Page 105 of House of Mages and Raven

Cade, the most diplomatic prince, smiled. “Go now, Princess Grace. Prince Rowan is going to lose his shit, and even I can’t hold him back when he does.”

I blew a kiss as Grace ran from our table, her minions hurrying after her, the underdogs whimpering. Too bad the chaos prince wasn’t here for her.

Grace flaunted herself as Barbie’s upgrade, but she overlooked the history between the heirs and Barbie. After having rescued Barbie from CrimsonTide, the heirs regarded her as one of them. They’d never been drawn to Grace’s power as they were drawn to Barbie’s, and Barbie had a plus-one, which was me, a raw power within her.

“WhereisBarbie?” Cade asked. “I invited her. She played a big role in defeating the abominations and earned my house a dozen points.”

“Right. Where’s Barbie?” Louis frowned, looking uneasy. “She’s never missed a party before. She loves free food.”

“No one has seen her since the battle,” Silas offered, looking guilty.

I didn’t want the heirs to puzzle over Barbie’s whereabouts, or even worry about her. This night was for me, and I wouldn’t let her overshadow everything again, not when the warm urban breeze kissed my face and the music beat for my ears.

I toasted to the heirs with my glass while grabbing Rowan’s hand. “Let’s go dance, sugar.”

He smiled down at me. “I thought you’d never ask.”

His strong arm around my waist possessively, Rowan led me toward the dance floor in the center of the rooftop. He was more than eager to get me away from the other heirs, not appreciating their sniffing around me.

I glanced at the heirs over my shoulder and winked at them. They watched me with desire, Barbie forgotten.

I caught sight of Grace near the dance floor, a squad of military demons standing by as her security detail. She glared at me with hate, folding her arms across her chest. I stalked towardher, draining my glass of gin and tonic, and placed the empty vessel on her arm.

“Would you be a doll and take this for me?” I asked politely with a smile. “I gotta dance. The music is calling.”

Everyone stared at me, their eyes going big, utterly stunned at my audacity, but Rowan had whisked me away. We dove into the dance floor before Grace could recover from her shock and rage.

Music blasted. The floor was crammed with hot bodies. As we approached, the crowd parted for us. I swayed my hips, riding every drum beat. I became music and dance, and there was no one like me. I felt amazing, sexy, wild, and free.

I was flame. I was flowing liquid. I was purest magic.

All eyes were on me. And then everyone started mimicking my moves. Males were drawn to me, dancing around me. Many females got closer too. Rowan snarled, tossing his earth magic all around to shove away the throng, not allowing anyone to get in close proximity.

And then Silas and Louis arrived, riding musical waves and dancing around me, completely ignoring Rowan’s warning growls. Cade didn’t join us. He stayed in the VIP section, drinking his full to banish his sorrow and heaviness.

Rowan wasn’t able to cover all sides, and he couldn’t drive away Silas and Louis like he did other males. I twirled around, paying attention to Silas and Louis as well, and they laughed in delight. Louis waved for the servers to pour us more poison, and Silas fought to bring it to me when the drinks arrived.

I danced and drank and giggled. The princes’ lust burned brightly and darkly; I sank my fangs in it and fed on the energy. In giddiness, I hummed Barbie’s song.

Baby, I'm having the best fucking night of my life

And wherever it takes me, I'm down for the ride…

A formidable and deadly power whipped through the air. Everyone gasped for breath, and the music was muted.

Killian stood on the rise, dark power rippling off him.

Even with his wearing a pair of old designer jeans and a crew-neck T-shirt, his presence overshadowed everyone else. A tattoo of dragon claws was revealed on his muscled upper arm, the rest concealed by the sleeve.

His storm-blue eyes scanned the crowd, lingering on me two seconds longer than on other dancers before he moved on again. Cade sidled up to him, searching the crowd as well.

Beside me, all three heirs tensed, and I felt a mental link between them click into place.

“Fuck,” Rowan cursed. “Barbie is missing again. Killian’s team has been searching for her for hours. No one has seen her since the battle.”

Silas and Louis traded a look of worry and guilt.

“We should be concerned,” Louis said. “As I told you guys, Barbie would never miss a feast, not for anything or anyone.”

---