Page 33 of Scarred Sacrifice
His head snaps up and his usually vibrant blue eyes are full of regret. Too late for that. I know the lengths he’s willing to go, and now so am I. I was clearly too weak before, but not anymore. I will take Henry down, and Nyx, too. He thought we were enemies before, but he hasn’t seen nothing yet.
“I...” He pauses, as if wanting to say more, but something is restraining him. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.
It’s not an apology. I’ve heard more heartfelt apologies from murderers about to be sent to prison. “I said get out. Get out of the room. Get out!” I seethe.
“I can’t change the room, or us.” He pauses, gesturing between the both of us. “That is your cover, just as much as it’s mine,” he protests.
“I have known you for all of twenty-four hours, and in that time you have insulted me, grabbed me, unwillingly kissed me, and set me up to kill innocent people. If you think I am climbing in that bed next to you, then you have another thing coming,”I state before I stand. The soapy bubbled water runs down my naked body as I climb out of the tub and grab a bath robe, wrapping it around my body. “Before it was a game, a challenge, to get what either of us wanted. Now? Now it’s fucking war,” I fume through gritted teeth.
Storming out of the bathroom, I stride to the wardrobe and pull out one of the elegant evening gowns; a long black mermaid style dress. It hugs my body and flares out at the hem, creating a graceful and dramatic effect. Its high halter neck bares my shoulders with a split running from the base of my neck, down to just above my naval, revealing the hint of cleavage. It also has a high thigh split, revealing ample amount of leg. As much as I hated wearing dresses, and I hated the designer stuff, I loved this dress. It was sexy, elegant, and it made me feel powerful.
“What are you doing?” Nyx asks behind me. I walk over to the dressing table and begin to apply my make-up.
“I’m getting ready for tonight’s dinner,” I answer coldly.
“So, you’re just okay now? That moment of practically being a traumatised zombie was nothing?” he states sarcastically.
“Yep,” I answer, not paying him any attention. Even though I still feel that guilt deep in my gut, I’m forcing that guilt into rage, into pure fury, to make sure Henry fucking Sparks pays for all the pain he’s caused.
I put my hair up into a low bun, pinning it with a pear and crystal pin, leaving a few tendrils of hair framing my face. I finish with some perfume and apply my blood-red lipstick. As I stare at my reflection, my face is cold and hard of stone. No more joking around. I stand and walk over to the closet and grab my pair of red strappy stiletto heels off the rack.
As I am about to put them on, Nyx takes them from me and kneels down on one leg. He gently lifts my leg, resting my foot on his thigh. His hand holds out the shoe and I lift my foot slightly for him to put it on, before placing my now heeled foot back onhis thigh. His fingertips graze the skin around my ankle as he fastens the clasp. I stare down at him, my face a perfect mask of indifference. He does the same with the other shoe before standing before me.
“You look dangerously beautiful,” he compliments. I look him up and down, noting he had changed too while I was getting ready. His fitted black suit and black shirt is unbuttoned to revel a hint of his muscled chest. I turn and grab my red clutch bag, and with only a couple of bits of make-up in it, the bag is actually pointless, but somehow, it completes the outfit.
I don’t wait for Nyx to open the door. I open it myself and storm ahead of him, making sure that with each stride I put an extra swing in my hips and keep my head held high. I walk with confidence, my expression warning people to stay the fuck away. I catch people glancing my way, the murmurs of what happened this afternoon the topic of their gossip. I feel Nyx close beside me, still playing the part of dutiful boyfriend. I spot Edna at the far end of the ridiculously long table with two empty seats beside her. I take my seat and Nyx sits beside me.
Edna looks at me, her mature and wise eyes assessing me. “My dear girl, what on earth happened?” she asks quietly.
“Nothing in particular,” I state.
She bristles. “Lies. After dinner, you are to come to my room for a night cap. There you will tell me, away from the prying ears of these nitwits,” she mutters with utter distaste. I can’t fight the urge to smile at her blatant disregard for those around us.
“Edna, can I ask you a question?” I ask.
She takes a sip of her champagne, her enormous diamond clinking with her glass. “Ask me anything.” She nods.
“If you hate these people so much, then why do you bother coming to these events?” I ask.
She gives me a tight smile. “Because I am old, and I am lonely. A rich old lady doesn’t exactly get a lot of company. So even company I dislike is still company,” she answers honestly.
I nod in understanding. “For what it’s worth Edna, I am grateful you came, because I got to meet you. Although, in future, don’t waste your money or your time on this vile event.” My words are dripping with malice. Edna arches her brow, noticing my change in tone. “In future, we will make arrangements to meet regularly. I will introduce you to some decent people,” I tell her truthfully, and I will. Once this is over and Henry is rotting six feet under, then I will make sure she isn’t lonely anymore. Edna smiles warmly and pats my hand.
“I would like that very much,” she beams. A chime of someone clinking their glass silences everyone’s chatter. Henry stands at the foot of the table, and his gloating smile feels like a red hot poker under my skin.
“My wonderful guests, I would like to start to say how pleased I am that Miss Fox has recovered from her funny turn this afternoon and is able to grace us with her utterly stunning presence,” he says, his eyes lingering on me for a moment too long.
I think I shall remove his eyes first, then chop off his hands, while I get one of the girls to slowly slide a knitting needle through the end of his penis.I grin, imagining that scenario.
“What has you smiling like that?” Nyx whispers in my ear as Henry continues his speech.
I look at Nyx square in the eye. “The promise of death,” I state with a smile. He blinks and I turn my attention back to Henry.
“I won’t keep you from your food a moment longer, but eat up and enjoy. Tomorrow’s games will be magnificent.” He claps. “Oh, one last thing, for those looking to join our masked eventlater tonight. That will be held in the blue room. Just ask your assistant to guide you,” he states, looking at me.
“What’s the masked event?” I mutter with confusion.
“An orgy,” Nyx answers.
