Page 71 of Blood that Burns
“More like torture.”
I grin at Marina in the mirror while Katina gets to work curling my hair.
What feels like hours later, Marina and I have been transformed.
“Wow. That’s... quite a change,” I muse, searching my reflection for signs that it’s actually still me.
Katina scoffs. “You two are beautiful to start. I simply made you look immortal.”
My head tilts to the side as I appreciate Katina’s skills.
My cheekbones are more pronounced and my skin glimmers under the light, but it’s my eyes that have me captivated. Somehow, she’s managed to make them appear more blue with the highlighting and smoky eye she applied.
She squeezes my shoulders, peering at my reflection. “You’re stunning. Now, get dressed.”
She rushes to the bed to unzip the garment bag where Marina’s dress has been stored. When it’s pulled from the bag, I see that it’s exactly like mine, but sapphire blue. Katina helps Marina into it, and when it’s buttoned and straightened out, I’m speechless.
Marina looks otherworldly.
“Do you like it?” she asks, twisting.
My head bobs up and down. “It’s incredible. You look... incredible.”
She beams in response. “Do you think Julian will like it?”
Katina grunts. “If you weren’t on your way to take down half the Council, I don’t think you’d be making it out of this place.”
I snort. “I’m with her. He’d definitely ruin that dress trying to get it off.”
Marina blushes, smiling under lowered lashes. “Well... that will have to wait.” She takes one last look at herself, twirling the skirt before looking over her shoulder at me. “Your turn.” She motions toward the box that holds my dress.
Katina opens the lid and pulls the two dresses out. “Which one are we going with?”
I grin. “I’m going to wear the yellow one.”
Marina’s eyes widen, considering she knows what happened to the last yellow dress I wore. It ended up just like I’d imagined, torn to shreds and thrown in the trash.
“I think it’ll be poetic. And once it’s over... we’re burning the bitch.”
Marina’s face lights up. “I’m in!”
“Um... what’s this?” Katina asks, pulling the dagger from the bottom.
“Law’s attempt at arming me.”
“Do you even know how to use this thing without impaling yourself?” Katina frowns, turning the dagger over in her hand.
“Yes. Marcellus taught me.”
The room goes silent, and I don’t miss the way Marina’s eyes narrow and posture stiffens at the mention of him.
Katina purses her lips but doesn’t comment on Marcellus’s training. “Well, let’s figure out how to install this contraption so it doesn’t look like you’ve grown a dong while away.”
I choke and Marina bursts into laughter. Leave it to Katina to effectively break the tension and get us all back on solid ground.
When I’m dressed and ready, Marina and I stand side by side and sigh at the transformation.
“I just wish we were going somewhere to celebrate your return,” Marina says, grabbing my hand and squeezing. “I hate that I just got you back and we’re rushing right into a dangerous situation.”