Page 85 of Scattered Glitter

I shake my head in wonder, still watching the couple as they greet each other, the nervous energy between themmelting away the longer they speak. “Okay, that was impressive.”

“You’ll get the hang of it. Just gotta trust what you see. Two seconds. That’s all it takes to read someone. To see what they’re hiding.”

I glance at him with a smile. “Two seconds, huh?”

“Two seconds, Trouble.” His eyes sparkle as he regards me. “And a little bit of magic.” He holds up the ace of hearts again, and with a snap, the card changes once more, back to the seven of spades.

Then he leans in, kissing me silly.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Alaric

The phone screen glows in my hand, my thumb hovering over it as I wait for Koen’s update. I lean back against the headboard with Jinx curled up at my side, her green eyes half-closed as I absentmindedly stroke her fur. The room is quiet, but my nerves aren’t. Every second feels longer than it is, time stretching like taffy while I wait for updates.

“She’s not moving.” Koen’s voice crackles through my earbuds, distorted by the background noise of the Strip, the crowd’s chatter, the distant roar of traffic, and the occasional burst of laughter. “She’s just… standing there, like she’s daydreaming.”

I frown, my fingers tapping idly against the back of my phone.

What the hell is she doing?

“You think she’s scared to cozy up to Belmont?” I ask, catching myself running my palm up and down my thigh, a nervous habit I’m far too familiar with.

“No, it literally looks like she’s deep in thought. Maybe she’s trying to figure out how to do this.”

“Or overthinking it,” I mutter, my lips twitching as I type out a quick message to her.

Tick-tock.

I watch the screen, waiting for a response, an odd mix of amusement and irritation running through me. The damn anticipation is exhilarating and infuriating.

I don’t have all day.

Well, maybe I technically do, but she doesn’t need to know that.

The real problem is that I don’t like having Koen out there, exposed, watching her from a distance while I sit here. I know he has a black hat pulled low and sunglasses on, blending in as much as possible, but even with his best attempts at being incognito, there’s always a risk of him being recognized and harassed.

“What did you tell her?” Koen asks, a chuckle breaking through the line. “She rolled her eyesdramatically.But hey, at least she’s moving now.” I hear the smile in his voice, and a small one tugs at my own lips in response.

“Just gave her a little push,” I mutter, brushing my fingers over Jinx’s fur, and her head nudges my palm. Like a domino effect, Koen’s amusement trickled all the way to the cat.

“We’re heading toward the Plaza now,” Koen updates, the ambient sounds from his end growing more muffled as he moves.

I nod, even though he can’t see me. I won’t say it, but I’m thankful for him being out there for me, being my eyes today when I can’t be.

Because leaving the house…

The thought alone, the idea of standing in the middle of all those people, the press of bodies, theunpredictability of the crowd, people dodging around me, brushing past, I suppress a shudder imagining it, even as my skin crawls.

My phone buzzes in my hand, a message coming through. I glance at the screen, expecting her, but it’s Sylus.

The car is where you wanted it. Locked.

Thank you, Sy.

A tiny flicker of warmth flickers to life inside me that feels a little like belonging.They’ve all got me.

“Sylus parked the Mustang next to the Bellagio,” I tell Koen, leaning back and stroking Jinx again.

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