Page 32 of Poison Sun

“You’re referring to the attack on his people.” I remain calm, making sure to call them his people instead of our people.

At this point, a small mistake could cost us everything.

“I was hoping it would help you see reason,” he says.

“Then mission accomplished.”

He watches me with that hawk-like gaze of his, studying me, scrutinizing me. “And why should I believe you’re switching sides so easily?”

Dylan rocks back and forth on his skateboard, listening as if this is the best entertainment he’s had all day.

“Can we speak alone?” I ask Lucas.

Lucas nods, then turns to Dylan. “You did well,” he says. “Now, leave us.”

“Sure,” Dylan says, and he rolls away with a whoosh of air trailing behind him.

A few people watch him leave. One even gives him a thumbs up, complimenting his earlier show.

“I guess you’re not a fan of flying under the radar?” I ask Lucas once Dylan’s gone.

Lucas simply gestures toward a secluded pathway that leads off to the side of the park. “You look particularly stunning today,” he says, changing the subject. “Let’s talk somewhere more private?”

“How private?”

Has the lustberry worked so well that he already wants to take me back to wherever he’s been camping out?

“How private are you looking for?” he asks in return.

Disgust rises inside me at the way he’s leering at me, but I push it down. “I want to go back with you,” I say simply, the bold statement lingering between us.

His smile widens. “A lovely proposition,” he says. “If not a bit forward for our first opportunity to be truly alone together.”

I watch him, waiting, drawing calmness from the sun’s afternoon rays shining brightly overhead.

I need it.

Because it’s taking everything in me to resist scorching that arrogant smile off Lucas’s chiseled face.

“What did you have in mind?” I ask, not wanting to seem overly eager by pushing too quickly.

“There’s a park bench over there that I’m particularly fond of.” He motions toward one of the paths leading away from the fountain. “Shall we?”

“Sounds great.” I plaster on a smile and follow him until we’re surrounded by towering trees, off to a side where a few homeless people have camped out for the day.

Once seated on one of the few empty benches, Lucas turns to me, serious now. “So, Star Touched,” he says. “Care to share what’s going through that beautiful head of yours?”

I move close to him and take a deep breath, which only seems to entice him further.

No, it doesn’t seem to. It does entice him further.

This close to him, the lustberry will be starting to lure him in, especially with his heightened vampire senses. I hate doing it—every instinct in my body urges me to pull away, not wanting to think about Lucas so much as touching me—but I stay strong.

The entire plan depends on it.

“I assume you’re wondering what happened to the potion after Viktor ran away and left me for dead?” I ask.

“The thought has been on my mind.” He breathes steadily, not moving away from me, waiting for me to continue.

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