ng challenges. Even though she felt the same way as a soldier did before a war. She had no emotions at all. She followed

was involved in. She simply squeezed her hand and

ing her back straight, just as she had been taught to do. The city rushed by in a blur, the glowing light of the even

entrance, but at a discreet side door. A

Mr. Knight is

n't feel like it reached h

ingle downlight, checking his watch. He wore a tuxedo again, but this one was less formal than the one she'd ruin

g his date. It was a quality inspection. He took in the dress, the hair, a

ut she let it slide off the cool

ules." It wasn't a

only when spoken to. Redir

we b

aintly over the fine wool of his sleeve. She felt the hard muscle under it. A current, sharp and unpleasant, surg

door, and they were p

champagne. Abstract sculptures twisted towards the high ceilings, and massive paintings of an

ike a wake. Alexander Knight... who is

rs. He nodded at some, ignored others. Lina kept her head up, a small, serene smile on h

man with glasses clapped him on the

perfect performance. His hand came to rest on the small of her bac

place. "A pleasure, Julian. Your work is... for

e." He launched into a explanation of his creative process. Lina nodded, her eyes occasionally fl

Each time, Alexander's touch directed her, a press on her back to step forward, a slight pu

rmance more gruelling than

f red and grey, trying to keep her smile steady, when a woman ap

o introduce us to your lovely companion

, Eleanor. The question w

k, and it didn't even quiver. "Eleanor, o

s some exotic taste. "And how did y

denly empty. The approved word salad stopped being there. She

e said in a hushed, private tone just for him, even though she was talking to Eleanor, "he still says he was the first to notice m

grey eyes on her, and the act dissolved. She caught a flash o

ile became tight. "

ome sort of masterclass. A slight warmth in his eyes, a slight curve to his lips that was not quite a smile.

signal. It w

glasses, giving one to Lina. He held her gaze for a beat lon

of that, the feeling of his thumb on her back,

close to her ear. Warm. "The car's outside. We'll

e was a roar. She leaned against a crate, nodded her head, and let it hang by

se. She didn't open her eyes. "

qui

es in a flash. It

over her body. Hair of honey-blonde that fell in waves. A face like a perfect, cold

sa Mo

own with a slow, insulting thoroughnes

quaint." She took a step closer, the air turning brittle. "Let me give you some advice,

t the pearl necklace at her throat, her fingers

t lasts," Vanessa whispered. "He

the faint, expensive scent of her perfum

essa's fingers had been. The warmth from Alexander'

here, his expression back to its usual d

ed his a

ed her out into the night, she felt the ghost of

he easy part. The real