Nora's POV
The sharp sting across my temple sends stars dancing across my vision. Phoenix's knuckles connect with brutal precision, his fingers catching the corner of my eye with enough force to promise a nasty bruise tomorrow.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Phoenix's voice cuts through the party noise like a blade. His face contorts with disgust as he towers over me, every inch the self-righteous politician he's always dreamed of becoming.
The magic that had been coursing through my fingertips moments before vanishes completely, leaving me defenseless and shaking. Phoenix's grip tightens around my wrist, twisting my arm upward until pain shoots through my shoulder.
"You're nothing but the Devil's whore," he spits, his words dripping with venom that makes my stomach turn.
"Phoenix!" Uma's gasp echoes across the room as she stumbles backward, her face pale with shock. "What are you doing?"
