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There’s a slightly mocking tone in the way he says ‘special effects,’ and I wince on his behalf. It must kind of suck to have who you are being dragged down to the level of a gimmick. The choice was either that or hiding it entirely, so I understand the decision. There’s no winning either way.
“You agreed to that?”
Elias’ smile shows too many teeth, the darkness in his eyes unsettling. “A fewparlor tricksfor the favors I can leverage in return? Yes, I agreed.”
Sometimes I forget who, or ratherwhat,I’m dealing with exactly. It sends a shiver through me—part fear, part thrill—at the reminder of how powerful and utterly devastating Elias has the potential to be.
I don’t ask any more questions.
Not that I would have had the chance to do so anyway. The elevator deposits us on our floor, and the room is a few doors down. Elias swipes the key card, allowing us entry.
“Took ya long enough,” is the first thing I hear. I’ve barely taken a few steps into the room before I drop my bag with a yelp of surprise. Caelan doesn’t give me the courtesy of allowing me to notice him first or even walk over like a normal person. There’s a crackle of electricity, then he’sthere. He moves like lightning, almost. Quick enough to startle the hell out of me.
He slings an affectionate arm around my shoulders, ruffling my hair.
“Hey!” I protest mildly but gladly allow the contact. “I’m here exactly when I said I would be. Don’t give me that ‘long enough’ bullshit,” I tease him in return.
Elias picks up my bag for me and ushers Caelan and me further into the room, so he can at least close the door behind us. “Caelan is impatient,” he notes dryly.
That is kind of flattering, though, that he was impatient to see me again. Just like I was impatient to see them.
Caelan scoffs at being called out on his eagerness. “You spent at least twenty minutes longer than usual trying to get your eyeliner fuckin’ immaculate or something, emo boy,” he tosses back.
I laugh, delighted. “It’s eyeliner? Not some sunken-eyed demon thing?”
“It is aesthetically pleasing and works with the image of our band,” Elias defends, shooting a hard glare at Caelan. “Perhapsyoushould make some effort to not look like a complete trash animal at some point.”
“You love my trash, and you know it,” Caelan says. He throws himself onto the bed and sprawls across it, hands behind his head and a wicked light in his eyes.
God, I forgot just how much I missed them snarking at each other. I’m pretty sure that it’s their way of flirting.
I grin. “You’re both gorgeous as hell. Eyeliner or not.”
Caelan sits back up with an amused, wry smile and grabs my hips between his hands, pulling me toward the bed, toward him, until my knees hit the edge. Staring down at him like this, held loosely between his legs and only a few inches between us, reminds me it’s no exaggeration. He is gorgeous in a surreal, terrifying kind of way.
Even as unnatural as he appears, with his slit pupils, glowing eyes, and inhumanly sharp teeth and claws, it all increases his appeal. Maybe his style is more informal than Elias’, but I wouldn’t want to change a damn thing. The ripped skinny jeans and heavy boots look fantastic on him. A suit wouldn’t cling to Caelan’s thighs or show off his hips so deliciously.
Then again, Caelan in a suit…
“Oh. Hey. Are you going to be coming to the gala?”
Caelan wrinkles his nose. “Nah. Fancy-ass bullshit ain’t my scene.”
“That’s a shame. I would’ve liked to see you all dressed up.”
He narrows his eyes. “Why? Are you calling me a trash animal too?”
I don’t get the chance to deny the accusation. Caelan lifts me by the waist and flings me onto the bed. “No!” I shriek, laughing. “No, I think your style is hot as hell!”
He leans over me, pinning me down with his hands on either side of my shoulders. It might have been intimidating if his grin hadn’t made it clear he was only playing. “But you want to see medressed up,” he says, scornfully emphasizing the words.
I shrug as best as I can, given my current predicament. I’m so incredibly tempted to squirm beneath him. Still, I want to avoid doing anything that will make me even more flustered because,hello, being pinned to the bed by Caelan is making my face feel warm already.
“It’d just be something different, and different is fun,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’d like to see Elias in casual clothes too. It works both ways.”
“Would you now?” Elias comments, sounding mildly interested in the conversation now that he’s been brought into it.
“Mmm… maybe.” Even though the tailored waistcoat he has on today is gorgeous, and I wouldn’t complain if he wanted to keep wearing it.
