Page 205 of Shadowblood Souls
A mesh neckline meets a pale blue bodice with a rippling waterfall of chiffon beneath.
They’re all beautiful. They’re all completely separate from anything I ever imagined my life could contain.
I linger over them, running my fingertips over the smooth fabric. I still don’t know what Andreas is up to, but I told Dominic I’d give it a shot.
And I can’t deny that excitement shivers through me at the thought of putting on one of those gowns. Seeing myself transformed into the kind of person whowouldbelong in a life like that, if only in appearance.
Finally, I settle on the pale blue dress. It’s the lightest and the most flexible to move in.
And when I tug at the folds, I discover pockets hidden in the chiffon skirt. I know where my knives are going.
Just because I’m getting dressed up doesn’t mean I’m throwing caution to the wind. We’ve been attacked when we least expected it before.
Anyway, maybe I’m going to end up wanting to stab Andreas. Might as well be prepared.
I shimmy into the dress, which falls all the way to my ankles. To my relief, the solid part of the bodice covers my cleavage, only my shoulders and collarbone revealed through the mesh.
My two shadow marks show through the transparent fabric, one on either side.
The silver chain of my cat-and-yarn pendant dangles between them. The necklace doesn’t exactly fit the elegance of the dress, but I can’t imagine taking it off any more than I could erase those marks.
I’m just turning toward the door when Pearl materializes out of thin air right in front of it. A yelp of surprise bursts from my lips.
Pearl cringes with embarrassment. “Sorry, sorry, I forgot, I should have started outside and knocked. I can try again and?—”
“No,” I interrupt. “It’s okay. You’re here now. What’s going on?”
“I’m helping!” She flashes a smile and holds out a pair of gray ballet-style dress shoes. “You picked a good dress. It makes your eyes look more gold.”
Considering she goes around wearing cocktail dresses as casual wear, her approval feels reassuring. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I can do something fancy with your hair too. If you want.”
My gaze veers back to the mirror. My usual braid, slightly rumpled at the moment, doesn’t really fit the elegant clothes.
“Are you a hairdresser now too?” I ask with a little wryness.
Pearl laughs. “I’m good at beauty stuff. Seems to be part of the succubus skillset. I can make it pretty but not too fussy. You’d like that, right?”
I exhale slowly. “Yeah, that sounds about my speed.”
Pearl really must have some kind of cosmetician magic, because in the space of a few minutes, she’s unwound my hair and fixed it into a swooping coil across my head with a few waves drifting down on one side. Not how I’ve ever pictured it, but looking at my reflection, I could almost believe Iamsomeone else.
Pearl rubs her hands together in excitement. “I’ll go tell the guys you’re ready.”
She vanishes again without bothering with the door.
I wiggle my toes into the shoes, which have enough give to fit my feet comfortably. No heels, which is probably for the best.
The next arrival does knock. I square my shoulders and answer the door.
Dominic is waiting on the other side again, but he couldn’t look more different either. He’s wearing a fancy suit with a collared shirt underneath, a bulge on the back showing where it covers his tentacles. His auburn hair is smoothed back in the neatest of ponytails, and his eyes are gleaming.
He looks absolutely dashing. I think I might be drooling.
It takes me a moment to shake myself out of the initial daze and realize he’s awestruck too. A hint of a flush colors his light brown skin.
“You’re even more gorgeous than usual,” he says.
