Page 154 of Glutton for Punishment

Oh.

Oh, this fits perfectly.

Am I really enjoying a dress right now? Is that what’s happening? Do I need to check my head for injuries?

The bodice hugs my waist just right, the neckline dipping low enough to feel sexy without crossing into uncomfortable, and the fabric skims every curve like the designer studied my body beforehand.

With Cleo helping me curl my hair and Tabby adding a little makeup back at their dorm, the girl staring back barely looks familiar.

Not invisible at all… but powerful. Confident.

A knock sounds at the door.

“Arwen!” Holly calls. “You’re not getting out of this. I will come in there and shove you into a dress myself.”

I laugh and open the door. Every single one of them is standing outside waiting.

“I’m sorry, who is this sexy beast and what have you done with my friend?” Holly asks, arm and arm with Sly. I still don’t know what’s going on between them, but they’ve agreed to go to the ball together.

“You look amazing, Arwen,” says Cleo, elegant as always. Tabby makes an inappropriate comment about my tits.

And Brix—

Brix’s mouth falls open.

I blink at him. “…Hi?”

He closes it. Then it opens again.

“You—”

Nothing comes out.

Tabby cackles. “Oh my universe, you've broken him.”

Brix drags a hand down his face. “I just meant you all look beautiful,” he says softly, smiling. I don’t mention that he looks downright salivating in his tux as well.

The Sinful Sinfall Ball transforms the main floor of academy it barely feels like SinVail anymore.

Massive black and gold banners drape from the vaulted ceilings around the main inner courtyard, which has been transformed into a grand ballroom. Illusion magic paints the high dome above us with an endless autumn twilight—burnt orange skies streaked with crimson clouds while glowing leaves drift through the air without ever touching the floor.

Music spills through the room. Students fill the ballroom in glittering gowns and tailored tuxes and suits, representing every faction. The second we walk in, heads turn. I spy Professor Gabriel in deep conversation with a female faculty member along the side of the hall.

“I need alcohol immediately,” I mutter.

“You and me both,” Tabby agrees.

Before we can move further into the ballroom, warmth settles at my back and my pulse jumps. I already know it’s him.

I turn around and melt into a puddle on the floor.

Maddox looks devastating in a suit.

His black dress shirt is open at the throat. Silver rings glint against his tattooed hands. His hair is messy, like he ran his fingers through it one too many times, and his eyes drag over me with an intensity that burns straight through my skin.

Every coherent thought leaves my brain.

“Well,” Tabby says beside me, tapping at my open jaw. “You’re required to dance before ravishing each other. But I’m in full support of exhibitionism.”