Page 81 of A Drop of Anguish
We separate from Manuela and Lucille and spend a while chatting with Lola, Janet, and Stassi. I’m quiet, just sipping on my potion. Warmth slowly spreads through my chest, and my muscles relax.
Lola spins in a circle and lands on Janet’s shoulder.
“So, this is an Elite party,” Janet says, looking around.
There are three nymph girls wrestling on the bed while six boys of various species watch and laugh. Another six gather around the potions bar, including Manuela and her girlfriend.
“It’s smaller than I expected.”
“This is theElite, Elite party,” Thompson tells her. “It’s exclusive to only those reallyin.”
Jarron is still in his armchair, with four other males sitting in the chairs around him. Laithe, whose expression is equally as surly, even though a blond boy sits on his lap, playing with his hair. Across from them are mages, who look remarkably similar, down to their matching suit vests and messy black hair. Twins, I’d guess.
My eyes continually drift back to Jarron, like a magnet. He holds a glass of that same tar-like substance I remember from the last time we were at a party like this—Trevor’s, that time. His silver rings gleam in the red light.
“Elite-Elite? Then, why the hell are we here?”
“Because we’re besties with the hottest girl in school.” Lola tinkles and flies around my head.
I cough.
“What? She’s right.” A massive shifter slides up next to me, followed by a tiny redheaded girl with glowing amber eyes and pointy ears.
“Well, maybe not the hottest.” The shifter grins. “But certainly the most interesting.”
I grimace.
“Careful,” Thompson says casually then glances over his shoulder at Jarron, who’s watching us all closely.
The shifter frowns but his expression smooths into arrogance. “You really think he’ll kill for her? Over a wink?”
“Dude, he almost killed me for agreeing that she’s beautiful.” Stassi shivers. “And I’m his friend.”
I was not aware of this situation, but I wonder if it’s what motivated his “adequate” comment the other day. Stassi does make some interesting comments, but Jarron has to know he’s not a threat.
To be honest, I enjoy the compliments that don’t come with any expectations. It’s nice to be built up without the pressure to react the right way.
The mollifying potion is definitely attempting to calm me down. I can feel the warm comfort swirling through my veins, even while my mind flashes through so many dangerous thoughts.
Thoughts I’d love to indulge, but the repercussions are too heavy to consider.
Like running my hands through Jarron’s hair, the way that fae is running his through Laithe’s. Like sitting on the Crown Prince of the Under World’s lap and allowing his hands to run over my skin the way they slide over the leather of that chair.
I shake my head and force it back to reality.
“Honestly,” Thompson says, “I think we’ll be walking on eggshells until his mark covers the one Jimmy forced on her.”
The large shifter sends a nervous glance to Jarron but then shrugs. “I’m not afraid of him. Jarron’s powerful as hell, but he doesn’t do anything.”
Thompson smiles. “Well, in that case…” Thompson grins. “Elliot, right? Perhaps you’d be up for a game of truth or dare?”
“Are you gonna try to get me killed?”
“No. Just want something to pass the time. I was worried everyone would be too afraid to play. You at least talk like you’re brave. Care to prove it?”
“Fine. But don’t think I won’t bail to save my tail. There’s a clear difference between bravery and stupidity.”
My eyebrows rise. The large shifter, Elliot, is wiser than I gave him credit for.
