Page 42 of The Fallen Ones

“Excuse me, do you know where the restroom is?” I asked a group of girls who looked me up and down without acknowledging my question.

I’d made it so obvious this was my first time at Satan’s Hollow but the place was huge. There was no way I’d find my way around without asking for help.

“Lost little demon?” A hand grabbed my arm hard and spun me around to face one of the golden masked elite members. I knew it wasn’t Dylan because he remained standing with the masked trio who’d helped me earlier.

“I’m looking for the restroom,” I squeaked out.

“This way. Follow me,” his voice came out deep and firm.

Hesitant, I did as he said and allowed him to lead me up a long staircase onto the second floor which led to over a dozen rooms on either side. This place was ridiculously huge.

He gestured to a room as we stopped outside. I paused for a moment before I entered the single bathroom and locked the door behind me, then I removed my mask. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and searched through my purse for my concealer. The room had been warm and caused my makeup to become patchy. I fixed my face and questioned why I’d felt an irrational jealousy over the masked trio getting so much attention from other girls. I had no idea who they were but the way they’d danced with me left me longing for more.

Once I’d composed myself, I made my way back down the hallway where the same golden masked man greeted me. I walked with him wordlessly down the stairs to the grand hall. Looking for Olivia, I felt overwhelmed, and for a fleeting moment I considered leaving the party. Vaguely, I heard golden mask talking to me, but my nerves were getting the better of me.

“It’s time, ladies, step forward and claim your key,” one of the elites in a golden mask and costume called across the hall into his microphone.

I exhaled and steeled myself. Running was what I’d always done, but I was desperate to stay just once.

This was that once.

So I stepped forward, ready to do just that.

Chapter 14

Caleb

“Everything is set for you guys,” Dylan said, leaning into us.

I ignored him and looked around, noticing Lily was gone from the bar. Smacking Damien in his chest, I got his attention.

“What?” he demanded over the loud music as Jace continued to talk to Dylan.

“Lily is gone,” I answered.

He stiffened beside me as he craned his neck around to look for her in the crowded room. The place was massive and there was a ton of people. She’d be impossible to spot in this mess.

“Fuck,” Damien snarled, making to move away. She suddenly emerged from around the corner, one of the elite shitheads with her.

Damien and I watched as golden mask spoke to her, making her smile beneath the strobing lights. She even laughed. I knew Lily well enough to know when she was faking it and when it was genuine. This was genuine.

And it pissed me off.

Something snapped within me I hadn’t felt before.

A supreme rush of violent jealousy that only grew as a golden mask traced a finger along her jaw. As he pulled her close. As he leaned in and whispered in her ear. She leaned into his touch, making me see red.

Damien’s hand on my arm brought me careening back to the moment.

“Chill,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Dylan.”

“Yeah?” Dylan stopped whatever inane shit he was telling to Jace to focus on Damien.

“Get your boy before I break his fucking neck,” Damien snarled.

Dylan glanced to where golden mask was rocking against Lily. I’d nearly lost it earlier when I’d seen her dancing with a green masked guy. It had been Damien then too who had stopped me from going forward, although I knew both he and Jace wanted to charge out to the dance floor with me and beat the shit out of the guy who was touching her.

“I got it. Get to your room. Keys are going to be handed out.” Dylan quickly moved away toward golden mask. I noted Jace stuffing a key into his pocket.

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