The Stage is Set

The Grand Opera & Theater

Outside

THE LOBBY was mostly empty when Zosia stepped back into the dazzling light of the chandelier. A few patrons, clutching their drinks or last-minute snacks, were leaping up the staircase two stairs at a time or dashing over to the lift. There was still a small crowd outside the bathrooms. Those at the end of the line stomped their feet impatiently, sending longing glances back toward the auditorium.

“Intermission is over, ma’a—er, miss officer lady,” the security guard stationed at the mouth of the hallway called to her. “You ought to get back to your seat. You’re gonna miss the ending.”

Zosia lifted a hand toward the security guard. “Thank you, but I got what I needed,” she replied. “Goodnight.”

“Uh, okay. Goodnight, then.”

The music of the orchestra got quieter with each step. As she stepped into the chill of the night, Zosia repressed a shiver. Her visit to the theater had not gone as expected, but she had gotten Tytania’s promise. And something a little more.

She could still feel the tease of hot breath against her neck, and the warm press of lips against hers. A pleasurable chill ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cool night air.

Zosia shook her head, refocusing on the mission. They had five of the six Crown Jewels that the Under wanted. She had a little time to prepare before all officers were due at the museum, so she decided she would go early to make sure everything was in line. Just as before, she would either destroy any clues Tytania left at the scene, or, even better, let the police ruin things themselves in their own poorly managed incompetence. It was almost funny how the Partyn Police managed to sabotage things all on their own. Between unmotivated officers and their chief who was more than ready for retirement, Zosia didn’t have to do much at all.

Still, she would do everything she could to finish this mission as quickly and efficiently as possible—especially seeing how Tytania was trying to do the opposite.

Zosia sighed, her warm breath mixing and vanishing into the evening air. It had stopped raining, but a bite lingered. Autumn was definitely on its way.

Where would she go after this? Zosia couldn’t help but wonder. Or, more like, where would the Under send her next?

She would need to give a heartfelt and believable apology to the chief when she handed in her resignation. It was an act she had practiced and performed several times over the past few months. Perhaps Tytania was right, maybe she was a bit of actress after all.

The thought made her smile as she stepped around a large puddle. The streets were never empty here in the entertainment district, but it seemed like a majority of the locals were up at the theater tonight. They would be watching the second act of the show, as Tytania dazzled them all on stage.

Tytania… Zosia’s hand was halfway to her lips when she pulled it back down to her side.

The other woman was no doubt on center stage again now. Zosia could have gone back to her seat, probably should have, to not waste the free ticket, but there was something holding her back. Maybe it was the risk of staying too close for too long to her undercover partner. Or maybe it was the fact that that the prince on stage already had a fair lady. There was something unappealing about watching Tytania strut around while holding another woman, even if it was just a performance.

A carriage clattered down the street, the horses’ hooves splashing up water. Zosia put some distance between herself and road, changing course to walk beneath the awnings. Sun and moon crystals twinkled from above, sending ripples of light dancing across the puddles Zosia couldn’t avoid.

I shouldn’t think of her like this. I’m being ridiculous.

Theirs was a business relationship, and a dangerous one at that. Despite her rather provocative promise, Tytania was walking the fine line of overconfidence. Zosia couldn't afford to let anything happen to either of them. She was far too professional to let a silly kiss stolen by a thief clout her judgment and jeopardize the mission. One of them, at least, needed to be responsible here.

Zosia fixed her jacket, pulling it close against the chill of the night. The moon hung, a smirk of a crescent in the sky, like a distant crystal that remained out of reach.

She walked until the cobblestones began to shift into smooth road. She passed the cafe, whose basement windows peeked above ground and spread an inviting light across the damp street. Resisting the urge for another warming cup of tea, Zosia hailed a carriage instead.

After she directed the driver to the museum, she sat back on the cushions with a content sigh.

Her trepidation from earlier this afternoon was gone, and she was filled with a sense of direction. She would finish this mission, head back to the Under in Lythenor, and finally be able to get her mother into that better care facility. Preferably the one not too far from the academy, where the view of the mountains was clear. Then, assuming Zosia had a bit of pocket change left to spare, perhaps she could request a small break. It might be nice to get away from it all for a while.

As the dark streets of Partyn passed outside the window, Zosia wondered what Tytania might think about a vacation. Perhaps, as co-workers, a little trip might help them get to know more about each other. All in the name of working better together in the future, of course.

Zosia ducked her head, breathing into her collar. If there was a smile on her face, why not?

This was all going quite well.