Page 85 of Shattered Illusion

“Gah. Can’t you two give it a break for one night?” There goes Marion again, opening her big trap. I freaking love the girl, but dammit, I just need a moment. If she had any idea that Luka just saved her life, I bet she’d be pushing us closer together and cheering us on.

Luka leaves one last chaste kiss on my lips before pulling back. But he doesn’t retreat far. His dark blue eyes shine with concern as he checks me over for any sign that I may lose it again. “What’s going on, goddess? Are you okay?” His words are a mere whisper, meant for only the two of us, but thanks to his advanced hearing, Axel is privy to our conversation, too.

“Cor meum?”

“Sorry,” I mutter, my eyes downcast in shame. “I got upset and let my emotions get the best of me.” I blow out a harsh breath before continuing. “Plus, I’m nervous because there’s going to be so many people, and it all got to me at once.”

“There’s no reason for you to apologize,cor meum. It’s a huge event that you could have easily said no to. But you didn't, for which I'm grateful, and I'll—” Luka clears his throat. “We'll be by your side the entire night.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” I giggle as Axel crosses his heart then mimes stabbing himself in the eye.

The limo lurches forward in that moment, bringing us to the sprawling stone steps covered in a red velvet runner that leads into the council building. The driver exits the front seat, leaving the vehicle idling as he hustles around to the back passenger door to let us out. Marion shoves her way to the front to be the first one out, taking the proffered hand of the driver and letting him help her.

Axel huffs in part amusement and part disbelief over my bestie’s actions, then fluidly slides out of the door before reaching back and offering his cool hand to me. Luka gives me a nod of encouragement—his own way of saying you can do this without the need for words—and that’s all I need to fold my hand into Axel’s allowing him to tug me out and onto the red carpet.

Luka is by my side, not even a second later, draping a muscular arm over my shoulder as Axel tucks my hand in the crook of his elbow.

As a unit, the four of us make our way up the stairs and stop at the back of the line, waiting for our turn to enter the party. No one pays any mind to us, even with how big of hotshots the guys are, which is how I prefer it. The more I look like everyone else, the smoother tonight can go.

When it’s finally our turn to pass through the ornate doors, I take a deep breath and remember the one thing my dad told me before I entered Neptune’s Lagoon.

In and out.

The same principle applies here. In and out. Then we can go home, and I can spend the rest of the night showing my men what they mean to me.

If only I was that lucky.

Glitz and glamourof the supernatural variety decorate the entirety of the large ballroom space, and it's easy to see that no expense has been spared for tonight's festivities. Crystal chandeliers sparkle as the lights flash around the room, showcasing brilliant colors as its beams dance to the beat of its own tune. A sea of tables line the walls, with the middle completely open in the semblance of a dance floor you’d see in a normal club. A DJ spins the latest hits from his position off to the right, and a dais is set above the rest with a long, buffet-style table and honest-to-god throne-like chairs facing out into the room.

Supernaturals that could easily pass as humans weave through the partygoers, golden trays aloft in their hands, overflowing with delicate crystal glasses of bubbly alcohol. They're all relatively dressed the same in fine tuxedos as all the men here are, and if it weren't for the subtle snubs from the other patrons and the waiters’ downcast eyes, I'd believe they belong here just as anyone else.

Diamonds and other rare gems drip from the attendees as they laugh and converse with people before moving on to do the same with the next group.

Needless to say, I am so far out of my element it's not even funny. I feel like I should be sequestered with the waiters, not waltzing around like I belong.

With the ease of a practiced veteran, Luka swipes four bubbly glasses from the passing waiter, handing one to each of us before taking a sip of his own. The waiter stands there stunned for a minute before shaking himself out of his stupor and hurrying away.

“Thank you!” I call over the din of the hundreds or possibly even thousands of voices here tonight. My speculation of them being something more than human is confirmed when the waiter stops and throws me a smile over his shoulder before scurrying onward with his duties.

That’s something else I’ve come to learn about supernaturals thus far in my time of being one. They are freaking rude. It’s not that hard to acknowledge or thank those less powerful for what they do. But the ones higher up in the hierarchy feel that conversing with those lesser will taint them with their less-than-nothing magic. Newsflash. It won’t. I just wish there were others who felt the same way I do. But every supernatural I’ve come to know was born into this world, so their ideals are pretty much ingrained into the fabric of their lives.

But I won’t allow that to be me. Human, witch, lycan, demigod, vampire, it doesn’t matter their species. They’re all living, breathing, feeling entities and should be treated as such.

“Oh, look, Bailey. It’s Hudson,” Marion squeals as she links her arm with mine before strutting across the ballroom in the lycan’s direction. Axel and Luca stay close as they trail behind us like two large and in-charge bodyguards.

Unlike Marion, who attended the party in her human form, Hudson is full-on lycan—fur and all. His massive frame is encased in an expensive-looking black tuxedo, somehow constructed large enough to fit his bulging muscles without popping at the seams. And I’m not sure if my eyes are deceiving me or not, but it looks like he has a subtle touch of red instead of the pink like Marion is wearing.

His inhuman eyes glow an eerie silver as they watch our progression across the room. Not that I want to be anywhere near him. But since this is Marion's brother, I can play nice. If only for one evening.

Plus, there's the added bonus of my guys being here to step in between us if he tries anything.

His attitude may have vastly improved since the first day of school—only after the revelation of being his mate—but I prefer this to the pain he inflicted on me. Even if the constant longing in his stare makes me vastly uncomfortable.

I can’t lie, though. I'm still waiting for the other ball to drop. The one where he places me at the council's feet and lets them extinguish my light. But I won’t let it happen. I’ll just have to be on my game and aware of everything going on around me.

The bubbly in the glass goes down smoothly, making me giggle as it tickles my nose, and no matter how badly I want to chug it, I keep myself to small sips only because this isn’t a situation where I can let my guard down. Anything can happen, and I’d rather get out of here unscathed.

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