Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,51

Once again, I found myself on the outside looking in. Afraid to be normal. Afraid to make connections with people, avoiding large groups.

The chandeliers cast a sparkling glow across the grass, and I grabbed my skirt and lifted my right arm, pretending to dance with an invisible partner. Frequently, I would look over my shoulder to correct my stance, and more often than not, I turned the wrong way, and I even stepped on my own foot.

“Ouch!” I cried, laughing at myself.

The music stopped, and I waited for the next song, my hands clasped in front of me. It was a slow waltz, one meant for lovers and partners. In the hall, Patrick moved toward Tamara, and within minutes, each of the ladies had a dancing partner.

“May I have this dance?” a voice came from the darkness.

I spun around in surprise and saw a man with dark blond hair, whom I didn’t recognize. He wore a cloak and long sleeves that covered his arms. His face was angular and oddly familiar, but I wasn’t sure how I knew him.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“An old friend of the family,” he answered.

“Oh, then shouldn’t you be inside?”

“Like you, crowds make me uncomfortable.” He bowed gracefully and extended his hand to me. I curtseyed and grasped his fingertips. He pulled me close, one hand on my waist, and with practiced ease, he led me through the steps for the waltz.

“I see you’ve danced before,” I said.

“They forced me to take lessons as a child. Although boring, they do come in handy. You’re a quick learner.”

“I’m barely keeping up with you,” I said, out of breath.

He smiled and leaned close to me. “You’re so fascinating, Aura.”

“How do you know my name?”

“I said I’m a friend of the family. I just didn’t say whose family.”

“I’ve never met you before in my life.”

“But I’ve seen you. I watched you from afar as you gallantly tried to save Meri and failed.”

I stopped dancing and tried to pull away, but his grasp on my waist and wrist tightened painfully. “Who are you?”

“Now really, I expected more from a daughter of Eville.” He laughed. “I hardly sense any magic in you. Why would he go to all the trouble to find a daughter of Eville to fight the blight and bring you?”

“Let me go,” I snapped.

As I fought, his sleeve slipped, and I noticed dark tattoos lining his arm. I knew those tattoos and what they symbolized. Dark magic.

“I know you,” I hissed. “You’re Aspen, Allemar’s apprentice.”

“You’re smart. Too bad you’re so weak. I could squash you like a bug.” He chanted, the tattoos on his arms glowed with power and his fingers burned into my wrist.

I yelped in pain as I tried to pull away, but he overpowered me. “Killing you will be the sweetest revenge on my sister, Rosalie.”

I screamed and kicked Aspen. I was aiming for his legs, but he turned, and I kicked his knee. He lost his grip, and I turned to run.

Aspen tackled me, bringing me to the ground. I tried to crawl away, but he flipped me over and hit me in the face.

Blinding stars exploded in my brain, and I felt a warm trickle down my lip as I tasted blood.

“I’m going to kill you, and you’re so pathetic I don’t even need magic to do it.” His hands reached for my throat as he chanted again, his arms glowing. “Go ahead, scream. Cry out for help. No one will save you. I want to hear those pretty lips beg for mercy.”

“I’ll never beg,” I hissed.

“Then die.” His hands pressed against my throat and I pulled at his wrists as I fought for each breath. All I could think about was Liam. How I had let him down in so many ways. He was right. I needed to learn to defend myself.

Liam, I’m so sorry. I failed you.

Aspen’s grip lessened, and he looked at me with confusion. “What was that?”

I gasped and coughed.

“What did you just do? I felt it. You did something. Where did it come from? How there was nothing there a minute ago and now it appeared.”

I couldn’t answer, and he quickly changed his mind. “Never mind. It won’t matter once you’re dead.” He grabbed my neck again, and I was losing consciousness. My vision was narrowing as darkness took over. “Allemar looks down on me. Said that I’m not strong enough to beat one of Lorelai’s daughters. I will prove him wrong. You’re nothing but a weak