Page 207 of Chandelier Enthralled
The wondrous ancient architecture was mesmerizing. The soaring vaulted ceiling was supported by massive stone columns. Made me wonder how many people would realize this was an enduring symbol of ingenuity, shaped by ancient experts in the art of fortification.
Endless back breaking work carried out over centuries, not decades. Some of the workers’ homes had once stood at the base of the castle. Their houses were gone, but their lives were honored in each brick. I never took construction for granted—not after witnessing first-hand the hard labor of those who saw a vision realized but rarely received the praise.
In the center of the hall, a banquet table that seemed to stretch endlessly down the room was set with fine porcelain flatware, already laden with an indulgent feast.
If this was to be my last supper, I was going to savor it.
And I was starving.
Nearby, a champagne fountain bubbled, its tiers catching the candlelight. I snagged a flute of that as well and raised my glass in a private toast.
But eat, I couldn’t, even as my stomach grumbled. Even though I craved the aromatic food, I just couldn’t find the enthusiasm to dull my focus on my mission.
I was willing to surrender my soul to keep Willa safe. Although what we had shared was brief, it had been pure. In her embrace, I had found a passion so deep, I’d give everything to let her know what true love looked like.
I took a sip of champagne, and then my heart rate sped up as I recognized her.
Across from me was the woman who had targeted Willa and committed so many other acts of carnage. Jewel Hadley was holding court in the middle of the ballroom, acting as if she was royalty.
It was time for her reign of terror to end.
Shielding myself behind a tall pillar, I watched Amelia’s killer approach Jewel, proving his connection to her as he quite literally led me to his boss—the person who had given the order to murder Amelia. Perhaps she had ordered the hit on me, too, at Dean’s apartment—the attack that had resulted in another innocent man’s death.
My throat tightened with dread, my heart racing, as I willingly put myself in harm’s way. I couldn’t stand back and do nothing while Greyson risked his life.
I sensed he was partly doing this to protect me, but I felt he also needed to avenge Amelia’s death.
Scanning the room for him, I searched for that one dashing masked man in the suave tuxedo who walked with a dangerous grace.
Jewel’s blonde hair was up in her usual style, a halo of evil. Her black gown clung to her figure—its fabric as dark as her secrets. Was her masquerade mask purposefully sculpted to conceal her sinister intentions? Beneath her modern beauty lurked a deadly ferocity, a cold cruelty that threatened anyone who dared to get too close.
The five men who hovered around her might be close acquaintances—I would have to avoid them, too.
Again, I scoured the masked faces looking for Greyson’s eyes, panicking over the possibility he would get to Jewel first.
There were so many guests, all of them in disguise and many of them huddled in cliques, making it challenging to navigate the room without being seen.
I froze, noticing Jewel was on the move.
I followed her, being as surreptitious as possible, gliding across the floor, each step drawing me closer. Glancing behind me, I realized that awful man was gone. He’d slipped into the crowd. The hairs on my arms prickled at the thought he might have seen me.
But so far, no one was following us as we left the ballroom.
Keeping my distance, I let Jewel stay a safe distance ahead of me as I followed her down a stone corridor. She stopped before a long tapestry, lifted it up, and disappeared behind it.
Curiosity had me moving toward it.
“What are you doing here?”
His voice was instantly recognizable. I jolted, pivoting to see Greyson behind me. I was relieved to see him in one piece, but still fearful of his motives. “I could ask you the same thing.”
I hoped he’d missed seeing Jewel slipping behind the tapestry.
“It’s too dangerous for you.” He stabbed a finger at my chest. “Your brother—”
“He’s here, with Jake and Atticus. And Shay.”
“Then why aren’t you with them?”
