"We could hide them under your bed," Killion says, his grin widening. Even Zevrin pauses, mid-drag, to shoot him a startled look.
"I'm joking, gods, why is everyone so tense?" Killion says, waving me off like I'm some errand girl. "Now off you go, Peaches. Don't make it obvious."
I turn on my heel, trembling slightly despite every effort to maintain composure. His leather parcel feels like it weighs a thousand pounds as I slip out the door, weaving through the crowd.
Finn spots me from across the room, flirting with a girl with round earrings, a wide smile already forming on his lips. He tilts his head, ready to rise, but I shake mine sharply. Stay.
He glances toward Killion's men stationed by the walls and reluctantly sits back down, returning his attention to the girl he was charming.
I keep walking, slipping through the crowd like a ghost, my heart pounding in my ears.
"Oh, hey, Mel!"
My heart lurches as Aunt Ves appears out of nowhere, nearly colliding with me.
