Page 34 of Secrets and Shadows

Blood. So much of it.

I blink hard, shaking the image from my mind, grounding myself in the present. My dress is a masterpiece—the rich, deep red silk flowing with every step, catching the light in a way that feels almost hypnotic. Black lace detailing adds an alluring touch, while the fitted leather corset clings perfectly to my frame. Long, black gloves, shimmering as they stretch to my elbows, complete the look. A black lace mask conceals my face for the night, offering me a shield of anonymity.

My hair, pulled into an elegant updo thanks to Savina’s expert hands, adds the final touch. Her company while gettingready was surprisingly enjoyable, and I find myself hoping this marks the start of a deeper friendship. I could definitely use more female friends in this sea of Predators.

We approach the massive arched door leading into the grand hall, and it swings open as if welcoming us. Inside, the room is dimly lit yet vibrantly alive. A million stars twinkle on the ceiling, casting a shimmering glow over everything. Soft music drifts through the air from a live orchestra tucked into one corner. The room is packed with people in fancy masks, their dresses and suits sparkling as they sway to the soft music.

“Wow…” Tony murmurs beside me, his voice barely above a whisper. I can’t help but share his awe—there must be at least two hundred people here.

“I’m going to grab a drink and check things out, okay?” I say, about to ask if he wants to join me. But then I notice his gaze lock onto someone else across the room. I recognize those blonde locks, and a small smile tugs at my lips. She’s wearing a stunning silver dress that hugs her petite frame, and it’s clear why she caught his eye. It doesn’t escape me that her dress matches his suit perfectly, and my heart gives a little squeeze at how cute they’d be together. I give him a light pat on the shoulder, nudging him toward her. “Go on,” I whisper when he doesn’t seem to catch on.

He quickly turns back to me, straightening his dark blue suit. “How do I look?” he asks, worry creeping into his voice.

“You look as handsome as always. Now go.”

In a heartbeat, he’s off, and I turn to scan the room for servers carrying wine. I definitely need a drink in a crowd like this.

The music wraps around me, its rhythm pulsing and its harmony infectious. There’s something almost magical about it, urging me to dance without a second thought.

Right as I’m about to make my way to the waiters or find someone to dance with, a dark, imposing, and undeniably handsome man approaches me. He towers over me in a sleek black suit adorned with leather detailing, his face hidden behind a matching mask. Not a single inch of skin is exposed, making him feel almost unreal—like he’s a shadow come to life.

He doesn’t say a word; instead, he extends his hand toward me, inviting me to dance without uttering a sound. I take it without hesitation, drawn into his orbit. His grip is strong and commanding as he leads me across the dance floor, his other hand resting firmly on my waist. He moves with an ease that suggests he’s done this a million times before. I’m so close to him that I can feel the rugged outline of his muscles beneath the fabric of his suit.

As we dance, the world around us fades away, and we remain enveloped in silence. His nearly black eyes stay locked on mine, and we sway together to the music, becoming one in our movements.

Our eyes speak volumes—there’s a magnetic pull between us, an unspoken connection that feels almost electric. I can’t quite explain it, but I want to lose myself in this moment, even if it’s only for tonight.

He holds me close, creating a cocoon that shields me from the outside world. As the music swells, I feel an overwhelming sense of safety. His body sets the pace, guiding my every step, and I can’t help but follow his lead. My breath hitches in the back of my throat, swept away by the intensity of the moment.

Every inch of me tingles with an emotion I can’t quite put into words—anticipation? Arousal? Something different altogether? All I know is that it’s exhilarating and unfamiliar, and my entire body aches for more, even though I have no idea who this man is. We haven’t exchanged a single word, and I don’t even know if he even attends this academy.

When the song ends, he doesn’t release my hands. Instead, he leads me outside, and I decide to go with the flow, letting him take charge. For tonight, I resolve to set aside all my worries and simply revel in the moment.

We step out onto a shadowy balcony, the music from the ball fading into a distant hum. Away from the crowd, my thoughts start to clear, and I muster the courage to speak. I pull my hand back and take a moment to study the man before me.

At first, I think it might be Vaughn, but I quickly dismiss the idea. Vaughn would never be able to stay quiet for long; the bastard always has something to say. This man, however, radiates an energy unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s so powerful that it seems to consume the space around us.

“Why are we here?” I finally ask, breaking the silence.

He tilts his head to the side, studying me intently through his mask. I ache to see his face, but the mystery is part of the allure of the masquerade.

“Because you wanted to be here,” he replies, his voice low and raspy, as if he doesn’t often speak. “You need the distraction.”

I can’t help but snort at his words. It’s true, but “You don’t know anything about me.”

He reaches out to caress my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin with a gentle pressure that sends a shiver coursing through me. I’m taken aback by how my body reacts to his touch.

“I know more than you think,” he says, his deep, rich voice making my knees weak. I have no idea why he’s affecting me so much, and I’m not sure how to deal with it. “I know you think there’s something wrong with you, but there isn’t. You have every right to exist exactly as you are.”

His words make my heart race, and it feels like this stranger is the only one who understands what I’m going through.Somehow, this is exactly what I’ve been yearning to hear for days. Normally, I would be annoyed that someone had followed me closely enough to uncover something so personal, but with him, I find myself feeling… comforted. Soothed.

But why?

“You can’t possibly know that. I don’t know if this is some trick, but really, you don’t know me,” I protest, even as my body betrays me, insisting that he understands more than I want to admit.

A small part of me wonders if this is the bond of fated mates that people spend their entire lives searching for, but I quickly push the thought away as ridiculous. That kind of connection is usually forged over time, between people who have at leastseeneach other before.

He tilts his head, studying me with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. “You can sense it too, can’t you?”

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