“Second, my personal life stays personal. You don’t meet my parents. You don’t involve yourself beyond the charade.”
“That may prove…”
“Third.” She held up a hand. “Everything in writing. Real terms, not just what you’re showing me. Including an exit clause if you violate boundaries.”
He waved his hand. New paragraphs appeared on the paper, ink spreading like something alive.
“Your terms. As requested.” He paused. “Though I should mention, the protection begins immediately upon agreement. There’s usually a mark.”
“A mark.”
“Think of it as a supernatural stamp. ‘Hands off.’ It fades when the arrangement ends.”
“Where does it go?”
“That varies. Somewhere visible enough to be noticed, discreet enough to cover if necessary.”
She read through the new terms twice. Everything she’d asked for, spelled out in language any court would recognize, human or otherwise.
“This starts immediately?”
“The moment we seal the agreement.”
“How do we seal it?”
Victor stood, extending his hand. “A handshake will suffice.” His hand tightened around hers, barely perceptible. “But we’ll need to establish the public claim immediately. Lilith arrives at nine-thirty.”
“Establish it how?”
“A kiss.”
The pendant burned.
“You want to kiss me. Here. Now.”
“Want is a strong word. It’s necessary for the protection to take effect. And frankly, Ms. Feng, we’ll need the practice if we’re going to convince anyone this is real.”
She stood. Squared her shoulders. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
“Ever the romantic.”
The conference room door burst open.
“Victor, I need the Morrison files…”
Lilith stopped. Her crimson dress caught the light like fresh blood. Her eyes moved from Victor’s position to Ava’s face to the space between them.
“Am I interrupting?”
Victor didn’t step back. If anything, he shifted closer. “Yes.”
“Ms. Feng.” Lilith’s smile showed too many teeth. “I thought you’d have run screaming by now. Most humans do when they learn the truth.”
“I’m not most humans.”
“No.” Lilith circled them slowly. A predator assessing prey. “Clever little thing, aren’t you? Tell me, does your cleverness extend to understanding what you’re playing with?”
“Lilith.” Victor’s voice carried an edge Ava hadn’t heard before.
