Page 10 of Consume Me
Natalia stalks to the counter where the daggers lie, humming with power. “And you think a fancy party with drunken revelry and too much glitter is the answer to your problems?”
I shake my head. “We’ve tried everything. You know we have. And every road we followed said the same thing: The only way the daggers move on to a new wielder is upon the death of their current one.”
“Fuck that.” Natalia’s expression darkens. “No one harms my protégé unless I order it done.”
A bitter laugh slips out because, as scary as it sounds, I could see Natalia disposing of a student who disappointed her.
In the silence that follows, Natalia sighs.
“I’m not saying this deal is a good idea,” she says. “But I get it.”
I exhale, relieved she’s not fighting me on this anymore. “You know this Vaelora person,” I say quietly. “That means the party’s legit? It’s not a trap?”
Natalia snorts. “Vaelora doesn’t do illegitimate. She’s an ancient fae with a love of secrets. But she doesn’t do violence—not in her own house anyway. Only romance. Rumor has it she’s some kind of matchmaker.”
“A matchmaker? Seriously?”
“Supposedly. And cursed, if the rumors are true. She can sense others’ mate bonds but can’t find her own.”
“That’s tragic.”
“A bit too dramatic for me,” Natalia says. “But it means you don’t have to worry about her setting you up.” I exhale, glad to hear it. “If I were you, I’d focus on your own task. And watch your back with those things,” she adds, nodding at the daggers. “Considering the sheer number of guests attending, I have a feeling the daggers are using this arrangement for more than spilling blood.”
“You think they’re going to pick a new wielder when they’re done with me.”
“I don’t know what they’re planning. That’s what I don’t like.”
“Add it to the list.”
She reaches for the silver gown. “This is the one.”
“Really? It’s kind of plain. I was thinking?—”
Magic surges, and I watch as the dress shimmers then suddenly transforms. In its place is a gown that sparkles like diamonds. Embellishments along the shoulders and bodice lift away from the lacy fabric, curling into hardened points as if water froze mid-splash. The look of it is sharp as ice. I can only stare at the decorative bodice and full skirt, struck by the way Natalia just completely blew my mind with a flick of her wrist.
“Is that what you were thinking?” she asks.
I gape at her. “This is way better than whatever I was thinking.”
She shrugs. “It’ll do. Try not to get blood on it.”
I reach for it, running my hand over the intricate beadwork that shines like ice crystals even in this dim lighting. “This is perfect, thank you.”
“Oh, almost forgot. Accessories.” She snaps her fingers, and a tiara headband appears next to the dress, along with a thin necklace that perfectly matches the corded lining of the bodice and the glittery jewels sewn into the lace.
“What’s this?” I hold up a weapons holster that’s far smaller than the one I have now.
“A thigh holster.” Her brow lifts. “Were you planning on just carrying those things in by hand?”
“No, of course not. Wow. Natalia, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I don’t know. I enjoy the private joke, seeing the city’s deadliest dark fae in a dress made of ice crystals that shine like pure light.” Her smirk is twisted.
I shake my head.
Natalia starts for the door but stops, saying, “Oh, onemore thing: If this doesn’t work, you’re calling your sister.”
“What?” I frown at her. “No. I told you, I don’t want to drag Tori into this.”
