Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Even as that thought struck me, I knew there was something deeper in his motivations than a necklace. I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the swirling chaos inside.
"Why are you really here?" I asked, holding his gaze.
“I wanted to drink a good cup of coffee. Isn't that what people do at places like this? Drink and savor the ambiance?”
I didn’t reply, fearing if I did it would reveal just how uneasy I felt. I cursed inwardly, thinking of Tyler, who'd left me alone. Not that he would've been much help—in all honesty, I had a sneaking suspicion I could probably defend myself better than he could. Thea was here, but the idea of putting her in harm's way was unthinkable. I needed them to leave.
“Is there anything else you need?”
He leaned back, considering me with a look that made me feel like I was the only person in the room. His demeanor was casual, but his eyes were like a predator assessing its prey.
“You're too good for this, Korinna. And far too good for him. You should aim higher.”
“I'm happy where I'm at,” I countered, my voice betraying a hint of defensiveness.
He chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. Jae-Hee's scoff was barely audible over the pounding in my ears.
“That happiness is a lie," Aidoneus stated, his eyes, a mesmerizing blend of red and gold, searching mine as if trying to make me see some hidden truth.
I swallowed hard, wanting to defend myself, but I knew there would be no point. Every word he spoke felt like a calculated move, and despite my better judgment, there was a maddening pull of attraction towards him. It made no sense. He was gorgeous, of course, with his towering presence, dark, almost black hair neatly styled, and eyes that seemed to pierce through me. But I wasn’t the type of woman swayed by appearances. Jae-Hee was just as stunning.
Intricate tattoos peeked out from beneath his suit. His hair, a striking silver, framed his chiseled features, giving him an otherworldly presence.
His eyes truly reflected his Amarok lineage—vibrant, ice blue that seemed to hold the power and ferocity of his bloodline. I just wasn't as drawn to him. Despite his impressive appearance, there was something missing, the magnetic pull that Aidoneus seemed to command effortlessly.
“Thanks for the advice, but I'm doing just fine.”
He swirled the last of his drink in his cup, the motion slow, deliberate, before setting it down with a soft clink. “Korinna,” he began, his voice deep and velvety, drawing out each syllable of my name, “sometimes, the choices we make lead us down paths we never anticipated. And sometimes, those paths have a way of circling back.”
He reached into his suit pocket and withdrew his wallet, a genuine leather drachma pouch. He tossed four silver drachmas onto the counter, more than enough to cover their drinks. The circular silvery coins glittered under the café lights.
He then dropped two gold drachmas into the tip jar, making it clear that this wasn’t just payment or any ordinary gratuity, but a statement. His eyes remained locked with mine, daring me to comment.
“I’ll see you soon.” With one last lingering look, and that ever-present air of confidence and control, he got up, his chair scraping softly against the floor. Jae-Hee followed suit, giving me a curt nod. As they walked out, the door chime echoed eerily in the now-silent café.
I was left with a heavy sense of foreboding and his cryptic warning.
As I locked up, a tension that wasn’t there before wrapped around me, turning every shadow into a lurking threat. Two Triad heirs had just walked into my workplace as if it were the most normal thing in the world. I couldn’t make sense of it.
As I made my way to where I’d parked with Thea by my side, I adjusted my cardigan over my uniform—a chic, knee-length dress made of breathable, dark material—almost black. My Lunar Permit hung around my neck and emitted a faint glow. It was the only thing that allowed me to be out so late after curfew.
Being caught without this by one of the city’s Enforcers wouldn’t end with a minor infraction. There would be far-reaching implications that could dramatically alter the trajectory of one’s life. If an Enforcer on patrol didn’t come across you, there was always the chance of being caught at a checkpoint.
I wasn’t sure how members of the Viel, the rebel group that pitifully attempted to undo the Triad’s fortified hierarchy, were ballsy enough to network at night. There were citizens of the sector that received a permit due to hours of employment, who applied for one and with approval paid monthly. Those permits granted them the freedom to go out to the establishments that operated with a Nocturnal Pass.
Other than that, there really was no way around it. The method to which permits were crafted made them next to impossible to duplicate or forge. If a rebel was caught with one, their level of punishment would be so much more severe than ours. That’s if they weren’t executed then and there in cold blood. They knew all of this before deciding to take the risk.