The truth about your parents

The party continued inside though, no one having the slightest idea what just happened outside.

The music swelled, and Kelvin spun Cora around in an easy rhythm. The gala floor shimmered with lights, elegance filling the air. Everything was smooth—until it wasn't.

A suited man, gliding through the dance floor, suddenly bumped into Kelvin's shoulder with a bit too much force to be an accident.

"Oops," the man said, smiling like a casual stranger. "Didn't see you there."

Kelvin's jaw clenched. Bullshit. He recognized that voice before he even turned his head.

Before he could react, Cora did.

"Mr. Pithon!" She practically lunged at the man, grabbing his arm with both hands. "Hey, hey, do you have any of your latest weapon designs on you? A level 3—no, wait, a level 5 beast weapon. The academy's armory is atrocious. No offense, but total offense."