Page 37 of Rebel Spell
Shoving away that unexpected pang of jealously, I drank her in. Her bright blue dress set off her auburn hair, which hung in loose curls over her shoulders and down her back. She had those tiny, wispy curls, whatever they were called, framing her face. She didn’t usually wear makeup that I noticed, but tonight, her brown eyes appeared even larger with dark liner and mascara. And her lips, painted a lush red, drew my attention to her enticing mouth—one that I’d kissed two nights ago.
A rumble of need stirred inside as I remembered how good it had felt.
Would that ever happen again, or did she think it was a mistake? That we’d gotten caught up in the moment?
As I descended, Nova’s gaze captured mine. Her scent filled me with the usual longing. My tongue seemed thick, and my mouth went dry.
I cleared my throat. “Nova, I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“Erm…” she stammered. “I’m here.”
Sebastian gave me a look I interpreted asGet your act together, man.
He was right—why had I said that when we’d had this evening planned? I ignored him and returned my focus to Nova. “I’m glad. You look beautiful.”
She beamed. “Thanks. Gianna picked it out.”
“She has great taste,” Sebastian noted with an approving nod.
Lucas walked into the kitchen. “How about a drink? I made a batch of mojitos using the mint Margaret harvested at the end of the season.”
A drink would help calm the nerves.
Lucas handed us each a glass of mojito crammed with mint leaves and toasted, “To Margaret.”
After we repeated the words, I took a sip. The combination of mint and lime went down smoothly.
I needed it to keep me from sticking my foot into my mouth tonight. I’d need everything I could use to get through an evening facing the woman who had destroyed my life.
Chapter 8
Diego
The Phantom of the Operaplayed as we entered the hotel ballroom, which was fitting since the room could have stood as a set design, with all the ornate candelabras displayed on tables covered with black tablecloths. Fake cobwebs hung from the chandeliers and witches’ pentagrams were prominent. Smoke wafted from punch bowls with blood-red liquid. Silver trays were stacked with appetizers that filled the air with the scents of baked cheese in phyllo dough.
“Looks like we stepped into a Gothic wonderland,” Nova quipped.
Many in attendance wore black with silver jewelry, which was where I fell in, while others wore outlandish costumes. Lucas had picked a pirate outfit with his white shirt loose and unbuttoned, revealing a vast amount of chest. That was fitting since he liked to parade around like a peacock. He’d feed off the female attention tonight for sure. Sebastian dressed low key, like me, wearing all black, but unlike me, he wore a matching mask.
I turned to Sebastian. “See, I told you it wasn’t a masquerade.”
“It’s staying on,” he replied. “Ladies like the mystery.”
He wasn’t alone. At least a dozen others did the same. Some wore costumes begging to be noticed, like the couple who walked by in enormous black boots that must have given them six inches of height as well as another six inches from their curved horns. Whatever they were supposed to be dressed as was a mystery to me.
I searched for Diana. She didn’t appear to be there yet. “Let’s get a drink,” I suggested. Liquid courage would help with my nerves.
Placing my hand beneath the fairy wings on Nova’s lower back, I steered us to one of the bars lit up by red lights and covered in lacy black spiderwebs. Framed menus of what appeared to be blood-red writing on old parchment advertised specials like Medusa’s Revenge and Poe’s Punch. I didn’t need the fancy marketing schtick and ordered a Chianti with B+. Nova ordered a Vampire’s Kiss, a champagne cocktail colored red. I tried not to read too much expectation into it.
We wandered around the ballroom, sipping our drinks as we people watched.
“It didn’t take them long.” I tipped my head toward Lucas and Sebastian. They’d infiltrated a group of women bearing much skin in their tiny costumes.
“Is that usual for them?” Nova asked.
“Oh, yes.” I took a sip of my drink.
“What about you?” She tilted her head and glanced at me with a faint smile.
