SERAPHINA'S POV
I blink three times: the first two to make sure I'm not imagining things, and the third out of sheer shock at the audacity staring me in the face.
"Excuse me?" I pull my hands away from hers.
I had ignored her first two offensive comments out of a desperate attempt at respect, but there's no way I'm going to sit here and entertain the idea of whoring myself out to get her boyfriend back.
"Relax, I can literally see the gears in your head turning," she says.
"This better be some joke, Kamila," I retort, my voice laced with sternness.
Her smile doesn't waver; instead, she chuckles as if I've said something remotely funny, further fueling my irritation.
"This is why I like you. You know when to heel and when to bare your fangs. You're not the kind of person who'd just sit still and take bullshit to win my favor - even knowing what I'm capable of with just the snap of my fingers."
Her words are unnerving-part threat, part admiration. I'm unsure how to take it, especially when she abruptly pulls me into a hug that barely lasts a second.
"Sadly, I'm not here to entertain you with jokes. I'm being serious."
"If you're looking for someone to fuck your boyfriend, I suggest you find a hooker instead." I sneer.
"It has to be you, unfortunately. You're the one he's been following around like a lost puppy, aren't you? Wouldn't you prefer things go back to normal? Wouldn't you like to get rid of Artemis like you've always wanted? Do it, and you'd be surprised by the outcome." She smiles coyly.
I stay silent, unsure how to process her words.
The uncomfortable truth is, I've started enjoying my moments with Artemis-our casual hangouts, the laughter, the conversations, and seeing sides to him that I'd never expected.
Those times when I wished to be free from him seem to be from a past life. But admitting that to her, right now in this conversation?
Not an option.
"What makes you think I'd consider sleeping with Artemis, just to entertain your theory about him being infatuated with me? And even if he is-" I catch my breath, the next words finding it harder to leave my mouth for some reason, "-even if he has feelings for me like you claim, why would sleeping with him be the solution to it? What makes you think it would make any difference?"
"You almost sound like you don't mind him hanging around you anymore," she says, eyes narrowing with obvious amusement.
"T-That's not what I'm-"
"Relax, I'm joking," she interrupts, chuckling. "Don't worry about the specifics. Leave that to me."
Her assurance does little to calm me. Nervousness continues to dig at me. It wasn't too long ago that I was assaulted, and now she's suggesting I sleep with Artemis?
Even considering it for a split second brings a flush to my cheeks; it's an idea I never would have thought up on my own.
It's too foreign.
"I'll need to think about it," I say stiffly, still shocked by the turn this conversation has taken, especially coming from Kamila.
"I knew you would. You're clearly a virgin. A prude, too, no less."
"That's hardly a nice thing to say for someone asking me to sleep with her boyfriend!" I snap, losing my cool. "You may not be used to having friends, but a 'please' wouldn't kill you."
She pulls back, raising her hands as if surrendering.
"I apologize. I'm not used to treating someone as an equal, so this is difficult for me. But truly, it's a favor I'm asking as a friend," Kamila corrects herself, her tone now less that of an evil mastermind and more like a teenage girl.
I remain silent, sinking back against the headrest of my bed, words failing me.
I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, aren't I? If I do nothing, I might prove to Kamila that I have a thing for Artemis, which I most definitely do not.
Or, I could do something unthinkable.
Fuck him.
And then there's that nagging thought at the back of my mind, taunting me.
What if she's right?
What if all the protectiveness and worrying from him has been a ploy to get into my pants? What if all it really takes to lose Artemis is one night in his bed?
My chest stings at the thought that all the times he went out of his way, stuck out for me, were all planned.
The idea that him getting stabbed and climbing my balcony at 2 in the morning was all to get with me and satiate some craving. The taste of a girl he hasn't had.
He is capable of it; he did kiss that girl at the party he supposedly set up for me and only felt bad because he got caught.
Who's so sweet and kind to a girl they've only known for a while, risking their life at some points, without an ulterior motive?
'Kamila's right. He doesn't care about you, naïve child. Test him.'
I shake off the unsettling thoughts crawling through my mind like a roach infestation, finally meeting her eyes, which glimmer with a mischievous light.
As if to seal the deal, she leans in closer to my ear, slithering like a serpent.
"It's not for free, of course," she whispers.
"What do you mean?"
Her grin, undeniably wicked, tingles against my ear as she answers.
"I mean, if there's something you've always wanted, anything at all, now's your chance to ask for it. I'll pull whatever strings necessary to get it for you. I mean it." She pulls away, winking like the little devil she is-the kind I sometimes wish I could be.
Without another word, she exits my room, vanishing as mysteriously as she had appeared, leaving behind the seeds of doubt and temptation she'd sown.
And damn it, they're sprouting faster than I'd like to admit.
But why would I doubt Artemis?
After all the chaos and tender moments we've shared, why question his intentions now?
Artemis has proven himself over and over, showing that he's not just some brainless, horny guy. He's shown wits, sweetness, and kindness, and his sense of humor almost rivals Jasper's.
We've shared more than one safe space together; entertaining Kamila's words, or even considering doing it, would be nothing short of betrayal.
I lower my head into my palm, feeling torn even though I should know better.
The heavy scent of cleaning products suddenly fills the air, clinging to my lungs and choking me. It's too much. I have to get out of here.
My hand reaches for my bag, carefully laid beside my bed, ready to abandon not just the clinic but the whole damn school. My perfect attendance is already in shambles; what's one more afternoon?
Just as I'm about to make my move, the door swings open. I freeze, my eyes locking onto Artemis. I nearly curse out loud. He's the last person I wanted to see, especially so soon after that weird conversation with Kamila.
My gaze automatically travels over him, taking in every detail-from the curve of his shoulders to the way his clothes fit, right down to his hips-before I catch myself.
Has he always looked this good?
I look away, swallowing hard, trying to control the sudden tightness in my throat.
"Hey," he finally says, stepping in and closing the door behind him.
"W-Why are you closing the door?" I blurt out, the idea of being enclosed in the same space with him making me suddenly tense.
He pauses, his eyebrows arching upward.
He looks at me, clearly confused. "Uh... because it was closed before I walked in. Do you want me to leave it open?"
"No, it's fine," I say, attempting to regain my composure.
Of course, he'd close the door. That's the most rational thing to do when entering a room.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I force my gaze away from him, focusing on anything but his body tightening against the fabric of his cloth. Right now, I wish I could be invisible.
Yet, I can feel his eyes on me, sweeping over my body, and my skin tingles as if electrified. I'm suddenly hyper-aware of every inch of myself, every fiber of clothing that rests against my body.
Heat rushes up - but this time, not just to my cheeks.
Kamila's advice, her crazy proposal that I've tried so hard to dismiss, has wormed its way into my thoughts.
Now, standing here, with Artemis so close, the idea takes root. I can't help the loud infestation of thoughts that circle around images of what it might look like, what it might even feel like, to be taken by Artemis Sinclair.