Chapter 28

The room quieted as I walked in. I wasn’t entirely sure why, but it was the desired effect. That’s why I came late. If I only had a few moments, I needed as many eyes on me as I could. But would they recognize me? I changed in the past four years as any child would, but everyone also thought I was dead. I wasn’t on anyone’s radar anymore.

I didn’t look for them as I walked across the room. I didn’t take in the surroundings either. I focused on slipping into that place I used to go when I trained, where the only thing that mattered was my next move, where nerves had no place.

I picked a point to stare at on the wall across from me. A large window with the stars twinkling beyond despite the warm glow of the party within. I learned early enough that if you walked somewhere with enough confidence, people would move out of your way. And they did.

I smelled some food near enough and changed direction to give me something to do, an end goal, instead of just walking into a wall.

Before I