Luna felt an immediate sting of sickening anticipation as the doors opened. The Alien. Vo-Vakis’ arm looped in hers was suddenly no longer a reassurance but a trap closed tight, one she had walked into with open eyes and told herself was the lesser evil. She pulled – tried to pull – away, but he held onto her.
“I know you’re nervous,” he whispered, continuing their inexorable procession towards the ballroom. “It’ll be alright.”

Chapter Ten