Page 73 of Shadow

She looked beautiful tonight. Her hair hung around her in wild black waves to nearly her waist. She’d lined her eyes in black liner and winged it out. And she was wearing the sexiest black dress I’d ever seen. I had no idea where she got it, but I really hoped she had ten more hidden away. Low cut and short. Black boots that reached mid-thigh.

Hell, what a vision, and she was holding my hand.

I felt like I’d won the world.

Of course, she wore her jacket so no one could see what she was wearing, but I knew. Asylum knew. He’d raised his brows at me when she came out of the bathroom before fanning himself.

Asylum opened the door and led us into the house. Smoke, strobing lights, and music met our senses.

There were tons of people scattered all over the place. The Watchers had a big house, so seeing it this full was surprising. It seemed like nearly everyone at Chapel Crest was there.

I hung Sirena’s coat next to mine and Asylum’s before retaking her hand. Asylum stayed close to us, his keen eyes observing everything with me.

I spotted Church across the room talking to Ashes.

I wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to do. If I had to guess, she was eager to be here to see her sister.

The moment Sirena spotted her, she lit up and dragged me over to her, Asylum breaking away from us.

Cady’s eyes widened when she spotted us, and she got up from the stool she was sitting on. She hadn’t even tried to dress up. She was in sweatpants and a hoodie.

Sirena embraced her, both of them hugging one another.

“Wow. You look really good,” Cady said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “I’ve been trying to learn that sign language stuff. I remember a bit of it when we tried to learn years ago. It’s just not sticking.” She winced. “I’ll keep trying.”

Sirena squeezed her hand and backed away to give her space. I wasted no time taking her hand again. Cady glanced at the motion and offered us a sad smile.

“I’m so sorry,” she started. “It’s been awful here. I-I’d like to come see you. Maybe tomorrow?”

Sirena nodded eagerly, and Cady visibly relaxed.

“OK. I-I have a lot to tell you. I want to move back to my dorm. I hate it here. I know you want me to stay, but I can’t take much more. I’m an inconvenience to the guys, and I’m the reason you guys split.” Her voice cracked, and she wiped at her eyes.

Sirena hugged her again, and I looked around to see Sin standing in the living room, staring at us. His face was expressionless.

I turned my attention back to Sirena and Cady. They seemed to be fine now. After a moment, Cady excused herself to use the bathroom, leaving me and Sirena alone.

“It’s weird in here,” I said. “They never do this kind of stuff.”

She nodded, a worried expression on her face.

She moved closer as someone pressed past, and I wound my arm around her waist.

“How cute,” Stitches said, coming to stand next to us.

“Malachi,” I greeted him. I really didn’t want to fight with him tonight. Or ever. He was a tough son of a bitch, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him because it would hurt Sirena. And I knew he didn’t want to have to hurt me for the same reason.

Or at least I hoped so.

“Bryce,” he answered, giving me a sour look, his dark eyes taking in my arm around her waist. His noose around his neck was tied a bit tighter tonight.

He held his hand out to Sirena. “Dance with me?”

She seemed surprised by his request but took his hand, leaving me standing alone. I thought Stitches would be a dick, but he completely ignored me as he led her to the makeshift dance floor.

I watched him pull her against his body and rock against her. I looked past them to see Sin watching closely, a pained expression on his face. If I had to guess, that was the look of a man desperate to cut in.

“Hey, Bryce,” Ashes greeted me a moment later.

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