Page 88 of Poison Sun

His marriage proposal, once a thought that sent waves of dread crashing through me, now feels like a shore I’m steadily drifting toward.

But I’m not ready to voice these thoughts to him. Not yet. There’s so much I have to learn about what it would mean for me.

He’ll be okay, I tell myself. He has centuries of experience with this kind of thing. He has to be okay.

And, with that final thought, I head back down to the gym to do some solo practice with my daggers. Precisely, throwing them at targets to get as many bullseyes as I can.

Because I might not know what’s coming next.

But I can still prepare as best as I possibly can.

Damien

Maria waits for me in the Guardian’s brownstone, her stance rigid, anticipation painting her harsh features.

“Damien,” she greets, quickly getting to business. “Everything is in place. Viktor is where he’s supposed to be. The girl is here and ready.”

“Show me.”

We move through the brownstone, the wood creaking under our steps, and she leads me inside a dimly lit room where a young, human woman sits waiting for us.

Eliza’s transformation is nothing short of striking.

After weeks on the streets, her blonde hair had become flat and lifeless, her clothes worn and tattered, her face hollow, and her dark green eyes hopeless.

However, I know resilience and a determination to change your circumstances—no matter what the cost—when I see it. She has it. It’s why I chose her.

Now, her hair cascades in soft, luscious waves around her shoulders, catching the dim light and shimmering like spun gold. Her attire, chosen with care, hugs her body in all the right places, and her makeup causes her green eyes to pop with an otherworldly intensity.

Finally, there’s the jewelry. Strategically placed to catch the eye, it will almost certainly appeal to Viktor’s compulsion to acquire valuable things.

“Well done,” I say to Maria, and then I turn my attention back to Eliza. “You look stunning.”

She offers a small, uncertain smile. “Thank you,” she says, unable to meet my eyes.

“Eliza,” I begin, speaking slowly to convey the sincerity of my words, “After tonight, the Fairmont will be your home. You’ll no longer have to worry about where your next meal comes from or where you’ll sleep each night. This task isn’t just about aiding us. It’s about securing a future where you’ll be taken care of for the rest of your life.”

Maria nods in agreement. “You’re doing us a great service,” she says. “And remember—it’s not just the human world you’ll be protected from, but the supernatural world as well.”

“Right,” she says, although her gaze is far off.

I know the look well.

It’s the look of a human who recently discovered the existence of our kind, and who knows the world as they knew it will never be the same again. One who knows how weak they truly are, and how much they need our protection, no matter what.

“You won’t be alone,” Maria adds. “We’ll be closely monitoring you the entire time. You’re safe in our hands.”

Eliza nods, determination returning to her features. “I’m ready,” she says, and I reach into my pocket for the small plastic bag, removing the last adornfruit—lustberry—that I possess and handing it to her.

“This will ensure you’re irresistible tonight,” I remind her. “But more importantly, it will protect you by clouding Viktor’s judgment and ensuring your safety.”

Without hesitation, she takes the berry and eats it, her eyes widening as its magic takes effect.

She was beautiful before, but now, she’s so stunning that it’s like she’s a light trying to capture the darkness.

A glance at the desire in Maria’s eyes shows that she’s experiencing a pull toward the human girl as well.

“Come on,” I say, snapping myself back to focus by calling an image of Amber to my mind. “We have no time to waste.”

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