“How is it that you were having an evening out unaccompanied?” Jason asked. “I have to imagine people falling over themselves to be in your company.”

“There’s a difference between company and engaging company,” she told him. “The men in this town are a little simple for my taste.”

“You like a sophisticated gentleman,” Jason said.

“Sophisticated is good,” Cassandra said. “Complicated is better. As for the gentleman part, I can take it or leave it. What about you, Mr Asano? What are you looking for in a woman?”

“Evil genius,” Jason said casually.

“Evil genius?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Why not? Smart, confident, assertive, driven. What’s not to like?”

“The evil?” Cassandra ventured.

“That could be a problem long-term,” Jason acknowledged. “Maybe what I need is a naughty genius.”

He thought it over for a moment as an impish grin took over his face.

“Yeah,” he said, voice purring. “That sounds exactly right.”

As they continued to chat, several people attempted to join their conversation, usually young men. Jason admired Cassandra's ability to send them off with diplomacy and tact.

“You’re very good with people,” he complimented.

“You are as well.”

“No,” Jason said. “I’m good at people; there's a difference. Usually, in how angry they get once they realise what just happened.”

She laughed.

“Is something odd going on this evening?” Jason asked, looking around the room.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s a lot of adventurers here.”

“Patronage isn’t cheap,” Cassandra said. “People of means tend to be essence users.”

“I don’t mean the attendees,” Jason said. “There are people in the shadows.”

He nudged his head in various directions, pointing out the people discreetly placed around the room. Cassandra frowned as she let him lead her gaze.

“I didn’t notice at all,” she said, with self-recrimination. “Perhaps I rely too much on my aura sense. All these essence users are aura camouflage.”

“I wonder what they’re up to.”

“Oh,” Cassandra said, realisation dawning on her face. “They must be here for the open contract.”

“There’s an open contract?” Jason asked. “I must have missed it while I was out in the delta.”

“Yes, there’s actually been some excitement. Two rather brazen robberies.”

“Robberies?”

“Yes. The first was in the theatre district. Someone snatched a rather valuable piece of jewelry right off the neck of someone attending a play, then made a run for it. It was some cousin of the Duke of Greenstone, no less.”

“That’s certainly bold.”

“That’s only the beginning,” she said. “A man was attacked right here at the concert hall. He was out on a balcony during the interval when he was attacked and robbed of all his valuables. I know the man in question and he rather had it coming, but still.”

“The same thief?”