Page 63 of The Daughters of Nyx

“Oh, thank fuck,” Thea muttered before downing the rest of her own drink.

Laughing, I took a tentative sip and cringed. It was sweet and sour, but nice, if not a little warm from sitting on the counter. Obviously, whoever had mixed it hadn’t added ice.

A new song started, and as Thea pulled me into the throngs of dancers, I released Adrian’s hand. I could feel his presence behind me as he followed us back into the living room. The furniture had been pushed against the walls, and all the chairs were taken by couples and groups of friends talking, though there were at least a dozen people dancing toThrillerand laughing as they tried to replicate the dance.

I felt Adrian’s eyes on me as Thea and I danced. We clung to one another, but over her shoulder, I could see the

smoulder of his stare, feel it on my skin as I moved to the music, tracking me with heavy eyes filled with desire.

For a moment, I didn’t feel like Ivy, Daughter of Nyx and next Queen of the supernatural race. I felt like old Ivy, smutty regency romance author and hotel receptionist who had a thing for Halloween and fall.

Even knowing Maeve, Rowan, and Elias were keeping their eyes on us from the outside, I felt a little freer, enjoying the sour cocktail and loud, deafening music.

I offered Adrian a smile and danced for what felt like hours, letting the music drag me back in time to days when the only thing I had to worry about was making sure I had money for rent and getting the next book to my editor. Before hellhounds and sexy mages who controlled my dreams and strange magic claiming I was going to be Queen.

Thea disappeared with Jase, who looked like a murderous surgeon in his bloodied scrubs, after several songs, leaving me alone on the dancefloor with Adrian. He continued to watch with his arms crossed, eyes hooded.

I wondered what he was thinking about. The red light made it hard for me to take in his expressions, though the alcohol probably didn’t help. It was stronger than I’d expected, and already, the room had a fuzzy haze that looked hilarious with all the costumes.

A cute girl appeared at Adrian’s side, a flirty smile playing at her full lips. She looked amazing in herBlack Widowcostume; the leather hugged her willowy frame and her black locs fell down to her waist. Her dark skin glowed under the red light, making her look ethereal and not human.

Adrian said something to her, but his eyes never left mine. She giggled, placing a hand on his forearm. Maybe she wassomething else, not human. I couldn’t tell. Adrian didn’t seem to see her as a threat, but hell, he had the attention of a beautiful woman and he was stuck babysitting me because I’d wanted a night off.

An uncomfortable feeling clamped around my stomach as I turned away from the pair. I had no claim on him, and yet, something that tasted like bitter jealousy filled my mouth. My empty drink seemed to laugh at me as I stared down at the decaying eyeball gummy.

I am so stupid. Shaking my head at myself and the damned pity party I was throwing, I left the dancefloor and slipped into the kitchen. There were more people now, some filtering in and out as the night wore on. I recognised maybe three people from last year’s Halloween party, but otherwise, I was lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Shit. A shiver raced down my spine, but as I spied the cauldron, I pushed down the feelings of jealousy and uncertainty, and instead dumped my old cup in favour of a new one.

A hand clamped around my upper arm, not tight enough to leave a bruise, but hard enough to let me know I was probably in trouble.

“Ivy, you know you can’t run off like that,” Adrian hissed, his breath fanning my ear as he leaned in to whisper to me. “It’s too dangerous.”

I shrugged, pouring myself a drink. “I was thirsty, and you looked a little preoccupied.”

Adrian released my arm, and instead spun me around to face him. This close, I could see the anger in his eyes, the desire that blew out his pupils.

A wave of guilt washed over me. I knew the risks. I knew what being out here meant, and yet, I’d come out anyway, which put everyone at risk. I didn’t want him—or any of the others—to get hurt because of me.

I opened my mouth, ready to apologise, but he cut me off with a searing kiss. His mouth, warm and soft, moved against mine. He pressed against me hard, tangling his hand through my hair, pulling me into his body like he needed me more than air, more than the magic that ignited between us.

Warmth from his proximity curled around me, but it was the fire that forced me away from his kiss. It touched every inch of me, prickling down my arms and legs, wrapping around me in a cruel embrace. I stumbled away from Adrian and towards a door off the kitchen, my breathing harsh in my ears.

It wasn’t panic, but it reminded me of the bookstore, only more panful.

“Ivy?” Worry deepened Adrian’s voice. His hand fell to my shoulder, and I hissed at the sudden burn of his touch. He pulled away immediately, and without touching me, he guided me into a powder room.

It was small and cramped and smelt like vomit, but Adrian motioned for me to sit on the closed toilet lid.

“Breathe, sweetheart,” he murmured. Green eyes, no longer shadowed by red light, met mine. “I need you to breathe.”

Closing my eyes, I sucked in another breath as the fire continued to burn through my veins. It was both painful and

exhilarating, agonizing and exciting, a storm that threatened to rage within me the longer I tried to fight it.

“Ivy, I need you to look at me.” Adrian knelt in front of me, his eyes assessing, yet filled with worry that I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Not long now,a voice seemed to whisper inside my mind, their voice terrifyingly familiar, yet I was unable to place why.

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