Page 38 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“I will end you,” a demonic voice emits from under the table. Vivian reaches over and strokes the back of her head.

She takes a deep breath and giggles. “I’m so sorry. I’ve just been talking nonstop.”

“I love your stories. We’ve got all the time in the world,” I say with an easy smile. I want to keep Vivian talking as long as possible before The Inquisition.

“So, what happened to you last night?”

Too late. I run my tongue along my top teeth. “I drank, I danced, and I went home.”

“Lies.” She smacks her hand on the table, jolting Bella up.

“Fucking hell, I’m up,” Bella squeaks. “What is it?”

“Josephine is about to tell us everything about last night.” Vivian wiggles in her seat. Bella props her head up on her fists, but I can tell her eyes are closed behind her dark shades.

I shrug, sipping through my straw. “There isn’t much to say.”

“Yeah, because I didn’t watch you and Aedonaeus performing mouth to mouth on the dance floor. He’s hot. More than hot. You two had everyone’s attention,” she gushes.

“He’s attractive,” I agree. “Good kisser.”

“What did he say to you that got you out of your funk?”

My sister and I have very few secrets, and if she finds out the truth and it isn’t from me, she’ll be pissed. It would be considered an act of sisterly treason. “Well, actually, we’ve met before.”

Vivian looks like she might explode with questions.

“Interesting,” Bella comments.

“How is that interesting?” Vivian looks between us wildly. “You two are withholding information.”

“Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.” A sly grin spreads across Bella’s face.

“I liked it better when you were sleeping,” I gripe. I give them an abbreviated version of the first time I met Aedon without telling her when, and how I didn’t give him my name at the end of the night. Vivian’s eyes are practically popping out of their sockets.

“Fast forward to last night,” I continue.

“This is incredible. This is fate. How romantic is this, Bell? This is the most romantic thing I have ever heard,” she squeals.

“It’s just a coincidence.”

“Shut up,” Vivian dismisses me.

“Do you want the story or not?”

“I’ll be quiet,” she promises, eagerly clasping her hands. “Continue.”

“So, last night, he asked me my name, we danced, and you saw the rest.”

“He’s so into you.”

I roll my eyes. “I think you may have misread the situation.”

Bella sits up in her seat and stretches. “Vivian is right. He’s into you.”

“He’s not. He’s a manwhore.”

“David did say that,” Vivian agrees.

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