He remained quiet, his eyes patient.
I hurried to incline my head to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Carvene.” I paused for full effect and glanced at her from under my lashes. I deadpanned, “Or do you prefer I call you Poppy?”
The tension between them promptly broke.
Cassander snickered and pointed a finger at me. “You’re going to fit right in with our group.”
Ms. Carvene blinked, and suddenly, her eyes sharpened on my person. She tipped her head to me in greeting, her tone pleasant and curious. “It’s lovely to meet you too. And, yes, please call me Poppy, as long as I may call you Mina?”
“Of course,” I mumbled absently. The alcohol I had consumed tonight churned in my stomach as an unsettling notion began to furrow into my thoughts. My blue eyes flicked back to Cassander. “What did you mean ‘our group?’”
“I’m a silver fox.” Cassander winked, his wicked lips curling up at the edges—just a little. “And not only because of my amazing silver hair, sexy-fine looks, and wise old age.”
Poppy’s surprised eyes snapped in his direction.
My brows furrowed together. I barely breathed. “I don’t understand.”
“That’s twice you’ve said that to me.” A gentle shake of his head as he leaned forward into my personal space. “And both times have been lies, Mina. That’s very naughty for such a good girl.”
He was a monster too.
When would this freefall to madness end?
My chest pumped with harsh breaths, and my ears began to ring as the world tipped to the side. I repeated, “I don’t understand.”
He lifted a finger and twirled it in the air. “Before you run away, I need you to remember something.”
I swallowed, the bile in my throat burning.
“When you see the green light, don’t stare at it.”
My unblinking eyes began to water, watching him for any sign of attack—not that I knew how to defend myself. My parents hadn’t trained me to fight. I was a peaceful scholar…
For however long I managed to stay alive.
The monster leaned back and tipped his head to the side. He grabbed Poppy’s forearm, pulling her directly next to him, and his left hand made a sweeping motion to the staircase.
With a smile on his handsome face, he whispered in delight, “When the first blood falls, I’ll find you, Mina.”
