Chapter 9 · The Perfect Lie

"Smile, Sera. You're my favorite little pet, remember?" Nora’s voice was a honeyed poison, barely a whisper against my ear.

She didn't just stand near me; she owned the space between us. Her hand was clamped firmly on the small of my back, fingers digging into the fabric of my dress—a dress she’d picked out specifically to make me feel like a doll on display. We were standing in the center of the High Archon’s gala, surrounded by the gold-plated elite of Solis, and I felt like I was walking a tightrope over a pit of sharks.

"I'm going to vomit on your shoes," I hissed through my teeth, keeping my expression perfectly blank for the benefit of the crowd. "Get your hand off me."

"And ruin the aesthetic?" Nora chuckled, her grip tightening just enough to remind me who held the leash. "Look at them, Sera. They don't see a rogue hunter. They see a lucky girl who got the Golden Girl's attention. Now, look at Kaelen and pretend you actually like me. If you don't, I might just forget where I hid your favorite set of daggers."

I glared at her. "You're a psychopath.