Chapter Four
Ismooth down the tight red dress one more time, checking my reflection in the hallway mirror.
The fabric hugs every curve, hitting my mid-thigh with a daring slit up one side.
My dark hair falls in loose waves past my shoulders, and I've lined my eyes with smoky shadow that makes them look bigger, more dramatic.
“Stop preening and help me with these snacks!” Noa calls from the kitchen. She's wearing a black mini dress that shows off her long legs, her jet-black hair pulled up in an artfully messy bun.
The doorbell rings just as I'm arranging chips into bowls. “I'll get it!” I call out, hurrying to answer.
It's Minsi and Gyurin, both looking gorgeous and carrying bottles of wine.
“Come in, come in!” I usher them toward the kitchen where Noa's pouring drinks. Soot trots over to investigate the newcomers, his nub tail wagging as sparks dance along his fur.
More guests arrive in quick succession—Jinah in a slinky purple dress, Yeojun looking sharp in dark jeans and a fitted shirt, along with a few other halfblood males that look delighted as they pour in.
Soon, my apartment is filling up with laughing, chattering halfbloods.
The music pulses through my speakers as people start dancing, drinks in hand.
“This was such a good idea,” Noa says, appearing at my elbow with fresh drinks for us both.
We clink glasses and watch as Soot entertains a group by the window.
His fur bursts into flames at random intervals, eliciting gasps and shrieks of delight from the guests as sparks shower them when he shakes. He's clearly showing off.
“To new beginnings,” I toast, taking a sip of the fire wine. The atmosphere is electric, everyone feeding off each other's excitement at finally being able to just be themselves.
Someone starts a drinking game they learned in the human world called “Never Have I Ever.” Laughter rings out as increasingly outrageous statements are made.
In another corner, a group is comparing notes on their various affinities, small demonstrations creating beautiful displays of fire and water and shadow.
“Hey, watch this!” Gyurin calls out. She's learned some human party tricks and proceeds to do an impressive series of shots while setting the top of each glass aflame for a little dramatic flare. The crowd cheers as she straight-shoots each flaming glass.
Soot bounds through the room, occasionally bursting into spectacular flame displays that have everyone gasping in delight. He's clearly loving the attention, showing off more than usual as he prances between guests.
The music gets louder as more people arrive.
Soon, bodies are pressed together dancing, the temperature rising as those with fire affinities let their power leak out in excitement.
Shadows creep through the room in sentient tendrils of darkness as the shadow affinities start to lose a little awareness and their powers become unpredictable.
Someone starts teaching others a traditional fae dance while someone else demonstrates human hip hop moves.
I lean against the wall, taking it all in with a satisfied smile. This is exactly what I'd hoped for—a place where we could celebrate both sides of our heritage without judgment. Where we could be loud and messy and imperfect without worrying about maintaining proper fae decorum.
“You look pleased with yourself,” Noa says, sidling up next to me.
“Look at everyone.” I gesture to the room full of laughing, dancing halfbloods. “When's the last time you saw any of us this relaxed?”
She nods, understanding exactly what I mean. In the human world, we had to hide our fae nature. In fae society, we were looked down on for our human blood. But here, tonight, we can just be ourselves.
The music throbs through my bones as bodies press and grind around me. The temperature in my apartment has risen several degrees from all the dancing halfbloods. Someone's cranked up the bass, making the floor vibrate beneath our feet.
Yeojun appears in front of me, his dark eyes glinting with invitation as he holds out his hand. My blood already feels hot from the fire wine, making me bold as I take it and let him pull me against his chest. His hands settle on my hips as we move to the pulsing beat.
I tip my head back, closing my eyes as we sync our movements.
Unlike with full-blooded fae males, I don't feel the need to keep my guard up with him.
His touch sends pleasant tingles across my skin rather than setting off warning bells.
When he spins me around and presses against my back, I lean into him, enjoying the solid warmth of his chest.
Across the room, I spot Noa wrapped around a tall halfblood male from House Diamond. Her head is thrown back in laughter as he whispers something in her ear. The sight makes me grin. It's about time she lets loose a little.
Yeojun's fingers dig into my hips as we grind together. The alcohol buzzes through my system, not enough to truly impair me, but just enough to make everything feel warm and good. I consider letting him stay when the party winds down. He's attractive and, more importantly, safe.
A loud pounding at my front door cuts through the music. I glance over at Noa, who raises her eyebrows in question. I wave her off—it's my party, after all. Reluctantly extracting myself from Yeojun's arms, I weave through the crowd of dancing bodies toward the door.
“Be right back,” I tell him with a flirty smile, still riding the high of dancing and wine.
I pull open the door, ready to welcome more guests to the party. My smile instantly freezes and dies on my face.
The guard from my first night on the roof stands there, his broad shoulders filling my doorway as he glares down at me with thunderous disapproval.
I cross my arms and lean against the doorframe, my earlier buzz souring into irritation. “What do you want? If you're hoping to party crash, I'll save you the trouble—you're not invited.”
His jaw tightens. “You're making quite the habit of being disruptive.”
“Oh?” I flash him a sardonic smile, baring my smaller fangs. “It delights me to know I disturb you so much.”
His dark eyes shift over my shoulder, taking in the dancing bodies and pulsing music behind me. The muscle in his jaw ticks. “Everyone needs to leave.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “And why is that?”
“Your party is too loud. You're bothering the neighbors.”
“The neighbors?” I gesture behind me where I can see Minsi and Gyurin dancing with abandon. “All my neighbors are at the party. I'm guessing what you really mean is we're bothering you.”
His nostrils flare as he draws himself up to his full height, trying to intimidate me with his size. “Either way, parties are not allowed.”
“Not allowed by who, exactly?” I challenge, refusing to be cowed. The fire wine makes my blood run hot, fueling my defiance.
His expression hardens into granite. “You need to make everyone leave.”
I glance over my shoulder, noticing several party guests starting to peer curiously at our heated exchange. Grabbing the guard's clothed arm, I shove him backward into the hallway and pull the door shut behind me.
“You have no business here,” I snarl, jabbing a finger at his chest. “You don't make the rules, and even if you did, I wouldn't listen to you or any other stuck-up fae bastard trying to push me around.”
His eyes flash with anger as he towers over me. “You're being purposefully inflammatory. This rebellious act—you're just trying to act out your issues.”
White-hot rage burns through my veins. I bare my fangs at him, my hands curling into fists at my sides.
“You know nothing about me. And if one of us has issues here, it's definitely not me.” The guard's lip curls in a sneer, but I press on before he can speak. “We're trying to make a home here—me and the other halfbloods. Keep your snotty nose out of it if you know what's good for you.”
“You clearly know nothing of discipline or how to act in society,” he scoffs down at me.
I let out a harsh laugh. “If I don't know how to act in society, whose fault is that? The fae raised me, after all.”
His eyes widen slightly at that revelation. He clearly assumed I'd been raised by humans. The surprise flickers across his face for just a moment before his features smooth back into that aristocratic mask of disdain.
“You're nowhere near being fae nobility,” he says coldly.
“Good,” I snap back. “Because I don't want to be.”
The guard's expression darkens as he looks past me toward the pulsing music and laughter spilling from my apartment. “A room full of drunk halfbloods is asking for trouble. You need to end this before something happens.”
“Excuse me?” I cross my arms.
“Halfbloods are volatile beings with no training or control. The combination of alcohol and untamed power is dangerous.”
Heat flares in my chest. “It might surprise you to know that halfbloods my age have lived our whole lives with magic and somehow manage to get around without maiming others or exploding with power.”
He growls, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “You're being foolish. I'm trying to warn you—”
“I don't need your warning,” I snarl back, cutting him off. “We're not children. Even the weakest halfblood here could put you on your ass.”
He runs a frustrated hand through his dark hair. “I didn't say you weren't powerful—that's exactly why you're a danger.”
“Mind your own business.”
“This is my business,” he snaps. “And if you don't listen, I'll make them leave myself.”
Something inside me snaps. I surge forward, getting right in his face as I bare my fangs. My hands connect with his chest as I shove him backward.
“The only one leaving is you,” I growl. “And if you want me to do anything, you'll have to make me.”
The male's jaw clenches as he stares down at me, his dark eyes flickering with barely contained rage.
Heat rolls off him in waves, and I can feel his fire affinity pushing against my skin like a physical force.
For a moment, I think he might actually take me up on my challenge.
His hands curl into fists at his sides and his chest rises with a sharp inhale.
But then something shifts in his expression. The fury doesn't fade, but he takes a deliberate step back, putting space between us.
“What's your name?” he demands through gritted teeth.
I arch an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Your name,” he repeats, voice hard as steel.
“None of your business,” I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest.
His eyes narrow dangerously, but instead of arguing further, he glances at the number plate beside my door. The muscle in his jaw ticks as he commits it to memory.
“Fine,” he bites out, turning sharply on his heel.
“What's this? Running away again?” I call after him, unable to resist needling him further.
He shoots a venomous look over his shoulder. “I'm going to report you to the supervisors.”
A burst of laughter escapes me at the sheer absurdity of his threat. I have to lean against my doorframe to keep from doubling over as more giggles bubble up.
When I catch my breath enough to speak, I shout down the hall at his retreating back. “Good luck with that!”
Still chuckling, I slip back into my apartment where the party rages on, completely undisturbed by the interruption.
Let him run to his supervisors—I couldn't care less.
This is my home now, and if he or anyone else has a problem with how I choose to live in it, they can take it up with the twin queens themselves.