Page 22 of Magic of Sins

He shrugs. “It’s your choice. Even if the thing looks awfully cheap.”

Awfully cheap.The words gnaw at me for the rest of the drive, stinging more than I’d like to admit. I’m still mulling them over when we reach the East End and the car stops in front of one of the many small alleys.

I take a deep breath. This is it.

The eastern part of the city consists of a large number of narrow alleys and cobbled streets. No cars are allowed past this point. Only the sin mages and their willing victims dare to go here. In the distance, I spot the flashing lights of a bar. A couple gets out of a car beside us and strolls down the alley. At first glance, the woman seems inconspicuous, but then I see the gold skirt peeking out from under her cloak.

The outskirts of the East End are relatively peaceful. There’s too much risk of getting caught by a guard. But if you venture deeper into this cesspool of vice, you can expect some surprises—at least that’s what I’ve heard.

“Let your hair down,” Caden orders before we exit the car.“That braid makes you look like a good little schoolgirl. And trust me, that’s the last thing you want in this place. Here they’ll eat someone like you for breakfast.”

He still sounds stern and unyielding.

Reluctantly, I loosen the braid. It’s just one of many lines I’m crossing tonight. And it somehow doesn’t matter anymore, not in this place where the rules are turned upside down. Where a long skirt, high collar, and a braid makes you stand out more than a daring dress.

Caden gets out first and extends his hand for me to take. I ignore it, but my legs are shaking and as I stand, I have to quickly grab onto the limo to keep from falling over in the pumps.

“Don’t tell me you can’t walk in those,” Caden groans impatiently.

I scowl at him. “These things were made to torture women.”

Something about his posture changes, revealing to me that he’s no longer angry with me.

“Want me to carry you?”

He grins cheekily, and I want to slap him. With my hands clenched into fists and my lips pressed together, I carefully take a few steps. I’m pretty sure I look anything but elegant. Probably more like a zombie dragging herself through the night in search of her next victim.

Caden takes my hand and places it in the crook of his arm. I can tell he has to stifle a laugh, and I feel humiliated. At the same time, I feel his closeness, his hip brushing mine with every step, his arm against mine.

“Where are we going?” I ask after finally managing to walk halfway upright.

“Let’s get you something to drink first. And a chair. That’s really hard to watch,” Caden teases me.

“I’d like to see you try walking in them,” I hiss.

“You just want to catch a glimpse of my bare legs, admit it.”

“I do not!”

I know Caden’s just kidding, but now I can’t help but think about what’s concealed under his clothes—and that’s not good at all.

We dive deeper into the East End. I see bars, nightclubs, casinos, brothels, and cinemas that show old dirty movies. The streets are noticeably more crowded now. I see the woman in the gold dress again. She’s taken off her coat and is wearing a mask made of black lace that covers her eyes.

Other patrons are masked as well, and some are overly made up. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Golden cheeks, red lips, and black-rimmed eyes. Glittering stones sparkle on their faces, bangles jingle, and pearl necklaces disappear into plunging necklines. I see lace tops, silk skirts, red stiletto heels, feather boas and skin. So much naked skin.

Unsure of where to turn my gaze, I stare at the cobblestones at my feet, but then I remember Caden’s words,Here they’ll eat someone like you for breakfast.

I can’t show any weakness.

When I lift my head again, I’m looking straight into the face of a young man who licks his upper lip provocatively at the sight of me. His ringed hand wanders to his lips, and he blows me a kiss.

A few steps farther, a man has a woman pressed up against the wall of a building. He pushes up her short skirt and slides his hand underneath, spurred on by her low, drawn-out moans. Greedily, his mouth finds hers as he lifts her and presses up against her.

“Shocked?” Caden asks, giving me a sideways glance. I can hear the suppressed laughter in his voice.

Of course I am. I tried to imagine what it would be like. But in my mind, it was just images. Now sin is flooding my senses, creeping into my body, and spreading like a cancer. I smellalcohol and the flowery scent of perfume, and hear boisterous laughter mixed with low moans and angry shouting. People push past me, so close that I feel as if I can taste the sin on my tongue. Sweet and heavy and seductive.

My silence seems to be answer enough for Caden.

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