Page 22 of Gods of Prey
“Sienna?” I see her lips form my name.
And just like that, everything changes.
7
Revel
Iadjust the cuffs of my tailored suit, smoothing down the lapels as I stand before the floor-length mirror in my rented apartment. Tonight is the Lancaster Tech charity gala, and I need to make a good impression. Two full mortal weeks in Seattle, and I’ve barely made progress getting close to Sebastian or Jovie.
I’m trying not to let the failure get to me.
“You look ridiculous,” Sienna’s voice floats from behind me.
I turn to see her spectral form perched on the edge of my bed, her light eyes studying me with that perpetual look of disdain she reserves just for me. Even as a spirit, she’s striking—her long blonde hair cascading over shoulders that shimmer slightly in the dim light of my bedroom.
She is the only reason I knew to wear this strange getup, as she spared no feelings when letting me know exactly what mortals wear to events such as this. However, when she began obsessing over colors and patterns at the store, I kicked her out and let the kind saleswoman guide me through the rest.
The scowl she’s wearing now indicates she doesn’t agree with the woman’s advice.
“Some of us need to make an actual physical impression, not just float around terrifying people.”
“I don’t float,” she snaps, and I catch her reflection standing now, arms crossed. “And I don’t terrify people.”
“Tell that to the delivery man who dropped my food when you decided to materialize by the door last night.”
My stomach rumbles at the reminder of the pizza I had for dinner. That’s another thing about this realm—mortal food is disgusting. It’s as if they have half the spices we do in Aurelys and no clue how to pair them.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue. That’s new. After two weeks of sharing this apartment, we’ve fallen into a rhythm of constant bickering that’s becoming almost...comfortable.
“Just remember why we’re here,” she reminds, her voice softening slightly. “My brother is stubborn. You need to approach this carefully.”
“I know Sebastian better than you think,” I snap back a little too harshly. Her tenderness is making me uncomfortable.
Thankfully, it’s short-lived.
“You know the God of Life,” she corrects me sharply. “You don’t know Bash Lancaster, billionaire CEO.”
I check my watch—an unnecessary accessory for an immortal being, but I’m trying to blend in. “Speaking of, I’ve got to get going if I don’t want to be late. Can’t make a bad impression with the mortal woman.”
Sienna’s expression changes at the mention of Jovie. “Youmake a bad impression? Impossible.”
“Was that a compliment from the Goddess of Death herself?” I muse, hating the way it affects me.
She sneers. “Hardly. I’m mostly jealous that you get to have all the fun while I have to deal with being a ghost.” She rubsher palm against her neck, the gesture surprisingly human for someone who hasn’t been truly human in centuries.
“The human experience is not all that it’s cracked up to be.”
“At least Bash and Jovie know when you’re there,” she gripes.
“You said she may have seen you from the coffee shop.” I adjust my tie one last time, pushing back the lingering irritation from her confession the other night. “So we know it’s possible. Besides, she’s fallen for the God of Life. Twice. She’s clearly open-minded.”
This earns me the ghost of a smile—a rare sight from Death herself.
Clearing my throat, I busy my hands with gathering the rest of my human possessions—a phone, a wallet, and a key to the apartment. “I need to leave for the gala. And Sienna?” She pauses, turning back to me. “Don’t create any problems while I’m gone.”
She nods once before vanishing, leaving behind only the faintest scent of night-blooming jasmine—her signature in Umbraeth. I’ve never understood how her essence carries such a scent.
Death shouldn’t smell so . . . inviting.
