His brow furrowed and he lifted his hand, nudging his glasses further up his nose. “No. You know, my grandfather was a tech guy before the portals opened. He managed to stay alive through the Decade of Despair by hiding out in my family’s cabin in the woods for most of the decade. And when he talks about the technology before they opened…” he shook his head. “Seventy years since the world turned to shit and technology is only just catching up to where it was when my grandfather was working.”

“The world stopped. There couldn’t be any technological advancement when people were busy trying to stay alive.”

He nodded. “I know. But it’s a damn shame. Because if the portals had never opened, humanity would likely be far, far ahead of where we are now.” Steve flushed, looking past me, and I realized Samael was no longer talking to Bael. Instead, he was giving Steve a considering look.

I linked my arm through his, and he shifted his gaze to me, surprise evident in his eyes. Steve made a quick escape and Samael allowed me to steer him closer to the bar. Waiters were doing the rounds with champagne, but I had a feeling I was going to need something stronger tonight.

I tensed as voices raised behind us, and my hand slid toward my thigh. Samael caught it in his, lifting my hand to his lips as he glanced over his shoulder.

“The unseelie king is here,” he said, and my heart thumped harder in my chest.

“Why did your pulse rate just increase?” Samael’s eyes flashed dangerously, and I merely raised one eyebrow at him.

“I want to talk to him.”

“I don’t think so.” His smile wasn’t quite a baring of teeth, but it was close. “I once vowed that you’d never meet him.”

I rolled my eyes. I’d mentioned the rumors of the unseelie king’s beauty when I was trying to distract Samael after one of his people had been murdered.

“I don’t care how pretty he is, Samael. I want to talk to him.”

“And why is it so important for you to speak to him?”

I gave him my best ‘duh’ look. “Because I’m dark fae. There’s a tiny chance he could know who my father is. And if he doesn’t, he might be able to point me toward someone who does.”

Samael’s hand had left mine, something like shock dancing across his face. That’s right, demon. I put the pieces together all by myself.

An important-looking guy approached him, and I used his moment of inattention to slip away, heading toward the corner of the ballroom where a crowd had gathered around the unseelie king.