Page 36 of Deadmen's Captive

He moved with the rhythm of the music, his hips swaying against mine. His hands slid down my back, resting on my hips as he pulled me closer to him.

"Tristan," I whispered into his ear, feeling a shiver run up his spine.

"Yes?" His voice was low and husky.

"I'm glad we came tonight," I confessed. "I'm glad you're here."

“I’m glad too.” I felt a sudden vibration from his body, and he reached down, pulling out his phone. His face tightened, a strange looking passing across his face and he sighed.

“What is it?” I asked, worried now.

“It’s fine, it’s just… my dad asking about the car. I have to go and call him. I’m sorry Paige, it might take a little while. Will you be ok?”

“I’ll be fine, go,” I said, giving him a gentle shove. He brushed his lips over mine.

“I wish tonight could have lasted longer,” he said.

“Then hurry and come back to me,” I said, smiling at him. He returned it, but his seemed sad somehow, and I frowned as he disappeared into the crowd.

“Paige.”

I turned to see David standing behind me.

“You look incredible.”

“Thank you," I said. "How did you know it was me?”

“Oh, just your hair, the way you move,” he answered, moving closer. “Dance with me?”

It wasn’t really a question, and I felt really awkward refusing when he was already moving with me to the music.

"Uh, sure," I said.

"Good."

"Everyone's watching," I said. “Should you be dancing with a student?”

“No one knows it’s us,” he said, leaning forward and pressing his nose to my hair. I fought the urge to shudder. I really didn’t feel anything towards him other than as a student and a friendly teacher, but I didn’t want to make a scene or make things awkward between us for the rest of the year. One dance, I thought, then I’ll make an excuse to go to the bathroom or something.

"Smile, Paige," he instructed. "We're just dancing."

"Right," I forced the corners of my mouth up. Just dancing.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd. I took the opportunity to try and pull away from David but his grip on my waist tightened.

"No, Paige," he warned, his voice low. “You promised me a dance.” He smiled as though he was teasing, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"David, let me go," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. He ignored me, turning me around slowly to the haunting music. My heart pounded in my chest and my palms started to sweat. I felt like a deer caught in headlights. I looked to the side, trying to find Kate, but the rest of the dancers had stopped moving, all turned towards the doors at the other end of the hall.

A collective gasp rolled through the ballroom and I turned to see what everyone was looking at.

Suddenly, the music shifted into a darker, more intense beat compelling the room. The lights fell into a dramatic darkness and when they came back, the doors had opened revealing a large group of eerily clad figures. They were tall and broad-shouldered, dressed head to toe in pitch black robes with skull masks. The Reapers had arrived.

The figures made their way through the crowd, black cloaks sweeping and skull masks gleaming menacingly and a shiver went down my spine.

"Paige?" David murmured in my ear.

"Who are they?" I asked David.

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