Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Save the Damsel (But Let the Girls Handle It)

The Aphrodite quest timer appeared in my vision. Six hours to midnight. I scanned my four potential targets. Soomin looked like she might faint if I so much as looked at her too intensely. Emi was stunning in her red dress but watching Natalia with barely concealed envy. Skylar was already making her way to the darkest corner of the VIP section. Carmen was somehow already at the bar, flirting with the bartender to get free drinks.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

The bouncer’s assistant led us to our VIP booth. A petite woman with geometric tattoos covering her arms. It was a spacious half-circle with plush seating that overlooked the dance floor from an elevated position. The table already held an ice bucket with champagne and an assortment of colorful cocktails.

"Compliments of the management," the woman explained. "We don’t get many NVA students here."

"Because we’re usually locked on an island running until our legs fall off," Juan muttered. Immediately claimed a corner seat.

The group naturally began to split apart. Hikari bounced with barely contained energy.

"Dancing! Now!" she declared. Grabbed both Jaime and Marco by their wrists. "You too, Malachi!"

"I don’t dance," Malachi whispered. But Hikari was already dragging all three toward the dance floor. Jaime went willingly. Flexed his biceps as they moved. Marco looked resigned to his fate. Malachi followed like a shadow. His expression unreadable.

Isabelle settled into the booth with the grace of a queen taking her throne. Juan remained in his corner. Already pulling out his datapad. Akari immediately zeroed in on a waiter passing by with a tray of drinks. Intercepted him with a predatory smile.

I glanced at the quest timer again. The clock was ticking. I needed to start making moves. Quickly. Emi seemed like the safest bet. She already worshipped the ground I walked on. Her emotional defenses were practically non-existent.

I made my way over to where she stood with Soomin. Nursing a brightly colored drink.

"Emi," I said. Offered my hand. "Would you like to dance?"

Her eyes widened. Her cheeks immediately flushed pink. "M-me? Really?"

"Unless you’re waiting for someone else to ask."

"No! I mean, no one else has asked, and I wasn’t expecting..." She took a deep breath. "Yes. I’d love to dance."

She placed her hand in mine. I led her toward the dance floor. The music was loud. Bass-heavy. A pulsing rhythm that vibrated through the floor. Emi followed me tentatively at first. Then with growing confidence as we reached an open spot among the dancers.

I pulled her closer. Placed one hand on the small of her back. My fingers brushed against bare skin where her dress had a cutout. She shivered slightly at the contact. I guided her through the basic movements. Kept our bodies close.

"I didn’t know you could dance," she said. Looked up at me with those earnest reddish-brown eyes.

"There’s a lot you don’t know about me," I replied.

"I want to, though." Her voice was surprisingly steady despite the blush still coloring her cheeks. "Know more about you, I mean."

I pulled her closer. Eliminated the space between us. "Be careful what you wish for."

Her breath caught as our bodies pressed together. Her defenses were non-existent. I could see it in her eyes. The complete, trusting surrender. I could kiss her right now. Complete the quest. She’d probably thank me for it.

But something about that felt hollow. Too easy. Like shooting a fish in a barrel and calling yourself a hunter.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Natalia watching from the booth. Her face was an expressionless mask. But her fingers gripped her glass so tightly I was surprised it didn’t shatter. Her eyes never left us. Tracked every move, every touch. Pure ice wrapped around barely contained fury.

I spun Emi in a careful circle. Gave myself a moment to think. Using Emi to complete the quest would be simple. But would it be smart? Natalia would never forgive such a public display. And I needed her cooperation for the long game. Plus, the quest specified the kiss needed to be genuine. On Emi’s side, that wouldn’t be an issue. But for me...

My thoughts were interrupted when I spotted something concerning across the room.

Soomin stood alone at the bar. Trying to order a drink. A man in another academy’s uniform had cornered her against the counter. Jade Vipers by the emblem on his blazer. His hand gripped her arm. Even from this distance, I could see the discomfort on her face.

My eyes narrowed. I stopped dancing. Earned a confused look from Emi.

"What’s wrong?" she asked. Followed my gaze. "Oh no, Soomin!"

I began moving through the crowd. Weaving between dancers with single-minded purpose. I could feel my \[Predator’s Gaze\] activating. A cold anger spreading through my chest.

Before I could reach them, Akari materialized at the man’s side. Seemingly from nowhere. She placed a hand on his chest. Leaned in close to whisper something in his ear. Her lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. The man’s grip on Soomin loosened slightly. His attention diverted by the bombshell now pressed against him.

As he turned toward Akari, Skylar appeared on his other side. Her expression was flat. Bored even. But her voice carried clearly despite the music.

"She’s not interested."

The man scoffed. "Mind your own business."

Skylar’s thumb flicked open a hidden switchblade tucked into her garter. The soft click was barely audible. But its meaning was unmistakable.

"I’ll try again," she said. "She’s. Not. Interested."

The color drained from the man’s face. He released Soomin’s arm completely. Took a step back. Right into Isabelle, who had materialized behind him. She looked down at him. Actually down, given her height. With an expression of such pure, regal disgust that he seemed to physically shrink.

"You are occupying space that could be put to better use," Isabelle said. Her voice soft but carrying the weight of absolute authority. "I suggest you relocate immediately."

The man didn’t need to be told twice. He practically fled. Disappeared into the crowd like a rat finding a hole.