Immortal Essence Box Set: Aligned, Exiled, Beguiled by Rashelle Workman Page A

clear heels. A beating red heart surrounded by smoke from the Valley of Ga. When she held still, she could feel the thump-thump , thump-thump , thump -thump coming from within .  In the other heel bobbed a glowing arrow encircled by irrihunter blood.
    What did the symbols mean? She had no clue.
    Taking a sequined gold tank from its hanger, she pulled it on. Over the top of the tank, she put on a sheer, navy blue empire waist top. They didn’t fit as perfectly as the clothing from the palace designers, but they’d work out fine. Cheverly had picked out a different coat for her as well. A metallic plaid in black and gold, it was double breasted and had a belt which tied in the front. She shouldered on the coat and admired the outfit in the glass. Not bad. I like them.
    Before she had the chance to step out, Cheverly asked, “ Rockin , yes?”
    “Thank you. These are perfect.”
    Cheverly beamed at the compliment. “So you’ll take them?”
    “I’ll take them.” Venus sucked in discreetly, stepped out of the dressing room, blew out a little air and followed Cheverly.
    “Good.” She moved briskly to the register. Zaren met them there. A large pile of clothing covered the counter in front of them. “Cheese, guys. Did you two want all of this?” Cheverly asked, incredulous. There were several more jeans; some looked like they were for Zaren and others for Venus. Two separate piles of underwear, tanks, pajamas, belts, socks, and on and on . . . 
    Venus picked up some irrihunter blue undies. Holding them by a finger, she turned to Zaren.
    “Seriously?”
    A twinkle shone in his eyes. “Yes. Bag it up,” Zaren replied, his focus on Cheverly. 
    Venus grabbed Zaren by the arm and yanked him away from the counter. “Can I talk to you privately a moment?”
    He walked with her. “Yes?”
    “I said three days, five at the most. You know I can’t last longer than a week. There are enough clothes there for a month.” Venus knew she’d sounded harsh. More subdued, she continued, “Besides, how are we going to carry it all? Where are we going to—?”
    As if on cue, the front door to the store clanged open. A lanky blond guy entered and headed toward them.   
    “Vinny,” Cheverly called. The girl’s face betrayed a mixture of wonder and worry. “What’re you doing here?”
    Zaren touched Venus’s cheek, turning her to face him. “I’m aware of the timeframe, Princess. Allow me this extravagance on your behalf. Please.” He winked and took her hand. “Please?”
    She nodded. “Okay.”
    Together they moved back to the counter.
    “Hey, Chev,” Vinny said, but was looking at Zaren. He gave the Formytian a brief nod. “I’m actually here to pick up some friends from out of town. Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”
    “Work release. I’m half-day, today. I could say the same about you.”
    “Cool. Yeah, I took the morning off,” he said, walking over to Zaren.
    Cheverly scanned a pair of red undies. Folded them and set them to the side. “You’re going for it?” She waved her wand over the clothes.
    “We are,” Venus said, pushing down the urge to ask if Cheverly would be turning the clothes into coachmen.
    “Sweet! So, you three know each other?” Cheverly asked, flicking the scanner in her hand from Zaren to Venus to Vinny and back to Zaren.
    “I-I—” Venus began, but stopped. She’d let Zaren handle it. “Zaren?”
    Venus watched Cheverly fidget. First tucking her empty hand into a tight, front pocket and then pushing some loose hair behind an ear. Finally she must’ve realized she still had lots of clothes to ring up. Picking up a pink shirt, she scanned, folded, and placed it in a pile.
    Vinny put a lopsided smirk on his face and said, “Zaren and I go way back.” He pounded Zaren on the shoulder. “How ya been, buddy?”
    Zaren smiled. “Vinny, huh? Interesting choice.”
    “I like it. Dervinias sounds so . . . foreign,” Cheverly said as she continued swiping