The Gala Escape

Two days later, the Citadel hosted the Winter Solstice Gala.

Kade insisted she attend. He dressed her in crimson silk, draped her in diamonds. He wanted to show her off. To show the other Alphas that he possessed something rare and beautiful.

The ballroom was a sea of velvet and violence. Alphas from neighboring territories prowled the floor, drinking champagne and discussing territory lines.

Kade kept a hand on the small of her back, a branding iron of heat.

"Smile," he whispered in her ear. "They are all jealous."

"I need air," Nia said, her voice faint. "Please, Kade. The perfume... I feel sick."

Kade scrutinized her face. He saw the pallor, the sweat.

"Five minutes," he said. "Go to the terrace. The guards are at the door. Do not leave the balcony."

Nia nodded, keeping her eyes down. She walked through the crowd, feeling eyes raking over her.

She reached the terrace. The cold air hit her face, sharp and biting.

She didn't stop at the railing.

She kicked off her heels. She hiked up her gown.

She climbed the trellis on the side of the building. It was madness. A sixty-foot drop to the lower promenade. But she had climbed trees with Kade a thousand times.

She slipped, scraping her arm, but caught a gargoyle. She swung down, landing hard on the concrete of the lower level.

She ran.

She didn't run toward the city center. She ran toward the bridge. The Border Bridge that connected the Citadel to the neutral zone. If she could cross it, she could disappear into the Wastes. It was death, yes. But it was her death.

She heard the alarms blare behind her.

*Asset loose. Asset loose.*

Nia ran until her lungs burned. She reached the bridge. It was a massive suspension structure of steel and cable, spanning the frozen river.

She was halfway across when the headlights blinded her.

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