Page 39 of The Fallen Ones

Deciding I needed to just loosen up more and enjoy myself, I drank another two shots, letting the sway of my brain take over.

As the night wore on, I could feel the alcohol loosening my inhibitions, and the music urging me to let go. The masked trio appeared to be watching me just as often as I watched them. At least that’s what I told myself as I danced against Olivia.

I felt the tension even with the crowd filling the space in between us.

I spun around, allowing my hair to fly and wrap itself across my face. A strangers arm found itself around my waist. I had noidea who he was behind a tinted green mask. He ground his body against mine, making heat whoosh through my body.

One of the masked trio stepped forward and another pulled him back. They appeared to be having a disagreement with one another.

The guy in the green mask held my hand and spun me around so fast that for a minute I lost sight of the masked trio. I tried to loosen his grip on my hand even though he was clearly trying to claim me for the night. I couldn’t help but want to escape and explore the masked guys at the edge of the dance floor. On the other hand, I wanted to see how interested, if at all, they were.

So I danced back against the green masked man, feeling his hard length press against my stomach as we rocked against one another. I’d never danced with anyone like this before. It felt liberating to do, but the longer the song wore on, the more I knew I wanted more than what he was giving to me.

The same guy from the trio stepped forward again as green mask moved his hands to my thighs as I danced against him, my back to his front. Once again, the masked man was pulled back.

Feeling curious, and maybe a little insane, I decided I wanted to see if it was really me they were watching. The thought they were angry on my behalf, that they were jealous, I had to get closer just to find out.

I seized my opportunity the moment the pace of the music changed. I danced and twirled my way out of green mask’s arms.

Soon I found myself dancing in the direction of the masked trio, glad I had liquid courage to fuel the move. All I knew was I felt compelled to close the gap between us.

I grabbed another shot off a passing hostess. I gulped it down without a thought and felt the burn in the back of my throat.

I wasn’t used to this party lifestyle at all, but I was feeling way too good to contemplate any of it.

“Liv–” I turned to where I thought my friend was standing only to find her making out with a mystery guy in an all white suit. Both their white costumes seemed to blend into one as his hands made busy work of her ass.

I can do this. I don’t need Liv for this.

I tried to convince myself as best I could.

I took a deep breath and continued to dance towards the guys.

One of the masked trio looked back in my direction. He was tall with tousled dark hair, although they all appeared to have dark hair. His mouth was visible and painted in a skeleton design, his ears, neck, and entire torso fully blacked out in body paint. There was something magnetic about him. He had an irresistible pull that made my heart race and my mouth feel dry.

The second masked guy turned to face me. I was right; his costume was identical to the first. His gaze felt familiar.

The third guy remained facing his friends until the first guy nudged him. He turned towards me and smiled, keeping his mouth firmly closed. He, too, dressed exactly the same as the others. A trio of skeleton masked men, a painted design across their mouths to match their masks, which I was certain extended to their entire faces beneath the masks, and whole defined torsos covered in black body paint. They reminded me of one of my gothic style paintings. The three of them were intriguingly stunning. So beautiful in fact I found myself drawn to them even more.

My anxiety caused me to pause as I fought with my fears and tried to offer a smile. I was sure my drunken self simply came off as awkward though.

The DJ called for the crowd to ‘go wild’, resulting in me being propelled forward. My heeled boots scraped across the marble floor as I stumbled. A hand reached out, wrapping itself aroundmy elbow with a firm yet gentle grip, and another held onto my hip steadying me.

“Thanks,” I replied as I looked up.

It was one of the masked trio. His hand remained on my elbow. I looked down at my hip and realized that hand belonged to another of the masked strangers. My cheeks warmed as I realized two of them were with me. I could feel the heat radiating from their touch, and the chaos of the party faded into the background.

Both of their gazes locked onto mine, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only people in the room. I noticed a flicker of concern in their eyes as they glanced around, assessing the wild crowd who’d drove me forward into them.

The one in front of me used his fingers to move my hair from my face then fixed my mask back in place.

Heat rose in my chest. Panic had set in.

“Could you see me?” I asked, a shaking mess of nerves.

Without speaking, the one in front of me, whose eyes were firmly fixed on mine, shook his head and backed away, making my heart lurch at his distance.

I tugged at the hem of my dress nervously and worried I’d exposed my identity, but he said no, so that offered some comfort.

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