Page 15 of Hunger & Harmony

“What? You’re not gonna say?”

“Why should I be truthful with a liar?”

His laughter is drowned out by the song switching and a swell of excitement from the crowd. I groan as the dim lighting flashes purple.

“Okay, whatever, you got me,” I say before I glance around and dip my head lower. “Yes, I can’t stand him. But that’s super unprofessional, so please don’t tell anyone.”

“It is,” he says. “I won’t.”

“What do you want, then?”

There’s no way in Aurea he won’t use this to his advantage. Mischief lights up his eyes and curls his smirk deeper.

“Truthfully, there’s nothing I really want,” he says, and I raise a brow.

“But . . .?”

“I’m stumped. How did you not react to his voice?”

Pausing, I mentally file through all my interactions with Niko. Plus, last night, when everyone listening but me seemed . . .almost . . .

“Is it supposed to be hypnotic?” I ask slowly.

He barks out another laugh.

“Hypnotic? Honey, it ain’t just suggestive; his voice can outright control.”

“What?”

His expression morphs from playful to confused.

“Are you fucking with me? How could you . . . not be aware?”

“Am I supposed to be?” I whisper.

After glancing around, he suddenly hooks an arm around my shoulders and ushers me away. As much as I should protest, I’m in a daze as he leads me to a secluded supply closet. Singing to control people’s minds seems impossible. Why would Niko be able to do that?

“Cadence . . .You’re a vampire band’s PA. You’re Arteria’s PA. How would you not know?”

All blood drains from my face. Am I in trouble?

“Um . . .”

“Are you lying?”

If all of Viola’s effort is headed down the drain, I might as well admit my part in it.

“Well, I maybe didn’t know that because my resume and everything was . . .”

Ezren inhales sharply. Then, his hand meets my throat. He’s not applying pressure, but it’s enough for my eyes to widen and my heart to stop.

“You lied your way into our trusted circle?”

Oh shit. I didn’t think of the implications before I opened my stupid mouth.

“No!” I squeak. “I . . .I mean, yes, but . . .I-It’s not like that!”

An intensity I didn’t think he was capable of hardens his cute features. The grip on my throat tightens ever so slightly, still not nearly cutting off airflow.