She fussed over her own reflection, smoothing down her hair and fixing tiny imperfections that only she could see.She barely noticed when I told her I would fetch them.
Perfect.
I slipped through the door, making sure I was alone before calling to Zaheera.
She answered in an instant, her familiar presence pressing into my mind, drifting like smoke.
“How do I find it?”
Her satisfaction pulsed within me.
“You must focus on your surroundings,” she purred.“The stone will hum for you.It will call to you, but you must listen.”
“Okay, focus and listen.”I responded, feigning confidence.I silently prayed this would actually work.
Zaheera must’ve felt the unease inside my mind.
“You’re doing well,”she assured.“You’ve managed to accomplish more than I expected.You can do this.Remember to stay calm and remain focused.I am here for you when you need me.”
Before I could ask anything else, she was gone, leaving only a whisper of her essence.
I went straight into Theo’s room, not bothering to knock.
Big mistake.
Theo was sprawled out on the bed, his broad chest bare and gleaming with a light sheen of sweat.A woman with long dark hair had her head buried between his thighs.
“AHH!”I slapped my hands over my eyes, spinning away in horror.“Theo!”
I stumbled back, straight into the wall.
A deep chuckle rumbled from his throat.
“Knock next time.”He mocked, laughing as I fumbled for the door handle.
“Meet me in Tavrik’s room!”I shouted over my shoulder, practically bolting before I could hear another sound.
I stormed down the hallway, violently shaking the visual from my head and muttering curses under my breath.I reached Tavrik’s room and knocked, having learned my lesson.
He opened the door, eyes squinting as he took me in.Thankfully there were no women draped over him.
I exhaled in relief as he stepped aside, letting me in.
“What’s wrong?”
I explained the plan, still trying to push past my lingering embarrassment.Before Tavrik could respond, Theo came in, smugness dripping from every pore.
“You know,” I muttered, refusing to meet his gaze.“I can’t even look at you right now.”
Tavrik frowned, glancing between us.“What did you do now, Theo?”
Before Theo could spin the story into something even worse—which he absolutely would—I blurted it out in one breath.Tavrik doubled over in laughter as soon as the words left my lips.
I shot him a glare.
“Ehm.”He cleared his throat, failing to supress a grin.
Despite myself, I couldn’t keep from cracking a reluctant smile.“I hate you both.”
