Page 17 of In Shadows We Dance

CHAPTER 9

Morning Games

ILEANA

I hate mornings.

For two days, I've been jumping at shadows, checking over my shoulder, waiting for Wren's next move. Dark circles smudge under my eyes, too deep for concealer to cover. But it's not just exhaustion wearing me down—it's the anticipation. The knowledge that he's watching. Waiting. Playing whatever game this is.

The halls are quiet when I reach my locker, but quiet meansnothing. Wren has a way of appearing when I least expect it.

"Good morning, Ballerina."

My heart slams against my ribs. His voice comes from directly behind me. I didn’t even hear him approach.

"Did you sleep well?" The question sounds innocent, but his tone has a razor edge that slices into me. "You kept your curtains closed all night. Scared of the dark?"

My fingers stop moving on my locker combination.How does he know that?

"Or maybe ..." His voice drops lower. "Maybe you were scared of what might be watching from outside?"

I force myself to turn around, to face him. He's even closer than I expected, forcing me to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.

"What do you want?"

His eyes darken, amusement dancing in their depths. "Want?" He places one hand against the locker beside my head, caging me in. "I want to know why you hide yourself away, Ileana. Why you dance alone in an abandoned studio. Why your father insists on keeping you invisible."

Heshouldn't know any of that.

"Have you been following me?"

"Following implies I had to chase." His other hand comes up, finger tracing the air just above the dark circle under my eye. "But you make it so easy to watch. So easy to learn all your little secrets."

He’s trying to get under my skin. I duck under his hand, but his arm moves in time with me, blocking my escape. I glare up at him.

“Stop it.”

"Not yet. We're not done."

“Then be done.” I lift my chin, even though my stomach is twisting into knots. “Whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested.”

His eyes search mine, and for a moment, something almost like curiosity flashes across his face. Then it's gone, replaced by that predatory smile I’m beginning to know so well.

"But I've only just started paying attention." He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks. "And you're far too interesting to ignore now."

A shiver runs down my spine, but I hold his gaze. “You’re only paying attention to me because you’re bored.”

His smirk falters for half a second, then returns. “Bored? Maybe. Or maybe I just see what no one else does.”

“You don’t know anything about me!”

“Don’t I? You pretend to be invisible, but you’re not. I see you. Every move. Every breath. You’re not like the rest of them.” His hand moves to my face, cupping my jaw, thumb stroking over my bottom lip. “You’re … captivating.”

I jerk away, but his fingers trail down to my chin, tilting my head up.

"What do you think your father would say if he knew?" His words are soft, but the threat is clear. "If he knew about the dance studio, about the secrets you keep?"

“He wouldn’t care.” I pray that my voice doesn’t give the lie away.

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