Belvini needed to know if my lure worked on a demon. And now he’d ordered me to have a full makeover. It didn’t take a genius to see what direction my job was heading. That fact, added with Stiles and Aunt Marie...it meant that anxiety was bubbling through me like acid.
“There. You look absolutely adequate,” the elemental said with a nod as the four of them stood me up and placed me in front of the full-length mirror.
“She’s better than adequate. She’s gorgeous,” Twin One said with a fanged smile.
I stared at myself in wide-eyed surprise, taking it all in: black heeled boots paired with the dress that hugged my curves and ended mid-thigh, lace that gave me a sexy but still covered look, and makeup that made my features pop. Perfect shimmery eyes and pouty lips, and my red ombré hair that was downright ready for a runway. I looked chic. Sexy. Like a godsdamned model. I barely recognized myself.
Victor swept into the room while I was still gaping at the mirror. “Thank gods,” he said dramatically. “Come on, Miss Coven. You’re already late.”
He gave an air kiss to the girls, and I waved awkwardly at the four of them, not knowing what else to do. I wasn’t sure what the correct protocol was. Were you supposed to thank the people who made you pretty so that you could lure someone against your will because a nefarious demon was forcing you to?
Luckily, I didn’t have to decide, because Victor pulled me out of the room and escorted me down to the elevator. We were accompanied by a pair of guards, and I didn’t miss the way their eyes slunk over my body.
Victor was tapping furiously over the tablet in his hand, completely ignoring me as I fidgeted beside him, watching the numbers go up as we ascended.
“So are you going to tell me what I’m supposed to do?” I asked, a little more bite to my tone than necessary. I really was going to listen to Stiles, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
Victor hummed under his breath. “Mmm, yes. There is a high level demon that President Belvini would like to collect. He’d be very valuable to Spector. A top asset, if you will. The success of this mission would open many doors for you, Miss Coven.”
I grimaced. He made it sound like I should be excited about the opportunity. If I’d learned anything about this experience, it was that demons were volatile and deadly. Luring one didn’t sound like an easy job.
“So how exactly would you like for me to collect him? Seduce the bastard and trap him with my magic hybrid cunt? My skills are pretty limited.” My spider bristled. She didn’t like the idea of me thinking her incapable. I knew that I’d grown substantially stronger since arriving here, but that didn’t mean I wanted to test my skills out on a high level demon.
“You just need to get him alone,” Victor began as the elevator doors opened. We both walked out, and he paused to fish something out of his pocket. He put his tablet under his arm and then grabbed my wrist. His ice-cold fingers dug into my skin as he lifted up a shimmering bracelet and clasped it on me.
“See this?” he asked while pointing at a charm. “Press it when he’s alone, and we will take it from there. Use whatever methods necessary to get him alone,” he said pointedly. “Understand?”
I looked down at the bracelet and ran a finger over the charm he indicated. “And why do you need me? What are his powers?”
Victor rolled his eyes, as if my questions annoyed him. “He is a risk demon. The second we get too close, he amplifies his powers, and it becomes a game of chance we can’t win. We need him...disarmed. We have it on good authority that he has a weakness for pretty faces. Just amp up those powers and do your thing.”
Do my thing? Do my fucking thing? The nonchalant way Victor spoke made me want to gouge his eyes out with my freshly painted nails.
“Fine.”
Victor nodded, like my lack of enthusiasm was good enough, then led me toward a wood paneled door. “Your portal is here. Try to get this done quickly, yes? We’re on a very tight schedule. You’ll be going alone. He can...sense us. But don’t even try to run. We’ll be watching your every move.”
I nodded and reached for the handle, but he stopped me with his next words. “You look the part of the Black Widow,” he said, looking me straight in the eye. “But be sure to act like it tonight as well. You understand?” he asked carefully, and for the first time, I got the feeling that Victor might not like everything that went on in Spector.
Tapping a finger against the hem of my dress, I read between the lines. “Don’t worry, Vick. I know how to own my sexuality and use my...assets to my advantage,” I said with a smirk.
He nodded, and then his mask of busy obliviousness came back on his face. “Good. I’d hate to have to inform President Belvini that you acted like a silly blushing schoolgirl and failed the mission. That makeover would be such a waste,” he tutted.
I snorted at his backhanded way of trying to prepare me for the job. “I won’t disappoint you,” I told him wryly. Then I realized I still didn’t even know who exactly I was looking for. “Wait, how will I find him?”
Victor huffed before handing me a purse. I could see bright green cash stuffed inside of it. “Just make a bet, Miss Coven. We have faith he’ll come to you,” he explained before opening the door.
I stared at the money, not quite understanding what he meant. But before I could question him, Victor reached up and shoved me through the portal.
Fuck.
Chapter 15
