AuraSwipe

Chapter 9

Just then, my phone buzzed, jolting me out of my reverie. I glanced down, expecting some random update, but no—this one was from Eli.

His message was casual but slick, making my stomach twist. "Just picked up that Pomegranate Potion you designed. Not bad. Your attention to detail is impressive, as always."

I blinked at the text, a warmth slowly spreading in my chest. Attention to detail? So he noticed some core aspects about me after all. A little flattery mixed with subtle charm—perfect combination.

Before I could overthink it, another text: "Thinking about hitting that lounge you mentioned. Can I lure you out of the Underworld, Persephone? Whole evening's open for you."

My heart skipped a beat. The whole evening? Work-swamped, elusive Eli, who'd kept me guessing at every turn, was about to give me his undivided focus. 

Still, I wasn't about to let him know how much that stirred me up. I hated how much I craved one-on-one time with him, wanting to really get inside his head. And yet, there was that nagging sense I was practically groveling for a chance to see him. I'd have to turn the tables, no doubt.

I typed back quickly, trying to play it cool.

"I've got a few offers tonight, but I can probably make time."

A bluff, sure, but technically true. There were other matches on AuraSwipe—none of them mattered, though. Eli was the only one I had my eyes on. I added, "Guess it's your lucky night, but don't make me pull out a golden apple."

The Greek mythology flowed easily—I'd been working with Aphrodite, after all. In the story, Paris, a simple shepherd, is asked to give a golden apple to the fairest goddess, and I couldn't resist teasing Eli about standing out from the competition. Maybe tonight, I'd see if he was willing to fight for a little more than just a second date.

After hitting "Send," I glanced around my apartment. I still had a couple of hours before I needed to meet him at The Gilded Raven, the noir-esque speakeasy tucked away in the back streets of the city. The nervous energy was building—enough to make sitting still feel impossible.

I picked up a paperback romance I'd snagged from a clearance bin earlier, but I barely made it through a few pages before giving up. I needed to channel this energy and find a way to prepare for whatever tonight would bring.

You know what everyone says—witchcraft before cocktails. At least they would, if I had my own coven.

I headed to my vanity and started gathering my tools. There was the special balm I'd made a while back—designed to enhance my glow, both literally and energetically. Then came the bath potion, a mix of herbs and oils meant to calm my body and open my energy channels. I poured it into the tub, watching as the water turned milky and fragrant, steam curling up around me like a soft embrace.

After my bath, I took my time applying the balm, letting its warmth sink into my skin. Looking through my closet, I chose the perfect satin dress—a luxurious lavender that practically shimmered. The soft hue perfectly complemented Eli's golden aura, spiking my confidence. I bet Eli would definitely notice and was counting on our chemistry to be electric.

I stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath, focusing on fluffing up my aura. It had always been one of my secret weapons—a bold, violet energy that radiated around me, like a little extra layer of charm. Unlike the lavender of my dress, which was light and delicate, my violet aura had a dangerous edge, as if I was daring to take you to another dimension. I doubted Eli would notice the difference—I wasn't banking on his intuition being super sharp—but he'd probably sense my aura was in the right ballpark. Anyway, a little extra magick never hurt in the dating game.

As I finished up, Jet, my black cat, padded over and placed a paw on my shin. His yellow eyes peered up at me, intense as ever. "What is it, hon?" I asked, bending down to give him a scratch. He tilted his head, as if I had missed an important detail.

I glanced at my reflection and realized—mascara. Duh.

 After a quick swipe of mascara, I kissed Jet on the forehead and slipped into my heels. I gave myself one last look in the mirror. Okay. Ready. 

                                                                             --

I arrived at The Gilded Raven a bit early, after spending far too long debating between my velvet stilettos and the silver strappy heels that made my legs look amazing. The velvet stilettos were more sophisticated, but in the end, the silver ones won, glinting with each step like they'd been made to turn heads. The speakeasy's dim lighting and rich brocade drapes in deep crimson and midnight blue threaded with gold, created a noir-like atmosphere, casting a warm glow that hinted at opulence. The air was infused with the heady scent of aged whiskey and a hint of sweetness from the craft cocktails being mixed behind the bar. Slow reverb music curled through the space, lingering like smoke and mingling with hushed conversations that danced between the tables. I settled into a secluded booth in the corner, enjoying the intimacy away from the bustling bar, and ordered a drink, my nerves buzzing. 

 I checked my phone. A new message from Eli: "On my way. See you soon."

On time, I thought. Green flag? Check.

I sipped my drink, scanning the room as the minutes ticked by. Finally, the door swung open, and there he was—Eli. He stood in the threshold between the city and the speakeasy for a moment, his eyes searching the room until they landed on me.

But a sense of unease settled in. My stomach twisted—it was his aura. I'd been expecting gold that matched his smooth, controlled demeanor. Instead, it was red. Bright, pulsing red. An aura that radiated intensity, almost feral. In all my years of reading auras, I'd only seen that particular shade of red once before—on a man who'd later made national headlines. And not the good kind.

He strode over, radiating an animal magnetism. When he reached me, he leaned in, his voice smooth yet edged with danger. "There you are," he murmured, a smile playing on his lips. "I've been looking forward to this."

My pulse quickened. What the Hell just happened?