Page 30 of Kael

The bartender was pouring champagne; crystal flutes were lined up while bottles of whiskey and vodka glinted under the soft lighting. I realized something: Kael had brought me here, left me alone, and trusted me not to embarrass him.

I smiled. Six months ago, I would have been at that bar grabbing the nearest bottle or trying to find a fix. Six months ago, I didn't trust myself. But now? I was proud of myself.

I walked to the bar, head high, heels clicking against the marble floor. I caught the bartender's attention and ordered a sparkling water with lime. I had never tried it, but I’d heard it ordered in movies and it seemed appropriate. The bartender handed it to me. I took a sip, decided it was nasty, and slid it right back onto the bar.

I looked around for familiar faces—Maya, Malachai, or any of Kael's cousins—when someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned to see a tall blonde with sharp cheekbones. Her gown was silver, fitted like a second skin, and the diamonds around her neck probably cost more than my parents' house. She looked at me like I was something she'd scraped off her shoe.

"Well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Kael Voss's little stray. I've heard so much about you."

Bitch, what?was my immediate thought.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

She stepped closer, her smile cruel. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Cat got your tongue? Or is that just how you are? All those drugs you did probably fried your brain. It's okay. I'll speak slowly so you can understand."

I felt my hands start to shake.

"Look at you," she continued, her eyes dragging over me with open disdain. "All dressed up like a real person. Like youbelong here. Like you're not just some junkie he found on the streets and decided to fix."

I pushed myself to respond, but the words tangled in my throat. My face burned with humiliation, and I could tell people nearby were listening.

"Leave me alone," I managed to say.

Vanessa's smile widened. "What was that, dear? I couldn't quite hear you."

She knew exactly what she was doing.

"I—I'm not—" My voice failed me. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill.

"Oh, are you going to cry?" Vanessa laughed, low and cruel. "Right here in front of everyone? That's a good look. That's exactly what everyone expects from Kael Voss's little project."

I blinked rapidly, trying to hold the tears back as my chest heaved. I opened my mouth again, but all that came out was a broken whimper. The tears spilled over.

I couldn't stop them. I felt so small, so stupid, so worthless.

Vanessa just kept smiling. "See?" she said, her voice rising so people nearby could hear. "Look at her. Crying like a child. And he brought her here to this event. It's embarrassing, really—for both of you."

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my waist.

Kael.I could smell his cologne. He was back.

"Vanessa," he said. His voice was low and menacing.

Vanessa's smile faltered. "Kael. I was just—"

"You were just what?"

"I was just talking to your little friend here. She seems upset. I was trying to comfort her."

I couldn't look at him out of pure shame. My face was wet with tears, my mascara was likely ruined, and I felt like a mess.

Kael's hand tightened on my waist. "Vanessa," he said, his voice dropping even lower. "I'm going to say this once. You have three seconds to walk away before I decide your father and brother need to learn a lesson for not teaching you who not to fuck with."

Vanessa's face went pale. "Kael, I—"

"One."