I smile sweetly. “Now,” I say, “let’s try this again. Tell me about yourself, pet.”
She falls silent, her head turning to the water. Her brown hair tumbles over her shoulder, and I take a moment to count the freckles on her cheeks and nose that have appeared since we’ve been in the sun. Finally, her careful gaze returns to mine while I place her palm on her knee and start on the other hand.
“I was a gymnast and a dancer back in Corutio,” she offers.
I don’t speak for longer than I need to, rolling her answer in my mouth as if I could somehow catch the taste of it. She could be lying. I can’t tell. And a thrill tickles through my veins at that exact fact. It’s partly why she’s my very own puzzle withquitethe valuable missing piece.
I might not know much about my Veil Vulturine, but one thing I do know is that she was a gift to me from the gods. Our fates are somehow conjoined, and eventually, the truth will reveal itself to me. It always does.
I let out a small hum before saying, “A petty thiefanda dancer? Quite the combination.”
“How would you know that?” she asks quickly.
“What? That you’re a thief? I have eyes, pet,” I answer with a snort.
She stays quiet for a beat. “You watched me.”
“Surprised?” I ask, blowing on her freshly manicured nails.
From the corner of my eye, I see Veil’s gaze turn distant until she speaks again.
“One was for pleasure,” she says. “The other is a compul—” She stops abruptly, as if catching herself. “Necessity.”
Compulsion?
Oh … what is my petty little thief hiding?
I ignore her stumble and finish painting the last nail before looking up. “What else do you do for pleasure, Veil Vulturine?”
I watch her throat work around a hard swallow, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
My, my, my, what a pretty doll I have.
Something about me saying her full name flusters her. I noticed it the first time we had breakfast on the terrace. I now use it sparingly, wanting whatever effect it has over her to last for as long as I can control it.
“Pleasure is a luxury,” she finally answers.
I blow on her nails one final time, but keep her hand in mine while I pin her with my stare.
“Is that so?” I say darkly.
Her chest rises, then falls before she nods. “It is.”
“Who then can afford such a luxury?”
She studies me, a small crease between her brows on her otherwise smooth face. There’s a small tremble in her voice when she answers, “People like you.”
“People like me?” I repeat with a teasing laugh. “Well then,” I say, my smile turning wolfish as my thumb smooths over her knuckles, “lucky for you, I like to share.”
12
VEIL
It’s been six days since the heir of the Foley family ripped me from the crowd in the Pravitia city square. Sometimes, I worry that I’m mistaken and that I’ve lost track of time. Has it been longer than six days? I wonder if Zazel has dared to ask Gemini about me.
Would he even care to lie?
Why would he bother when he is so clearly above the law?
