I look and all I want to do is keep looking.
“Do you have a habit of keeping wild animals as pets?” Lifting a brow, I stare pointedly at Ronan’s studded collar, “Or is this one special?”
“If you want to wear one of my collars, Devil, you just have to ask.”
She tilts her head, a coy smile teasing her lips. I stare back at her, fighting the grin that’s threatening to take over my face.
“Been thinking of choking me? That’s not very ladylike.”
“Never had a complaint from the ladies.” She smirks, flicking her eyes over my bloody ankle, “Or men, for that matter.”
So she does swing both ways.
“I’m flattered, darling, but the air up here is thin enough that I don’t need your claws around my neck.” Easing more weight off my leg, I study her curiously, “How did you find me?”
“Besides the blood trail and screams of agony?”
“Funny.”
“I thought it was.” Snickering, she bends down and unclips the gold pendent from Ronan’s collar, “Tracking device so my baby doesn’t get lost.”
“Like your men chained and caged, do you?”
“Depends on their disposition.”
She’s got an answer for everything.
Shifting uncomfortably against the telephone pole, I study the pink exterior of Calista’s sports bra. It’s a strange shade of pink, one that clings to the material and the matted ends of her ponytail. Faded and a little too splotchy for typical fabric print, there’s only one thing I can think of that would leave a woman’s clothing looking like that.
Blood.
A bitter taste fills my mouth as I rake my gaze over her bloodstained body. It clings to her skin like mist, the smears along her torso adding a gruesome layer to her dragon tattoo.
She doesn’t look hurt, but then again, Calista doesn’t seem like the type of woman who would show her weakness to the world.
“Darling, did someone-
“What were you doing at the Hoffmann Cottage?” She cuts me off, just about sewing my mouth shut with that question, “Looking for the diamond, perhaps?”
Any sense of empathy evaporates as my carefully laid plans start to disintegrate before my eyes.
“What do you know about the Hoffmann Diamond?”
“What everyone knows.” She shrugs, “Evelyn White stole it from Sylvie’s body before it had time to grow cold.”
“Sounds like pleasant company.”
“She is quite delightful.” Amusement flashes across her face, “I could introduce you at the party next weekend.”
I don’t know what game this woman is playing but I know it can’t be good.
“Celebrating a birthday, are you?”
“She is. The party is being held at White Castle.”
Those green eyes are locked on mine, a pool of emerald fire just waiting to consume me at the opportune moment.
“You should come. Get to know your fellow students a bit more.”
