I missed him.
Sighing, the scents of spicy bourbon, vanilla, and smoke filled my senses, and I turned to meet the two sharp gazes of Hemlock and Grimshaw on my left side.
Fear riddled down my spine as I stood back up.
Grimshaw’s lips tugged into a smirk, and the pupils of his emerald eyes were blown wide. “You taste good.”
“I’m sorry,” I blurted, letting my hair fall around me and hide me from their intense stares. “I didn’t realize?—”
“That you were sitting with low-class demons?” Hemlock scowled, tapping his fingers against the desk rapidly.
“That’s not…I don’t…” I tried to explain, but the words got lost on my tongue.
“Go on then.” His black locks fell into his eyes, but he didn’t attempt to move them. “Your little friend is waiting for you.”
I glanced over to see Dreadful waving me over, her face pinched in irritation.
I wouldn’t exactly call her a friend…
Turning back to Grimshaw and Hemlock, the hair on the back of my neck stood.
“Or you can choose to sit with us, princess.” Grimshaw’s voice was husky, and it sent a stream of heat through me.
I bit down on my bottom lip.
Hemlock’s chest vibrated with a very unwelcoming growl.
“I can tell when I’m not wanted,” I murmured softly as my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I turned on my heels and walked to where Dreadful was sitting with other nobles I hadn’t met yet. The air was cooler in this room than the rest of the building.
Dreadful’s lips curved into a condescending smile as I took the seat next to her. “What in Kalista were you thinking sitting by those losers?”
“Who cares?” Nightwind smirked, switching to the open seat on my other side. His scent was like marshmallows, and like Dreadful’s, it was too sweet for me. “She’s with us now.”
I forced a shy smile. “Thanks.”
“Too bad she wants to fuck Grimshaw and Hemlock,” Dreadful sneered. “Do they not want to fuck you back?”
I flinched at the acidic tone dripping from her lips. “Idon’twant that.”
Nightwind tossed an arm over the back of my chair, and I straightened as I realized how close he was. “That’s shitty, Dreadful. Don’t make up lies about Gravesend. If she wanted to fuck…” He dropped his lips next to my ear. “I’d happily offer my services. No way she’d be interested inthose two.”
A disgusted chill zipped through me, and Ivisibly recoiled. “No. I’m not interested in anyone but my fated.”
“Fated?” Nightwind chuckled but removed his arm. “I like that.”
The other nobles around us exchanged uncomfortable glances.
“Fated or not, you should try not to associate with the bottom-feeders.” Dreadful’s manicured nails tapped against the desk. “It's bad for your reputation.”
Reputation.What a trivial thing that was when I knew how precious life was. It was far too special to worry about status quos.
I shrugged, trying to look unfazed, but I couldfeelGrimshaw and Hemlock’s gazes on me. I didn’t know how I knew it was them, but it was like they were staring deep into my soul and prying out all of my secrets.
My fingertips glided across the dressing on my thigh to make sure it was still in place, and it was. A small breath of relief escaped me before a strangled scream caught in my throat.
Darkness swirled over my desk as an eight-legged spider crawled forth and scurried over the top of my hand, leaving pain in its wake. Many green eyes blinked up at me as it stared.
I jerked my hand side to the side until it fell off, then jumped to my feet, knocking the chair out from underneath me as I stumbled back.
