Cal nods. “I couldn’t let Seth ruin a young Vestal’s life. Sophia wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Inwardly, I flinch. My life wouldn’t have been ruined, no matter what Cal thinks! There are many paths a Vestal can take, and they all have honor.
Nancy looks right at me. “The news feed said there were several men after you.” I feel my skin turn clammy. “That man from Korea with the plastic surgery, a time-share billionaire from Florida, and the senator who got in trouble a few years ago with his intern.”
I see delight in Nancy’s eyes as she witnesses the effect her words have on me. I fight harder to stay composed.
“So happily for all, I get a new daughter instead,” Cal says, a little too brightly.
The other party guests aren’t looking at me anymore. Their eyes are on Nancy, waiting to see how she responds. The wait seems endless.
“Excellent,” Nancy says at last. “I’m so happy for you both.” Then Nancy throws her arms around me, and her earrings tangle in my hair. “Welcome to the McNeal Solar family, darling!”
“Thank you,” I say, extracting myself.
After that, everyone wants to take my picture. Most people spend their whole lives and never meet a Vestal in person. But Cal doesn’t let them.
“Part of Vestal culture is not to be photographed,” he explains. “Unless it’s to sell a product.”
Vestals give blessings freely, but never their image. Vestal privacy belongs to their company. Or in my case, to Cal. But he doesn’t want my picture out there either. That would ruin everything.
“Are you the new face of McNeal Solar?” a guest asks me.
I shake my head. “No.”
“I want Blanca to have a normal life,” Cal says. “There’s no need for her to do anything but simply be,” he lies.
So the party continues. I eat shrimp, I drink water, and I sample strawberries. I shake hands as Cal leads me through the room. But I’m not here to make conversation.
I am here as bait.
I feel his stare before I see him. The whole room goes silent when he enters the room. Probably nobody but Cal and I expected Seth to come.
He stands by the fire, dressed in a black tuxedo. He’s so cleaned up he’s practically a different guy than the one who was in my car a few days ago. Seth’s hair is slicked back, and the tattoos shoot up his neck from a starched white collar. His hands are in his pockets as if he’s trying to be causal, but his face is like iron.
I don’t have to fake it. I’m completely stunned.
It’s like I’m finally seeing Seth for the first time.
And he’s blinding.
Fast as lightning, I tell my hormones to shut down. Sure, Seth looks different from every other guy I grew up with from Tabula Rasa. Yes, my pulse races at the sight of him in a way it never has around Beau or Ethan. But I am a Vestal, and Seth is a Virus. He’s forbidden to me—unless my purchaser instructs me otherwise.
Tonight I have a job to do, and that’s it. My heart pounds as I lean into Cal and stage-whisper, “Who is he?”
It’s showtime.
Cal squeezes my arm. Then he leads me across the room. “Blanca,” he says. “Meet my son, Seth.”
Seth stares at me, at my shoulders and at my neck. Then he glances at his father with the coldest chill ever. “Blanca and I have already met.”
“We’ve met? Right. If stealing my picture and getting kicked is your idea of an introduction, then we’re old friends. Too bad you didn’t bother telling me your real name.”
Seth smirks. “I was kind of busy.”
I turn to Cal and glare. “You knew?” I pretend to accuse him. “You knew Veritas Rex was your son, and you didn’t tell me?”
Cal feigns hurt. “Blanca, I should have told you. I’m sorry.” His eyes meet Seth’s. “You’ve seen her, okay? Now it’s probably best if you leave her alone. You’ve done enough harm to Blanca already, so let her be and stay away.”
I don’t wait to hear Seth’s answer. I flee.
The white silk of my dress billows after me like a sail. When I get to my room, I leave the door open, on purpose.
I don’t have much time.
My skirt’s detachable, and I rip it off. Underneath I’m already wearing my white spandex