Page 240 of Halfblood Deceived

About an hour later, Kerian, Kamilla, and Evan had joined them at the table and the reminiscing of embarrassing stories had turned chaotic. Kamilla and Kerian had quite a lot to say about Sebastian’s womanizing period. Gabby happily told them about a Shakespeare-worthy drama Zeydan had gotten involved in entirely by mistake. Aella had laughed until tearing up. Thank all the gods, Kamilla had the foresight to use waterproof makeup.

They were all laughing, drinking—only juice in Gabby’s case—when Sebastian turned his head toward the first floor with preternatural speed.

Aella tracked his gaze and realized at once what had made him almost break his neck.

Aylana had finally arrived. She was wearing a mask, but her long raven hair—loose down her back—and her features were unmistakable. Over a sheer black dress with thigh-high openings, she wore a corset and leather pants coupled with calf-length, sturdy-heeled boots. The corset made her cleavage look impressive.

Sebastian’s jaw dropped. “Holy Morrigan.”

Aylana met his gaze, ignoring the many eyes on her, and crooked a beckoning finger.

Sebastian all but vanished from the table and appeared in front of Aylana three heartbeats later.

Aella giggled. “Wow.”

“She’s got him wrapped around her little finger,” Evan said, grinning. They all watched Sebastian and Aylana make their way toward the almost full dance floor.

At least thirty people were eyeing them, but Aella had the feeling neither noticed.

“It’ll be your turn one day, mate,” Lex said.

“Someone will see how amazing you are and snag you soon,” Gabby said firmly.

Evan chuckled. “Doubtful. I think I’m doomed to be an eternal bachelor.” He said it offhandedly, but Aella had the feeling it made him sad.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Kerian said with a wink.

Kamilla’s eyes went slightly unfocused. “No. Gabby’s right.”

“Uh-oh,” Kerian chanted. “That’s a prophecy.”

Evan’s eyes went very wide. “Erm, is it?”

Kamilla blinked. “I don’t make prophecies.” She glared at her brother. “I’m not an oracle, but… I saw something. Someone.”

“Whom?” Evan asked, his expression caught between curiosity and apprehension.

“I don’t know,” Kamila admitted. She shook her head and stood, offering her hand to her brother. “We better go make our rounds before we get hounded.”

Kerian groaned but stood, interlacing his arm with Kamilla’s. “Let’s go then.”

They were indeed invited to five tables all at once. By unspoken agreement, the twins walked toward a table occupied by a werewolf clan. Aella noticed that didn’t make the table where a witch coven sat very happy. Especially not the matron-like woman who was definitely the leader. Her black eyes narrowed on Aella. She pretended not to notice and turned her attention back to her companions.

Evan drained his glass of wine. “Well, until Mr. Prophetic Right appears, I’ll see if I can find myself a Byronic arsehole who wants to fuck me silly.”

Aella choked on a sip of her half-melted strawberry-chocolate ice cream. Lex and Gabby snickered.

Zeydan rubbed circles on her back. “Good luck.” He said to Evan.

Evan winked at them and left.

Aella bit her lip, meeting Zeydan’s gaze. “Erm, may I take your offer of a dance now?”

He held her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Of course.”

Aella stood, entwined her arm with Zeydan, and let him lead her toward the staircase. She felt eyes on them both, not too many, but enough to make her skin prickle.

Focus on Zeydan, she ordered herself.

---