Page 8 of In Shadows We Dance

The girl who moves through life like the world doesn’t know she exists has finally come into my orbit. I’m not sure what it’ll take to get her out of my head.

Or if I even want to.

My thoughts are full of her as I walk back to school to pick up my car. The way she dances, how different she seems. How she paused at the window, that tiny moment of hesitation. And the thrill of it hums in my veins the entire drive home.

My house lies on the farthest edge of town, a sprawling estate that feels too big, too empty. There are no lights on, no signs of life, when I approach. I don’t remember a time when I was ever greeted by voices, or lights, by anything other than darkness.

The front door clicks shut behind me, echoing through the wide, empty hallway, and I move through the house, turning on a few lights out of habit. The high ceilings and polished floors only makes the house feel emptier,colder,and every step I make echoes back at me. It’s a place built for grandeur, for people, forparties, but it might as well be a tomb most nights, for all the time anyone spends here.

I make my way up to the second floor where my room is, a large space with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook nothing but the long stretch of grass and trees. The moon casts a paleglow through the glass, and I don’t bother turning on the light. I like the way the moonlight transforms my room.

I have an armchair near the window, and I sit down, my thoughts still tangled with Ileana.

There’s something about her. Something that makes me want to peel back those layers and see what she’s hiding.

Something … Something … Something.

That word is on constant repetition, but there’s nothing else I can use to explain what happened today.

I’m not surewhythat excites me. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen her in a way I don’t think anyone else has. I’ve watched her when she thought no one was looking.

I can’t remember the last time someone caught my attention like this. I’m already thinking about tomorrow. About the next time I’ll see her. The next time I can force her to acknowledge me.

The rush I felt tonight … thesatisfactionI got from following her. I’ve never felt anything like it before.

I lean back on my chair, a smile pulling my lips up as I make plans.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

CHAPTER 5

Entangled In Shadows

ILEANA

No matterhow long I stare, the mirror refuses to give me answers. It only throws my reflection back at me—tired eyes, pale skin, and the tension I can’t shake. Ten minutes until I need to leave for school, and my stomach is churning at the thought.

Don't attract attention. Don't get involved. Focus on your studies. Be a good girl.

Dad’s mantra loops through my mind,mockingme. After years of following those rules perfectly, one spilled drink is all it’s taken to shatter my invisibility.

“It’s fine. You’re obsessing over something that means nothing,” I whisper to my reflection. “He's already forgotten about it.”

But my hands won’t stop shaking as I brush my hair into a loose ponytail. Every time I close my eyes, I see that shadow outside my window. The deliberate way it moved. How it vanished when I checked again.

Sleep had been impossible after that, and it’s left me on edge, raw and jittery. The concealer under my eyes does little to hide the dark circles from a night spent wide awake.

I adjust my T-shirt, smoothing away non-existent wrinkles. Nothing memorable about my appearance. Nothing that will catch anyone’s eye.

Nothing worthwatching.At least there shouldn’t be.

Dad is already in his usual spot when I step out, leaning in the doorway to the living room like a sentry. His gaze sweeps over me, checking every inch of my appearance, as always.

“Make sure you?—”

“Don’t attract attention. Head down, I know.” The words spill out, carrying an edge I’ve never dared use before. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep. Maybe it’s the lingering fear that yesterday wasn’t a one-off. But something in me rebels against the familiar litany.

His lips thin. “Don’t be flippant.”

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