Page 210 of Chandelier Sin
Atticus held up his hand, as though refusingto acknowledge my guilt. “You didn’t know. You were led into this world against your will.”
In the final moments of our ascent, we stared into each other’s eyes, sharing our empathy. He knew what was at risk—the sacrifice, the delay that would break my heart, and the painful action of doing what was right.
As the elevator came to a stop, he leaned over and kissed me hard, and I yielded.
Then, we had no choice but to break away.
The elevator door opened onto the sixth floor, and I stepped out.
The race against time had begun, but I was no longer a passive observer. I was armed with sheer determination to save Stella and make sure that Lance didn’t get away with how he’d treated her—how he treated everyone who circled his orbit.
I’d not liked that journalist, but now, all I wanted was to hear he was safe.
Classical music emanated from the High Chamber.
Quickly, we made our way into the staff’s private rooms. Here, we both found an array of masquerade masks to choose from. Atticus would meld into the crowd by wearing the gilded devil horned mask, not dissimilar to the one I’d seen him wearing the first night I’d met him in the wine cellar over a month ago.
The time since had meant stolen whispers and fleeting kisses, and yet never enough time together.
Atticus would always be mesmerizing to me.
He helped me choose a simple silver mask and assisted me with donning the elaborate headdress with feathers.
The air crackled with anticipation, our appearances reflecting two aristocrats in a gilded den of sin.
There was only one direction Lance and Stella would have walked, and we followed in their footsteps, both Atticus and I swiftly moving through the rooms as we searched the many masked faces, hoping they’d at least seen the wisdom of not entering the High Chamber.
We attracted our share of attention, both of us dressed as symbols of privilege—a potent cocktail of arrogance and adrenaline as the bass thrummed through us.
There came stolen glances, lingering for a beat and then turning away. Hushed voices, in what was a place of solace for so many. But up here it was a dance of predator and prey.
These decadent parties had become even more daring.
I felt a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach for what we were about to witness.
Atticus reached for my arm. “If at any time it becomes too dangerous for you, you leave. My friends will find you.”
“I’m not leaving without you.”
“You may not have a choice.”
I gave him a sorrowful look. “This was my world first. I’m as much to blame as anyone.”
“That’s a discussion for another day,” he said, giving me a smile.
Drawing in a deep, calming breath, I followed Atticus into the High Chamber.
Even though we’d suspected Lance would be here, it was still a shock to see him standing in the center of the chamber.
What a fucking idiot.
It was an insane decision—even though Atticus had taken this very risk and lived to talk about it.
Stella stood not that far away from him. He was seemingly offering her up as a terrified lamb to the slaughter.
My heart bled for the girl.
From the way the crowd circled them and then parted, they’d made a dramatic entrance.
