An aerial silk performer hung from the ceiling, twisting sensually in time with the music. In the corner I spotted an illusionist, and there was a person painting an elaborate golden mask on someone’s face. Eva was right, the studio wasn’t holding anything back for this party.

There was an exit to the balcony overlooking downtown, and there were people everywhere. Music pulsed under my feet, at once melodic and rhythmic. It was loud enough so that it wasn’t awkward, but I also didn’t feel the need to beg for earplugs.

Eva was right. It smelled remarkably mild in here for the amount of people. The scent controller they used spread everything out to a sweet, vaguely citrus scent. Just to test, I lifted my wrist to my nose and inhaled. Nothing but clean air.

Damn.

I needed to ask Eva where she got this.

“There you are!” Jasmine waved, pulling us deeper into the crowd. “I was about to come hunt you down.”

“A lot of paps,” Eva said. “And do me a favor? Tell the gossip magazines if they ever shout questions at me or Esme about our father, if we’ve gone to therapy, or anything remotely close to that line, I’ll make sure they never have a legal photo of us ever again.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Got it.”

Jasmine was Eva’s manager. A Beta with gorgeous dark skin and even darker eyes, she was easily the most badass, competent person I’d ever met. Not once had she done anything to endanger Eva or expose her to the press, and because of that, I trusted her.

“Anything I should know?”

Jasmine waved her hand in a so-so motion before she took both of our clutches for safekeeping. “Mostly just mingle. The studio heads will probably want a few words at some point, but I’ll come pull you out when you’re needed. There’s also an official photographer, and we’d love to get some pictures of the two of you dancing.”

“We can do that,” I said. The dance floor was a go-to of mine. “When I dance I don’t have to talk to people.”

Jasmine laughed. “If more of the people in this room had your attitude, I imagine there would be a lot fewer publicity messes.”

Eva pulled me away and was immediately flagged down by Dante Norwood. A sweet Beta who somehow managed to drip Alpha energy on screen. Pretty sure all the Alphas in the room hated him a bit for it, too. “Darling, you look beautiful.” He kissed Eva on both cheeks before he turned to me. “And Esme, you look fucking fantastic if I say so myself.”

“Thank you.”

“I had to force her into that dress since Jasmine wouldn’t let me wear it.” Eva pouted.

Dante shook his head in mock pity. “Whatever will Eva May Williams do without wearing a ten thousand dollar dress?”