Page 45 of Seasons of War
“Here.” One of the women touched up her mascara while another dabbed her cheeks with blush.
Miya took her makeup bag from one of the women who fetched it for her and applied her lipstick. The headmistress gave her the once-over and laid her hair over her shoulders. “There. You look perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, child. A gift for men is a curse for women.”
There was kindness behind the older woman’s snappy tone. An insult she could take. Compassion? What was Miya to do with compassion? Rather than respond, she left the other women behind.
Miya was over all this. The captain may have a temper, but so did she.
As she approached the double doors of the exit, she noticed a silhouette in the corner of her eye. Lance leaned against the wall by the coat rack with his hands in his pockets. When he saw her, he straightened, still for a moment. Long enough for his gaze to take her in. A good sign. Too bad Miya was in no mood for the games she needed to play with him.
Now Lance focused on something on the floor that must have been more appealing than her.
“You don’t have to go,” he said.
“Yes, I do.” Miya slid her coat on and fastened the buttons. “No is the most dangerous thing you can say to someone like him. That man is a psychopath. We all should do what he wants. I’m leaving. I’ll be back, and I’ll be okay.”
The muscles in his jaw bunched. Was this an act or for real?
“You’re right that he’s dangerous,” Lance said. “Don’t go with that man. He’s here for war. There’s no telling what he'll do to you.”
She’d spent her adult life coaxing secrets from men. Given enough time, Miya would discover exactly what the captain intended. “You think it’s possible to hide at this point?”
“No. I don’t. Even when there’s no good answer, some things are just wrong. You shouldn’t have to do this.”
“I’ve got this. Goodnight, Lance.” Miya stepped out into the cold.
Whether he truly cared or not, he’d put on a convincing enough show. But she learned long ago never to trust a man who acted as if he cared. Might mean she’d passed on a few good guys, but best not to pick up another bad one.
Especially with such a rotten one to deal with already. The captain might be the most dangerous man she’d encountered, but he had a mission. Something to lose. The worst guys were the ones with nothing. As long as she was useful, she should be safe with him.
Despite knowing this, her body was tensed up so much that her muscles ached. This was the Phaedra they were dealing with. Not just Captain Garrison.
CHAPTER 12
Miya
The Territories
Archai, Caspador
833 P.C. [Post-Collapse]
The leather padding along the edge of the brass bar cooled Miya's forearms. She leaned against it, already dizzy.
“Another.” The captain tapped the counter. The bartender retrieved their empty shot glasses. They shared their own private room at the club while his men enjoyed their party downstairs. Lucky her.
Miya downed the shot of vodka without hesitating.
Compliance.
That was the bare minimum. She had to minimize herself. All thoughts and needs. It would make the revenge feel even better once she crushed him.
There were no lights overhead, only candles along the walls and tables. Flames licked the thin glass container that divided the room into two. With the dark leather couches in the center of the room, Miya might enjoy a place like this under different circumstances.
“Tell me about Aiden,” the captain said.
