Page 68 of Beauty At Stake
“Your Demon costume, as you call it, has a crown,” I said.
Star blinked. Then he rolled his eyes. “Of course it does. That's what started you on this imbecilic soliloquy?”
That stopped Killian's laughter. “Huh?”
“So you know about it?” I asked. “Did you know it's stronger in that form?”
“Seren, we talked about my crown when I first took the throne. You even told me about being crowned by the Twilight creatures.”
“Yes, I remember that, but I didn't expect to see your crown hovering between a pair of pretty horns.”
Star's expression slowly shifted into a smirk. “You like my horns?”
“Have you met Raza? I'm into that look.”
“Really?”
“Really. Horns, wings, tails, claws—I dig it all. Some girls like bad boys. I like monsters.”
“Good to know.”
“Hey!” Killian snapped his fingers between us. “Knock it off!”
I cleared my throat, unsettled that I had sunk so easily and quickly into flirtation. “Shit. I'm sorry, Kill.”
Killian looked back and forth between us. “Fuck. Go hold his hand for a few minutes.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. You two need to take the edge off, you junkies.” Killian shook his head and went to sit at the table.
Star and I looked at each other.
He held his hand out to me.
I stared at it.
Junkies. That was certainly apt. I had to end this. But was this the best time for that trauma? The sorceress was on the move. We had to catch her. No, like the Fey remains, this could wait. I'd speak to Anu when the mission was over and get him to stop the compulsion.
With that decision fortifying me, I took Star's hand.
And immediately went calm.
Shit. I thought it was hitting him harder than me, but maybe having five other men to focus on was what made it easier. Not the magic. That was as strong for me as it was for him.
Star took a breath and when he let it out, his shoulders relaxed. We shared a look of understanding.
“You good?” I asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” Star let go of my hand and resumed his seat just as Sal came back into the room.
“Done,” Sallales said.
“Good.” Star motioned at me. “Why don't you sit down, Seren?”
“I need a drink.” I went to the kitchen and rooted around until I found a bottle of peach schnapps. I took it to the table, sat down, and opened it.
“Peach schnapps?” Killian snorted. “How old is this woman—sixteen?”
