I glanced around, absorbing every detail with a focus that surprised even me. More of these maidens descended the staircase while others ascended, silk and skin catching lamplight in ways that made my brain short-circuit.
A woman with ink-black hair down to her waist passed close enough that I caught the scent of something floral, and another leaned over a balcony railing above us with a drink in her hand, laughing at something I desperately wanted to be part of. Everywhere the place was bubbling with life. Not just any kind of life. Exotic life!
'This city's gotta be kidding me!'
Suddenly, I felt something cold and sharp pressing against me from the side, like a dagger aimed at my ribs, and quickly flung my head sideways.
'Kassie...'
I was wrong. It wasn't Kassie. It was Cressida, glaring daggers at me with every ounce of her tiny body.
