Page 42 of Veil of Death and Shadow

I could see Sora from here, and she seemed just as cozy as she had when I’d left for the restrooms, but now a night with Ren and the girl was the farthest thing from my mind.

An annoying mystery enshrouded the man standing at my side—one I’d been oddly fixated on solving for years. I didn’t fully understand what it was about him, but now that he was in front of me, I knew my curiosity wouldn’t relent tonight until I saw it quenched.

“Fair enough, another time then.” Ren pressed a kiss to my cheek as he squeezed my shoulder, and I flinched at his touch. It had been one thing while dancing, but it was another now.

His grip was ripped away almost instantly though, as the man shoved him back and stepped between us. “She doesn’t like being touched.”

The memory of that day came flooding back more vividly than it had in years. His hand on me, pulling me back from the bus. My adrenaline-flooded attempt at gratitude coming out instead like a chastisement of his grip.

“My bad, man.” Ren raised his hands up in surrender. “She didn’t seem to mind earlier.”

“Well, she minds now,” he ground out.

““You’re right.” Ren studied me, his brows furrowed in concern as he nodded. “Sorry Mareena, I didn’t mean any offense.”

“It’s fine.” I winced. The group closest to us on the dance floor had stopped moving to the music. Instead, theywere watching us. We were drawing attention. I caught the bartender’s eye and gave him a nod, a silent promise that I’d deescalate the situation. “I’m not offended.”

It was the truth—and Ren was right. I had more than welcomed his touch earlier.

My dislike of being touched had little to do with my own comfort and everything to do with my fear that I might somehow contaminate those closest to me.

It had taken years of work, but I’d gotten a little better at identifying where my anxieties and fears diverged from the curse. I was still absolutely convinced that death was haunting me—or those closest to me—but it hardly seemed transferable through touch, like a particularly gnarly infectious disease.

And if it was, something told me that demons could withstand the curse in a way the humans in my life might not be able to.

“We’ll catch you later, Mareena.” Lenora glanced between us, then twined her fingers through Ren’s. “Enjoy your night.”

With a wink, she turned and led him down to the basement.

When they were gone, I turned back to the man, every molecule in my body aware of his presence. I wasn’t sure if it was the power of this place or just him. Maybe a mix of both.

“So, you do remember,” I said. “That day.”

He ran a hand through his hair, not meeting my stare. For the first time, he looked uncomfortable, not entirely in control.

Maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling the intoxicating effects of this place.

“You should be careful, Mareena.”

I shivered at the sound and shape of my name on his lips. He pronounced it slowly and softly, almost to himself, like he was tasting it.

I forced my focus up to his eyes, though they were just as disorienting. “Of what?”

“If you don’t keep your wits about you,” his eyes burrowed into mine, a silent plea, “this place can cast a charm that’s not exactly easy to break.”

I felt the timbre of his voice reverberate in my chest, its own kind of mesmerizing music.

He stood close to me, but I wanted him closer. My interest in Ren and Lenora had dissolved entirely, but he’d somehow managed to magnify the need coursing through my body like a livewire set aflame.

“Who said I wanted to break it?” I heard the desire in my voice, didn’t even bother disguising it. There was no sense trying. “Maybe that’s why I’m here.”

He let out a low laugh, though there was no humor to the sound—just the edge of resignation. “Is it now?”

“Is that so wrong? To want a night of fun?”

“No.” He shook his head, something passing in his expression. “That’s not wrong.”

“And you?” I asked, my voice a husky whisper as I leaned closer to him.

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