all are because you walked right over mine.”
I kept my pace brisk, not caring if he was behind me or not.
After three hours of meeting people who instantly disliked me because of the company I kept, I was ready to fly solo for a little bit. If I was going to be hated, I’d rather be condemned on my own merit.
The last thing I wanted to do was go for drinks at Raydam’s, but I didn’t have the luxury of having any more people hate me after what Hawk had just done.
I got to the office and flung the door open.
“Raydam’s place is the large black house set off from the other buildings in the center of Xest.”
I turned just in time to see Hawk walk off.
25
Rabbit’s door was closed, lights out. It was probably better, since I was running short on time anyway. I’d need to go through my pile of hand-me-downs and find the least ugly thing.
Rabbit might’ve fallen asleep, but she and Zab had left me some gifts on my bed. It was a cute little black dress and woolen leggings, along with some snazzy black boots. As far as what I’d seen fashion-wise in Xest, this was straight off the runway.
There was a little card beside it.
Can’t have an employee of the broker looking shabby!
Zab and Rabbit
I dressed quickly before dragging a brush through my hair, letting it hang free for a change. There wasn’t much sense in hiding when I’d already been found. I made my way out, rushing because I only had ten or so minutes to get there.
When I first saw Raydam’s house, I’d assumed it was a museum. It sat back from the center of Xest and yet still seemed to anchor the area. The iron gate swung open as I made my way up the walk to the sprawling house. Two large trees with black leaves framed a blood-red door. The windows were lit and there were a lot of bodies moving around inside. This wasn’t drinks but more of a party of sorts. I’d have to fetch Zab and Rabbit a few cocoas tomorrow to thank them for making sure I didn’t show up looking like a vagabond.
Knowing that some of the people inside must have noticed my approach, I took only a second to pause and catch my breath before I banged on the large iron knocker.
A gentleman in livery opened the door.
“Hello. I’m Tippi…” I stopped short of my last name. If he didn’t know it yet, did I really want to hand over the information? Probably not. “I was invited by Raydam.”
“Of course, madam.” He stepped aside. “May I take your jacket?”
I shrugged it off quickly, hoping the frayed hem hadn’t been noticed, and feeling that much more grateful to Zab and Rabbit.
“If you’ll wait here,” the servant said, and then disappeared.
Even though it was Xest, and therefore had a different bent to its aesthetic, grand was still grand in any flavor. It was dark, with blue and grey walls and accents of silver and gold everywhere. Stones dangled from a candelabra that sparkled like diamonds, nearly mesmerizing.
Other guests were peeking through the doorway into the foyer, where I stood, taking me in. More than one face was recognizable from the restaurant earlier. Pretending not to notice, I stared at the grand staircase, the walls, the mirror on the wall, and the gems—everywhere but them. It didn’t mean anything if they already hated me. None of it mattered. I wouldn’t be here long enough for it to.
A man walked into the foyer, his smile warm and his eyes direct. He had a full head of dark brown hair and amber eyes that suited a sculpted face of someone in their late twenties. His dark blue velvet suit seemed pretty fashionable for Xest, and he smelled amazing. Nothing about him screamed monster. Honestly, if I’d met him standing beside Hawk, I would’ve asked him for help first.
“Tippi, I’m Raydam. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” He gave me a once-over that wasn’t creepy or weird or anything that made my skin crawl. “You’re even prettier than they said.”
“Thank you.” Hawk never said anything this nice to me, ever. Actually, no one typically praised my beauty, but then again, I was hard to see in the shadows. This man didn’t seem like a monster on any level, not the big, bad boogieman type or even the minor troll version.
“I’m sure Hawk has been filling your head with a