It was clear, of course, that the individual at the corner of the room was, effectively, in love with herself. She’d attracted a small army of political allies and bodyguards, sending some away at the drop of a hat for petty matters when they had come a tad too close.
Matters such as an asymmetrical face, even asymmetrical nostrils, or the fact that their influence was not even close to being high enough to even look at her.
The strangest part of it all was their obedience.
Some she’d ignore, others she would dismiss with a simple wave of her hand. It seemed as if the crowd she’d attracted were under a trance.
But there was one exception. A man devoted to his job, someone paying attention to the room, and not her. Someone looking for an outside threat, wherever it may come. She’d disbanded her cult of personality by standing, feet making no suggestion of sound, but jewellery idly colliding with itself.
She’d stalked her prey from but a distance, a security camera disguised as two emerald eyes scanning movements, almost tracking breaths. In any other setting, she would examine herself at this moment, how jealous she was becoming that someone’s attention was not directed at her. Was not directed at even the suggestion of her.
That he was something she could not possess.
Finally, she made her way over to him. Devoted to being, perhaps, the only thing in his sight. Eyes met his, sharper than they’d been when her crowd was attending to her. With a voice nearly as charismatic as the devil, an accent that couldn’t be traced in a moment so ephemeral, she spoke to him.
“Enjoying the party, my dear?” It was almost a dare to speak back. “Your presence here… It is appreciated.” A statement in a tone that was much icier than her greeting.
