As Annan embraced President Phelan's wife on the dance floor, Elvis Raymond found Mr. Mora.
"Mr. Mora, we need to warn Annan Reeves not to overreach."
Mr. Mora, who remained hidden in his Gray Robe even at the banquet, nodded. "I'll remind him."
Watching Mr. Mora head toward the dance floor, Elvis Raymond approached Kilian.
"What did he say to you?"
Kilian, who had been about to pick up some food, looked up and said flatly, "None of your business."
"I'm only reminding you that Annan Reeves is our enemy."
Kilian turned to leave, but Elvis Raymond stepped directly into his path and sneered. "You don't think he's really just making friends with you, do you? With a bastard?"
Several guests looked their way. Kilian said, "Don't make a spectacle of yourself."
But Elvis Raymond refused to let it go. "He's using you. He wants you to betray the Family. Don't do anything stupid, Kilian."
Kilian could only look down at Elvis Raymond, the Grand Lord's son by his wife and the Family's first heir.
"You should call me big brother."
"Is there anything you'd like to do tonight...?"
Mrs. Phelan and Annan held each other on the Dance Floor amid envious looks.
"I want to meditate."
That wasn't the answer she had wanted. "One day won't hurt..."
"No. I owe everything I have today to my strength."
Annan wasn't lying. Without his talent as a Sorcerer, his path to becoming a lord would have been far rougher.
"You work so hard, Mr. Annan... What about tomorrow?"
"Haven't you heard? Your Grand Lord is holding a public trial tomorrow, and I'm the accused."
"Oh..." Mrs. Phelan gave an affected gasp. "Doesn't that mean you're in trouble?"
"Yes."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Is Mrs. Phelan Ratfolk?