Page 10 of A Sin So Pure

My magic balks at the slimy smugness radiating from him. Hegenuinelythinks he’s being charming. His leering is anything but.

“I heard you were hosting a celebration tonight for a certain special guest, yet they haven’t made an appearance,” another pouts.

My lips stretch into a tight smile.

“You know how Pride is. She’s a busy woman,” I say.

“She’s been Pride for a year and hasn’t attended any of our functions,” the third Royal chimes in over a sip of his cocktail. “Rude, if you ask me.”

“They say she’s a real femme fatale,” the first slurs. “I want to judge for myself.”

“You two are close, right, Lust? Can’t ya’ help a guy out?” The second smirks.

It’s not as if Nora would give these men the time of day, but the thought of their slimy gazes gliding over her makes my jaw tick.

I dig deeper into my magic as I lean forward, placing both hands on the wooden table, and infuse compliance into my speech.

“You know I don’t do favors forfree.”

My magic slides over them with ease, a hazy sheen of intrigue glazing over their irises.

“Tell me, boys, what are you most afraid of?”

“Spiders—I absolutely can’t stand them.”

“Of losing myself to the hysteria of the Fading.”

“That I’ll die alone.”

Not all empaths have the strength to use compulsion; it’s not as subtle as reading or manipulating emotions, but it has its uses. Secrets are an often overlooked and underutilized currency. House Lust has collected them for ages, though I have yet to cash any of them out since taking over four years ago.

Still, I can’t help but play with these three a bit. Nora must be rubbing off on me.

I break the hold my magic has on them; the effect is instant, the three men shaking away the haze with awkward chuckles.

“I can’t believe I told you that,” one says with red-laden cheeks.

“You and your party tricks, Lust,” another chuckles, scratching at the stubble on his chin, but his laugh doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “We should’ve known better than to ask.”

“Yes, you should have.” I smile.

It’s a fake, plastic grin, but they can’t tell the difference, so their tense shoulders fall, and their embarrassment fades.

“Pride actually called earlier,” I say, biting my bottom lip as if I’m fighting with the decision to tell them. Their eyes light with excitement. “They moved the celebration to Gallagher’s. It’s lessof a trek to Envy’s clubs from there. If you leave soon, you might be able to catch her on the way out.”

Smiles shine all around.

“I’m gonna put in a good word for you with Silas,” one says, rapping his knuckles on the tables.

“You’re sweet.”I’m going to vomit.“I’ll see you gentlemen next time, yeah?”

I wink and turn on my heel, hearing their glasses slam to the table and the squeak of their suits against the leather booth as I walk away. It’s not until I’m through the throngs of patrons and at the edge of the dance floor that I let out a snort.

Idiots.

Something inside me preens at having sent them on some wild-goose chase. Meanwhile I wait, secure in knowing Nora is not at our other bar, nor will she be at any point tonight.

No, she’s coming here—tome.

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