“If you’re into tall, slim, perfectly proportioned, exotic-looking girls with smooth skin, full lips, perfect noses, and cat’s eyes—then yeah, I guess she’s okay,” Lita says, her voice clearly sour.
“You’re not jealous, are you?”
“Please.” She straightens her spine, fluffs her hair so that it falls softly over her shoulders, and tugs on her sweater to put a bit more cleavage on display. “Anyway, Cade’s always been hard to read, but one thing is sure—he loves the attention. He lives for attention. But whether his interest is truly reciprocated is anyone’s guess. What about you—are you getting a read on his energy?”
I shake my head and continue to peer toward the far side of the room.
“Okay, so back to Phyre—she’s acting really flirty. Like seriously, seductive and flirty. Her body language alone is like some over-the-top, animalistic, mating dance. But despite the fact that she’s going all-out, they’re mostly just talking, and he seems kind of distant and uninterested … and … oh great … oh crap! He just caught me looking and he just smiled, and now … oh crap, crap, triple crap…” Lita slumps down in her seat and leans toward me. “Pretend I’m not here.”
“How am I supposed to do that when he already saw you?” I say, aware of Cade’s frenetic, dark energy drifting our way.
“I don’t know—I just—what do I do? What do I say?” Her voice is frantic, her energy panicked.
“Just play it cool. And whatever you do, do not kill him. Daire gave strict orders to hold off for now.”
I’ve barely uttered the words when a shadowy figure fills the space next to Lita and moves in to hug her, though she’s quick to bat him away.
“Dream on, Richter.” She shoves a hand hard against his chest. “That show’s been canceled, and there’s no scheduled reruns.”
He laughs in a way that’s meant to be intimate, but it comes off as creepy. “I can’t believe you’re saying that when we’ve shared so many good times. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?”
“Trust me, I’m drawing a blank.”
“I’d be more than happy to remind you.” He leans toward her again, prompting her to lean so far back she’s about to topple right off her stool.
“Back off, Coyote.” She keeps a firm distance between them. “You smell like smoke, evil, and demons. Must be the scent of your soul.”
Cade throws his head back as a loud, raucous roar fills the space. “Coyote?” He lowers his chin, swipes a hand through his hair. “Where’d you get that?” He switches his focus to me. “Little blind girl telling you stories?” He keeps his tone light, but his energy betrays him. It’s dark, menacing, meant to intimidate.
Lita tips forward, angling her hand as though readying to slap him. “You little—” she starts, her words suddenly stalled when he catches her wrist in his fist.
“I always liked it when you got feisty.” He tightens his grip and pulls her so close I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss her or bite her. “If you’re looking to reminisce, darlin’, I can take you somewhere much more private than this.”
She yanks her wrist free, jerks out of his reach. “Time for you to vamanos,” she says in a tone that leaves no doubt she means every word. “You overstayed your visit from halfway across the room. So why don’t you go back to pretending to mourn over your brother?”
“I’m done mourning,” he says. “It’s like the say, life is for the living, right? Besides, no matter how cool you try to play it, I saw you watching me, Lita. I saw the way you looked at me. I figured you were ready to apologize.”
I concentrate hard on her energy, trying to subdue it with mine. Paloma’s only just taught me this trick, but if there was ever a time to use it, it’s now. Cade’s tossing her a hook thick with bait, and Lita can’t afford even a taste.
“I was staring at Phyre, not you.” Lita’s energy settles, stifled by mine.
“Phyre?” Cade’s lips quirk with amusement. “What’s the matter, Lita? Can’t replace me so you thought you’d give girls a try?” He bursts into laughter, acting as though he said something funny. “Or perhaps you’re upset to watch her claim your place so easily?”
Lita responds with a sigh and a groan.
“Your pride is wounded. It’s perfectly understandable. Still, I gotta admit, that was the quickest popularity coup I’ve ever seen. That kind of thing never would’ve happened when you were with me. And I’m afraid you got used to it, took it for granted. Didn’t realize just how good you had it when you were protected by the entire Richter clan. But now, out here on your own, you have no idea just how vulnerable you’ve become.”
His words chill. Just as he intended. And for the first time since he’s joined us, Lita’s guard falls, and I watch as she grows increasingly nervous and twitchy.
Cade notices too, seizing the moment to say, “While I’m willing to forgive your transgressions, don’t take too long to decide. If you insist on keeping this sort of company”—he quirks a brow at me—“well, I’m afraid there won’t be much I can do to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection!” she snaps, practically spitting the words. But she’s agitated, uncertain, and Cade senses it as clearly as I do.
“Clock’s ticking, Lita. Your days of grace are about to run out.”
“The days of you and me have definitely run out. So why don’t you go hook up with Phyre? I’m sure she’s more than willing to ignore your putrid Coyote breath.”
He grins, tipping a hand to his brow as though to salute her. “As you wish. Just don’t be too upset when you see us together. Remember—it could’ve been you.”