Page 114 of Hexed
Gag me.
The theme of the party itself is the Lost City of Atlantis,which I know was more Uncle T’s idea than it was Aria’s because she’s never been too into the Kingston lore—at least not the way Uncle T is.
The party is being held in the ballroom that sits in the estate’s basement, and it’s bathed in beautiful moody blue lighting, giving it the impression of being underwater. Thick white pillars surround everything, and there’s a sense of ethereal beauty, an ancient feeling I’m sure took an ostentatious amount of money to achieve.
A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne, and Athena grabs one and hands it to me.
I shake my head and set it down on the bar behind me. “I don’t drink.”
She looks at me funny. “Oh. Sorry, I…I didn’t know that.”
And why would she have known? Athena isn’t someone I share my life with. She’s just someone who’s good at making me come.
“This is gorgeous,” a random woman says, standing at the bar next to me.
Athena locks her arm around my waist, leaning in and brushing her nose along my ear. “Almost as gorgeous as you.”
I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m really not in the mood for her brand of flirting.
Still, talking to her is better than the alternative of having to face this night alone.
Especially when I see Johnston Miller walking over with Uncle T, Enzo, and Aria in tow.
My eyes widen with shock as I look at Enzo, and he gives me a quick nod. Maybe to tell me there’s nothing to worry about, but…
Why the hell is Johnston even here?
They’re clearly heading toward me, and my heart skips a beat. There goes hoping I can get away with hiding in the corner all night.
“Who’s that?” Athena asks, her fingers tightening around my waist.
“Nobody important, darlin’. You just stand there and look pretty.” I smile back at her.
Enzo’s eyes are fiery when they land on mine, dropping to where Athena has her hand on my hip. LikeI’mdoing something wrong.
I have to physically hold back the scoff at his audacity, because I’m sorry, but is this nothisengagement party?
“Venesa,” Johnston says when he reaches us. “Howfortunateto see you again so soon.”
Something isn’t right here.
“Johnston. You look a little banged up.” I gesture to his black eye. “Hope that doesn’t hurt too bad.”
I don’t acknowledge Aria, because fuck her. And fuck Uncle T too, honestly. He hasn’t even checked in on me since everything went down on my birthday.
Aria smirks like she knows something that I don’t, and Uncle T leans in, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
Enzo just stares at me like he wants to either fuck me or kill me.
Aria looks around and then lifts a brow as she focuses on me. “No Fisher tonight?”
My protective nature swings forward, and I bristle. “Fisher isn’t your concern, Aria. Worry about your man.”
She narrows her eyes at me.
“And who’s this?” Enzo pipes in, nodding toward Athena.
“This is my date.” I grin widely. “Athena.”
