Altered

FOUR

                                                                        FOUR

      Antoine looked Vale over and tapped a long, painted fingernail against his chin. His yellow cat eyes stared straight into her soul, even though he was probably only figuring out what to do with her. Riordan had returned to the Council Chambers and said that he would send someone after Vale when she was finished with Antoine. That meant she had another assignment to complete.

      "Oh, darling. What are we going to do with that hair?" His yellow eyes traveled across her face and down to her feet. "When did you dye it silver?"

      She looked at him and furrowed her brows. "I didn't." He nodded towards the mirror on the far wall and Vale looked at herself. Sure enough, her white, blonde hair had turned silver. Her eyes had also morphed into a dark blue hue with hints of purple. When Sicily had said that Vale's appearance might change, she didn't think that it would be like this.

      "Oh. Siren blood." It wasn't a question and the look of disdain on his face told her that he probably didn't want to hear the details of the situation. Damn warlocks and their better-than-thou attitudes. "So you are to join Riordan at the gala tonight? I do not envy you."

      He led her towards the wardrobe on the far wall and she stared at him the entire time. "What are you talking about? I don't know why I am here other than the fact that Riordan had demanded it."

      "He didn't tell you? He wants the two of you to match because you are to accompany him under the guise of being his date to the gala. He mentioned something about a bloody vampire, in those words exactly." He quickly started pulling out dresses and matching shoes. Vale cringed at the frills that covered the light pink gown and the look he gave her told her that he might force her into it anyway. "Riordan wants you to look like a lady tonight, not some washed up assassin who messes up her assignments."

      Vale's blood spiked with anger. "Watch it. This assassin may not miss her mark with you." Antoine's mouth clamped shut and he gave her a nasty glare. He was known for his attitude. "Oh, and you're not putting me in pink. There is no way I will wear frills either."

      "Riordan requested this color." Antoine shoved the pink dress into her arms and she almost stumbled backwards. Almost.

      She gave him a sarcastic smile. "I would show up to the gala naked before I wore this dress. Find another one." The anger pulsing in her veins fueled her defiance. That much was clear. When he opened his mouth to protest, she dropped the pink dress and grabbed him by the collar of his silk shirt. "Now." Antoine swallowed hard.

      "Fine. Just know that if Riordan kills me for disobeying him, my blood is on your hands." He gently picked the pink dress back up and hung it back on the rack.

      The second dress that he handed Vale was a deep, midnight purple that had a dip that reached all the way down to Vale's belly button and pushed her breasts up towards her chin. The material shimmered slightly when she moved, like amethysts. Even Antoine had to admit that the dress was stunning. He had said that it was made for queens, not slaves. He had earned a punch to the throat for that comment.

      The shoes that went with the dress stood five inches high and Vale teetered dangerously as she tried to practice walking around the room in them. There was only an hour to get it down before Riordan came to fetch her. He would have her by her skin if she embarrassed him. It was sad to say that the Council was the only people she was afraid of. Everyone else could kiss her ass.

      "Maybe you should wear something that doesn't draw so much attention." Antoine suggested, a disapproving look on his handsome, aging face.