Page 20 of The Second Sight
Even the people sitting at the other tables around us looked different. Their clothes were more polished, and their jewelry looked expensive.
Brooklyn’s eyes were wide with wonder, her head swiveling to take it all in. I would have been equally impressed under normal circumstances. Now, I was too focused on the cold hand at my waist and the growing sense that I was walking deeper into danger with every step.
Chapter
Eight
KASI
Seven led us toward a corner arrangement of couches partially hidden by an ornamental screen. A woman sat there, her posture so perfect it made my spine ache just looking at her. Even seated, I could tell she was tall and lean. Her dark brown hair fell only an inch or two below her shoulders. When she looked up at our approach, I was struck by her green eyes. At first, I thought she was Hispanic, but the closer I got, I could see she was White.
Her face was beautiful in a severe, intimidating way. She wore a simple black dress that somehow looked more expensive than anything I’d ever owned. It was her expression that truly caught my attention. She looked bored as hell, and her face went cold when her gaze landed on me.
“Lily,” Seven said as we reached the seating area. “I’ve brought some new friends.”
Lily’s gaze moved from me to Brooklyn and back again, assessing us with the detachment of someone examining insects. “So, I see,” she replied, her voice low and musical despite its frosty tone. “How unexpected.”
Seven gestured for us to sit, arranging things so that Brooklyn and I were on one couch while he sat beside the Lilylady. The moment his hand left my waist, I felt both relief and a strange sense of exposure.
“This is Kasinda and Brooklyn,” Seven said, settling back against the leather with casual grace. “Kasinda is a college student. Brooklyn is?—”
“A student too,” Brooklyn supplied, apparently unbothered by Lily’s cool reception. “This place is amazing. Do you come here often?”
“These are your new... friends,” Lily said to Seven, ignoring Brooklyn’s question entirely. The pause before “friends” was deliberate, loaded with a meaning I couldn’t decipher.
Was she being racist? It was my go-to, but I needed to see a little bit more before I labeled her. Shit! What if she was a vampire? Why didn’t I think of that before?
Seven smiled. It was a private exchange passing between him and Lily that excluded Brooklyn and me completely.
“We’ve only just met,” he said smoothly. “But I find the ladies fascinating.”
A server appeared at Seven’s elbow, seemingly summoned without any visible signal. “The usual, sir?”
“Yes, and whatever these ladies would like,” Seven replied without taking his eyes off me.
Brooklyn immediately ordered some complicated cocktail, while I asked for water, not trusting myself with more alcohol. My head was already spinning from everything that happened, and I needed to keep my wits about me.
“Kasi, what are you studying in college?” Seven asked once the server had gone.
“Psychology.” I answered truthfully. I guess this was his way of making small talk.
“What drew you to that field of study?”
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “I’ve always been interested in how people think. Why they do the things they do.”
“Kasi’s always been good at reading people,” Brooklyn chimed in, relaxing into the plush leather.
“Is that so?” Seven leaned forward, his eyes never leaving my face. “That’s a valuable skill.”
“Not really,” I said, trying to steer the conversation away from myself. “What about you? What do you do?” I asked Seven.
“Investments primarily,” he replied vaguely. “Family business. Rather dull, I’m afraid.”
“Seven’s being modest,” Lily interjected, her green eyes glittering. “Our family has... interests in many ventures throughout the city.” The way she said “interests.” made it sound like a threat.
“Our family.” I stated.
“Yes, yes, Lily is my sister.” Seven offered.
