Page 105 of Goldsin

What’s another lie to add to the pile? It’s better this way, for her own good. If she knows, havoc will rain down. And the Inferno Consortium will notice her involvement.

“Fine.”

“I’ve got it under control,” Valentine says. “Trust me.”

“Keep me in the loop if anything new emerges.”

“Will do.”

I hang up and stare at my reflection in the steaming mirror.

I look a fucking mess.

Dark, puffy bags under my eyes, glaring red scratcheson my chest, hair sticking out in every direction, hands clenching the edge of the sink.

And still, it’s the happiest I’ve felt in ten years.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

AURELIA

Ping.

The numbers on the elevator screen gradually increase.

Valentine is standing by my side. Only the hum of the elevator accompanies us while we wait to reach the Harrows’ floor. The party starts at 11 p.m.—an unusual time for a party. A bit late, if you ask me, but it doesn’t seem to bother anyone else.

“Are you sure you want to go tonight?” Valentine peeks down at me out of the corner of his eye.

This is the second time he’s asked me in the span of minutes.

“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” I sigh. “Victoria will be there, and Lucian wants Julian and me to entertain her.”

I fidget at the idea of having to entertain her and what that might imply now I know she could be interested in me.

“Has Julian told you what these parties are like?”

I brush my hands over the peony-pink satin dress, then I plaster a reassuring smile on my face. “No, but it’s not my first Inferno Consortium party. I think I can handle it.”

Valentine doesn’t seem convinced.What has gotten into him?

The doors of the elevator open, and he walks out in silence. Pulling something from his jacket, he places it on his face. It takes me a few peeps to spot the badger mask.

“Nice mask,” I snicker. Half of it is normal, while the other is a striking red, as if the badger’s skin has been skinned off. “Did you bring one for me too? I had no idea we needed them.”

“You should know. The Harrows host this party every two months.” His voice is muffled from the mask.

I try not to let his dark tone leave an uneasy trail down my body, but it’s useless. It’s as if the moment the mask slid onto his face, someone else overtook him.

“The Hunt is one of the Inferno Consortium’s favorite events. Not only for the leading families but also for the girls working at Lucian’s brothels.”

My brow furrows in confusion as I try to make sense of what he’s telling me. His steps are long and unwavering as I try to keep up with him.

“It’s their way toupgradefrom an average sex worker to an escort, but it’s also a gift for the Inferno Consortium families, who enjoy selecting their preferred girl in a ... primal way.”

The air between us grows dark with the implication of what awaits me tonight.

“Lucian ... he likes variety. But the truth is, hechanges the girls at his brothels because the Consortium members from New York need somewhere to keep the girls who didn’t get bought in the annual auction.”

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