Page 65 of Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

“Liar.”

“More like I am embarrassed on your behalf.”

“Or you’re secretly terrified I’ll find out you’re not as immune to me as you’d like to believe.”

Shadow let out a little sniff but didn’t correct him.

“I can prove it to you if you wish.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Scared of being proven wrong?”

“Hardly.”

“Let’s make a wager then, shall we? If you win, I promise not to bother you anymore. And if I win...”

She eyed him warily, though that had more to do with the sudden ache in her chest at the thought of Ronan making good on his promise. “That’s a tempting offer, but the answer is still no.”

“Aw, come on, kitten. Play with me.” He reached out, trailing a finger along her lips, holding her gaze, all manner of carnal promises burning in their depths.

It was on the tip of her tongue to give in. To say yes. To beg.

But before she could be that stupid, the velvet curtain separating the main room from the back was pushed to the side, revealing Dmitri.

Just like that, reality came crashing back down, shattering the moment between them. They were seated mere inches from each other, but suddenly everything stood between them. The contest. Erebos. Her future... his.

It was too much.

Shadow shot backward, quickly standing and stepping away from Ronan, desperate to put some space between them.

“Killer, wait—”

She shook her head, holding out her hand to keep him at bay. “Story time is over, Ronan.”

CHAPTER19

SHADOW

She could feel Ronan’s eyes on her as the contestants moved into the small side room, willing her to join him.

Not going to happen, Butcher.

She moved instead to the opposite side of the room, trying to put as many people between them as possible. With only ten contestants remaining in the competition, there weren’t enough bodies to properly shield him from her view. She tried to focus instead on studying the room. While she’d never been back here before, she knew it was used for private parties or the like. It was perhaps only a quarter of the size of the main bar area and had been cleared of all furniture save a couple of chairs, which had already been claimed.

Loren was man-sprawled across one of them, his lips lifted in a soft smile as he played with a sorry-looking teal feather. Dichen was in another, the black veil concealing everything but her eyes, which were intently peering about the room. The third and final chair had been claimed by a rather waifish man who didn’t seem to belong at all.Calix. Her memory provided.The poisoner.

She scanned the other faces in the room, unsurprised to see who remained, though she scowled as soon as her eyes landed on Ronan, who was still staring at her.

Stop looking at me, you buffoon.It was like the man wanted people to wonder what was going on between them. Was he really that stupid? Or did he simply not realize how dangerous his obsession with her was?

You’re just as obsessed as he is, Shadow. He wasn’t sitting at the table alone. You were right there, all but going into heat because of a few sexy whispers.

Gritting her teeth, she subtly shifted her body until he was completely blocked from view.

“Looks as though we are all here,” Dmitri said, stepping up onto a small stool so he could be seen by everyone. “Congratulations on your success thus far. The High Lord is very impressed by what he has seen. As am I.

“Your next trial will take place at the palace tomorrow evening beginning at sundown. Each of you has been given a unique mission that must be completed before sunrise. Anyone who does not successfully complete their task will not move on to the final round. I have cards for each of you detailing the specifics of your assignment. Please do not open them until you are alone.”

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