When he was gone, Lena sank to her knees. She didn’t think she could move, even if she’d wanted to. For a few moments, she simply stared at the body of Lord Aster, wondering if this was what her future held. Around her, the place grew alive with sounds of relief and activity—sobbing ladies escorted out to the hallway, huntsmen performing searches of the surrounding area, guardsmen retrieving the body in the center of the ballroom and the dead lady in the courtyard. Eventually, Lord Aster himself was raised onto a stretcher and removed.

“You dropped something,” said a familiar voice. She turned to find Lord Chatham kneeling on the floor at her side, lifting the small brass butterfly in his perfectly manicured hands. Panic gripped her, flooding her with sudden energy. It must’ve slid out of my pocket when I fell.

“Give it back,” she said unthinking, reaching out.

Chatham stood up, evading her grasp. “Your manners, Rogue, are quite appalling.”

She scrambled to her feet, her head spinning. “Give it back, please,” she said through gritted teeth.

Lord Chatham’s eyes were glittering with mingled amusement and curiosity. “Of course; all in good time.” He examined the butterfly closely. “How intriguing … As I suspected … How did you come by my little creature, Rogue?”

So he did create it, Lena thought. “My name isn’t Rogue. It’s Lena Grey. And that’s none of your business.” She held out her hand, palm upward. “Give it back.”

A self-satisfied smile curled his lips. “You stole it, didn’t you?”

She flushed. “I found it,” she protested.

“Be that as it may, Lena Grey, aren’t you curious to know what it really is?” He held the butterfly up to the light.

Lena glanced around nervously, but everyone else in the room was busy—including Emris, whose back was turned as he consulted with one of the guards. “Of course—but just … just give it back first!” she hissed, trying not to attract attention.

Chatham’s eyebrow rose. “Oh, you’ve been keeping it a secret! How delicious.” He smiled, predatory as a cat. “I could tell you a few things that might surprise you…” He met Lena’s eyes, smiling wider at the curiosity she knew she was betraying. But then he shrugged. “No matter.” He dropped the butterfly into her waiting hand. “If you do decide you want answers, you already have my card.”