Chapter 123 Power Play

• The room was poorly illuminated, where candlelight yielded flickering, mysterious shadows dancing across the walls. Gabriel was good with a show, and tonight was no exception. The table was laden with a sumptuous repast, the wine glasses flashing in the sun. I sat across from him, my face composed, my heart steady.
• "You look breathtaking tonight, Jasmine," Gabriel said, his voice smooth like the finest silk.
• I forced a smile, taking a sip of the wine he poured for me. "You’ve gone to a lot of trouble for dinner," I replied. "I didn’t realize we were celebrating something."