complete silence. But my wings had been mangled as a precaution to keep Aldéric’s property from running away. He didn’t bother to injure humans, as they were far slower and weaker than those of other magical orders. Anyone born with magic flowing in their veins, however, wasn’t so lucky.

Still, like all faeries, I was fast and very light of foot, so Ted didn’t hear me coming. Not even when I launched myself into the air and aimed my elbow at the back of his neck. A soft burst of air left him, and he fell to the ground.

I unsheathed his dagger and cracked the heavy hilt over his head. All the tension left the man’s body. I exhaled, and looking down, swallowed. Ted breathed. I hadn’t killed him. Thank the stars.

I took Ted’s belt and scabbard, upon which the keys to the gate hung. I looped the belt with the blade around my waist and, once armed, opened the gate. I slipped out, shut the gate behind me, and tossed the keys back inside.

Without so much as a second glance back, I took off into the darkness. With each step, my chest heaved harder. I was so glad Yvette had found a thick cloak for me. Hidden beneath it, no one would see my fear.

The cobble streets were bustling, filled with vampires walking to and fro, trailing from tavern to tavern, hoping to find the perfect blood source for the night. Judging by the laughter and other sounds coming from the brothels, those were busy too. The street merchants had even stayed open late to hawk their wares, mostly items of clothing or ornate masks. Wearing those, the common vampires could pretend they held enough importance to attend the Blood Ball.

Nearly every building, new and sleek or rundown with a thatched roof, featured a flag outside. On it, a red serpent poised to strike the onlooker against a field of black; paying the House of Laurent tribute.

I strode through the streets like I owned them, as if I had become one of the same creatures that had enslaved me all my life. All the while, I also took care to maintain a distance between my person and every vampire I passed by. The heavy cloak would mask my fear and my scent, but if I came too near, they still might smell a fae. I could take no chances. The gate Yvette told me about wasn’t far, barely a ten-minute walk. But in that time, so much could go wrong.

The moment Elias returned to his post and found Ted, he might sound an alarm. I counted on Anna flirting with Elias to distract him for a bit longer than usual. Yvette would also stall to buy me more time, but they could only do that for so long. The question then became would Ted and Elias want to risk bringing vampires to Master Aldéric’s gates and admitting that they’d been ineffective guards? Most wouldn’t want to do so.

I shook myself. No use in worrying about that. I just needed to move and find a proper weapon.

The dagger I’d stolen would be useful against wolves or other wild animals. Perhaps it would even help against some magical creatures I might come across on my travels. Vampires, however, required something else entirely.

I needed a stake or a sword. Stakes were uncommon in a city filled with vampires, so a sword to decapitate my enemies was my best bet. And that meant stealing one off a vampire soldier having the night of his or her life.

Putting on that air of confidence all vampires possessed, I chanced glances at those in the streets. Reacting to my attention, no matter how brief, more than one male leered at me. In response, I did something I’d never done before; I scowled and hissed. They replied with equal ire and kept moving, thank the fates.

Precious minutes passed, and I’d nearly given up on finding a sword, when finally, I spotted a promising sight. Tied to a nearby post, an imposing black horse wore a saddle emblazoned with the red serpent, indicating the soldier who rode him owed loyalty to the Laurents. Saddlebags weighed down the horse and a rucksack leaned up against the post. The owner must have stopped on his way to wherever he headed. Perhaps I’d find a weapon in the bag? I checked the sign on the establishment. A brothel—perfect. The steed’s owner would probably be busy and not see me snooping about.

I took two steps toward the horse before an alarm rang out. It sounded faint where I stood, but close enough for me to hear. It had to be coming from Lord Aldéric’s slave complex. My heart rate kicked up and blood began thrumming in my ears.

I spun, taking in my surroundings. The vampires in the streets listened intently. A few pointed in the keep’s direction. When they ran that way, my timeline halved. Our plan had not bought me nearly enough time . . .