“She’s been in the Second Circle more often than not lately. With how insistent she was on staying with you at first, I assumed something happened. Did you tell her to leave you alone?”
“No. I didn’t.” Evie looked away from Lily, suddenly embarrassed. Her voice lowered to be barely a mumble. “We had sex.”
Lily didn’t even try to hide the look of shock on her face.
“But Natalya doesn’t—” She cut herself off, considered for a moment, then leaned in closer. “Really?”
“Twice. Please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to feed the rumors.”
Lily’s eyes just widened, her shocked expression not lessening in the slightest.
“Was it good?”
Evie couldn’t help but grin at the question. She covered her mouth with her hand, knowing full well she was blushing.
“How was it?” Lily sounded excited and marveled at the reveal. “I mean,whatwas it?”
Evie paused again. Another question that was way too big to deal with. She didn’t know how to describe being with Natalya as anything other than ‘beautifully fantastic,’ and that made her sound so goddamn pretentious.
It was amazing. Pleasurable and intense and filled with ecstasy. It was warm and awakening and safe. It had been perfect. And somehow, it had been ruined.
“It’s complicated,” Evie said finally, remembering how Natalya had stormed off, looking like she was being torn apart by guilt. It had left Evie feeling confused and miserable, feelings that hadn’t gone away as Natalya refused to talk to her.
Evie hadn’t seen her in days. It made her feel empty. And angry.
“I think I did something wrong,” Evie said. “Or she did. I don’t know. She won’t talk to me.”
Lily snorted. “They’re all the same.”
Evie must have looked as confused as she felt because Lily smiled at her.
“Aleksander gave me the silent treatment once too. He lost control.” Lily pulled up her sleeve, revealing a large, nasty-looking scar on her left arm. “I was enthralled by a Night vampire in the high-rise, and it lured Aleksander out of the territory. He almost died. He wasn’t himself. He couldn’t help it, but it left him guilt-ridden all the same. Maybe it’s something like that?”
“But I feel fine,” Evie said, frustrated. “Ifeltfine. She didn’t hurt me at all. She was worried about that the first time, but then she—”
Evie bit her lip. In the dance studio, Natalya had been commanding and imposing. There was an element of danger to her which hadn’t been present the first time. But Evie had wanted it. Asked for it. She’dlikedit even.
Though sudden and intense, it had been wonderful. And despite her dominating presence, Natalya made sure Evie knew what came next every step of the way. She made Evie feel safe. Made her feel adored.
To go from Natalya doing that to not even talking to her was more hurtful than leaving her alone in the studio.
“What did you do when Aleksander wouldn’t talk to you?”
“I told him he owed me in front of the entire Court.” Lily smirked as Evie stared at her, shocked. Then Lily grimaced. “Don’t know if I’ll recommend that tactic, though. Natalya angry is not a sight you want to see.”
“I know…” Evie hesitated a moment. “You said she’s mostly in the Second Circle. Is she there now?”
“Last I heard. But I don’t think you want to go down there. After what you’ve been through—”
“I’ll be fine,” Evie said, more sharply than intended. “I know what the place is. Lust, the Second Circle of Hell. It’s a clever name.”
“Natalya doesn’t like to be challenged.”
“Well, I don’t like being ignored.” Evie hated how childish she sounded.
Lily cocked her head, looking surprised. “You’re really not afraid of her, are you?”
“Not anymore.” Evie smirked, raising an eyebrow. “And you’re not afraid of Aleksander. Even if he scares me half to death.”
