Page 15 of Prince of Malice

I lower the keg gently to the floor with a small thud, taking a step away and being enveloped by the swarm of people as they all head for the metal drum.

“I’ll leave you guys to it.” I chuckle, backing away from anyone who could recognize me.

Making my way into the next room, I grab someone else’s drink from the coffee table as I pass by and perch up against the wall, just standing in place, allowing the sound, heat, and energy of the party to wash over me. For now, I don’t need to talk to anyone else. I just want to be able to be part of the fun.

“Did you just take my beer?” an aggravated man grunts at me.

“What’s that?” I play dumb, taking a sip of what is definitely his beer. “This?”

“Yeah, dumbass. You just stole my drink,” he yells, his friends quickly backing up around him.

“Sorry, man, but I just got this from the other room,” I lie. “They just tapped a keg inthere, though, if you wanna grab another,” I say with a smile, hoping they’ll putter off for a new drink and not decide to kick my ass.

“Are you even supposed to be here?” one of the others asks, already looking down on me. “You’re dressed like shit.”

His friends join in on the laughter, and I stand up properly and look them in the eye. “Look, guys, I didn’t get the memo about the dress code alright? I just came here to help out and have a good time.”

“Sure, bud” The real owner of my drink scoffs. “So, you know Dianna then?”

“Are you kidding? Me and Dianna go way back. We practically grew up together!” I lie through my teeth.

“The Dianna who moved here from California for freshman year?”

He’s got me there.

“What can I say? My family travels,” I joke, but the first guy is already squaring up to me.

His fists clench tightly by his sides. “You’re a real smartass, aren’t you?”

“Trust me, you haven’t met a real smartass.” I sneer, ready to cock my fist back.

His friend grabs him by the shoulder,pulling him back. “It’s not worth it, Bryce. Just let it go. We can talk to Dianna and get him kicked out.”

Bryce settles. “Would be funny to see him get thrown out on the street.” Already laughing at the idea, he walks away.

I check around; no one else saw that happen. Good

Moving swiftly out of the room, I duck away from where the group of guys went and head in the opposite direction. Sweeping around the corners, I peep briefly into each room, hoping one of them will be quiet and distant enough for me to lay low for the rest of the night.

Finally, I reach a small bedroom at the far end of the house. The walls are bare, the furniture is basic, and no personal items are anywhere to be seen. For tonight, it’s been converted into another quiet social space for people to talk in, but only one other person is sitting in here.

He rests back on the small couch across the room from the door, not saying a word to me as I walk in but only nodding. I nod back and watch him return to his quiet contemplation.

The sounds of the party still move through the house, even being heard from this small hovel of a room. Perching on the coverless bed, I close my eyes and am almost able to imagine myself as part of the party. Still in that first open room, dancing and mingling with the drunk crowd, enjoying my time with everyone else, but if I want to stay, I have to be in here.

“You really do have a way with people, don’t you?” someone says from the doorway.

I turn to face them, meeting Luca’s deep blue eyes as he leans against the frame. His stature looks ridiculous in comparison to the large door, making him look petite in his tailored suit. As if he’s a knock-off spy action figure.

I burst to my feet. “What do you want from me?”

“Woah, calm down. I just saw your argument back there and watched you sneak off here.”

“You saw that?” I snap at him.

Luca nods. “I was starting to think that your outbursts were my fault, but you just seem to have that effect on people.”

“Why don’t you just stay the hell awayfrom me?” I side-eye the other man in the room. He quickly catches on and shuffles his way out of the small room.

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