Obsidian

“No. No!” She wiped under her eye with her free hand, using her pinky. “It’s just that…I don’t think Adam wanted to go with me, and I’m not sure I want to even be here. And it’s…” She shook her head and pulled her hand free. “Anyway, you look great! That dress is to die for!” My heart went out to her. It didn’t seem fair that she was limited to who she could go out with. Especially considering every male Luxen I’d met was a douche. Since they all grew up together, it must be like going to the dance with her brother. “Hey,” I said, getting an idea. “We can bail on this if you want. Go get movies and eat ice cream in our pretty dresses. Sounds like fun, right? We can rent Braveheart. You love that movie.” Dee laughed, eyes tearing up again as she pulled me in for a tight hug. “No. We’re going to enjoy ourselves here. How’s your date?”

I glanced around, not seeing him. “Probably drunk somewhere.”

“Oh no.” She brushed a strand of hair back. She’d worn her hair down and straightened it so that it fell over her shoulders like a wave of dark water. “Bad?”

“Not yet, but I was wondering if I could catch a ride home with you guys?”

“Of course.” She started pulling me toward the dance floor. “We’re probably going to the bonfire afterward. You can come with us or we can drop you off.”

Simon hadn’t mentioned a party. Maybe I’d get lucky and he’d forget about me. Dee and I skirted the edge of the floor, hand in hand. I’d almost given up on spotting Lesa in the mess, but then I came to a complete standstill.

There was a small candle covered in glass on a white table. It sent a soft flickering glow over Daemon’s high cheekbones and full lips. Ash was nowhere in sight, and honestly I didn’t care where she was.

Daemon’s stare was so concentrated I took an unintentional step back, but we didn’t break eye contact. A craving unfurled deep in my stomach, shooting through me like heated lightning, and that — that was the kind of feeling you couldn’t force, couldn’t even replicate if you wanted.

And then Simon was in front of me, capturing my hand and pulling me away from Dee and out onto the dance floor. It wasn’t a slow dance, but he wrapped his beefy arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest anyway. The hard edge of his flask cut into my ribs.

“You disappeared on me,” he said, his lips brushing my ear, dousing my neck in alcohol fumes. “I thought you up and left me.”

“No, I saw friends.” I tried pulling back, but I was stuck to him. “Where are your friends?”

“Huh?” he yelled, unable to hear me as the music increased. “There’s a party tonight down in the Field. Everyone is going.” One of his hands was low on my back, his finger resting on the flare of my bum. “We should go.” Dammit. “I don’t know. Curfew,” I yelled back, trying to maneuver his hand off my rear.

“So? It’s homecoming. It’s time to party.”

I didn’t bother responding. I was too busy avoiding his hands, which were everywhere. We danced another song before I could successfully extract myself, and the only reason I could was because Carissa saved me.

Things were all over the place then. I spied Ash sitting at the table, looking pissed while Daemon stared at the floor. Several bathroom breaks and dances later, I ended up back with Simon.

For a human, he sure knew how to sneak up on someone.

He didn’t reek of alcohol this time around, but dammit, his hands were super friendly as we moved in a tight circle. I could feel every last inch of him, and he didn’t seem to mind. I was starting to sweat when one of his hands dropped off my shoulder, narrowly avoiding my breast.

I jerked back, glaring at him. “Simon.”

“What?” He looked innocent. “Sorry. My hand slipped.”

His hand slipped my rosy red butt. I looked away, debating what to do. I needed to disappear. Quick.

“Mind if I cut in?” a deep voice asked from behind me.

Simon’s blue eyes widened as I twisted around. Daemon stood there, a hard look on his face. He wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were focused on Simon in challenge. As if he dared the boy to say no.

After a terse second, Simon released me. “Perfect timing. I needed to get a drink anyway.”

He cocked a brow at Simon and then looked at me. “Dance?”

Having no idea what he was up to, I gingerly placed my hands on his shoulders. “This is a surprise.”

He didn’t say anything as he wrapped one arm around my waist and reached up, taking hold of one of my hands. The music slowed down until it seemed to crawl by in a haunting melody about love lost and found again. I stared up into those extraordinary eyes, stunned that he could hold me so…tenderly. My heart thudded as blood rushed to every point in my body. It had to be the dance, the dress — the way he filled out his tux.

He pulled me closer.

Excitement and dread warred inside me. The dazzling lights overhead reflected in his midnight hair. “Are you having a good time with…Ash?”

“Are you having a good time with Happy Hands?”

I bit down on my lip. “Such a constant smartass.”

He chuckled in my ear, sending shivers through me. “The three of us came together — Ash, Andrew, and me.” His hand rested above my hip, having a totally different impact on me. My skin tingled underneath the chiffon. Daemon cleared his throat as he glanced away. “You…you look beautiful, by the way. Really too good to be with that idiot.” A blush stole over my skin, and I lowered my gaze. “Are you high?”

“Unfortunately, no I’m not. Though, I am curious why you would ask.”

“You never say anything nice to me.”

“Good point,” he sighed. Daemon moved a little closer and turned his head slightly. His jaw grazed my cheek and I jumped. “I’m not going to bite you. Or grope you. You can relax.”

My witty retort died on my lips when he moved his hand from my hip and guided my head to his shoulder. The moment my cheek touched his tux covered shoulder, there was a dizzying rush of sensations. His hand settled on my lower back again and we moved slowly to the music. After awhile, he started humming under his breath, and I closed my eyes. This…this wasn’t nice. It was thrilling.

“Seriously, how’s your date going?” he asked.

I smiled. “He’s a little friendly.”

“That’s what I thought.” He turned his head, and for a moment his chin rested against my hair, then he lifted his head. “I warned you about him.”

“Daemon,” I said softly, wanting him not to ruin the mood. There was something peaceful about this, lulling. “I have him under control.”

He snorted. “Sure looks like it, Kitten. His hands were moving so fast I was beginning to question if he was human or not.”

I stiffened, my eyes opening. I counted to ten. I made it to three before he spoke again.

“You should sneak out of here and go home while he’s distracted.” His hand tightened around mine. “I can even get Dee to morph into you if need be.”

Shocked that he’d go to that extreme, I pulled back and looked up at him. “It’s okay if he gropes your sister? ”

“I know she can take care of herself. You’re out of your league with that guy.”

We’d stopped dancing, oblivious to the other couples. Disbelief coursed through me. “Excuse me? I’m out of my league?”

“Look, I drove here. I can let Dee catch a ride with Andrew and take you home.” He sounded like he had everything planned out. Then his eyes narrowed. “Are you actually considering going to the party with that idiot?”

“Are you going?” I asked, pulling my hand free from his. My other hand was still on his chest and his arm still circled my waist.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m doing.” Frustration punctuated each of his words. “You’re not going to that party.”

“You can’t tell me what to do, Daemon.”

His eyes narrowed, but I could see the eerie glow beginning to form in his eyes, overshadowing his pupils. “Dee is taking you home. And I swear, if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here, I will.” My hand curled into a useless fist against his chest. “I’d like to see you try.”

He smiled, eyes starting to gleam in the darkness. “I bet you would.”