FIFTY
The Equinox Gala was held in Heavens Hall, a magnificent structure carved into the mountainside north of High-Tier and a few miles west of the Buried Library. Layla had yet to see the inside, as the public didn’t usually have open access, but Quin had shown her the majestic entrance, which featured a statue of Ava that was around a hundred feet tall and framed by giant pillars depicting ancient scenes of magical significance. If historians were to be believed, many of the gods and goddesses, including Ava, were entombed in a labyrinth beneath the hall, but the tunnels had been sealed for millennia by a sacred temple, so modern day magicians had no proof of the claims. Nevertheless, the temple was used as a memorial for the Heavens, opened to the public once a month for spiritual offerings or prayer sessions, and the massive chambers cut into the mountain above it were used as event halls.
A long line of hazy chariots floated over the cobblestone walkway that led toward the Heavens Hall staircase, which was carpeted with a broad, white runner and illuminated by pearlescent orbs. The runner was lined with plain-clothed magicians and reporters, who were stuck behind a silver rope as they ogled and photographed the unique ball gowns passing by. The process reminded Layla of a hexless award show, and nerves flipped her tummy when she realized all eyes would soon be on her.
Turning toward Quin, she opened a flap of his jacket, making sure it was lined with protective material, and his forehead wrinkled as he followed her gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she answered. “I just feel vulnerable.”
Drexel sat across from her and didn’t seem concerned. “We have over three hundred soldiers here. Some of them are dressed as bystanders.”
“I’m more concerned about the people inside.”
“You should be.”
When Layla’s ride reached the front of the line, the onlookers pushed closer to the ropes, and the energy level spiked as the chatter grew louder.
An event host approached, placing a platform near the foggy transportation, and Quin squeezed Layla’s shoulders while whispering in her ear. “Try to relax. I got you.”
She gave a subtle nod as he donned his mask. Then they stepped onto the carpet and started up the stairs. She forced a smile and waved at those who called her name or reached over the ropes, but she didn’t stop to chat or pose for pictures until she neared a group of children, who held out souvenir photos of her gauntlet run with the hopes that she’d sign them. A few of them also had photos of Quin’s victory, and though he remained bitter over the whole thing, he hid his displeasure well as he and Layla talked to the kids and autographed their memorabilia.
He summoned them all a handful of candy from his satchel before leading Layla to the landing at Ava’s feet, where they were intercepted by a fashion journalist who grilled them over the details of their attire. Layla dutifully answered. Then she casually mentioned the Diamond Ball, thinking the upscale gala could use a little competition.
By the time they entered the hall, Layla was ready to leave, but she had to make it through the winner’s ceremony, so she drew a deep breath and continued into a rectangular reception room with a slanted ceiling that climbed toward more giant statues, which included Manu, Ava’s mate and god of the Heavens, and their two eldest children, Alula and Torrest, the goddess of flora and the god of fauna. Smaller figures were carved into the walls and thick pillars, which had open flames spiraling around them. Flowers, incense and herbs surrounded their bases, and similar offerings lined the white runner, which trailed through the arch at the entrance to one of equal size on the opposite end of the room.
Though it was much quieter now that they’d left the crowds behind, even the softest voices echoed, and muffled music floated from beyond the second doorway, which led to a circular chamber with a seemingly endless ceiling framed by a wide, spiral staircase.
As they started up the steps, Quin motioned toward a narrow stairwell leading down. “That goes to the temple.”
Layla shivered as she considered what lay beneath the ancient shrine, but the idea of being so close to mankind’s magical beginnings also provided a profound sense of reverence and wonder. Part of her wanted to cave to curiosity and take a detour, but more than that, she wanted to get this evening over with, so she continued up the stairs, the music and voices getting louder with every step.
Following several turns, the wall on her left opened to another circular room, but this one was much bigger and filled with guests and servers. A man with a tray of hors d'oeuvres and drinks immediately approached, only to be dismissed by a Crusader bearing refreshments that had been screened for Layla’s safety.
“I’ll be your waiter all night,” he revealed. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I want all our food checked,” Layla countered, motioning to Quin and her family. “If they’ve done their homework, they’ll know how to really hurt me.”
The Crusader bowed his head. “I’ll assign them servers, as well.”
“Thank you.”
Layla took the glass of champagne off the tray while Quin accepted the red wine. Then they walked around the room, waiting for someone to demand their attention. It didn’t take long. Everyone wanted to officially meet Layla and had the confidence to introduce themselves. She barely paid attention, so she probably wouldn’t recall any of their names, and their faces were hidden behind wild makeup and masks.
Many of the women had incorporated magic into their outfits, either by defying gravity with elaborate extensions of material that turned them into walking pieces of art, or by making parts of their outfits move, change colors or light up. Themes ranged from seasonal to elemental and everything in between, and one lady wore a dress made of live butterflies. When Layla stood near her, they began drifting off course, and the woman panicked while snapping at the man beside her.
“Tell them to stay put.”
“What do you think I’m doing?”
He must have been attempting to creature call them, and he succeeded in reining in several, but one abandoned the rest and fluttered to Layla.
She lifted a finger and let it land. Then she turned toward the wall and expanded her mind, getting a clear sense of the insect’s motivations. “They don’t want to be your dress,” she noted, looking toward the frustrated strangers. “Of course, you must already know that. You just don’t care.”
The woman’s jaw dropped as the creature caller swallowed, and Layla sadly instructed the butterfly on her finger to return to the others. What she really wanted to do was command them all to scatter, leaving the selfish witch nude and ashamed, but that wouldn’t have been very lady-like, let alone angel-like, so Layla wished them good luck and went on her way. Within minutes, the butterfly woman and her companion had left.
One song faded into another, loud enough to add to the ambiance, but Layla had yet to see a band or dance floor. Then she realized they must be on a higher level, as guests continued up the stairs after getting their fill of food.
Layla and Quin eventually followed, taking more turns than last time, and they ended up in the ballroom. A chamber orchestra played from atop a platform on the far end of the oval room, which was largely occupied by a polished dance floor. Artwork and empty benches lined the wall, and a balcony circled overhead, framing a hole in the ceiling that tunneled through stone into open air. Just above the skylight, the northern edge of the city dome connected to the mountain, but it remained far enough away that Layla wasn’t causing it to glow, and the band was too loud for her to hear the hum.
Kegan twirled Brietta toward the dance floor, fluttering the wispy edges of her fiery, phoenix inspired gown. Then Banning did the same with Aradia, who wore a teal gown that was layered and ruffled in a way that made it look as if she was emerging from melting ice. Since Tristan was too busy being a backup guardian to pay attention to Skyla, she’d demanded Weylin escort her, but he was the one who coaxed her onto the dance floor, her floral dress leaving a sweet scent in its wake.
Layla smiled as she watched her family glide across the room. Then she sobered while searching for Crusaders. At least one soldier stood in every direction she looked, keeping an alert eye on the masked guests, so Layla stopped worrying and tugged Quin into a dance. Not being able to see his face was disconcerting, but his aura swelled with pleasing colors when he pulled her close and spun her around.
They danced through several songs before taking a break, which they spent in a smoking lounge on the balcony above the band. A jester juggled fire in one corner, hookah bowls sizzled in another, and Artrenity lounged on a divan with a witch, selling his wares from a table in front of him.
He shot to his feet, greeting Layla with a bow before introducing his wife, but he didn’t act overly friendly or allude to their deal. Instead, he launched into a sales pitch for the vials between them, and Layla pretended to listen while staring at a man behind him. The guy in the background stood by himself, leaning against a pillar while smoking a joint, and though Layla couldn’t pinpoint why, the parts of his face she could see behind his mask looked familiar. Then it hit her.
He met her stare as Artrenity finish his spiel. Then he tossed his joint in an ashtray and walked away.
Layla brushed off Artrenity and followed the other man, but when she noticed half a dozen people moving with her, she turned back and demanded they stay. They hesitantly obeyed, but Quin stuck with her, tailing the wizard through the ballroom, down the stairs and to the bar. He calmly ordered a drink, and Layla moved to a spot about three feet away, ordering a round for herself and Quin.
The bartender walked away to fulfill the request, and Layla kept her gaze forward as she quietly spoke. “Timber?”
He no longer had a beard, revealing a sharp jaw and wide-set lips, but she was certain it was him.
Quin stifled his surprise and glanced over, catching the man’s subtle nod. Then the bartender returned with their drinks.
When Timber rotated to walk away, he tossed a Maganthian coin in the tip jar and dropped a pocket square at Layla’s feet. Quin knelt to pick it up, and by the time he and Layla turned away from the bar, Timber was gone. They traded confused looks. Then Quin unfolded the pocket square to reveal the word temple.
“Not without security,” he whispered. “It could be a trap.”
“Mind search Tristan and Emrys,” she insisted. “And Jantzen. Now’s his chance to prove he’s on board.”
Quin obeyed as they casually made their way toward the main level, leaving their drinks on the first ledge they came across. Then they waited for backup near the entrance to the temple corridor. When the extra guardians caught up, Quin briefed them on the situation and instructed them to lead the way downstairs, a task they undertook without pause.
After a few turns down the stuffy passageway, the music muted, and the swishing of Layla’s dress echoed off the stone walls. The stairwell eventually led to a hallway dimly lit by floating flames, which guided them to a circular chamber with no other exits. Timber stood alone within, his mask removed, and a reveal spell assured Layla there weren’t any enemies hiding in the shrine’s shadows.
After scanning the new arrivals, Timber returned his gaze to the alter of Ava. “It makes it worth it,” he mused, “being connected to all this… connected to her. It has to.”
Layla slowly approached, fearful he’d disappear again. “Where have you been?”
“Waiting. Hiding.” He summoned a bouquet of flowers and a gemstone bracelet. Then he laid them at Ava’s feet before exploring other altars in the temple. “I’m wanted for questioning regarding the heist. They haven’t turned the public on me, but I found this in one of the guardhouses.”
He produced a wanted poster plastered with his bearded visage, and Layla looked it over before passing it to Quin. “We can help you clear your name,” she offered.
“No need,” Timber refused. “It’s almost over.”
“What’s almost over?”
“The confusion. The fear. Everything.” He turned away from the statues and met her stare. “That’s why I called you down here, to tell you everything will be okay. After tonight, it will all be over, and you’ll get to go home to your babies.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because the wait is over.”
“But I have yet to save the world.”
“Perhaps it isn’t the world you were sent to save.” He reached for her hand, which she cautiously offered, receiving a kiss on her knuckles as he bowed. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to know you, earth angel. Thank you for your mercy. May the Heavens see you safely home.” Without another word, he released her and headed for the exit.
“Timber, wait. Stay with us, and we can help each other.”
He paused in the hallway and looked back. “You’ve already helped me. Now it’s time for me to fulfill my duty to the Heavens. Please don’t try to follow me.”
He flew away, swiftly disappearing into the stairwell, and everyone looked at Layla, who stood confused and startled. “Did any of you understand what he was trying to tell us?”
They shook their heads no as Quin spoke. “Do you want to try to tail him?”
Layla sighed. “No. I made a deal with him, and he stuck with us for weeks. He has every right to leave. I just wish he trusted us enough to tell us what’s going on. All this talk about it being over makes me uneasy. I should feel it if it’s over, and I don’t. I’m afraid he’s the one walking into a trap.”
Before they could speculate further or come up with a plan to help him, a Crusader flew into view and called down the corridor. “The winner’s ceremony is about to start.”