Thank the stars everything was about to change.
Gemma scrolled through the available outfit choices and decided on the one she would wear to the formal party: black and sparkly, like diamonds against a silky night sky.
It was a dress her sister would pick, and it matched her poison ring perfectly. Gemma punched the Create button, her soul at ease.
Gemma had uncovered a device called a xerothermic in her bathroom that dried her hair and left her dark strands in loose curls, which she pinned over one shoulder. It was the most beautiful her hair had ever looked, and after applying chroma and slipping on her evening gown, she decided she made the perfect angel of death.
The gown hung low on her back, exposing her spine, and the neckline was low yet still elegant, showing just enough of her cleavage to entice. The machine had also made a black-and-silver necklace that draped between her breasts.
She would make Nadine proud.
Additionally, Gemma had discovered heels for the first time and, after buckling them around her ankles, practiced walking in them—only to stumble twice and nearlytwist her ankle.
“Why do people think these blasted things are fashionable?” she murmured. Already, the balls of her feet were starting to ache.
A buzz sounded from her doorway.
Via her comm device, which was apparently linked to the camera above her doorway, an image of Christian standing outside was projected directly onto the electroglass lens on her cornea.
And,stars, he was handsome.
His fitted, black suit hugged his trim, athletic body perfectly, and he’d left the top two buttons of his black dress shirt open. Though not as formal as the gown Gemma opted to wear, the look on him was ravishing. He’d finished off his outfit with a pair of shiny, black shoes, and for the first time since she’d shaken hands with him on day one, he’d actually taken the time to style his gorgeous, light brown hair.
Already, Gemma’s cheeks felt warm.
She opened her door to welcome him in, and Christian fell back a step, his eyes widening the moment he saw her.
The color in his cheeks flushed to a deep shade of pink. He pressed a hand against his chest. “You look...wow.”
She smiled. “I could say the same about you.”
Gemma kissed him the moment he was inside, her arms wrapping around his neck.
Christian’s knuckles skimmed down her naked back as he held her tight. “Keep kissing me like that, and you’re not going to be wearing that dress for long.”
She smirked, pressing her hips into him. “Maybe later I’ll let you take it off.” The more she had him distracted, the less he’d notice the quivering of her legs or the shaking of her hands.
He backed away, running a hand down his face. “Okay stop, or I’m going to have a major problem.” Christian nodded down to where he strained against his trousers.
Gemma snorted and entwined her fingers in his. “Come on. The team’s gonna be waiting for us.”
They followed the directions their comms planted onto their eyes, guiding them up a series of lifts until they were near the top of Zion. When they emerged out of the final lift, upbeat, ethereal music beamed from a wide archway.
Gemma’s heartbeat matched the rhythm as they passed through the opening. If she didn’t distract herself soon, she was going to vomit.
Inside, shades of cerulean and gold covered the luxurious room, where plush, midnight-blue couches lined shiny walls made of the most expensive golden stone. The polished dark floor mirrored the celestial ceiling, giving the ambiance that Gemma stood amongst the stars.
Her jaw fell open. She never expected such opulence inside Zion.
She spotted Hawk off to the side, seeming in much better spirits than when they’d left him in the dormitory. His black suit was also perfectly tailored to his muscular form, and not a single strand of his red hair was out of place.
He and Christian had begun to converse when Hawk’s eyes landed over Gemma’s shoulder, his eyes widening and cheeks flushing. Gemma followed his gaze as she turned around.
Imara sauntered toward them, dressed in a deep-red gown that hugged every one of her voluptuous curves. Her long black hair was styled magnificently on top of her head, and the red lipstick she’d chosen to match her dress accentuated the beauty of her russet-brown skin.
It was like the universe had exposed the goddess buried beneath the gray jumpsuit. Even Gemma flushed a bit.
Christian cleared his throat. “I’m going to go get us something to drink.”
