Chapter 6
SIX
SOREN
The reason I invited Cressida is that I needed a buffer from Miranda.
The woman has been messaging me all week, telling me how excited she is to see me again.
I’ve never given Miranda any indication that I’m interested in her, even though she’s thrown up every sign that she is interested in me.
The Society has asked me to play nice. That means no bloodshed or tears being spilled because she is important to some, as their lawyer.
So, I have resorted to using Cressida instead.
She is well-connected—there’s absolutely no denying that—and she’s a brilliant lawyer I’ve hired many times.
We have lawyers in the Forsaken, of course.
But we recently had to end the life of our go-to attorney.
He’d become too cocky and too high and mighty for his own good.
So, I’ve had to use Miranda for some contract work, and now she won’t stop.
While I can admit she’s a beautiful woman, I’m not interested in her in the least. When she touches me, even on the shoulder, it feels wrong.
I have never been, and will not ever be, in a serious relationship with anyone.
If I’m forced to marry because of the Forsaken’s rules, it will be strictly transactional, with no feelings involved.
I’ve seen too many people do stupid things because they’ve fallen in love.
It’s ridiculous. It’s like they lose half their fucking brain.
I love only one person, and that’s my sister, even if I wish she weren’t so needy all the time.
I thought marrying her off to one of the Forsaken members would help, but that didn’t work out, and it ended up ruining one of the closest relationships I have outside of her.
Thankfully, I’ve been slowly rebuilding my relationship with Reon, though I think the trust is still a long way off.
I’ve never trusted anyone implicitly in my life, but Reon would be the one person I trust the most. He’s as guarded as I am, and I respect that about him.
“You kidnapping people now?” Arlo jokes, forcing my attention to turn from Cressida and back to him. Her baby-blue eyes may give off the appearance of innocence, but the way she was glaring at me indicates that she wishes she could slit my throat.
When I meet Arlo’s gaze, I know he’s analyzing everything I say or do. He was once all about the Forsaken, but when he met Cora, that all changed. He’s still very active within the society, but now his world revolves around her, and not so much the hunts.
“Just the annoying ones,” I reply, and Cressida huffs from beside me.
I could loosen my grip and let her get away, but where would the fun be in that?
I know the minute I release her, she’ll put distance between us and make it appear as if she isn’t here with me, when the whole reason I brought her is to give off the impression that we are together.
She’s been sneaking into events that I attend, or someone willingly invites her for who knows how long, trying to find God knows what and where I am.
Granted, this is probably one of the safest events for her to attend, since only a few members are in attendance.
I know she’s itching to ask questions, to snoop around and see what she can find out, but I won’t let her do that.
“You should be holding your own hand, then, since you’re the most annoying person I know,” she bites back in response to my taunt.
“Do I stalk you?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she says, raising her chin defiantly. “How did you know where I live if you didn’t have someone stalk me? Answer me that, Mr. Big Shot.”
Cora laughs, but I don’t dare take my eyes off Cressida.
“I have my ways. But you should be happy to be here, Miss Knight. After all, you didn’t have to come up with some elaborate scheme to crash this event.” She rolls her eyes, and I clench my jaw at the action.
My name is called over the speaker, and I realize the speeches have started, and my award is ready.
I turn to Arlo. “Make sure she stays here.” I release my grip on her, then stride off, running my hand down the front of my suit to remove any traces of her.
It doesn’t help.