Liliana Creamwell was what happened when someone decided to weaponize beauty. Pink hair like spun silk, eyes the same alluring shade, and a figure that could stop traffic. She looked innocent enough to make you want to protect her, but dangerous enough to make you wonder if you'd survive the experience.
The novel had described her perfectly: an irresistible poison.
Hey Nelia, I thought, keeping my expression neutral.
What?
Does this trinket have any defense against mental manipulation?
Yes, it does.
That explained why I wasn't feeling the overwhelming urge to do whatever she wanted, unlike that first day in class when she'd introduced herself.
Which means the protagonist is vulnerable now, I realized. Without the trinket of destiny, he's got no protection.
What protagonist? Why do you keep talking about a novel?
Her ignorance was becoming a problem. Can you read memories?
Yes, but it would drain a lot of your mana.
We'll do it tonight.
Do what?! she shrieked.
Memory reading. Unless you don't want to?
Oh... that's what you meant. She sounded embarrassed.
Wait. Don't tell me centuries of isolation have made you that desperate.
Shut up! She turned bright red before disappearing into the earring as a stream of light.
Well, that was new.
"Um... hello?" Liliana was still standing there, hand outstretched.
"Sorry." I didn't shake her hand.
She pulled it back, cheeks flushing with what looked like embarrassment. Please. I knew her game.
"Can I sit here while I wait for my friend?" she asked, tilting her head in a way that was probably supposed to be endearing.
"No. I'm here with someone, and she wouldn't appreciate it."
"It'll just be for a minute," she pressed, her voice getting softer.
"My answer's the same. No."
She stared into my eyes, and I felt a subtle pressure at the edge of my consciousness. "Please?"
The guy at the table next to us was glaring at me with pure hatred. His date had already left, but he hadn't even noticed.
Was she seriously trying to use her ability on me right now?
"I won't repeat myself," I said coldly.
For just a moment, her innocent mask slipped, revealing something calculating underneath.
"Excuse me." A familiar voice cut through the tension. "I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from my boyfriend. I don't tolerate sluts around him."
Selena appeared beside our table, smiling sweetly with murder in her eyes.
"Oh, you misunderstand! I was just greeting him. We're classmates, after all. You are too, right?" Liliana's innocent act was back in full force.
"Regardless, this is your warning. Stay away from him." Selena nudged Liliana aside and sat down next to me.
Liliana hesitated, looking between us, then turned and left the café without another word.
Didn't she say she was waiting for someone?
"Took you long enough," I said, choosing to ignore the confrontation. Honestly, I preferred it if Liliana stayed out of my way.
"Girls need time to look pretty, you know." Selena's usual cheerfulness was back.
"Let's go."
"What?"
"You were worried about curfew, weren't you? Let's head back." She hooked her arm through mine.
"I thought you were enjoying this... date."
Her eyes went wide, then she grinned. "You actually thought of it that way?"
I shrugged. "Well..."
"Fine. How about we eat at my place this weekend? I'm actually a decent cook."
Tomorrow was going to be busy with alchemy class anyway. "Alright."
"Wait." I stopped her as we headed for the door. "Hold still."
"What?"
I touched her collar. "Isn't this blood?"
"Blood? Why would you think that? It's just lipstick," she said, looking completely innocent.
Did she really think I was that stupid?