Corded (Corded Saga #1)(22)

 

Mora laughed. "I take everything back. You're all right, kid."

 

I smiled and looked away. I wasn't quite sure why my comment was funny, but if it kept Mora from taunting me, I was all for it.

 

 

 

 

 

Eight

 

 

 

 

 

I was glad for Addison's arm as we walked into the lounge. Even after over an hour of practice, I could barely walk in those shoes. Why anyone would willingly wear such footwear baffled me. The other girls seemed comfortable in them. Maybe you just had to get used to them.

 

All eyes were on us as we moved down the dimly lit hallway lined with closed doors. Groups of men watched us from inside the doorways of dimly lit rooms. I was immediately self-conscious of what I was wearing-or rather what I wasn't wearing. All of the girls were dressed similarly, but I felt completely exposed. A cool breeze from a vent in the ceiling froze me.

 

"They do it on purpose." Addison leaned in. "They want you cold and uncomfortable in the hall so that you're relieved to enter the lounge." She laughed, and I realized it was a joke.

 

"Seems that way."

 

"Just keep your head up. Don't be afraid to make eye contact." She squeezed my arm. "You can get through this."

 

"Will it hurt?" I asked the question I'd pushed off. I had high pain tolerance, but I didn't often have to anticipate pain.

 

"Yes, but it fades fast. It's better if you drink something before and after."

 

"Alcohol?" I adjusted the top of my dress when it looked like no one was watching.

 

"Yeah. The Sray make the best." She flipped some of her long dark hair behind her ear.

 

"We didn't have alcohol in our house, but we did have a tavern in town. I've never tried it."

 

"Oh. It's kind of the way of life here."

 

I shrugged. "I guess I'll find out if I like it."

 

She smiled. "Way to go, positive attitude."

 

We reached the door, and Addison practically pulled me through. I was terrified, but thoughts of Bailey kept me moving forward.

 

The room was large, almost endless, and it was surrounded by mirrored walls. A large bar dominated the center, while couches and upholstered chairs dotted the room. Bright lights in various colors lit the room creating a superficial effect unlike anything I'd ever seen before.

 

There were already at least a hundred men inside, all of whom turned to watch us, and I knew most of them were watching me, trying to figure out who I was. I wondered if they'd already heard about me. I turned back to the doorway, but it was already full of the men we'd seen in the hallway.

 

"We're going to have to separate now," Addison whispered. "Mason's going to come get you, and I have to go mingle with the Circle."

 

The Circle. There was that term again. "Ok. Thanks for everything."

 

"Of course. Stay strong. It will be morning before you know it."

 

Addison dropped my arm, and I was left standing in the center of the room with absolutely no idea what to do. Hungry eyes watched me, and all I wanted to do was hide under an oversized sweater.

 

"I have no words for how stunning you are," Mason crept up from behind. He placed a hand on my hip, making me jump.

 

"Thank you." I took a few deep breaths in an attempt to stay calm.

 

He pulled me back against him. "You are going to make life so much more interesting."

 

I said nothing. I was hyper aware we were being watched.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Do you prefer your drinks straight from the bottle or do you want it sweet?" His teeth grazed my ear.

 

"I don't know. Whatever."

 

"Do you like things sweet?" His hand brushed against my backside.

 

"Sure."

 

"I figured that." He moved his arms so that we could walk.

 

I tried to steady my breathing as he led me over to the bar.

 

"Get me a shot of whiskey. She'll have a Moonglow."

 

He pressed a cold glass of a shimmering milky white substance into my hand. "Drink up, you'll need this."

 

I would have resisted, but I was afraid of angering him. Addison's warning about staying on his good side rang through my head.

 

I touched the glass to my lips. Some of my lip gloss transferred to the glass as I took a tentative sip. Sweet as sugar, the beverage went down easily.

 

"You do like sweet." His hand knotted in my hair and he pulled my head back. "As do I. But not in my drinks." He ran his lips over my neck.