He raised his hands in submission, already retreating back toward the door like he had no way to defend that comment.
I called out to him right before he pulled it open. “Where exactly did you find Ember?”
Kyrin stopped immediately and looked over his shoulder at me. “Ember? Could she be the reason you're so uptight tonight?”
As usual, I didn’t feel like playing his mind games. “Just answer the question.”
His smile loosened as he rejoined my side. “I found her card on a table in a coffee shop I visited. When I was looking at it, the waiter swore she was the best thing around and bragged about how she always brought things to life. Then she mumbled something about that only being true if you couldhandleher. I had a good feeling about her and thought she might be good for you. So, I decided to take the chance.” He shrugged before a sly, stupid smile covered his face. “Plus, I knew she would end up bothering you, and I kind of live for things like that.”
Huh.
Well, at least now I had someone else to blame for her demise. Realistically, what was coming for her was his fault. The fact of the matter was, he decided her outcome by playing this dumb game of his. “So, you knew how she would act, then?”
My question made him pause for a moment, like he was replaying that night. “It’s because she took off the mask, huh?”
When I didn’t respond, he nodded like everything made sense. “I had nothing to do with that, man, so don’t put me on whatever shit list you’ve created in your head. I told her it was mandatory.”
His reaction confirmed my original thought about her.She had willingly chosen to act like that.Regardless, none of that mattered now. I’d made up my mind about her and exactly what was going to happen.
Physically, I was here on the porch with him. Mentally, I was already devising every way I could tear her apart.
6
Ember
Almost four days since I had experiencedRuined—an experience that had settled deep into my bones.
I knew coming home that night I had ventured into dangerous territory, but as I walked through my front door, I found myself trying to fight the pull to go back.
The second I was inside, Kinsley and Kolby were there waiting for me. Neither of them were thrilled with my decisions, and walking in felt a whole hell of a lot like coming home to your parents after missing curfew, but in this case, it was my roommates. I answered all of Kinsley's questions and avoided Kolby’s glare before popping in some headphones and deciding to use my boost of energy wisely. I rode through my adrenaline high that night by cleaning every surface in the house.
The whole time, I just replayed the night in my head. I was so proud of the pictures I'd taken, and Iknewthey were going to be amazing. Ruined had so many unique elements, but my favorite moment of the night had nothing to do with the club. Seeing the flicker of irritation within Silas?God, it had been beautiful—the absolute highlight of my week.
About an hour later, Kolby had found me with a controllerin his hand. Pretending to take a piece of paper out of his back pocket, he unfolded the air and cleared his throat. “You have been challenged to a duel involving kart racing and trash talking. Please proceed to the couch where you will be thoroughly destroyed.”
I couldn't help but snicker at his choice of presentation. Setting the rag down, I crumpled the imaginary paper and threw it into the trash. “You’re going down.”
My answer must have surprised him, because his face lit up as he took off toward the living room where we eventually settled into our competition. Inevitably, one match turned into hours. Every time one of us won, it became a “best two out of three” situation, then best five, then best seven. At some point, snacks even appeared between us.
By the time I blinked up at the clock, it was 3:57 a.m., and my extra energy was fading fast. I set the controller down to signal I was done and fought off Kolby's repeated attempts to get me to go to his room. By the time I closed my eyes, I was still buzzing with adrenaline.
Fast forward to now, where I sat at my vanity, still somehow feeling the aftereffects. I never reached back out to Silas or Kyrin, but my proofs were scheduled to be delivered today, and in some weird way, I almost wished I could be there to see their reaction.
Twisting a brown curl around the metal rod of my iron, I frowned at the reflection staring back at me. The morning sunlight streaming in was bright and a little too honest. The palelight highlighted every single part of my exhausted face. Every freckle and every ghost of a blemish screamed for attention within its rays.
I set down the iron to section off another piece of hair when my phone buzzed, alerting me to a new email. I held my breath as the name flashed across the screen.
Silas Solstice
Masquerade Details
I couldn’t help the smug smile that spread over my face as I read the name of the sender again. However, that smile faded as my eyes moved to the actual message. The email was precise and polished but alsoarrogant—much like the person who’d sent it.
Ms. Vale,
It seems that I have misjudged your talent. Therefore, your presence is requested for the masquerade at my club. I hope you understand we have certain expectations involving a strict time schedule and dress policy. The event will take place in three days with your scheduled arrival at 6 p.m. Payment for your services will be sent via invoice.
Decency; a behavior that conforms to expected standards of morality.
