Purée

Trustworthy

### Chapter: Smoke and Daggers

The stone walls of the courtyard felt cold against my back as I leaned against them, taking a long drag from my cigarette. The late afternoon air was crisp, a sharp contrast to the burning heat at the back of my throat. I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl up into the sky, my thoughts tangled in a mess of recent events.

"Found her," Draco announced, his voice breaking my trance. I straightened up, flicking the ash from my cigarette, and narrowed my eyes as he approached. He was flanked by Joshua, who looked more annoyed than anything.

"Venessa..." Joshua's voice was a warning, a familiar note of caution that he always used when I was about to do something stupid.

I ignored him, focusing on Draco instead. "What is it, Malfoy?" I asked, taking another drag and letting the smoke drift lazily between us.

Joshua folded his arms, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "You're hiding from who?" he asked, already knowing the answer but pushing for the truth anyway.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Don't need to be a genius to figure that out." I moved the cigarette away from my lips, holding it out to him. He snatched it from me, his lips curling in disdain.

"Black?" he guessed.

"Riddle," I corrected, letting out a humorless laugh. Joshua's face hardened.

"You," Mattheo's voice cut through the tension as he walked up to us. His expression was cold, calculated. I didn't flinch, didn't move a muscle.

"What did you do now?" Joshua asked, already resigned to whatever chaos I had stirred up. I smirked, my eyes glittering with mischief.

"For fuck's sake, Venessa, you didn't..." Joshua trailed off, a look of disgust crossing his features.

I laughed, the sound dark and full of amusement. "Wasn't me," I said, lifting a hand in mock innocence.

Mattheo was suddenly in my face, the smell of his cologne sharp and intoxicating. "You made her fuck me," he hissed, his breath hot against my cheek. His anger was palpable, simmering just below the surface.

"Mhmm, not really," I replied, unfazed. I reached up and tilted his head slightly, exposing the angry red mark on his neck. "But you liked it," I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

His grip on my arm tightened, yanking me against the wall. "You forced Black's sister onto me. Yes, it was your fucking fault," he shouted, his voice echoing in the narrow courtyard.

I didn't back down. "You could have shoved her away, undone the spell, but no—you let it happen." With a swift movement, I kneed him away, stepping out of his grasp. "I'm only matching the perfect couple," I added, handing Joshua back the cigarette.

Mattheo glared at me, his eyes burning with fury. "As if I would ever date that slut!" he spat, his voice laced with venom.

"You already fucked her," I shot back, turning around just as Caitlin approached, a smug look on her face. Joshua burst into laughter, and I shoved him away, irritated by the whole situation.

As Caitlin walked over to Mattheo, I watched from a distance, my eyes narrowing. He glared at me, and I waved back with a smirk, raising my eyebrows in mock surprise. She slapped him hard across the face, the sound reverberating in the courtyard. She then turned to walk past me, but I wasn't done. I grabbed her arm, yanking her back.

"Bitch! Get off me," she demanded, trying to pull away.

"You fought the compulsion, how?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.