“Abbs, everything okay over here?”
Lucy and Samuel were dancing next to us; we were in the centre of the dance floor.
I nodded once and before she could question me further Samuel swept her off. As I watched them, Samuel laughed into her upturned glaring face, before leaning in closer to whisper in her ear. She turned back toward me, looking curious. I shifted my attention before she returned to rescue me again.
“So, how about that dance?” Brace held out a hand.
I glared at him. At least with those stupid heels we were much closer in height.
“How about ‘no’?” I turned to storm off.
He caught my hand, and hauled me back against his body. “Come on, you don’t want to create a scene at your own party,” he whispered into my ear.
I couldn’t move or answer. Electricity zoomed through our closely pressed bodies. I stopped struggling and just breathed. The connection between us was as strong as ever.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around to visit you.”
We were swaying closely; the entire world disappeared as he spoke.
“I just had a few things to take care of. But Sammy told me about your adventure. I’ve decided you need me, so I’m coming along.”
I pulled back, spluttering a little. “What makes you think we need you?”
What was Brace up to now?
Shaking his head, he pulled me back into his arms.
“I said you need me and, more importantly, Sam doesn’t want to be the only guy on the trip.”
I continued to glare. But there was something I’d been wanting to say, and since this was the first time I’d seen him since Earth, now was it.
I took a deep breath. “Thank you for ... uh ... killing Olden ... saving me.” I stuttered over my words, I didn’t really know how to express my gratitude.
His light-hearted expression sobered. “I was too slow. There were too many distractions, but ... you should never have been hurt.”
I shook my head, but before I could satisfy my need to reassure him, his mood lifted and, grinning, he swirled me away, out of the main dance floor. We moved closer to the large balconies. The doors were thrown wide open and huge fire torches were scattered around. Along one wall were massive antique mirrors, with ornate gilded framing.
I caught the first glimpse of my reflection. I looked again, just to make sure that was really me. I looked tall and slim. My full glossy red lips were parted in surprise. The long black dress fitted flawlessly, contrasting with masses of dark red and black hair, which was piled up in messy curls, a few falling to frame my face.
Lallielle and Lucy had outdone themselves with my make-up. My skin was always clear, but tonight it glowed. And my eyes looked even larger and more cat-like than usual; the black kohl lining them enhanced the emerald green.
“I told you. You really have a beauty that is otherworldly,” Brace said, observing my stunned expression. “You have the beauty of a Walker.”
I turned away. Maybe for the first time I actually did have the otherworldly look of Josian. But that didn’t mean I wanted to be the world savior. Or that I even could be.
I turned at the sound of his name. A group of suit-clad men, his friends I assumed, were calling him over. With a regretful glance, he left me there, making his way to them.
I followed him across the room, where he was cajoled into a dance with ‘boobs’, my nickname for ‘vulture woman in the red dress’. Clenching my nails into my wrist, I turned away, attempting to calm my murderous thoughts. I was this close to ripping every strand of blond hair from her head. I stepped out onto the balcony, allowing the cool breeze and sounds of the ocean to soothe the ragged edges Brace always left me with.
Later that night, after numerous awkward dances, and countless introductions, the party was over.
Lallielle was off ushering the last of the revelers out the door. Lucy and I were lying on the ballroom floor, staring up at the massive ceiling.
“So, could you have ever imagined this would be your eighteenth birthday?”
Turning my head to the side, I smiled. “I was just hoping we wouldn’t be in some type of people-smuggling rape ring for my birthday.”
Lucy shoved me. “There’s still time, Abbs, twenty minutes till midnight.” She looked thoughtful. “What was with you and the blondie in the red dress?”
Lucy was referring to the incident that had taken place ten minutes earlier, when ‘boobs’ had been leaving with her parents. They had stopped to thank Lallielle; I was standing there as well. As our parents started chatting, she’d leaned in close to me.
“Don’t even think you can have the most eligible bachelors, Aribella. I don’t care what anyone else believes, I know you’re not the Empress.” That wasn’t the first time tonight I’d caught murmurs of that. She continued to sneer at me, “I was here first and I will be long after you’re done and gone.”