Page 128 of The Scars Within
“But there’s still so much that doesn’t add up, Laney,” I said, stepping back a few feet. “What about the earth and water symbols? Why did I have visions? And if I’m the wraith, does that mean I’ll eventuallychannel earth and water, too?” I whispered, the weight of the possibility sinking in. “That would make me an archmage.”
Laney closed the gap between us, placing her hands firmly on my shoulders. “No. If you were going to channel more elements, you would have by the Burn Trials. I’m just saying... what if your elements and this weird, creepy, but totally awesome rune table are somehow connected?”
“Think about it,” she added with a sly grin. “But also, think about what you’re going to wear to the All Hallows Eve Ball.” The peppy, positive Laney I knew and loved had returned as if flipping a switch.
“There is no way I’m attending that ball,” I muttered.
“And why not?” She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips. “Didn’t Shayde ask you to be his date?”
“That asshole shattered my mug!” I snapped as I looked around for the mug handle. I must have set it down somewhere when I was crying in Rhodes’s arms.
“He– what?” Laney stumbled on her words.
“Well, for starters. Shayde asked me to be his date but then completely ghosted me after the Burn Trials. We were literally stuck in a collapsed cavern and he barely spoke to me. Do you think he’s gonna stay true to his request for me to join him at the ball? And secondly, it would just give everybody more time to stare and talk shit to their friends, Laney,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And lastly, I have nothing to wear.”
Her eyes lit up as she practically jumped to her feet, grabbing my hands and pulling me up with her. “For starters, I’m sure Shayde will be there, and that is exactly why you must attend the ball. To show him what he missed out on. Secondly, the people who stare and talk shit are the ones who are secretly envious of you. And lastly, thanks to me, you don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing.”
Chapter 49
The soft click of my heels echoed through the dimly lit hallway as I made my way to the ballroom, a slight shiver of anticipation running through me. Despite my hesitation, the heels really were a must. Laney is much taller than me, and without them, this gown was dragging on the floor.
Laney had insisted on lending me the dress, one she had brought back from her family home during our last visitation weekend. Ever the planner, she had packed an extra just in case. Cleo worked her magic with makeup. My lips were stained crimson red to match my freshly painted nails. Tatum and Laney took turns arranging my hair. Though they suggested different styles, I requested that it be left down, the soft waves cascading over my shoulders giving me the confidence I needed tonight.
The topic of gossip while we were getting ready for the ball was centered around the Grim. From what Tatum was able to gather from Echo, apparently, her dragon likes to gossip as well; nobody has heard of anyone ever being referred to as the Grim. Our minds and mouths were whirling around when Cleo announced that she didn’t want to talk about the Grim anymore.
Other than the soft flicker of jack-o-lanterns glowing along the walls, the corridor was eerily quiet. It is Mageia’s one grand ball of the year for cadets, and it seemed the entire college was enchanted by theautumnal air, with each pumpkin and wreath heralding the arrival of fall. My friends had gone ahead to the ballroom, leaving me behind to make a more grand entrance.
Yesterday was the last day of my life that I would spend being ashamed of my past and being afraid to embrace who I am. I am done with the whispers that I have always pretended not to hear. If everybody wanted to stare…
I’ll give them something worthwhile to stare at.
When the coast was clear, I stepped through the open archway into the ballroom with my head held high. A broad set of royal stairs stretched before me, descending toward the room where soft, seasonal music drifted through the air. Below me, clusters of guests chatted amongst themselves, the evening still in its early, buzzing moments.
With every deliberate step down the stairs, my heels clicked against the polished marble, drawing subtle attention to my entrance. I am not hiding tonight—not anymore. My dragon mark is proudly on display.
Laney had outdone herself with this gown. It is off-the-shoulder, its romantic silhouette framing my figure perfectly. The plunging neckline had made Laney squeal with excitement when I tried it on earlier, her words still echoing in my mind: “The plunging neckline is sexy as fuck!”
The bodice hugs me snugly, accentuating every curve, while the back is completely open, leaving the expanse of my skin bare to the cool evening air. The voluminous skirt flows out in sweeping folds that swish with every step. The entire gown is a masterful blend of reds. It was as if Laney had picked it just for me, the clever little thing she is.
While the bottom layer of the gown is a smooth material in a slightly lighter shade of red, the top layer is a deep crimson hue that swirls over the silk beneath. Each step down the stairs reveals the high slits on both sides.
I had almost reached the bottom of the stairs, and for a moment, the room seemed to slow. The guests began to turn their attention. Alleyes were on me, just as I had anticipated. But tonight, instead of shrinking from the attention, I welcomed it.
“Knock ‘em dead,” Lakota rang. Then he amended, “Not literally.”
I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with anyone. When I was on the next to last step, a black suit swept before me, catching my attention.
Rhodes stood before me, his hand extended, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. He looked at me as if I were the most magnificent being he’d ever laid eyes on—like I was his entire world.
The ballroom fell into a hushed silence, the murmurs and whispers fading away. I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch.
His eyes were full of warmth, “Always my favorite shades of red.”
My cheeks heated as he gently tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow, and with a confident smile, he guided me into the crowd. When I walked beside Shayde in the halls, passing cadets grinned at me. But as I walk through the ballroom with Rhodes, everybody glares.
And I’m reveling in it.
Rhodes tugged me closer as he leaned into my ear, “Where are your daggers?”
