Page 72 of Magic of Sins

He wiggles his eyebrows like it’s all in good fun, and maybe itis, for him.

Syrus looks noticeably more nervous. He has his tattooed arms crossed in front of his chest and looks back and forth between Caden and me.

“We’ll see, Jared,” Caden says in a deadly calm voice.

I can’t detect the slightest sign of tension in him. He has perfected his role as King of the Underworld. Looking at him, there’s no sign of that little boy who grew up in the West End and had to endure so much horror. But I know there’s more to him than that cold mask lets on.

By now, everyone has taken a seat. Only Jared remains standing, his smug gaze fixed on Caden and me, as if he’s waiting to step onstage and deliver an inflammatory speech. He’s making me nervous. Terribly nervous. My hands are sweaty, and I wipe them inconspicuously on the fabric of my dress.

Caden taps the floor twice with his walking stick. The sound is not very loud, but the murmur in the hall dies down instantly. All heads turn to us. I see curiosity reflected in the faces, as well as suspicion and also some mockery.

“My dear friends.” Caden’s gray-blue eyes sparkle icily, telling me that outside of these four walls, he probably wouldn’t call any of our guests his friend. “I suppose by now you have all heard about the events that took place last night at the Crime and Punishment.”

Confirming murmurs. An old man shakes his head indignantly. He doesn’t seem to approve of the incident. A few feet away a woman hides her gleeful laughter behind a fit of coughing. Caden isn’t deterred by any of it.

“Don’t worry. You aren’t here today because I intend to lecture you. I am not a preacher who wants to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong.”

Jared snorts snidely, drawing attention to himself.

“Oh, no? But you’re so good at telling the rest of us what we’redoing wrong, Nox.”

Cautious snickering in the back rows. Jared steps forward as if to take the floor, but Caden stops him with a single look.

“No one messes with me or my people,” he continues. “I asked you here today to show you the consequences of doing so.”

Caden’s arm wraps possessively around my waist, his hand just millimeters from the bare skin of my back. Suddenly, I’m having trouble following his words. All I can focus on is his hand on my hip. He must be able to taste my desire; probably everyone in the room can. Abashed, I briefly stare at a spot at my feet, before thinking better of it.

Show no weakness. You’re in a room full of predators, and you will not be their prey, Kaya. Tonight,you’rethe hunter.

I twist my lips into a lazy grin and press closer to Caden, as if his touch, and what it triggers in me, is something totally natural. The corner of Caden’s mouth twitches. He seems to enjoy my little spectacle. His voice takes on a snake-like quality.

“Jared, I suppose you believed yourself to be untouchable.”

Jared laughs smugly. “You think these people are on your side, Caden? You think they won’t come to my aid when your lackeys try to—”

“Mylackeyswon’t try anything,” Caden impatiently cuts Jared off. “As you know, I abhor violence. I prefer to use this.”

He taps his temple, which Jared acknowledges with an eye roll.

“Oh, please! What has your clever little mind cooked up now? What do you think you’re going to do to me, Caden?”

I’d never admit it out loud, but I’m somewhat enjoying how Jared falls right into our trap. He deserves it.

Caden throws me a quick grin, then lets the trap snap shut.

“My clever little mind, as you call it, has been gathering information. About all of you.” His gaze sweeps over everyone present. “I know where you go, who you meet, what crookeddeals you make, and who your clients are. In your case, Jared, I have a long list of names of people who have been frequenting the Crime and Punishment.And that same list went out to the Royal Guard a few hours ago, who I’m guessing is arresting every single sinner listed as we speak. I suppose you might have some trouble finding new patrons for your shabby little establishment once this gets out.”

Murmurs fill the room. People are getting restless and start putting their heads together. Jared’s face has gone white as a sheet.

“You didn’t! You wouldn’t!” He’s shaking his head as if he can’t believe it. His hand balls into a fist, and pure anger contorts his features as he looks up at Caden. “Tell me you didn’t do it, you dishonorable bastard!”

He starts toward the stage as if to go after Caden right then and there, but Choi steps up and holds him back. He’s struggling to keep his grip on Jared as the sin mage kicks and squirms in his arms, cussing savagely at Caden the whole time. The top hat falls off his head and rolls across the floor.

“Syrus, help me!” Jared barks.

But Caden’s threat has not missed its mark. No one wants to be turned in to the Royal Guard. I’m betting they all have little secrets they would rather not have come to light.

Caden tilts his head and looks down at Jared with obvious pity. By now, Choi has Jared’s hands restrained behind his back.

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