Page 76 of Hooked on a Demon
She leaps across the stage, and the audience lets out a collective gasp as she soars, giving her the breath she needs. With a final flourish, she finishes. Gasping, Eliana leaves behind a past version of herself on stage in preparation for who she is becoming.
The crowd erupts into roaring applause. Declan’s face glows with admiration, her parents look at her like she is their shining star, and Everest and Kaia hoot wildly, yelling, “That’s my sister,” and “That’s my best friend.”
Eliana bows and then kisses her hands, extending them out in thanks. She mouthsI love you, hoping that both her family and Declan know it’s for them. That all of this is for them.
Jogging off stage, June wraps Eliana in her arms before Eliana comes to a complete stop. “You were wonderful.” June releases her and holds her at arm’s length. When Eliana looks at her, June’s eyes are watery, and the tip of her nose is red. “What you did up there… it was magical, Eliana. There’s not a dry eye in the house.”
Heat rises up Eliana’s neck as she pulls away, waving her hand dismissively, not wanting to take the compliment. As she makes to step away, June’s hands land on her shoulders and turn her, forcing her to look back at the crowd from the side of the stage. “Look,” June says.
Eliana’s eyes scan the audience and June’s right. Many of the attendees are wiping under their eyes or dabbing at the corners with tissues or their shirtsleeves. She finds Declan in the audience and catches him sniffle as her mom hands him a tissue. Everest must say something to tease him as Declan’s shoulders shake in a brief chuckle.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” Eliana says, her voice thick with emotion.
“You don’t need to say anything. We were all honored to have witnessed what you shared with us. You’ll be an inspiration to so many of our students.”
“Thank you,” Eliana says, dabbing away at her own tears threatening to spill over.
June wraps her in another hug. “I don’t know everything that brought you back to Leeside, but I am grateful you found your way home. And if my intuition is right, there is a certain someone out there who feels the same way.”
Eliana sucks in a breath, surprised that June knows about them.
“You haven’t hidden it quite as well as you thought, dear. And that’s okay. It’s okay for you to be happy. If anyone disagrees, that’s on them, not you.”
Eliana squeezes her back, relishing the love this woman has given her and how she welcomed Eliana back into the studio with open arms. “Thank you, June. For everything.”
“Anytime, dear.”
Zoe comes hustling over with the next group of students, ending Eliana and June’s conversation. Eliana looks back at the crowd one last time and lets the emotion flow over her, knowing she’s right where she needs to be.
The rest of the showcase flows relatively smoothly. The audience absolutely loves Eliana’s group’s retelling of Petra and Lachlan’s story. In fact, Lachlan could be heard laughing the loudest out of everyone.
As everyone enters the stage again for a final bow, the audience roars with applause and joy. Exactly what she wanted to have come out of tonight. This was intended to showcase the student’s growth, while also serving as an opportunity for the community to gather and share in the love of dance.
Her eyes scan the crowd a final time as the curtain comes down. She finds Declan beaming with as much pride as her parents—June was so right—as well as a blond-haired woman who looks familiar, and next to her… Eliana’s breath catches in her throat, as if it’s been frozen in place.
Sam.
CHAPTER45
Declan
“I’m gonna go to the washroom while we wait,” Declan says, pointing awkwardly down the hall as he backs away. Cora looks at him, her expression saying she knows he’s lying through his teeth, but he smiles back.
As he moves down the hall, he peeks inside every open door, trying to find Eliana. Eventually, he bumps into June. “Oh, hi. That was a fantastic show. You all should be so proud.”
“Thank you, Mr. Grace. If you’re looking for Eliana, she’s in the office on the left.” He nods at her, and she smiles back before turning and continuing on her way.
He closes the few strides needed and turns into the office door. “Oaks, you were great—” His joy drops the instant he sees her, changing to a mix of fear and anger as his demon rises inside him. Declan is at her side, wrapping her in his arms faster than he thought imaginable. “What’s wrong?”
Her breaths are short and rapid as she tries to find her words. “S-s-Sam. H-here.”
The world beneath his feet falls away as rage suddenly boils under his skin. As gently as he can, despite the fire roiling under his skin and his demon fighting to shift, he places his hands on her cheeks, gazing into her eyes. “Love. I need you to tell me. Where is he? Did he say anything to you?”
Her breathing slows as she stays focused on him. After a few deep breaths, she’s composed enough to speak. “He—he was in the audience. He’s been trying to reach me, and I’ve been ignoring him, hoping he’d go away. I was wrong. Oh, so wrong.” Sobs burst from her as she fists his shirt and buries her face in his chest.
Mine,his demon demands.
Yeah, I know, dipshit,Declan responds.
