I let out a humorless laugh. "Yeah, right. A private dinner with you? No barrier and no one around? Not happening."
He looks away for a second, then back, brushing against me just enough to make my nerves jolt. Not fear, but familiarity again. We've been in this position before.
"I've never used my powers on you," he says quietly, eyes flicking to my celestite necklace. "That much, you need to know. And as for the dinner, I give you my word. Word of the forest." His eyes gleam brighter, the promise binding. "No harm will come to you. I will not keep you. We will only talk."
My teeth grind. He's good. First twisting the guilt about the leshy, now layering his request on top of it until it feels inevitable. Manipulation, yes, but it works even if I'm aware of it.
"We know your… friends have been sniffing around. Some literally," he continues. "We could have retaliated. Taken one of you. But we didn't. Not even after your side started the attack last time. This is a truce, Sage. I don't want to harm you or them. For the sake of that truce, for the sake of what we had, will you give me one dinner?"
I hate the way my chest tightens. Hate the silence stretching until the words snap out of me. "One dinner. I'll… I'll write to you when. I need time."
And just like that, I know I can't tell Asher or Kayden. They'd never let me go, forest-bound promises or not.
His smile is slow and satisfied as the orchestra winds down. "Perfect. I will see you soon, my nymph."
He guides me back to the edge of the dance floor with infuriating grace. Asher stands waiting, cold composure locked tight. Kayden doesn't bother to hide his rage. His glare at Darius is so sharp I pray the watching crowd doesn't notice.
I start to step away, but Darius catches my hand. Holds it. Bows. "Thank you for the dance." His lips brush my knuckles in that polished, old-world kiss, and his gaze flicks past me to the vampires before settling on me again.
He's riling them up on purpose.
I yank my hand free. This time, he lets me. He nods once, then turns, already engulfed by people hungry for his attention.
Across the yard, I catch sight of Darlene and Johnny. Both watching me, no doubt spinning their own conclusions.
Kayden's arm winds around me the second Darius lets go. He yanks me close, fury rolling off him in waves. "That goat-legged bastard, I swear I'll—"
I press a hand to his chest, smile fixed for the onlookers. "Not here, Kayden."
His head snaps to me, eyes wild. "Then we get out of here, or Iwill—"
"We should go. Now," Asher cuts in, steady on my other side.
The rest of our crew is already gathered.
Donna looks stricken. "I'm sorry my mom ambushed you. I didn't know."
I shake my head. "It's fine. This whole night was built to be a trap. Social snares everywhere."
Her mouth tightens. "Well, I've got to do the photoshoot and play my role here. But I'll see you later, right?" She looks at Asher.
He nods once. "We'll regroup."
We move as a unit. Tomas yanks at his tie the second we clear the perimeter, muttering under his breath. Astrid snags two trays of food on the way out without the slightest shame. Jace looks like he wants to linger but thinks better of it, sticking with us.
"What did you talk about?" Asher asks as we wait for the valets, his eyes on me.
"He asked about the leshy. I told him the truth," I admit.
Kayden's growl is low. "Then I wish we'd taken our time with those two. Not given them quick deaths."
"That's it?" Asher presses, brow furrowed.
I nod. "More or less. Then the usual." The lie burns on my tongue, but I hold it. I can't tell him.
I drift toward Eira, who's a little apart from the group, studying a flower arrangement with serene curiosity.
"Eira," I say quietly. "Earlier, why did you look at me like that when you talked about death? Do you… feel something?"
