Lyra's POV
The bartender slid a glass of wine across the polished surface toward me.
My fingers closed around the stem hesitantly as I glanced back at the crowd filling the ballroom. The whispers had escalated to open stares now. Some faces displayed pure horror while others twisted with disgust.
My confrontation with Xander had clearly revealed who I really was.
I lifted the glass to my lips and took a generous gulp. The wine carried a sharp bite as it slid down my throat. Back in the human world, alcohol had never interested me. The idea of surrendering control seemed foolish. But standing here now, dressed better than I had ever been yet receiving such hateful looks, losing myself felt appealing.
Another large sip followed the first. The hostile gazes gradually shifted away from me, allowing me to observe the room more freely.
