Chapter Text
"Just what are you playing at?"
Anna Lightwood had trapped Grace Blackthorn in the hallway outside the ballroom, her hands braced on the wall on either side of her head. To a bystander, she might have looked like a young man scandalously leaning over one of the debutantes to steal a kiss. While Anna had pulled aside plenty of women for that exact reason, the intent on her mind tonight was nothing short of murderous.
Grace stared up at her. "Whatever do you mean?"
Anna narrowed her eyes. "I saw what you tried to do to Christopher out there. I've heard the rumors about you and Tatiana circulating in the Downworld. If you plan on hurting my brother in any way, I promise to return the favor two-fold."
Grace batted her lashes at her, as though she were shocked by the mere suggestion she was up to no good.
Anna exhaled, taking a moment to temper herself. She refused to let anyone faze her, most of all Grace Blackthorn. Yet there were certain things Anna was starting to notice about her, like the soft tremble to her mouth and the shining glint that welled in her eyes. She looked so innocent that Anna felt something inside her give away.
Grace tilted her hand and her expression darkened, as though she had sensed it herself. Her fingers rose to trace the line of the other girl's cheek. Anna swallowed at the scent of her perfume, tickling her nose in invitation.
Oh, she was good.
"Careful," Anna said. "You're not the only one who has broken hearts around here. I'm in quite a different league than your doting little schoolboys."
Grace stood up on her toes as her hands moved down to rest on Anna's shoulders. "Shall we put that to the test?"
Anna could see the shadows catching on her parted lips. As much as she had resolved to remain immune from Grace's charms, her traitorous pulse quickened in anticipation.
"You don't have to worry about hurting me," Grace said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "My heart has already been broken."