“And we’ll have the diversions ready if necessary,” Naomi says.
“Correct.”
“While I pretend to be the happy fiance, and let the rest of you do the work.” Cosmo sighs. “I hate it.”
“You need plausible deniability. If things go off the rails, having you still in the Conclave is crucial.”
“Yeah, well after binding with Jordan, I won’t have much option.”
We all have to play our part, but poor Cos really got the bum end of the deal.
Lexi straightens up. “That’s time. I’ll see you all at six.”
48
Naomi and Willow are hovering around me like two frantic hummingbirds, pinning my hair, adding shimmer-dust to my shoulders.
I understand what they’re doing. They’re not dressing me in a gown, they’re helping me don my armour.
A battledress of white gauze and crystals.
In the mirror, an innocent young woman stares back at me. Pretty, simple, a debutante, a sacrifice.
I definitely do not look like a warrior.
The dress itself is a masterpiece—layers of white silk and translucent iridescent gossamer.
My hair has been swept up into an intricate braided crown, and diamonds from Donovan hang from my ears.
“Stay still, Theo," Naomi murmurs, her brow furrowed in concentration as she applies silver liner to my lids. “This is the final touch.”
Naomi’s outfit is stunning. She’s wearing a column of almost liquid-silver silk, slit up to the thigh with a criss-crossing leather harness strapped across her chest. The halter neck shows off her toned shoulders. She’s calling it BDSM icicle.
But Willow is the fire to our ice. The fine velvet is cherry red, and almost looks like a medieval princess should be wearing it. When she pulls up the skirts and shows me her heavy boots, it makes me smile. “I’m not much of a fighter,” she grins. “But I’m happy to kick the shit out of some balls. And check these out.” She opens a leather box to reveal a pair of earrings. Glittering red and a slightly tubular shape.
“What are they?”
“Smoke bombs!”
“And I've got fuses built into these straps,” Naomi says. “We can grab liquor bottles from the bar and have them exploding in no time.”
“You both are so badass. I know it’s dangerous, so I feel guilty for saying this. But I’m fucking glad you’re with me.”
Naomi’s cell buzzes.
“The cars are here.”
Shit.
I take one last look at myself.
I look like a beautiful, innocent doll. When I flex my fingers, Lumina shifts inside, easing my nerves. Whatever happened yesterday with Wes hasn’t had lasting consequences, thank Gods.
“Alright, let's do this.”
—Lu? Can you hear me? We’re heading out—
Silence.
