Page 47 of The Tribes of Magic (Paragons #3)

THE CONCOURSE

K ato and I went to the Concourse, the large complex in the Magic Emporium where Portia would perform tonight. The two of us and Conner would be performing a very different scenario ourselves, but first we had to make sure the General had indeed left the Black Obelisk.

It was six in the evening, but sunset wouldn’t come for another two hours.

The hot summer sun shone down on us as we traversed the neatly-tiled outside space peppered with plants, restaurants, and an assortment of buildings across numerous tiers.

We ascended the large, open staircase. It was so wide, hundreds—if not thousands—of people could gather on those steps.

At the moment, there weren’t nearly that many people.

Only a few hundred guests had been invited to Portia’s show, and of those, only a couple dozen were still outside.

Kato and I followed the procession inside. The doors to the performance space hadn’t opened yet, so people were waiting in the lobby, chatting as well-dressed servers flitted to and fro, delivering champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and tiny desserts.

The Court delegates were regal in their fine silks and satins, laden with gemstone crowns and necklaces that sparkled under the artificial ceiling lights.

The Knights had dressed up too. They’d left their armor behind in favor of suits and evening gowns.

The Apprentices were dressed in a similar manner.

So similar, in fact, that for once, you could hardly distinguish between Knight and Apprentice.

Kato and I had dressed the part too. Kato wore a sleek black tail-suit with a white shirt and bow tie.

I wore a blue spaghetti-strap dress with a tiered chiffon shirt that kissed the tops of my open-toe, high-heeled shoes.

We’d have to change later for Operation: Black Obelisk, but for now, we looked like just two people enjoying an evening out.

My gaze panned across the room. “Do you see the General?”

“Not yet. I’ll see if I can find him.” Kato walked off.

Nevada found me soon after. “You look great.”

“You too.”

She was dressed in a long, flowing turquoise gown that conjured up images of mermaids and oceanic paradises. She wore a pair of gold slippers and flowers in her hair.

“Your date looks nice too.”

“He’s not my…”

I stopped myself. A date was as good of a cover story as any. I certainly couldn’t tell anyone Kato and I were preparing to break into the General’s office at the Black Obelisk. There were cameras and spies everywhere.

Nevada looked past me, and her smile faded. “He certainly looks out of place.”

I turned to follow her gaze. The General had just entered the room.

Not only had he brought along a large contingent of Watchers, armed and armored, the General himself hadn’t seen fit to change for the occasion.

He was dressed in his uniform, which really made him stand out among the tuxedos and ballgowns.

I suppose standing out was just how he liked it.

“May I speak to you for a moment, Savannah?”

I turned toward Kato, who now held a long-stemmed red rose in his hands. He offered it to me.

My heart fluttered a little when I took it. “Of course.”

“I’ll just leave you two alone.” Nevada smiled at me, then joined a group of Apprentices that included Dante, Bronte, and Ansel. They were all staring at me and Kato. Dante even winked.

“So…” I cleared my throat, then looked at Kato. “The General made quite the entrance.”

“He’s watching us.”

“He doesn’t look happy,” I said. “He must think I used my magic to befuddle your mind and force you to escort me to the show.”

The doors to the performance space opened. People started moving toward them. Kato took my hand and led me to the side of the room, away from the streaming crowd.

Then he leaned forward to whisper into my ear, “The General and his soldiers have gone inside the hall. It will take another ten minutes for everyone to find their seats. Then another two hours before the show is over. That’s how long we have to get to the Black Obelisk, get into the General’s office, search it, and get back here. ”

“Got it.”

We slipped out one of the side doors, stepping out into the slowly darkening evening. Then we ran down the outside stairs, circled around the rows of black SUVs parked on the empty street, and kept running. We didn’t stop running until we reached the rendezvous point: an old, gnarly tree.

“Nice rose.”

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Conner peeled out of the tree.

“Kato gave that to you?”

“Yes.”

A wide smile curled Conner’s lips. “Sorry, Red. I didn’t bring you anything but my charming personality.”

“Yes, we’ve had quite enough of your personality for one night,” Kato told him. “Is everything ready to go?”

“Almost. You two should get changed right away. Our rides should arrive very soon.”

“Rides?” I asked.

Conner grinned at me. “You’ll see in just a sec, Red. And trust me when I say you’re going to love them.”