“That’s the second promise you’ve made me Angel.” She said softly and saw his eyes flare as a smirk flitted across her lips, “Are you sure you’ll keep them?”
Are you sure you want to?
“Oh, I will. Just you see.”He drawled in a low voice, and he let go. Ray bit back a grin again but let him sulk as the carriage came to an abrupt stop. It rattled and moved from end to end, but Ray was balanced enough to–
Scratch that.
Angel lost his balance.
Or maybe he didn’t,because as the carriage moved, she stumbled back and he stumbled onto her.
Ray’s breath hitched as her back touched the cold metal surface and Angel hovered over her. His hand landed above her head, caging her in his gaze as he leaned closer and–Oh.
His chest, his legs, his hand, everything was against hers. She couldn’t breathe as a dark look entered those amber eyes,
“I don’t take well to people lying to me.” He said, “But I’ll keep my promise.”
Ray blinked as the carriage stopped moving and the door flew open. Her lips turned into a slow smile, and she tipped her chin to gaze at him confidently.
“Sure.” she said and saw his shoulders stiffen, “But you take well tomelying to you.”
And slipped right out of his arms.
The Announcement
26
This was it. This was the day they’d been working for.
This was the place they’d been striving for.
It was an outdoor event. A beautiful place renovated bymillions.It wasn’t an old building, or an ancient architecture. So, it wasn’t all too long ago, but now, as Ray looked at the venue with parted lips, she realized what they could build in such less time. Even with a million people hustling around them, preparing for the last day of this week, Ray couldn’t really bring herself to listen to their muted conversations.
A cool breeze hustled past her, making her once again regret her choice of clothes for today. But she swore past it, looking up at the venue instead to calm that shiver that ran up and down her arms.
They’d put up pillars, upon which they’d draped a sheer orange cloth that was laced with a bunch of fairy lights that hadn’t been switched on. There were multiple seating arrangements made around a circular dance floor. On its crown was a small stage where they would stand when making the announcement. Ray breathed out as she saw the cloth on the stage sway with the violent wind.That’swhere she’d stand as Alessandro introduced her to the entire world.
Made her into a fucking target for everyone.
“So?” Vera’s question brought her back, and she looked to her side, sighing as she saw the arrogant grin on her face, “How’s it look?”
“You put all your life in this didn’t you?”
Vera nodded, “I did.”
Ray smiled venomously, “It looks lovely.” She said, “Perfect for a night where everything could go wrong.”
“Quit being the prophet of doom, Walker,” Vera drawled with an annoyed pout, “We don’t need your bad vibes tonight.”
“I’m not listening to a girl who refuses to acknowledge reality.” Ray murmured and moved away before Vera could shove her. A laugh sounded behind them, and Ray looked over her shoulder to see Myra Jelani walk in their direction. Beside her walked Irene Sinaga, who looked pissed off at the world as she gazed at them both.
“Aren’t you freezing?” was Irene’s way of saying hello. Ray smiled back at her politely, eyeing her outfit in return.
“Hello to you as well,” she said. Irene was wearing a pair of ripped jeans with a full-sleeve t-shirt, looking absolutely snug and warm as she crossed her arms and shifted back on her foot. Ray sighed at her expression and rubbed her arms,
“I thought it was going to be warm today, as it had been for the past few days.” She said and shook her head as Myra shot her a sad look. The other girl was wearing a grey, body-hugging winter dress, her pink highlights swaying violently behind her as she placed an empathetic hand against Ray’s shoulder.
“I don’t have a sweater,” she started in a soft voice and Ray laughed under her breath, “But I would’ve given it to you if I had one.”
