Before the two women with coats approaching couldintimidate me, I started toward the building. I adjusted the tie, surprised at how lifelike the material felt. If I could get away with never buying another shirt, I’d gladly use the suit to protect the city. Being an outcast had to come with at least one perk.
A gentleman at the door bowed and pulled it open. I avoided eye contact, convinced they’d see the hesitation and ask for my invitation. The opulence of the exterior couldn’t have prepared me for the interior. A narrow foyer only served as a buffer to a magnificent open ballroom. The ceiling easily stretched three stories, raised in a dome with pillars holding it afloat.
“I prefer villains,” I whispered.
“Xander?” Oh dear God, I couldn’t handle being accosted before I barely got in the door. Bursting into flames and fleeing quickly became an option.
I turned to see Sebastian taking a ticket from the coat check. A friendly face. He wasn’t an ass-kicking vigilante, but in a pinch, Griffin’s handsome, mild-mannered boyfriend would do.
“I didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“Me either.” Did I lie? Or did I confess that I came to make amends with Aiden?
“Aiden, of course. Well—” He linked his arm with mine. He was a burly man, but it was the strength in his arms that struck me as impressive. “You can serve as arm candy until we find him.”
“Where’s Griffin?”
He laughed. “He didn’t tell you? No, of course he didn’t. Griffin worked for Revelations for a hot minute.”
“That part he mentioned.”
“Did he mention the giant F-U email he sent my boss? Damien is a force to reckoned with. Griffin didn’t make my job any easier. For now, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring him up.”
“Note made.”
“It’s unfortunate, too. Would have made afternoon quickies so much easier.”
“That selfish bastard,” I jested. Why didn’t Griffin bring Sebastian around more? This man was amazing. I had to wonder what other secrets he was keeping about Griffin. If I could patch things up with Aiden, perhaps I’d ask if they wanted to go on a double date.
A double date? I hardly recognized myself anymore. I was sounding like a love-struck puppy. The worst part was I didn’t hate it. It beat being angry at the universe 24/7.
We walked from the foyer into the ballroom, pausing long enough to take a flute of champagne from a server. There must be nearly two hundred people in the room. I didn’t know any of them personally, but I recognized a newscaster, a politician or two, and even the mayor of Vanguard City.
We moved through the room, Sebastian nodding to various people. I knew he was important to the magazine,but with all the smiles and raised glasses in his direction, he must be a much bigger deal than Griffin made him out to be.
“It must be awkward,” I said.
“Working for a boss who wants to drive Griffin’s magazine into the ground? Yeah, to say the least. He’d have me quit and venture out on my own. But you know, stick with the devil you know. Speaking of…”
I half expected Damien Vex to appear. It appeared that Revelations hired girthy men capable of bench pressing a car. Bald with a strong brow, it appeared as if the people flowed around him, keeping their distance. But the moment he spotted Sebastian, he gave a slight wave, gesturing us forward.
“Into the lion’s den we go,” Sebastian muttered. As he pulled me along, I’d have to ask Griffin how much they were paying his boyfriend to suffer these people. I’d have to sit down and break out a calculator to come up with a figure that’d have me working alongside people I loathed. Lei might be a pain in the ass, but she was a fun pain in the ass.
As we got closer, the suit constricted. As it shook along my chest, I almost gasped. I pulled my arm away from Sebastian to make sure he couldn’t feel its reaction. I’d like to say I knew what it was trying to tell me, but I hadn’t exactly worked out the nuances of a sentient suit.
“Xander, this is William Grim, one of the managing editors at Revelations. William, this is Xander.”
I held out my hand, fighting the suit’s vibrations along my wrist. He eagerly clutched my hand, giving it a firm squeeze. Instead of letting go, he stepped dangerously close, running his hand along my forearm, feeling the texture of the fabric.
“Excuse me,” I pulled my hand free.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your suit,”—he gestured to my entire body— “is a cheap knockoff.”
“Jackass,” I mumbled.
“What was that?” William asked.
“I called you a jackass. I’ll be sure to speak up next time.”
