The dress fit me like a second skin, clinging to my body and molding to my curves. Along my arms, the material was like a fine netting, with embroidered lace flowers climbing up my forearms, and at my hips, there were two slits on either side, which exposed long stretches of my bare legs as I walked. I frowned, thinking about how once again, I was wearing a dress for the monsters. The only difference was that this time, they thought I was one of them.
When I didn’t immediately go back into the common room, Lyr knocked lightly on the door. “I trust it fits?”
I nodded my head like an idiot, forgetting that she couldn’t see me, and when I didn’t respond, the door creaked open. Lyr stalked into the room, her hips swaying as she walked. I was about to tell her about personal boundaries when her gaze slid up and down my body, and she let out an appreciative sound.
“That will definitely make an impression,” she said with a grin. “Locke made the right decision asking for my help again.”
“And whydidLocke ask for your help exactly?” I asked. “It can’t be that hard to find a dress in an entire city.”
“Perene has some influence in the city and has contacts with most of the tailors. I’m assuming Locke wanted me involved to ensure his mother wasn’t aware of the garments. My tailor has no ties to the Taratun.”
My eyes widened. “Wait. Locke’s mother is part of the council?” Well, that was certainly news to me. “Why wouldn’t he want her involved?”
So far, I knew hardly anything about the onyx-eyed monster, and I leaned forward, hoping Lyr would fill in some of the blanks.
“Yes, Perene is one of the main members overseeing the newbloods. You’d be with her and the other newbloods if it weren’t for Locke and the others keeping you here. Didn’t they tell you any of this?”
I shook my head.
“Well, whatever’s going on here, I’m guessing Locke is just trying to protect you by getting me involved.”
Protect me?I didn’t hide my disbelief. “I’m sure Locke is only looking out for himself.”
Lyr’s lips quirked to the side, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she moved over to Kade’s desk and pulled out the chair. With a sweep of her hand, she motioned for me to sit down.
“I’ll get my things, and then we can start on your hair,” she said and disappeared from the room.
Not wanting to argue, I dropped onto the chair, and a moment later, Lyr returned with a small black case tucked under her arm. After placing the case on the desk, she opened it to reveal a selection of small bottles and various brushes of different sizes. Pulling out what I recognized as a hairbrush, she held it up.
“Have you used one of these since you came here?” she asked.
“Do fingers count?” I answered with a shrug. “I didn’t exactly get to pack a bag when I was selected.”
With a shake of her head, she went about detangling my knotted red waves. My eyes watered at all the pulling and tugging, but otherwise, I remained silent through the torture.
“So your island,” Lyr began as she loosened another knot. “Everyone there is human?”
“There aren’t any monsters if that’s what you mean,” I said. “Not except for during the choosing.” I wasn’t too surprised she’d asked the question. To the monsters of Katakin, an island with only humans probably sounded like an intriguing place.
“But…” she trailed off. “So there are only humans?” she asked again.
“Yes,” I said, not sure why she was asking the same question.
“Interesting.” I thought I heard a hint of sadness in her voice, but before I could ask more, she paused her torture by motioning with the brush toward the doorway. Her tone was light again when she asked, “And what about you and the four monsters you’re staying with? Are you going to tell me what is going on with you and Kade and the others?”
“It’s nothing,” I lied.
“Oh, don’t play coy. I see the way they look at you. I mean, I’m not judging. If I didn’t already have my hands full, even I would be tempted by those four, but you should know they’re not monsters you should mess around with. I hope you know what you’re doing.” Her voice came out almost as a warning.
A part of me wanted to tell her that I didn’t have a fucking clue what was going on. Since arriving in Katakin, I hadn’t had anyone else to talk to, and she was the first female who seemed like she might actually give a damn. But I knew better than to think that was true.
The others had told me Lyr had been the late fae queen’s personal spy and a good one by the sound of it. I had no doubt she was just trying to weasel information out of me so she could somehow use it to her own advantage. Maybe she wanted to blackmail Locke and the others into owing her another favor.
Shrugging off her concern, I said, “I’m sure I’m just their latest curiosity. I’ll be joining a house soon, after all. Thanks for helping me, though.”
She smiled at me, but I could tell she didn’t really believe me. “Don’t mention it. As soon as Locke asked me about the dresses, I was happy to volunteer.”
“Wait, so you’re not doing this as a favor to Locke?”
