I look fierce. Tough. Sexy.
I turn and wrap her in a tight embrace.
“What’s that for, missy?” She pulls back, blue eyes wide.
“For being my first friend here. I’ll never forget it. You were kind to me when I needed it most.”
“It was easy to be kind to you.” She squeezes me gently before retreating from the room.
Voices sound in the hall, drawing my attention. I gather the panels of my skirt in my hands and make my way to the door, reminding myself not to trip in my four-inch heels as I swing it open.
Jace and Zadyn stand outside my room, locked in some heated debate.
“—talk some sense into her for once. She won’t listen to me,” Jace says to Zadyn.
“I wonder why.” Zadyn’s tone is flat.
“I’m sorry, do you have something to say to me?” Jace challenges, taking an intimidating step toward Zadyn. “Because I think there’s a lot to be had out between you and me.”
“Oh, I could say plenty, but I won’t do that because she—” Zadyn notices me shift inside the doorway and does a double take when he sees my getup. Jace follows his distracted gaze. I feel both sets of eyes travel up and down my body as they fall silent, argument temporarily paused.
“What are you two looking at?” I stand with my hands on my hips, waiting expectantly for an answer.
“You’re going to let her do this looking likethat?” Jace gestures to my body.
“First off, she’s free to do whatever she wants. And second, I don’t see how what she looks like is any of your concern,” Zadynsays smartly, breezing past me into the room to pour himself a drink from the diamond decanter. He leans against the table as he takes a sip, his black sleeveless shirt clinging to his muscled torso.
“What are you two going on about?” I cross over to Zadyn, holding out my hand for a sip.
“We’re talking about you quite literally flirting with the enemy,” Jace says, clutching his mask in his hand.
“It’s not real. It’s acting.” I wave a dismissive hand. “Playing a part temporarily to find answers that might be useful to us.”
I take a swig of the liquor and hand it back to Zadyn. The two of them track me as I move to the mirror and slip on a pair of dangling diamond earrings.
“While I can agree that Kylian is dangerous, Serena knows what she’s doing,” Zadyn says tightly. Jace huffs a humorless laugh.
“Of course, you agree with her. Why did I expect you to do anything but pacify her?”
“You know what? I really am not a fan of this overprotective bullshit. I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself.” I shoot Jace a sharp look in the mirror.
“You’re so damn stubborn.” He runs his hand through his hair in frustration.
Good.
I hope I get under his skin half as deep as he gets under mine.
“Look, I’m not stupid enough to go anywhere alone with him. It’s just a little harmless flirting to get him to open up, to trust me.”
“He won’t stop at flirting,” Jace bites, his eyes bugging. “You give him a few coy smiles, some innocent touches, and he will take whatever he wants. Do not encourage him,” he warns sternly.
I turn and stalk up to him, stopping an inch away from his face.
“Is this because you’re actually worried for my safety or because you don’t want me within ten feet of any other male?”
Furious, Jace growls in my face, his upper lip curling back slightly. But Zadyn is there, a buffer between us, preventing Jace from getting any closer.
I knew that would rile him. And that’s exactly the reaction I had hoped for.
