Jaded Jewels (The Coveted Saga 2)

"Can you get drunk when you're immortal?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"No. Our bodies and metabolisms are too strong to be affected by it."

I smiled and raised the glass in a toasting motion. "All the more reason to do this while I'm still mortal then. I might not get a chance otherwise." I smiled and turned the cup up.

What the hell kind of toxin is that?

I turned my nose up as I choked down the nose-wrinkling sip. It burned painfully and disgustingly down my throat, but I managed.

"I wasn't prepared for that," I said through a harsh breath.

His condescending laughter rang out, taunting me. "Yeah. Like I said, I can smell it from here. Be careful not to drink too much. It's just poison in a cup if you ask me."

I smiled at his overly mature nature. For once he sounded his age. "I'll be fine. I think it's just what I need, to be honest."

"If you say so. I'm going to find some food. Just yell if you need me and I'll be here in a flash.” He winked at me and then maneuvered around the room.

I continued drinking the poison. I finished my cup and returned for seconds, giggling for no real reason and sloshing the punch a little too much. I could feel my legs starting to burn, and my inhibitions began to lower. I felt free and not even least bit self conscious or worried about anything.

By the end of the second cup, I felt the need to dance. I filled my cup for the third time and went with the flow. Trey's drunken grin met me, and suddenly he was at my side, dancing.

"Hell yes!" he exclaimed, his hands going around my waist as the music boomed loudly throughout the house.

Henry reentered the room, shaking his head in mild disapproval. I didn't care though. For once, I was enjoying myself. I let go of everything that had been binding me, and acted like a complete fool.

I didn't care who was saying what. I didn't care how stupid I looked dancing. I was just enjoying myself. But Henry apparently cared. Irritating immortals.

He pulled me away from Trey and over to the side. "We need to go."

His tone left me with unwanted chills. I looked around and worried that there was someone dangerous I hadn't noticed—or smelled. I even sniffed the air, looking like a dog, but found nothing. My nose tingled, and I giggled as I touched it, trying to tease the odd sensation.

"Why? What's wrong?" I asked through my uncontrollable giggles.

He frowned as he looked into my eyes—at least I think it was a frown. "The light militia needs me. I need to take you home first."

Go? It was just starting to get fun.

"No. I want to stay. You go. I'll be fine. I saw Everett earlier. He's perfectly capable of handling me."

"Aria, you came with me. That makes you my responsibility."

Responsible Henry. So boring.

I smiled at his protectiveness. "I'm hanging out with a bunch of mortals, so there's absolutely nothing that could happen that Everett wouldn't be able to handle. Tonight I just want to be one of them. Let me stay, please. Everett has had to keep tabs on me numerous times and he hasn't failed me yet. I'll be fine. Just go. I'll call you later."

I sounded like a five-year-old begging for one more hour to play outside, but I didn't care. I'd stomp my foot if it meant getting my way.

Henry seemed reluctant to go along with my request, but he finally conceded. "Okay, but you call me if anything goes wrong."

I nodded and giggled. Everything seemed a little funny no matter what was said. "I will. Don't worry."

He rolled his eyes. Then he walked over to Everett—Mr. Serious. I saw Everett glance at me and then nod at Henry. The boring version of Henry picked up his phone to call someone as he walked out the door.

I went back to dancin

g and drinking. I wasn't letting anything stand in my way of having a mortal good time. I was sick of dealing with the immortal chaos, and I needed a break.

Trey had been dancing with me for a while. He finally took advantage of my lowered inhibitions. He leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed him back. I wasn't that drunk.