I sat in the main room at Panther House having my hair brushed out and pinned up. I had already put on a dark red dress with silver accents in the form of threads of tiny vines at the seams. The sleeves were tight on my upper arm, but comfortable and the waist had a band that allowed me to hide small items and a pair of knives. Masks and dark colors, secrets and whispers. This, was the nature of Shadow's Ball.

There would be masked people all over the city tonight, getting into parties, invited or otherwise. It was one of the little mischiefs one could expect on Shadow's night. It was also getting cold, however, so most activities were indoors. There may not be piles of snow in a Unayan winter like there were up north, but it often chilled enough for a light snow and thanks to the constant rainfall and mud, ice was a hazard. That, at least, was still a few moons off.

Moon and Star finished my hair while Fae put lip paint on, much to my protest at the taste and smell of it. All the Muses were preparing to go to one event or another. Even on a night in celebration of another goddess, it would be wise to invite the Muses of the city to a ball. Bliss would still watch over the dancing

"Sly?" Star gasped. "When were you marked?"

"I haven't been." Turning my head to frown at her, the attention drew the others over.

"That wasn't on your neck last time I played with your hair," Moon said. Orchid lightly touched my neck just behind and below my left ear.

"Stop that, it's been itching for the last few days," I snapped.

"I bet it has, you have a cat on your neck," Panther mused. Just a shade darker than the rest of your skin.

"A cat?" My fingers flew to the skin that had been bothering me. "A . . . cat."

"A Very fitting mark. I think we all know who has claimed you for their court." Fae laughed.

Shadow take me. I could feel my face draining of warmth.

"Think, Sly, when could it have happened?" Panther asked. "It would have been subtle. That's her style."

"The market," I whispered. "Oh, the market," I groaned.

"This morning when you bought bread?" River asked.

"No, a few days ago when I bought my mask. The girl at the counter said she could pick one out special for me. She brushed that part of my neck and it's been itchy since then."

"Does it itch now?" Panther asked.

"No, it doesn't," I replied with surprise.

"I imagine it won't, now that you've found out her game," Fae said with a grin.

"Great, of all the gods I'm the plaything of the mischief." But I wasn't mad, not really. It was just . . . surprising. And new, still a very new thought, I didn't know Shadow even marked her followers.

"Welcome to the family," Orchid teased, slinging her arm around my shoulders. "Now, let's get you to your patron's ball."

"Oh, yes," Star chimed in. "There's no excuse for you to ever miss a Shadow's night again."

"Ugh." I sighed, to much laughter around the room, and then a dozen hands descended on me to finish getting me ready.

~

Orchid had a yellow mask and dress that looked more golden in the low light and tones suited to Shadow's night. Panther wore a black lace mask and a pewter dress that I thought must have been made to fit Panther and no one else in the world, it was so gorgeous. Fae had a green dress and a leather mask with gems decorating the eyes. Moon had a mask like an owl and Star had one like a fox. They didn't wear identical dresses this year, though they were both a deep blue. River wore a purple mask and carried a matching feathered fan, her dress was hues of purple and blue that got darker as the eye fell to the bottom hem. They all looked so lovely by the time I was dressed that I felt very plain next to them despite all the work that went into my unruly hair and terrible posture. But the prince wanted me at the palace ball of all places, so there I would be. It was a good opportunity to watch Girault when he may feel safe enough to meet with conspirators again, at least.

The muses didn't have the trunks to haul as they did on Hunt's festival, thankfully. As such, we rode the horses and cart to our destinations for the evening. Party goers were in the streets and festive purple candles were being lit in windows and on doorsteps. As children ran with their friends bearing masks of parchment, clay and whatever else their families could spare, I tossed out honey candies from a bag I'd bought at the market for just this purpose. The screeches of delight as they were caught and the bubbling laughter as tiny feet chased our cart as far as they could before growing winded were well worth the copper crowns it cost me. Davery would have loved it.

Possibly the most exciting thing about Shadow's night was the eclipse of the moons. Every year, Shadow is said to play a trick on Celestia by rearranging her realm. Celestia was the goddess of travelers, seafarers, and keeper of the night sky. The smaller moon Leh will align directly over Fah, a little before midnight.

Wanderers, tricksters, and merchants had come into Unays bringing with them trinkets and toys fram afar, acrobatics, and sleight of hand. A few of them were entertaining on the streets and the Muses watched a juggler with glee as we passed the corner where she drew a crowd. These performers would be around most of the month, playing tricks on the corners and dazzling audiences.

The horses and cart continued up the cliffside road to the castle and were permitted in with no trouble. Panther was a very recognizable figure and after the Hunt's Festival most of the guards knew her, pined for her, or both. Sighing as we passed through the gates with no unfortunate instances, I crossed my feet and laid my head back.

"Salysta Sura Aylward, are you wearing boots?" Orchid hissed.

I sat up straight, letting the long hem of the dress fall over them once more. "No," I added innocently.

I held little stock in the flimsy slippers the ladies wore with fine dresses and opted for my boots. My dress was so long you couldn't see much of the boots anyway. Besides, I'd already tried running in slippers over the past few weeks and by now decided they weren't good for anything. I brought a proper pair to wear in the ballroom and I could stow my boots in the library office.

Orchid pinched the bridge of her nose, but didn't say more as we parked the cart where directed and headed to the ballroom. Inside the doorway, I parted ways with the muses. They would be dazzling tonight and I wished them luck. But the better luck would be if I could manage to find out anything useful while staying out of sight.

The second-floor library was empty, and I had no trouble sneaking into the hidden room. It was flooded with an eerie light from the moons, casting a feeling around the room of quiet, careful nights and secrets. I shrugged off the feeling and sat down. Trading my beloved boots for the gray slippers, I slid the unused footwear under my usual chair by the desk. The true dancing wouldn't start for a while and the nobles would still be arriving and being seen by the royals, so I figured I could watch the sky for a while before working.

I braved opening the window all the way today. It was dark outside and I wasn't worried about being spotted. The cool breeze sent a shiver down my spine, but not an unpleasant one. The feeling in the air of Shadow's mischief always made one excited. Looking down onto the gardens, The flowers danced in a light breeze and the bubbling water of a fountain glistened against the silver night's sky. Something caught my eye directly below, however, and I frowned.

Interesting. There was a narrow ledge that decorated the castle, dividing the first floor from the second. A skilled acrobat could probably travel that and just be able to reach a different second-floor window. Did this pose a risk of any kind? Was it worth warning the prince? For a moment I wondered if I should or even could test the theory just to know, but I was no acrobat and certainly not in a ball gown and cat mask. I stored the information for later and came back inside.

"Ah, there you are. I need to . . ." Rorik was in the room, looking fine in the royal gold and purple with his hair swept back. There was a leanness to him even with the rounded muscle of his shoulders filling out his sleeves. He had added a black shirt under his gold vest and wore a black mask.

I stood up straighter, my awareness falling to every part of the dress that felt foreign and unsure to me. This was no tunic and breeches, even my boots weren't available to me now, and I felt keenly uncomfortable.

"Gods, you clean up well."

I raised an eyebrow. You clean up well?

"This dress is actually yours, isn't it? Not a borrowed thing. This one looks made for you." He had regained his composure and was back to his usual thought-out way of speaking, even as he took a step closer, tilting his head as he examined the expensive garment I wore. Not that it was much of a sum to a prince, I'm sure.

"Yes, thank you. You paid for it, after all." My lips tugged up at the corners, even as I gave a small curtsy and twirled, showing off the dress.

"No, you earned it. The crown pays well for those working for our benefit. Think of it as payment for your work, and the dress will probably be useful for the future." He was watching the shine of the skirts in the moons' light before bringing his eyes back up to my face.

"I've been meaning to ask, what exactly is the work I do? A title I could tell my friends? I certainly can't tell them I'm working for you, but I also can't keep making excuses and telling them lies. Some of them are getting worried for me, and I can't avoid it forever." Like my encounter with Jexa the other day.

His expression softened as he folded his arms across his chest. "I see your point. But the less that know what I'm up to the better. To entangle them with our business could be deadly, I won't lie to you. However . . ." he thought about it a moment. "You can read, can't you? I forget not everyone can. Why not say you have work in one of the smaller castle libraries?"

"Not exactly a lie," I murmured, thinking of the shelves just outside the office door. "That would work. Do I need a uniform?"

"If not for your alibi, certainly for getting into the castle. Would that help you?" he asked.

"I could probably enter the castle without showing the ring so often, at the very least," I replied.

"Good idea then, we'll have to get you one." He relaxed his shoulders, moving toward the desk to see through the window better. "I just dropped by to see if you or Arden needed me before tonight."

"Arden?" I asked.

"Captain Pettypiece," Rorik answered, eyebrows raised. "Hadn't you heard his full name?"

"I thought his first name was Captain," I offered a cheeky grin. "No, I supposed I hadn't. I don't know much about him, just that you trust him and we seem to be on the same side."

"And is that enough for you?" Rorik suddenly had a very serious note in his voice, as if this was a test. Most things seemed to be a test with him, though. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

"Yes, I think. For now. You trusting him is me trusting him, but it's never wise to go on faith alone," I answered slowly, thinking.

"Smart words. I'm glad you do trust him though, he's a remarkable man. I'm certain you'll see it yourself in time."

"I think I have already seen some of it. I'm just glad he's on our side."

Rorik chuckled. "Speaking of the Captain, our rumors have Girault's second in a fit. He's chasing after at least three spies that aren't in the city and trying to find out who has the plot on a Duke's life. I heard Girault arguing with him the other day at dinner." Rorik looked pleased with himself.

"That's good, hopefully, it distracts Girault from his schemes. A distracted mouse makes for an easier cat's meal, don't you think?" I slid the cat mask over my eyes for emphasis, drawing a full laugh from Rorik

"Fitting mask. Yes, let's get to the ball. Keep an eye on Girault, and don't forget to meet back here." He shook his head, smiling. "And if you can catch your prince a mouse, little cat, I'll reward you well."

Good. I paced after him with a grin on my face and a sudden, purring warmth at my neck. After all, what better night for mischief than one of Shadow's?