Chapter 23

Zara grabbed the glasses and knocked back the shots one after another—three in quick succession. She then flipped her last glass over.

She grinned. "Done. May good vibes follow you wherever you go, Mr. Sate. Sorry, but I've got something urgent today and can't stick around."

Yosef watched her with an inscrutable look as Zara spun on her heel and bolted.

She did everything fast—drinking, talking, leaving. The crowd barely had time to process her exit, and no one thought to stop her. It was only after she was gone that someone grumbled, "What a drag."

Zara was never one to stick around for the dull parts.

She was left with no choice. Without taking a drink, she would not be able to leave the room. Just three glasses stood between her and her freedom to find Cecil. Why not just drink them?

It would have been noble to stand her ground, but when it was just for show, it did not solve anything. It only gave the people another reason to laugh at her.

Zara did not want to dwell on why