Frosted Torment (Marked Mortals Saga #1)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

A tall man with a fiery, crimson ponytail beamed. His head poked above a mountain of clothes spilling over his arms, and I let out an elated squeal, much to Ivy’s amusement.

“Joss! You actually made it,” I exclaimed.

“Just your friendly neighborhood delivery service,” he chuckled.

Next to him, a jewelry satchel sat on top of a makeup case that stood as tall as his hip. I rushed over to relieve him, shoving my comforter into Ivy’s hands. Jossy unloaded everything on top of the blanket, including matching lace undergarments, which Ivy then dumped onto the couch. Jossy’s impeccably tailored navy suit clung to him with a flawless fit as I leaped up to embrace him.

I straightened his crisp jacket when my feet touched the ground again. “Lawyer things look good on you, but you should’ve told me you were coming. ”

He planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. “And ruin the surprise? Happy birthday, Noa.”

“Let’s get started,” Ivy announced, clicking open her extensive makeup kit.

My hands grew clammy as Ivy held up potential outfits against my frame. As she deliberated over eyeshadow hues to best accentuate my features, I batted them away, uncertainty gnawing at me.

“Wait a minute,” I stammered. “It’s too early for all this. You guys got here way too soon.”

“Thank goodness!” Ivy scrutinized me with pursed lips before recoiling from my scent. “First things first, you desperately need a shower.”

I rolled my eyes. “One, that’s rude. And two, Jossy just got here. I want to catch up.”

Ivy cradled my face in her hands, caressing my cheek with her thumb. “One, social media keeps you disturbingly informed, but I won’t hold that against you, since you’re my best friend.” She stepped back, placing her hands on her hips. Shaking her head in disapproval, she added, “Two, I need hours to work my magic on you, so go shower, please.”

“She won’t let this go, Noa,” Jossy urged. “Lex is meeting us at the party too, and I’ll hang out while you get dressed.”

“Lex too?” I tipped my head down to conceal my elated grin.

Ivy lined up lipstick shades, a knowing look in her eyes. “Jossy twisted his arm.”

My eyes flew open wide. “Why would you do that?”

“Because he’s your friend,” Jossy maintained .

We had been friendly in freshman year, but now Lex was a vague acquaintance. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

Ivy gave my shoulder a playful nudge. “Who cares? Besides, it’s not only your twenty-fifth birthday, but it’s also?—”

“Ugh, please no reminders,” I groaned.

I flung myself over the side of the couch before collapsing onto the clothes, except Ivy wasn’t having it. She grabbed my ankles and dragged me to the floor.

“It’s New Year’s Eve, Noa! We’re celebrating whether you like it or not.”

“I didn’t think you were serious about getting us into that insane party.”

I had to admire her confidence in dragging me out of my rut and into a killer party dress. A smug smile spread across Ivy’s face as she spoke, a teasing lilt in her voice.

“You’ve always underestimated my persuasive talents.”

She let out a wistful chuckle, sitting down beside me as I lay motionless on the floor. With a flick of her wrist, her hair turned into a flawless bun with loose curls framing her face. Jossy and I exchanged questionable glances.

“Oh, stop it! A friend owed me a favor, you jerks.”

“We’re messing with you, Ives.” I sat up, taking her hands, then batted my lashes. “We know you couldn’t have every guy?—”

“Or girl,” Jossy interjected with a smirk.

I stifled a laugh. “On Earth, wrapped around your finger.”

“You both suck!”

“But you love us,” I retorted, a playful smile tugging at my lips .

She pelted Jossy with bras as he swatted them away. “Debatable right now.”

“Alright, alright,” I conceded, though still hesitant. “For you two, I’ll go out.”

Jossy flung my comforter over me. I wrapped myself in it on the floor like a burrito. “If you can get me out of here!”

“I’ll have to restore these ragged nails. But your outfit and makeup will be my true masterpiece,” she declared as she pointed toward the sky. “Challenge accepted.”

Ivy created a thick French plait by braiding her hair with intricate patterns, interlacing tiny white blooms and crystals that glimmered under the lights. Lips the color of ripe apples beckoned, ready to entice anyone daring enough to chance fate with her. Flecks of honeyed caramel flickered in and out of her eyes, twin sunflowers. They matched the gilded jewelry dangling from her arms and neck.

A sheer black sequined dress clung to her hourglass figure. The gold stilettos accentuated her height. I shrank back, knowing I’d never rival her beauty, but after a moment’s hesitation, I inspected her handiwork in the mirror and smiled. With a gift for making anyone a runway model, she curled my hair into breezy waves. Then, she conjured eyes Cleopatra would envy, false lashes and all.

Deep purple and storm cloud gray eyeshadow played up the silver flecks embedded deep in my onyx irises. She even worked her magic to minimize my scar.

I looked up at her and smiled. “Thanks for doing this, Ives. I know I can be a pain in the ass sometimes.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed, light and melodic. “Only sometimes? You’re lucky I adore you, Noa. ”

Little about me was striking except for the scar, a ripple above my lip from the reconstructed indentation. My mom claimed angels loved me so much they kissed me recklessly before I was born. Preposterous. Sometimes I felt like Ivy’s charity case, but that was my self-deprecation rearing its head. She never flaunted her affluence or forced it on me.

However, this birthday exemplified how much my friends cherished me. They insisted on celebrating with no rebuttals, so I accepted. A single-shoulder silver glittering blouse showcased my breasts with the help of a push-up bra, and a short leather skirt accentuated my hips. Rainbow-shimmering high heels gave me enough height to meet Ivy’s gaze. I was ready for an event she swore would be legendary.