Page 13 of House of Pain
The sweetness of Val’s voice, clearly artificial and meant to coax the Alumni to her side, was making Alecto sicker than her father’s hand resting on her waist.
Ifthe Snakes won this years’ Game, it was definitely not going to be because of Blaze. He cared about their House less than any of them.
Galliermo didn’t say anything else, eyeing his son before he turned to Alecto.
Alecto’s back stiffened even more as she remembered that her face was probably streaked with black glitter from the kiss she shared with Blaze.
From the way Galliermo’s eyes flickered, it seemed that he remembered that kiss on the stage as well.
“Alecto, I heard that this year you’re going to be gunning for the main role inCarmen?” Auburn chimed in, her voice sweet and familiar. Too similar to Alecto’s mom for her comfort.
Alecto’s mother and Auburn used to be friends. Her mom would take her to the Leveau penthouse as a child, and they would spend afternoons in their nursery, surrounded by dozens of plants that Auburn tended to herself, sun rays streaking through the thick wall of leaves.
Those were a few scarce memories Alecto had of her time with her mother.
“Yes, Mrs. Leveau.” Alecto nodded, forcing a smile. The woman was nothing but sweet to her. The least she could do was return the favor. “I’m going to be attending the audition next week. Fingers crossed I land the role.”
“Of course you will, sweetheart,” her father said, pulling away to turn to Auburn. “She’s just shy, my girl. Did I tell you that she spent the whole summer in the acting camp? I didn’t even have to lift a finger to get her in. Her talent and wit were enough on their own.”
“That’s wonderful, dear,” Auburn gushed, covering her mouth with her elegant palm. “I think you’d be perfect for Carmen.”
The only thing Alecto could do was smile brighter, swallowing the bitterness down. The praises and the sweet-talking, followed by rewards and lavish gifts, were something she was used to by now.
Father of the fucking year.
“She’s not a redhead,” Blaze murmured into his whiskey glass.
He slowly met Alecto’s gaze, his black eyes hot as coal.Alecto’s cheeks burned with shame, and she was grateful she opted for a thick layer of foundation to hide her skin tonight.
“That’s just a small detail a little bit of magic can easily fix,” Auburn said, offering a reassuring smile. “It’s about the talent and the charisma. That’s something no amount of magic can grant.”
“And my sweet pumpkin has it all,” Alatar said, his face beaming. “All of it from her mother, of course.”
Auburn chuckled. “Don’t be so modest, Alatar. We all remember the times from Venefica when you were pulling all the witches who crossed your path.”
If she had to listen to them reminiscing about their glory days, she was going to pop her eardrums.
“That’s not how I remember it.” Another voice came from behind them, and Alessandro’s parents joined them, their hands linked together.
The Weirs were the couple of the goddamn century. Alecto always looked at them and wondered what it would feel like to have a love like theirs, to walk through life with someone who viewed you as an equal, a partner by your side.
From the looks on Jolene’s and Val’s faces, it was clear that Alecto wasn’t alone in wondering.
Rufus Weir’s brown face beamed with a dazzling smile at her father as they shook hands. Then, Alatar took Octavia’s hand and gently lifted it to his lips, planting an elegant kiss.Galliermo offered a grave nod to each and let Auburn do the greeting.
The elite of Avalon Hills was a bunch of rich assholes, with their fake greetings and soft kisses, expensive elderberry wine, and clothing made of gerberry silk.
Alecto looked around the field, bringing her glass of bubbly wine to her lips as she tried to come up with a good enough excuse to run away.
There were a couple dozen Crahens, entities conjured from clay and magic to serve their needs, roaming the field, carrying large silver trays with drinks and canapes.
The bubbly wine was bitter on her tongue, nothing like the champagne she had tasted in the mortal world. Despite that, she gulped the glass down and reached for another one as the faceless waiter passed them.
As Alecto turned back to their little group, she caught Val’s gaze.
It wasn’t malicious or angry. Yet it was intense and blazing as if Val was trying to drill a hole in Alecto’s skull.
It was hard not to miss the way Val pressed her tiny body against Blaze’s lean, hard figure, the way she traced one finger over the defined muscles of his naked chest, as if to show everyone he was her property.
