Distraction and Observation (Manifesto)

[Nhysa]

Nhysa’s laughter was dark and luxurious. ”I think I have corrupted you,” she teased in kind.

Her gaze tracked Edwin Dean until it was necessary to move to keep him properly in view. The power still wreathed around her, drawing in on the club’s darkness. She placed her glass on the ledge and twisted in Li’s arms, her hand snaking up from his shoulder to his neck, her fingers twining through the hair at the back of his head.  “Do you think I will behave? Or is it you we are tying down, dear one?” Her smile was sharp, amused, and challenging in equal measure. Her power twisted around and down his other arm, dipping to loop about his wrist in lieu of her grip. But if her lips hovered close enough to taste his, her smile was that of a devil’s.

The woman in red had peeled away. As did Nhysa from Li now, albeit with every expectation and desire that he should follow. She stalked surreptitiously through the shadows, an eye on the mark’s movements. From their high vantage Nhysa could see the woman head alone into one of the private booths. That was unexpected. Edwin appeared to be waiting, and Nhysa took a pause to consider. Then she let the power unfurl into a wider net that she had tried before. The darkness deepened around the booth, not so much that it would alert its occupants, but enough that Edwin would not be able to see in at all. Would he stay, knowing something supernatural slithered around his self-appointed charge? Or would he seek the attempted poisoner?