Page 65 of The Devil's Waltz

I’ve been ignoring my parents’ calls since I left headquarters yesterday and only responded to texts so they’d know I was safe. Apparently, my protection detail is being finalized and will be at my apartment by the end of the day.

I shove my phone into my bag and blow out a breath, tying my hair back and refocusing on the textbook I’m desperately trying to study.

Ten minutes later, I’ve accomplished nothing but reading the same sentence a dozen times. There’s a dull pounding in my temples, threatening a headache, so I close the book with a sigh and collect my things before walking out of the library.

The student parking lot is pretty barren, and I make my way toward where I parked my car.

“Camille!”

I pause, turning toward the unfamiliar voice to find a redheaded girl who looks around my age approaching. She has long, loose curls and dark makeup, and I have no idea who she is—or why she’s smiling as if she knows me. She’s wearing dark jeans and a washed-out band T-shirt under a leather jacket. Pressing my lips together, I’m increasingly aware of the discomfort creeping up my spine, making the back of my neck tingle.

“You’re a hard person to track down,” she says with a laugh, stopping a few feet from me.

I shake my head, gripping my keys a bit tighter as I slink back a step, peeking around the parking lot as subtly as I can. “I am?”

She grins, and unease blossoms in my chest. It isn’t friendly. If anything, it’s predatory. “Hmm, not really actually.”

I blink at her. “Sorry, do I know you?”

Her grin fades a little, triggering the alarm bells in my head. “Oh. No, no, of course not.”

My brows scrunch closer as I stare at the girl. “I’m confused. Who are you?”

“That’s the last thing you should worry about.” Her tone takes on a snarky air, and her moss green eyes fill with endless black in the time it takes me to blink.

Reeling backward as I choke on a scream, my back hits a solid wall of muscle. Before I can whirl around or call for help, my head explodes with a sharp pain so intense it steals the air from my lungs. I’m falling as my vision blurs and everything sounds far away. Darkness engulfs me, and I lose consciousness before I hit the pavement.

Noise slowly reaches me while my eyes remain shut. I can’t remember how to open them at this exact moment, and the throbbing in my skull won’t allow it, anyway.

“I did exactly as you asked.”

I wince inwardly at the sound. I want to cover my face, my ears. Everything is too loud, too bright.

There’s a soft, melodic laugh, and then a voice as smooth as butter speaks. “I see that.”

“Are you pleased?” It’s the girl who ambushed me in the parking lot, and she sounds…nervous?

“I am. Well done, Madeline. You are dismissed.”

“But—”

“Go.”

Madeline nearly whimpers. “Yes, my queen. Of course. Thank you.” There are hurried footsteps and a moment later, a door clicks shut.

There’s a beat of silence and then, “Will you continue this ruse of sleep, sweetness?”

My posture goes rigid, even slumped in the chair, and I grit my teeth as pain floods through me, reminiscent of my earliest days of hunter training. I pry my eyes open, blinking quickly at the sudden intrusion of light. When my vision rights itself, slowly coming into focus, my throat goes dry as I meet the queen of hell’s piercing blue gaze.

Lucia is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.

She exudes pure darkness and unbridled power, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to tremble before her.

Her soft brown hair hangs slightly past her shoulders—it’s shiny, with hints of gold when caught right by the light above. Of course, her complexion is dewy and free of blemishes. Her makeup is simple. Glittering gold eyeshadow with dark, thick lashes and sharp brows. Paired with a floor length black silk dress, Lucia fits the royal persona to a T.

I sit up, wincing at the sharp pain behind my eyes, and scan the room in an attempt to get my bearings. The space is bigger than most of the rooms in my apartment combined. The walls that aren’t made of windows are adorned with rich, textured maroon wallpaper, and black crown molding frames the room, adding to its subtle opulence. A massive black marble fireplace is the focal point of the space, though currently unlit, it sits below a mantel that holds an intricate art piece I recognize from an elective I took last year as being inspired byParadise Lost.

If I wasn’t so screwed, it might be funny.

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