My breath hitched. “I’m not.”
“You’re not?” He tilted his head, catching my expression as I turned my head to look up at him. “Then, why’s your heart racing?”
“I’m not pretending that I’m not into you.” I bit down on my lip. “Iaminto you.”
“Is that so?” he asked with a grin, his gaze flicking to my mouth. “In that case, you can use my venom in your tea…or maybedirectlyfrom the source.”
Heat bloomed through my abdomen, and I felt like I was on fire from desire. “I amsoin.”
“Are you two done?” Dimitri snapped from his perch on one of the velvet pillows next to the table we were all studying at. “We need to get this finishedtonight.”
I turned back around and grabbed my mug with shaking hands, bringing it to my lips.
Zuko leaned in and whispered against my ear, “When we’re done studying, come to my room. I’ll make you feel more than your poisons ever could.”
Venom pooled in my mouth. I swallowed hard, turning around and tip-toeing until my lips brushed against his, making sure my tea was coating my lips when I did. I dosed him with a bit of my aphrodisiac herbs.
His eyes widened, but his lips curved into a wicked smile. “Did you just…”
“It’s what I’m drinking. You seemed like you could use some. Can’t wait until later.” I winked and walked back to the study group with him trailing behind me.
“If you’re done flirting,” Dimitri said flatly, “can we get back to the personas?” His red eyes flicked to mine. They were sharp, unreadable, and glowing faintly with something I couldn’t quite decipher.
Annoyance, probably?
I sipped from my mug of steaming herbal tea and gave him my most innocent look. “We’re multitasking. Flirting and working.”
Dimitri exhaled through his nose. “Right. Because nothing says ‘professional agent’ like getting distracted by simple pheromones.”
“Basilisks don’t secrete pheromones, Dimitri.” I sat cross-legged on my pillow between Slater and Zuko. “That’s succubi. Keep up.”
He waved a hand. “Whatever. You know what I mean.Hormones.What’d you come up with for your persona?”
“News Sector reporter,” I said proudly, setting my mug down on the table with a satisfying clink. “Perfect access point to intel. I’ll be where the stories break, realandfabricated. It’s the best way to control public perception and intercept leaks before they spiral.”
Dimitri arched a brow. “Hm. A reporter whojust happens to knowwhere shady things are going down. That won’t raise any red flags at all.”
“That’s the point of charm and deception,” I countered, leaning forward. “The more obvious, the better. You hide in plain sight by looking like you belong. No one questions the mouthpiece of the media.”
“Excepteveryonequestions the media,” he said dryly.
“Says the guy who thinks working the nightlife in the Apex Market doesn’t screamagent trying to get intel.”
He tilted his head, smirking now. “A vampire bartender in the capital’s tavern is believable. No one cares what the bartender hears, but theyalwaystalk to bartenders. Drunk people are the most efficient intel leaks in Kalista, and you know it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And when someone decides to spellyoufor info or dump truth serum in your vodka because of that?”
He looked smug. “My persona is always two steps ahead,lethal darling. And he doesn’t drink on the job.”
My heart skipped a beat as he called me lethal darling, but I couldn’t help but snort. How adorably accurate. “Please. You’d get caught because of your ego,overachiever.”
“And you’d blow your cover trying to correct a reporter’s lie during a live broadcast,” he shot back.
“That would be important!” I barked, laughing. “After all, reporters are supposed to report facts.”
Dimitri glowered at me, one fang peeking from the corner of his mouth. “You’re not supposed to blow your cover, though. If you know it’s a lie, then they’ll know.’”
“Oh, whatever. I’d figure my shit out. At least I wouldn’t be going by ‘Dee Cocktail’.”
