The banquet garden was vast—so large that even a disturbance like Mindy Lane's barely caused a ripple. Music continued, crystal lamps shimmered among exotic alien plants, and clusters of guests laughed beneath flowering vines as though nothing had happened.
With Mindy gone, Rory and Lola both felt as if the air had cleared.
Lola squeezed Rory's hand and shot her a meaningful look. Then she turned to the two male partners behind her.
"I'm taking my sister-in-law for a walk. You don't need to follow us."
Rory immediately understood and turned to Jasper and the others.
"Jasper, Nix—you take Xarion somewhere to rest for a bit. He looks tired. I'll stroll around with Lola."
Nix watched Rory walk away and instinctively moved to follow, only to have Jasper stop him.
"Why are you stopping me?" Nix protested. "I need to protect Female Master."
Jasper pressed his lips together, gaze fixed on Rory's retreating figure.
"Can't you tell? She doesn't want us following."
