Mako and I work out for a while, hitting the punching bags. He offers to spar with me himself, but I’m not interested in getting crushed by his mountainous body, so I assure him I’m fine sticking to the bags. The entire time, he talks my ear off, mostly about nonsense, but he does mention there’s a party tonight in the cave. There are always parties at the Dagger, probably because there isn’t much to do the majority of the time. It’s their way of letting off steam, like the Command’s pit nights.
Later, I end up going to the party with Mako, who picks up the conversation as if it never stopped. This time, as he chatters away in a never-ending stream of words, I can hardly hear him over the loudmusic. It’s better that way. Most of what he says doesn’t make much sense.
As a pounding electronic bass line pulses in the cave walls, I adjust the front of my low-cut tank and survey the shadowy chamber. I only came tonight to prove that I’m unbothered by the accusations Gray lobbed at me the other night. I’m not jealous of Karra. He can make out with whoever he wants.
My mood brightens when I spot Tana among the crowd of dancers. I’m two seconds from joining her when I realize she’s not alone. She and Luisa are lost in their own world as they dance, their bodies flush, eyes locked on each other.
I sip from a bottle of glenshade, startled when Adrienne wanders over and stands beside me. Rather than try to shout over the music like Mako, she speaks into my mind instead.
“How is everything, Darlington? We haven’t spoken in a while.”
I shrug and take another sip.“All good.”
“You feeling more settled at the Dagger? I know Ford’s gone, but you seem to have found your footing with everyone, no?”
“I think so. Evlynne doesn’t glare at me as often as she used to.”
“Not stranding you on any mountains?”
“She didn’t do that.”
Adrienne gives me a look. She knows I’m not being truthful. And Mako knows we’re communicating, because her veins are rippling and we’re both ignoring him.
“Why do women always forget I’m here?” he cries dramatically.
As he stomps off, I glance at Adrienne.“Any update on the ally search? Tierra Fe?”
“I don’t come down here to talk about business,”is her dismissive response, and then she saunters off and I lose sight of her in the crowd. Mako has disappeared, too, I assume to lick his wounds over being left out of the conversation.
I seek out Tana again, hiding a smile when I spot her and Luisa tucked away in the shadows, kissing. This pleases me greatly. Seeing her so distraught that day in the valley had been gut wrenching. I just want her to be happy.
My peripheral vision catches movement before Saint slides into the space beside me.
I feel his eyes boring into the side of my face, so I turn, greeting him with a nod. He nods back. I don’t expect much else from him. He’s not a talker, and that’s part of his appeal. Women are clamoring to know him, but he’s elusive. He doesn’twantyou to know him.
I’m not trying to flirt. In fact, I don’t even know what compels me to reach for his hand. Despite the surprised flicker on his face, he allows me to link telepathically when I nudge his mind.
“Dance with me.”
He doesn’t protest. His hands lower to my waist, gripping loosely, his body moving closer. I move with him, trying to lose myself in the music. He smells like fire and spice. We move closer and closer until I’m practically pasted against him.
And still he doesn’t speak. Neither silently nor out loud. His breath tickles my neck as he buries his face there, and I can see why the women at the Dagger fall all over him. His presence is distracting.
The beat changes, slowing. Saint thrusts one thigh between my legs, backing me into the cave wall. We’re not really dancing anymore. We’re sort of standing there, tangled with each other. I inhale deeply, shivering when I feel his lips graze the side of my neck. It’s not quite a kiss. More like a caress. A tease.
His hands slide over my ass, another teasing touch. He lifts his head, our gazes locking before my eyes drop to his lips.
I’m debating whether I should kiss him when a thought settles over me. A truth I can’t fight.
He’s not the one I want to kiss.
My hands tremble around Saint’s neck.
I need to find Gray.
“Sorry,” I say, my hands dropping from his body. “I have to go.”
Saint doesn’t protest. He merely steps away from me. His lips reveal a trace of a smirk, as if he knows exactly where I’m going.
