Page 87 of Sweet Nightmares
“If it helps, pretend to be a different person with a different past,” Jane said. “Sometimes, letting go can be the very thing you need.”
Quinnevere sighed and fiddled with her fingernails, watching the dancing.
I love you so much.Emotion pooled behind Jane’s cheeks, and she did everything she could to hold it in.I think you’re perfect, baby Quinnevere.
Jane pulled a small box from her pocket behind the bustle of her dress. “I got you a present.” It was a bracelet with a single charm on it. A gold ballet pointe shoe with a heart inside. But not a cute heart that a schoolgirl would dot an “i” with; a human heart, the organ, cradled in a pointe shoe.
Quinnevere told the world she didn’t want to be a medical examiner, but Jane sometimes stalked her sister, made so much easier with being a Wind Witch, and she saw the way her sister lit up when she had her hands deep in a corpse.
Ten years ago, Jane would have found it creepy and revolting. But that was before she’d watched Nightmare slaughter hundreds of people and helped the Fantômes with their more nefarious adventures.
Now, blood, guts, and dead bodies were just a Tuesday to her.
Jane rubbed a wrinkle in her skirt. “I know ballet is your dream, but I also know, deep down, you love carving up dead bodies. You love being smarter than everyone else, and there is a world in which you can have both of your passions.”
“They aren’t both my passions.”
“Sure, sure.” Jane suppressed a smile. “One day—” A flash of something in the crowd caught Jane’s eye. Her brow furrowed.
Was that one of the vampires Nightmare had beheaded a few weeks ago? Of course, Jane knew they couldn’t die without destroying their Blood Paintings, but they’d all gone missing since she found their lair.
Were they looking for her?
That could be a massive problem because, foolishly, she’d forced Nightmare into a deal to leave her alone and taken off his ring. She wanted him to prove he had self-control—prove that, for once, he could put her needs above his. But the deal left her vulnerable. If they were here for her, she needed backup. Thankfully, François was in the club for the Gilded Alliance meeting. She’d just stick close to his side.
“I have to… go. There’s a meeting…” Jane jumped down from her perch and misjudged the distance, stumbling and falling. Before anyone could help her, she sprang back up and disappeared into the crowd.
Ever since Jane got her dancing ability back, she’d been far more agile—like a ballerina again. It only took her two minutes to get through the crowd and find the alcove where the meeting was to take place, but François hadn’t arrived yet. Only Nightshade—Darcy—greeted her.
“Hello again, Red.” A wicked smile climbed his sculpted face. “You think your sister has tried to kiss her prince yet?”
Jane shook her head and crossed her arms. “Why in all the hells would you make that deal?”
“Besides the entertainment?”
Jane rolled her eyes.
“I want to see Emrys suffer. Whether that’s from you cutting off his balls for daring to touch your sister, or him trying and failing not to touch her.”
“So you set her up to fail?”
His smirk widened. “Oh, no. Emrys won’t be able to resist her. She is his poison, and that’s what makes it beautiful”
“I thought you were over your grudge.”
“He murdered me.” His eyes darkened. “I may be forced to work with him and not kill him because of Harlowe, but I will always hate him.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Emrys said, pulling back the curtain and strolling through.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Age 29.
“Where is your Nightmare?” Emrys asked, gesturing at Jane, who was clearly sitting alone.
“Off doing Nightmare things.” She shrugged.
Emrys groaned. “Please don’t tell me he is off killing people and I am going to have to clean up his mess… Again.”
