Page 83 of Shattered Illusion

“Now, Mia, measuring tape. Chop, chop.” Mia jumps to do Gia’s bidding, rushing around the room until she finds what she needs. “Now, spin for me, child.”

I grumble at her calling me a child but do as she asks. Sounds not of this world leave her lips as she walks around me, accessing me. One thing I can say for sure is that I don’t like the feeling of her picking me apart. Especially since most of those sounds don’t seem promising.

“Love the hair, darling. Nice and full.” She fluffs a few strands before coming to stand in front of me again. “Beautiful skincolor. Won’t wash out with certain colors like some people.” She cuts her eyes quickly toward Marion before refocusing on me. “But that necklace. No. No, no, no. I cannot let you wear it.” She reaches out for my snowflake, and I smack her hand away, clutching my necklace with the other.

She gasps, affronted that I’d dare raise a hand to her. But this is my necklace. And no one touches it but me. She doesn’t like it, too freaking bad.

“The necklace stays,” I all but growl in her direction, my magic bubbling under my skin.

She raises her hands, backing away from me slowly. It’s only then I realize I’m still growling under my breath, my transmutation rune burning hotly from beneath my joggers.

Whatever is coming through is obviously not happy with her trying to take away the one thing keeping us safe. My eyes close on their own accord as I take deep breaths, trying to push back down what is trying to claw its way out of me.

A hand on my shoulder startles me, and I look into the golden eyes of my friend. She looks back at me with concern, but a small smile flits her lips.

“Your animal wants to be free, Bailey. Is that the first time she’s pushed to the surface?”

I swallow hard and nod, words escaping me.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think you should start attending transmutation class again. He could really help you.” I wrinkle my nose like I’ve smelled something sour. “We’ll revisit this.” I nod. “Okay, Gia, Mia. Necklace stays. Now that that’s sorted, let’s get this show on the road.”

The sisters nod their heads at the same time before heading toward different racks. The sound of zippers being pulled echoes through my dorm room, drawing my eyes in every direction to see what they uncover.

Every color of the rainbow and then some explode from the garment bags, in every shape and style possible. Marion squeals as she sets her sights on the same pale monstrosities I knew she’d be drawn to, but it isn’t until a gorgeous red gown is uncovered that I find myself wanting to make the same noise.

There’s only one word to describe it. Stunning. It’s everything I never thought I’d want to wear, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off it.

“Alright, ladies,” Mia murmurs with a Cheshire grin, dragging my focus back to her. “Clothes off.”

Faster than I can blink, Marion stands before me in one of the strappy numbers I vaguely remember from our disaster trip to the mall. My clothes come off a lot slower, and Gia—or is it Mia—tsks at the sight of my less-than-fabulous undergarments. My cheeks burn under her stare, but Marion, the saint she is, redirects her attention toward her.

Thank the Gods because my smack-a-bitch game is strong today.

Two ungodly hours later, I’m finally—finally—standing inthedress. Blood red to remind me of Axel. A deep V extending below my breast bone that accentuates my breasts. Skin-tight satin that reminds me of the T-shirts Luka always wears, and it clings to my body like a second skin before flaring at the bottom in a mermaid shape.

But what I love the most is how it shows off my mate marks, even though no one can see them. There is still a good portion of the vine winding around my chest that’s still blank, but one end is shaded for my demigod while the other is in reds and graysfor my vampire. Plus, on full display, are the two small puncture marks from where Axel bit me. And now, every time I brush my fingers over them, out-of-this-world pleasure rockets through my body.

But I digress. The dress as a whole, though, really is perfect. The sisters may have made us try on every single piece they brought, no matter how much I objected to some of the others, but I knew the moment I saw this one that it was the dress I would wear tonight.

Tears blur my vision as I stare back at my reflection in the large mirror they rolled in here while Marion and I were being put into our first dresses. What I wouldn’t give to have my mom here right now. Not my birth mother. My human mom. She always wanted to see me in something like this, but we never had anywhere to go that warranted something so extravagant.

“It’s perfect, Bailey,” Marion murmurs from next to me, staring back at me in the mirror. “You’ll knock those men of yours right off their feet.” I sniffle, barely keeping my already fraying emotions in check. “Hey.” She pulls me into her embrace despite the protests of the sisters. She rocks me back and forth, running her fingers through my hair. “You miss your family, don’t you? Your mom? Your dad?” I nod, sucking in a deep breath.

It’s a time like this that I’m glad I confided in her with that part of my life. And while I still feel like a shit friend for her still not knowing the truth, my whole body sags against hers as she reads me so easily.

“Why don’t you call them? Or maybe ask one of your guys to take you to the sector to visit.”

“They can do that?”

“For you?” Marion grips my shoulders and nudges me back a step. “I think those two would do anything you ask.” She looksaround, emphasizing her point. “All you have to do is say the words.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, grateful for such a wonderful person to have come into my life.

It’s moments like now that I think back to that fateful day. The day I thought my world ended the second I realized I wasn’t human. But I was wrong. It was just the beginning. My world is so much brighter now on this side of the wall. I have a true friend. Two mates who I dare say I’m falling in l..lo—like with. Like…like a lot, a lot. And my future keeps looking better as the days roll by.

Nerves flutterin my belly as I find myself pacing back and forth in my dorm-slash-apartment. Again. My gorgeous red gown swishes around my legs as I nibble on my nails in anticipation of what’s to come. It’ll be my first introduction really to the rest of the supernatural society, along with an up close and personal view of the supernatural council.

“Relax, Bails,” Marion murmurs, lounging elegantly in her glittery pink dress on my couch as we await my dates’ arrival. Hudson—or should I say, Professor Asshole—told Marion he’d meet her there, so instead of going with him, she’ll be riding with Axel, Luka, and I.

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