Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

Dray hangs up, smiling as he does so, and then he crosses his arms in front of his chest.

"You realize you just caused me a mess, don't you?" I shrug, feeling proud of my deceitful quest, and he lets a chuckle free. "You're delighting in his intrigue?"

"Not just his. Kane is with him. The two of them are going crazy trying to figure this all out. Right now, I'm here to see Drackus."

He seems surprised, like he hadn't expected me to say that. Surely he didn't think I actually came to see him.

"You're here for the engagement party?" he asks.

"Engagement party?"

Before he can answer, the smooth, silky voice of my father sounds out as he calls for his dark angel friend.

"Dray? What are you-"

He stops, his eyes falling on me, but no shock or surprise is there. He's so good at controlling every emotion he possesses. It's unnerving actually.

"Airis, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings you by this neck of the woods?"

Did Drackus Devall just try to use humor? If so, it was a sad attempt.

"I came to say thank you for your help the other day, and I go by Alyssa now. Everyone knows Airis Devall is your daughter, but no one knows Alyssa Coldwell. Well, except for those you tell," I murmur while using my eyes to point to Dray.

Drackus sighs, holding back his anger most likely. He hates to feel defied, and I love defying him. Okay... so maybe I do have some daddy issues.

"Of course, Alyssa. Airis isn't exactly supposed to be alive." It's not hard to fake your death when few people know what you look like. "As for thanking me, a girl should never feel it necessary to thank her father for saving her life. It should be expected," he adds, seeming calm in tone, but offended in gaze.

Yeah right. What's the catch, Drackus?

The chatter nearby seems to grow louder, making it noticeable there really is a party going on. I didn't realize Drackus could party out here. Who in their right mind would come?

"Well, thank you nevertheless. I didn't realize I was interrupting something. Dray mentioned an engagement party? I'll just be on my way. Maybe we can speak some other time."

I turn to leave, but he quickly calls for me.

"Airis... I mean, Alyssa, I'd like it if you stayed. I'll only introduce you as Calypso's daughter, and no one here will be the wiser."

He almost sounds rattled for a change. If I didn't know better, I'd say he really wanted me here. Good thing I know better.

I turn back around, my eyes fully soaking in Dray's flashy suit along with my father's gem of a designer suit, and then my lips tighten.

"It looks a little more formal than I'm dressed for. It's fine, Drackus. We'll speak later."

He steps out, his eyes falling on me, and he smirks before rubbing his fingers along the side of my sleeve. I feel the magic, and I cringe inwardly as my jeans and sweater turn into a dress and my tennis shoes transform into heels.

Great. Now Drackus is a fairy godmother.

The shimmering blue falls down to my ankles, a small split leads up to my thigh, and the thin straps on the shoulders only add to the elegance. With his wink, my hair falls from the ponytail and into elegant curls. I guess I sort of have to stay now.

"Okay, Drackus, you win. So who's getting engaged?"

Dray bites back a grin and steps to the side as I walk in. Drackus holds an enigmatic smirk as he offers his arm to take. I stare at the gentlemanly gesture with a wary eye, but after a deep breath, I take his proffered arm.

It feels odd being so close to him when he's been absent from my life since I was ten - not even so much as a phone call on my birthdays.

He doesn't answer right away. Instead, we round the corner where hoards of people are congregated. I can feel the buzz of their auras as they leave their intoxicating powers unguarded, completely open to be seen and felt. These are some of the most powerful people from our world... and they're here.

I knew Drackus had friends, but I didn't realize they were all littered with unfathomable power. I also didn't know the light and dark mingled so freely with each other in the home of their sworn enemy.