Page 64 of Venomous Kiss
He takes a moment to assess me, and then nods approvingly at what I’m wearing. “You wore the correct outfit, though you probably should have worn something warmer. The night’s chill can be a killer.” As he says the last word, he smirks. I stand there as he lifts his mask and slides it onto his face. He stares back at me through a mask that looks to be made of broken glass scattered all over it. In the dark moonlight, I can barely see my reflection in it.
“Was I meant to be wearing a mask?” I ask. I don’t even see any cars. He holds out his hand, and I give him a quizzical look. I’m not sure what he wants.
“Keys, please.”
“Keys?”
“Yes, for your car. We’ll need to move it so it doesn’t interfere.”
“With what?”
He stays quiet and opens and closes his hand, indicating for me to give him my keys.
“Will Reon be here soon?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m always the first to arrive to set up.”
“I’ve been standing here for an hour. You’re late,” I say, pressing my hands to my chest. At first, I contemplated not coming, but the anticipation and the money pushed me over the edge. Even if I have some now, I would really like more. I’m not sure why I stayed as long as I did. I should have left. We’re in the fucking middle of nowhere, for goodness sake. There doesn’t seem to be any other life around us.
“No, the guest of honor is always early. It helps them get acquainted with their surroundings.” He waves a hand around, so I look around again. The moon is hardly visible, with barely any stars in the sky, and there are trees as high as buildings. Furthermore, it’s quiet, so quiet.
“Keys,” he repeats. Soren doesn’t seem like a man who gets told no often.
“No,” I tell him. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep them.”
“I do mind.” I hear the rustle of something and look behind me.
“It’s probably just a squirrel,” Soren says. His voice drops as he continues, “Or a coyote.” Turning back to him, I know he is smiling behind that mask.
“I think I should go.”
“I think you shouldn’t. I’m sure you know not just anyone gets invited to the Forsaken Society’s parties.” He cracks his neck from side to side. “Seems you got into many, though. Tell me, Lilith, how did you do that?” My mouth opens and closes without any words coming out, and then I lift the bottom of my dress and turn to go back to my car. “Where are you going, Lilith? Don’t you want to see Reon?” he calls after me.
His words send a shiver down my spine, but I don’t stop walking until I get to my car. But when I see it, I pause.
What did he do?
“It’s best you give me the keys now, Lilith.” His voice close behind me makes me jump.
“What did you do?” I ask, looking at my car. My tires are flat.
“Don’t worry, I’ll buy you a new one…” He pauses. “If you survive.” My heart flutters, and in the pit of my stomach, I feel sick.
“The Hunt.” The words leave my mouth before I can take them back.
Soren goes deadly quiet and leans in close. “Who told you about that?” I gasp when he reaches out and grabs my arm. “Did Reon tell you? He should know better.”
“He didn’t,” I say, pulling my arm back, but he doesn’t let it go.
“Arlo may be blind in some respects, but he is loyal. He would never tell anyone about them. So, that only leaves Reon.”
“Let go of my arm,” I shriek, still trying to escape his grasp. His gaze falls to where his fingers wrap around my arm, and then he releases me. Stepping back, he looks around.
“Tell me who told you, and I will let you go.”
“You’re bluffing. You would never let me go. That much I know.”
“You are a stupid girl for coming in the first place.”
