Chapter 28 · Steal the Starlight - Chapter 28: Villain's Script

“If you touch me again, I’m breaking your nose.”

Wren’s palm was flat against my chest, pinning me to the fake brick wall while three cameras shoved their lenses into our faces.

I grinned for the feed. “You said that last take.”

“I meant it this time.”

Her fingers tightened on my jacket. The gold rings around her wrist flashed under the studio lights, bright enough to make my eyes water. Up close, I could feel the heat coming off her skin. She smelled like citrus, expensive soap, and the faint metallic bite of magic.

My black shard burned against my palm.

Not a little. It felt like someone had pressed a hot coin into my hand and left it there.

I kept smiling.

“Then do it,” I whispered.

Wren’s eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second.

The camera operator shouted, “Hold that! Perfect! Give me more hate!”

Wren shoved me harder. “You heard her. Look scared.”

“I’m not scared of you.”

“Good. You’re finally learning your lines.”

The director’s voice blasted through the studio speakers. “Ellis, hit your mark. Wren, turn her face toward camera three. We need the almost-kiss angle.