“No, I’m not.”
Tristan stood much too close. His six foot two to my staggering five foot four always irked me. The Lorens’ were plentiful in wealth but severely lacking in the height department. My father was five foot six, and my mother five foot. I think that was at least part of the reason he chose her, so he would never have anyone in his house standing taller than him. Too bad we couldn’t buy better genetics.
“Well, I’m bored.”
“That’s a you problem.”
Tristan chuckled. “And here I was, about to give you the greatest birthday present you’ve ever received.”
“I highly doubt that.”
The gift table sat by the entrance, piled high with boxes and bags of various sizes. I doubted most of these people even knew what they’d bought me. They’d probably sent their assistants outto get a gift and package it, and mine would open them and send thank you cards theirs would receive and toss away, and we’d continue the same dance for every birthday and event without ever once having a direct or meaningful connection with each other. It was perfunctory.
“How’s Jarred?”
I raised a brow as I side-eyed him. “I suppose you’ll have to ask him yourself.”
“That Kovats chick he’s talking to is pretty hot, right?”
“She’s… fine.”
“Jealous?”
I glared at him. “No.”
“You don’t have to pretend with me, Harpy.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Whatever. Here.” Tristan pulled something from his pocket and flicked it over to me between two fingers.
Hesitantly, I took it from him. The card was deep burgundy in color with a shimmer that felt luxurious rather than tacky as glitter often was. I’d seen nothing quite like it. Something about it was almost hypnotic. There were only two words embossed in silver—“The Veil”—and a phone number on the back.
“What is this?” I asked.
“It’s whatever you want it to be.”
I glared at him, and he laughed. “It’s an invitation. An escape, Harper. A place where you can be who you really are, and no one will ever know. Secrecy is assured. Just call the number and The Master will handle the rest.”
“The Master?” I deadpanned. “Is this some type of cult?”
Tristan shrugged. “Logan thought it was cool.”
I swallowed. My brother had been involved in whatever this was? Was he still? I pocketed the card.
Tristan smiled. “Invitation is only for you. If you tell anyone else, I’ll deny I know anything about it.” He winked and downedthe remnants of his champagne, smacking the glass down on a nearby table before walking off, leaving me alone.
People continued drinking, dancing, laughing. Happy on the surface. Were they really? Was it only me wearing a mask?
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I ripped it out quickly, hoping Logan had responded and sighing when I saw Archer’s name.
Archer
Need to talk to you. Ride with me later tonight.
My apartment was cold and quiet when I returned home, but no more so than the house I’d lived in with my parents. I’d had renovations carried out so that Celestine could have a floor-to-ceiling enclosure that took up the entire wall of the living room. She was a big girl, at thirteen feet and nine inches, so she appreciated the extra space. I also had two others, but I kept their tanks in my bedroom.
Matthew, my assistant, trailed in behind me after driving me home, running over my schedule for the next week. I was hardly paying attention as we walked in, only because I’d already memorized it earlier. I stopped once I saw what waited for me in the kitchen.
