Page 2 of Ivy and the Deathstalkers

Ivy

Igently close my door, but you’d think it clicked like a gunshot with the way my admirers jump at the motion. I grace them with a smile as I strut toward them with my head held high, putting an extra sway to my hips with each step. By the time I reach the entrance, they’re fighting over opening the door for me.

“Now, now, boys. There’s plenty of me to go around.” I wink as I glide past them into the pretentious mansion with white tile floors and high ceilings.

Security guards direct guests through a weapons check as they remind us the onlyworkallowed on the premises is of the networking variety. There will be zero tolerance for violence. Anyone caught doing so will be met with a swift death.

I’m sure it’s enough to keep most people in line, especially considering our host is an infamous assassin with a tendency to go a little psycho when pissed off. But I won’t be caught, so I’m not worried. I can regulate the amount of venom I secrete, thus controlling how long it takes my victims to succumb to the deadly effects. By the time anyone dies from my touch tonight,I’ll be long gone. And no one here knows how I kill. Hell, they don’t know for sure that I do. I never leave any evidence and I certainly never tell anyone about my kills. The only person that does know, is the one who invited me in the first place.

“Miss Rabbit,” a silky voice purrs as I pass through security. “So good to see you. I wasn’t sure if you’d accept my invite.”

“Blair.” I smile at my old friend. True friends are few and far between in our world, but from the moment we met, we knew. Our friendship was written in the stars. Blair is the only person alive who knows the real me. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

She chuckles, the sound like tinkling bells. “Not once you saw the guest list, at least.” She winks at me and we share a conspiratorial grin.

We walk around the edge of the room, watching our prey from a distance. She switches to talking in our secret code when she notices a man watching us from across the room.

“I’m afraid I must mingle, my dear. Do you plan on staying long?”

Are you set to kill on touch or slow-acting?

“Of course. There are so many people I want to see.”Lots of people to kill. Can’t have my victims dying too quickly.“I’ll find you before I leave.”

“Excellent.” She runs her hand down my covered arm and gives me an air kiss before making her way to the man who’s been staring at us since I walked in.

I don’t recognize him, but if Blair sends him my way I’d be more than happy to kill the creep. I can handle men staring at me in lust. But this fucker looked at me like he wanted to dissect me, not undress me.

“You’re the most exquisite creature here,” a slimy voice says by my ear. Looks like I’ve found my first victim… Orhefoundmerather.

“I bet you say that to all the girls,” I quip.

“Only when it’s true. Dance with me?” he asks as he runs his hand down my back, sealing his own fate.

“How could I say no?” I bat my eyes at him with a sweet smile, the picture of innocence. I’m a master at concealing my true feelings. If my victims could see what I was really feeling, they’d run away terrified before I got to end their miserable existence.

“Shall we?” he asks as he holds out his arm. I place my gloved hand on his arm and follow him to the center of the room.

He holds my right hand up while his other rests on my bare back. I place my other hand on his shoulder and my elbow sits on top of his as I slip into the role of perfect partner. Iloveto dance. Literally, any dance, I don’t care. It’s a shame I’m not attracted to my dance partner, but I’ll enjoy the moment all the same. He glides me around the dance floor to the beat of the string quartet and I feel every eye in the room on me.

“You’re an excellent dancer,” he murmurs. “Why haven’t I seen you around before?”

“Oh, I keep busy. Don’t have much time for attending parties,” I sigh, feigning my disappointment.

“And yet you waltz like you were born to.”

“Just one of my many talents.” I smile before he spins me.

Once I’m facing him again, we’re blessedly interrupted.

“Excuse me. Mind if I cut in?” a smooth voice says. My partner scowls as I glance at my next victim.

Devlin. I was hoping to run into him. The assassin gods sure are looking out for me tonight.

Devlin doesn’t wait for a response before he smoothly steals me away.

“You looked like you could use a rescue.” He smirks.He does love to play the hero.

“My hero,” I swoon, stroking his ego.

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