Page 2 of Twisted Desire

I dry off and change into a semiformal black dress. It falls off one shoulder and reaches just above my knee. I need to head into the office after this meeting, so I also slip on heels on my way through my bedroom. I stop in front of my vanity and comb through my hair, braiding it down my back to keep it out of my face. Then, I sit in front of the mirror and open my makeup drawer. After mixing a couple different shades of foundation together to match my warm skin tone, I use a brush to apply it to my face. I fill in my eyebrows, precisely arching them, then pick up the black liquid eyeliner pen and lift it to my eye. It’s taken a shit ton of practice, but I’m finally satisfied with my ability to flick the pen just right to get a decent wing. It was no simple feat, either. Sometimes it’s nice to spend time on something other than saving my race. I swipe a red stain across my lips, stick the tube in my laptop bag, and grab a jacket on my way out the door to combat the unseasonably chilly mid-September weather Rockdale has been experiencing this week.

My heels echo on the hardwood floor as I walk through the suite I’ve been living in at the Westbrook Hotel since Tristan left. He offered me the penthouse, but I would never take it. For two reasons. One, that was—is—his space, and two, his decorating skills are fucking awful. It’d take too much work to renovate the place to my tastes, and if all goes as planned, he’ll be back soon anyway.

If all goes as planned.

The words bounce around my head, taunting me.

Itwillgo as planned, I want to shout back, but yelling at an empty room won’t make me seem very capable as a leader in a war, so I bite my tongue and drag my ass downstairs.

“We’re going to try something a little... unethical,” Nikolai says, sliding off the stage at the front of the room. The tables have been pushed to the walls, and the chairs are stacked on the stage behind him, leaving the floor open for the twenty or so fae occupying it.

“What do you mean?” a female fae asks, her eyes wide. A lot of the group is emitting nervous energy; there are so many who feel the same that no one is bothering to hide their emotions. I steal a glance at Nikolai; his are bottled up tight.

“We’re going to practice mind manipulation,” he explains, “on each other.”

“Is that even possible?” someone calls out, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“The fae being influenced has to let it happen,” Nikolai clarifies.

“Wait, what?” Allison cuts in. “I’m confused.”

After gauging the room, it’s clear she’s not the only one. Faces full of furrowed brows and creased foreheads stare back at me. Well, isn’t this fucking lovely? We’re going to be here all day.

“It’s not exactly well known that fae can compel other fae,” I explain. “Probably because it’s not an easy thing to do unless the fae you’re trying to manipulate lets their guard down, allowing you into their head. That or one fae needs to be significantly more powerful and practiced at compulsion.”

Nikolai continues, “The point of the exercise isn’t to hold power over your friends and allies, it’s to practice your methods so, when you use your abilities in battle, you’ll be able to do so without much thought.”

Allison nods in understanding.

“Okay,” Nikolai calls out. “Partner up with someone you trust.” He waits while everyone gets into pairs. “Now, choose who is going to influence whom. Get comfortable with the idea of letting them into your head. Don’t worry. You’ll get the chance to get inside the other person’s head after.”

“Does that mean you’re going to let Skylar screw with yours?” someone teases.

Nikolai doesn’t miss a beat. “Skylar screws with my head every day. Today is no different, and tomorrow will be the same.” He shoots me a wink, and I glare at him.

“Begin when you’re ready. I’ll be walking around the room checking on everyone, but stay focused. I’ll only interrupt if I have a suggestion.”

I break away from the crowd, standing against the wall near the back of the room to observe. I don’t need to practice mind manipulation. I’ve been doing it forever. By now, it’s nothing more than a parlor trick.

Watching the fae attempt compulsion on each other would be more amusing if we weren’t counting on it as a defense against The Experiment. At first, most of the fae struggle. The room is filled with frustrated expressions and muddied energy. It’s understandable—not wanting to let someone into your head to mess with it, but they have to if they’re going to learn.I hope Nik is prepared to spend the entire day here. At this rate, it’s going to take a while.

It doesn’t take long for Nikolai to call me out as he makes his way around the room. He scratches the dark stubble on his cheek. “Did you misunderstand the whole idea of ‘partner up’?”

I laugh. “Nope. I decided to pass.”

“Now, kitten, you have to play nice with the others.”

“I’m not in the mood, Sterling.”

“Get in the mood, Skylar. We need to make sure these people aren’t walking to their deaths by helping us take down The Experiment.”

I bite my tongue, battling the urge to tear his eyes out—though my aggression would probably turn him on.

“I’ll take your silence as acceptance of what I’ve said. You know I’m right though you’ll never admit it.” He nods when I grant him an icy smile. “Come on.” He inclines his head toward the group.

“What?”

“They’re not really getting it. It’s time to show them how compulsion really works.”

---