You Think You're Worthy to Be My Companion?

"You again."

Kael's expression flattened into open irritation the moment he recognized the figure behind him.

Ashley Monroe. The last time she'd tried this particular play, it had blown up in her face spectacularly enough that most people would've taken the hint.

Instead, she'd apparently treated it as a learning experience gone away, studied the loss, and come back convinced she'd cracked the code this time.

She clearly hadn't registered the disgust written all over his face.

She'd dressed for the occasion a gown cut low enough that it left nothing to the imagination, chosen with the kind of deliberate, calculated attention that suggested she'd spent real time in front of a mirror perfecting the effect.

Whatever stat boosts the outfit carried, its actual purpose was obvious to anyone paying attention.