Page 73 of Glass Wings
“Maybe it’s time to call the cops,” Reign suggested just as the door popped open again. This time, a different male stood before her, his entire body in view. He was beautiful, his skin smooth, and his smile wide and innocent.
That kind of beauty lured you in. That kind of beauty killed.
“You are welcome to use the doorbell next time,” the man said by way of greeting. “It would save your fist from bruises.”
Reign noticed Grant was nursing his hand, though he did his best not to show it.
“We are here to take Hailey home,” Reign said, presenting herself.
“Ah, yes,” he mumbled, brushing a hand through his hair. “Who might you be?”
“I’m the man you called when you wanted her at your party. I’m the man who got stiffed when you connected with her afterward.” Grant raised his head, doing his best to seem taller.
“The pimp, I see,” he replied, his shoulders relaxing. “This is probably about money, then. How much does Hailey owe you? I will pay her debt.”
“Is she here?” Reign interrupted. “I need to see her.”
The beautiful man stared at her, taking her in. Reign suddenly felt naked. Luckily, she had grown extremely unbothered by her body. If anything, she was empowered.
“My name is Sheng,” he said, holding his hand out to her.
Reign crossed her hands in front of her chest and stuck out her hip, her chin held high. She was grateful she wore taller boots that day; the height helped her facade of a strong, angry female. She played that part extremely well.
“You will go and bring Hailey to me,” she said, waiting for the subtle but familiar shift in the posture of a person’s body as she vocalized a command.
Sheng’s eyes widened, but the posture shift never came. He looked . . . amused.
“There is no one here in this house with that name,” he said, his dazzling white teeth beaming back at her.
Shit.
What was her name? What was Hailey’s real name?
“You can take your Kinnari magic and leave,” he continued in a hushed voice.
Reign felt her entire body freeze, and her heart stopped.
“Grant, you will not hear this conversation,” she said, notbothering to look away from Sheng’s delighted eyes. “What did you just say? How do you know that word?”
That man . . . it had to have been Amis. Now, she was sure.
“You will tell Amis to come out,” she tried again as he chuckled casually at her horrified face.
“I don’t know who that is,” he said.
Lies. He was lying. She saw him. She was sure.
“One day, we might have to work together,” Sheng continued. “I’d play nice if I were you.”
The man let a red gleam cloud his eyes. It faded away once Reign noticed and realized what she had seen.
Vrae. She was standing right before a Vrae.
She spat at his feet, her anger thriving, her need to immediately find a way to tear his head off of his body consumed her.
“There would never be a reason for us to work together,” she said through her teeth. “Bring me the girl, now.”
Sheng’s face looked disappointed. He shook his head, clicking his tongue.
