jolt that I’m not wearing my own face. Why am I running? Frustration streaks through me at that realization. I can walk right by him, and he won’t be able to recognize me.
Duh, Sable. Get your act together!
I turn around, trying to make it look like some kind of dance move and not me just being an idiot and panicking for no reason. Lifting my chin, I square my shoulders so that I mimic the rest of the Abdicated in here, doing my best to pretend like I belong. No one ever questions someone who looks like they’re supposed to be there, right? I’ll just breeze right past the prick. Even if he is some kind of security detail, Little Miss See-Through Dress seemed to be all the distraction I need. I’ll just use that to my advantage.
I retrace my panicked retreat, weaving past bodies again, the scent of food, alcohol, and the sweet Hellish air growing thicker with every passing moment. Dresses brush up against my body as I squeeze past demons, and the sparkling chandelier light adds to the indulgent atmosphere. Too bad my insides are far too messy to appreciate any of it.
If only these demons knew that the Ophidian was amongst them. If only they realized that if he has his way tonight, this party will become a slaughter. If that happens, it won’t be the alcohol that’s flowing, it’ll be blood and terror.
“You’ve been blocking me.”
I blink at Ire’s words, confusion filtering through me. Blocking him?
I don’t reply to him though, I just stay the course. Maybe if I don’t talk back, he’ll turn his attention back to the nipples.
“I’m going to find you…”
His threatening words should make a chill travel through me, but instead of foreboding, I feel excited. WTF? I need to get my head examined when all is said and done. I think one too many blows to the head have left me damaged. I shake off the eager electricity sparking through my system and pick up the pace. Hope soars when I find the stairway to the balcony is now unoccupied. Ire is gone.
I look around as much as possible without being too obvious, and then I take my chance. I dart forward, confidence in my every step, my head held high like I’m Pride himself. I close the distance between me and the stairs.
Ten feet.
Seven feet.
Four feet.
Cocky excitement travels through me, but just as I take another step, a hand snaps out and seizes my arm, the grip whirling me around without warning. I try to swallow my surprised squeak, but it’s ripped from me just as fast as I’m ripped from my intended destination.
My feet stumble, the long skirt of my skintight dress nearly making me trip, but I manage to stay upright as I’m spun to face the person who grabbed me.
Startling blue eyes glare down at me, the hint of fang showing through his sinister smile, and my stomach twists.
Ire leans forward to press his purred, furious words against my ear. “Found you.”
29
I freeze in Ire’s arms, stunned for a moment. How did he know it was me? He takes advantage of my shocked stillness by moving a hand from my arm to my waist, and then holding up my other hand like we’re about to waltz all our problems away.
He starts to move, and I stumble as I look up at him with wide eyes. “What are you doing?” I whisper.
“What’s it look like? We’re dancing, of course.”
I look around, trying not to show the alarm I feel. My teeth grind. “Let me go.”
He looks down at me arrogantly. “No.”
Irritation ripples out of me, but to my annoyance, Ire breathes in deeply, like he’s taking in the most refreshing breath of air that’s ever blown on a breeze. “Ah, there’s that delicious anger,” he coos as he continues to twirl me around on the dance floor, forcing me to follow his lead or fall on my face and draw entirely too much attention to me. “You can try to hide behind a fake face, but I’d recognize the taste of your rage anywhere.”
I want to struggle and break free of his hold, but I can’t. I can’t react too much in case someone is watching. And I know they’re watching. I can feel it.
“You need to let me go,” I snap in my mind.
“Not gonna happen, Snarls. You and I are going to have a little talk about your many, many lies. Now dance.”