Page 92 of To Catch A Rogue

She had to focus on the task ahead, not on a revenge scheme that might hurt the others, but for the first time tonight, she was grateful for the deception of the mask covering half her face.

Sergey shouldn't recognize her, but there was no point in risking it.

And she could at least use the mask to shield the hatred in her eyes.

"Need some assistance?" Obsidian asked Gemma.

"It's probably best if you'renotseen with the man you intend to assassinate."

As Gemma moved away, adding an extra little swish to her stride, Obsidian quirked his brow. On anyone else, the gesture would have been a significant tell, but Obsidian's general expression was like a vault. You could never truly tell what he was thinking or feeling, and it made Lark a little uncomfortable.

"She doesn't approve of your intentions?" she guessed.

"She doesn't approve of playing to Balfour's plans. She wholeheartedly agrees with killing our precious prince, however."

"There's nothing to say you cannot do both. Kill the prince and ruin Balfour's plans."

For once they both seemed to be in perfect accord.

He even almost smiled. "I would enjoy that. Very much."

Lark watched as Gemma swept into a curtsy that caught Sergey's attention.

Or the low-cut curve of her gown gained all the focus, if one was being honest.

Beside her, a snapping sound echoed and she realized Obsidian had cracked the stem of his champagne flute. The almost-smile was gone and dark blood dripped from his palm.

"Excuse me," Obsidian said, his eyes dark with a sudden heat. "I should see to this."

Then he was gone and Lark realized maybe he wasn't as impenetrable as he seemed.

Music swept around her, but all she could see was Sergey, helping Gemma to rise from her curtsy. A lady nearby cried out in chagrin, but it became a scream in her ears.

Suddenly Lark was no longer in the ballroom.

She was shivering on the balcony outside her mother's bedchamber as Sergey lifted the wolf's head mask from his face and reached out to tilt her mother's chin up, blood dripping from the knife in his hand.

"You!"Her mother strained at the hold of the two men restraining her."You treacherous snake!"

"Where is Irina?"

"You're a monster,"her mama spat, tears staining her cheeks as she struggled. "I would never tell you, even if I knew!"

"If I have to hunt the girl down, it will try my patience, Natasha. I could be merciful. I could make it swift, as this could be."

Her mama spat in his face, and Sergey's mouth pruned up as he wiped the spittle free. "You will regret that,"he said, and gestured to the guards."Hold her face."

Lark forced herself out of the memories, her hands trembling. At the top of the stairs, Sergey laughed at something Gemma had said, and Lark's vision dipped into shades of gray as the predator within her slithered through her veins.

She needed to get out of here.

But when she turned, she slammed into a firm chest. Hands caught her by the elbows, effectively trapping her.

"Why hello there," murmured the handsome stranger who'd assaulted her in the palace. A plain black leather mask covered his eyes, but there was no mistaking his voice. "Fancy seeing you here."

Lark's heart beat madly in her chest.

She looked for Charlie, wishing he was back already, but there was not a single Rogue in sight.