Page 5 of Radiant Shadows

“Right,” I half-heartedly agreed. “Well, I’m just gonna go find Jackson.”

I turned the corner just outside of the common room and almost crashed into Jackson. He leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His hair was slicked back, which really opened up his face, putting his rugged features on display. He had on an all-black tux with a black button-down shirt that wasn't buttoned all the way up. He’d never looked so clean-cut.

I knew I was staring, but his eyes moved down my body, doing the same thing. He looked devilishly handsome, and I thought maybe I wouldn't mind his lack of personal space so much.

“Wow. You look...ravishing.” He closed the space between us and took my hand, lifting it to brush a kiss on the top of my knuckles.

The gesture was so foreign to his usual manner that my eyelids fluttered, but I wouldn't give him the pleasure of a full-on swoon. “You don't look so bad yourself. Did you have to go to a groomer for that hairdo?”

Jackson barked a laugh, then laced his fingers with mine as he led me down the corridor toward the Great Hall. The walk was quiet, which was weird for Jackson. Was he actually nervous? I mean, I was, but not because of him.

The second we walked through the archway, my breath hitched. The Great Hall had been transformed into an all-white winter wonderland, complete with fake falling snow and an elegancethat only Mr. Inari could put together. It looked like something out of a dream.

“Whoa,” I whispered.

“Yeah, it’s nice,” Jackson agreed. “But not as nice as how you look. Now that iswhoa.”

I shook my head but couldn’t stifle my snicker. “You're killing me here.”

“Oh, I know. I like seeing your cheeks get red. It’s kind of my favorite thing about you.” He playfully winked at me, then pulled me closer as we walked through the ballroom.

My gaze roamed the large room as he guided me to the seemingly endless table at the back that was covered with food and various beverages. It wasn’t until my eyes found their target that I realized who I’d been looking for.

Niko stood at the opposite end of the Great Hall, wearing a fake smile as the general regaled him and Lady Dracul with some story he apparently thought was highly entertaining. My chest squeezed with a forgotten and uninvited longing at how handsome he looked, dressed in a regal navy blue suit that hugged his warrior-like figure so perfectly.

His eyes landed on me, his laugh immediately sputtering out, and I spun to face Jackson so quickly that I tripped on my wedges and fell against Jackson’s chest.

“Whoa, easy there,” he said with a chuckle after he caught me, holding my upper arms with a steadying grip. “Did you pre-game?”

“Huh?” I asked before his meaning registered. “Oh, no, I didn’t. But that probably would’ve been smart.”

“Do you want to?” He reached into his suit jacket and flashed the top of a flask for me to see.

I only hesitated for half a second. “You know what, hit me.”

His smile widened. “That a girl.”

Pouring me a stupidly fancy goblet of punch, he discreetly slipped a little of whatever was in his flask into it before handing it to me. I took it and lifted it to my mouth, then paused.

“If you ruffied this, I swear I will burn you alive,” I warned.

“I may be a hound, but I’m not an animal,” he said with an arched eyebrow. Then he poured himself a drink and looked me in the eye as he took a slow gulp.

“Good,” I said, then tossed back the contents of my drink.

Jackson put his hand on my waist and pulled in close so that his mouth was next to my ear. “Besides, I don’t need some drug to make you want me. I’ll have you begging by the end of the night.”

I squeezed my thighs together as the thrill of his declaration shot through me, the buzz of alcohol doing nothing to dull its potency.

I pulled away from him just enough to look him in the eye. “Shut up and dance with me.”

He let out a low chuckle as I tugged him onto the dancefloor, where several students were already twirling to a modernized remake of a classic symphony—it sounded like Lindsey Sterling but wasn’t one I recognized.

Once we got to an open spot, Jackson surprised me by immediately taking my hand and waist in a waltz position.

“Oh,” I gasped.

“Surprised to find I have some class?” he purred teasingly, guiding me through the steps.

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