Page 83 of Make Me Lie (Rich Demons of Darkwood 1)

It was only adding to my unease.

I'd seen behind the mask Remington wore, the real one, and we were past the need for him to be like this.

What was going through his head right now?

It felt like every eye was upon us as we walked towards the center of the room. Remington led me over to the bar where a tuxedoed bartender was pouring a line of people drinks. There were other waiters around the room with trays of food. The bartender immediately gave Remington his full attention, abandoning the other drinks he'd been preparing to get him whatever he needed.

"Drink of the night," Remington ordered, and the bartender nodded and immediately went to work.

"What's the drink of the night?" I asked, watching the bartender's hands closely...just in case he decided to slip something in mine.

"It's called Delilah’s Smile," Remington responded with an amused grin.

I shifted uncomfortably, unsure at first that I’d heard right. “What?”

He brushed some of my hair out of my face and leaned in close. “Because you don’t have to hide anymore,” he whispered.

"Pomegranate, bourbon, raspberry liquor, and lemon. It's been a big hit tonight,” the bartender inserted, and I broke away from Remington.

"Hmmm," I said in response as Remington grabbed the cocktails from the bartender and handed me one of them.

I looked down at the drink. It was a dark red color, the same exact shade of blood actually. My stomach swirled uncomfortably.

"What's the matter, Aurora? Don't like your drink of honor?" Stellan murmured as he came up behind me. I jumped at his sudden appearance, almost spilling my drink.

Cain and Paxton were with Stellan, looking like fallen angels in their perfectly fitted tuxedos. They were all wearing identical masks, the same as Remington, so their faces were completely covered. I didn't like not being able to see them. It felt like they had too much of an advantage this way. I wasn't able to see any of their facial expressions; their eyes were totally blank staring out at me.

I fiddled with my dress, wondering how soon I could slip away. I could practically taste the danger in the air. No matter what Remington had said, this wasn't safe for me.

"Glad you decided to join us, Aurora," Cain said, but there was a flatness to his voice that was all wrong. He held out his hand, and I stared at it like it was a viper about to strike. "Dance with me," he asked, but the tone of voice made it seem much more like an order.

I took a sip of my drink, and then another. It was delicious. Maybe the first alcoholic drink that I'd actually really, really liked. Even if it did make me feel like a vampire when I was drinking it. I drained the glass and then handed it to a still amused looking Remington as I took Cain's hand.

Cain led me out to the center of the room. "Waiting Game" by BANKS began to play as he smoothly pulled me towards him until I was pressed completely against him.

The music pulsed around us. No one else was dancing. It was just me and Cain.

And they were all watching us.

The lyrics of the song were dark and sensual, spinning into my head as Cain expertly swirled me around the dance floor. It felt familiar, this dance of ours—he led...and I followed. I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to dance with someone else without looking like a fool, something about Cain just made it so that my body did what he said.

"What's going through that head of yours, Cain?" I murmured as he spun me around. His eyes were dark and unreadable, the dark jade color sparkling under the lights of the room.

One of his hands came up to hold my face. He pressed his thumb on my lips and smeared my lipstick. I frowned and slapped his hand away.

"It's quite the dichotomy isn't it? The fact that you look like an angel tonight. So pure and lovely, you seem incapable of sin," Cain remarked as he spun me by where Paxton, Stellan, and Remington were all avidly watching us.

I wiped at my face, trying to get the red lipstick off that he'd smeared so I didn't look like a demented clown.

"It's not really fair for you to look so perfect on the outside, when we all know how messy you are on the inside. Is it, little devil?" he whispered, his fingers stroking my back lightly.

My insides froze at his words. He said them casually, but only a fool would miss the threat in his words.

The song ended and Cain brought us to a slow, elegant stop. Cain stared at me for what must have only been a second, but it seemed like forever. He took my hand and brought it to his lips, placing a long, slow kiss on my skin that sent shockwaves swirling through my insides.

"Where are our manners? We haven't introduced you to anyone here tonight."

"Oh, that's not necess—" I began, but Cain had already pulled me towards a couple nearby.

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