Page 42 of Firethorne
“I know who’s the devil in this scenario,” I replied. “Don’t worry about that.” And we walked away, but as we walked, I could feel the heat of his stare boring into my back. I didn’t think I would shake the devil as easily as that tonight.
He was out to play.
Chapter Eighteen
Maya
“You shouldn’t let him get to you,” I told Lysander as he led me through the crowd. “You’re better than that.”
“I’m better than him,” Lysander replied, his head high to prove it. “I know it, and so does he. That’s why he goads me.”
I thought he’d take me somewhere private, a place where we could talk away from all the partygoers. But Lysander loved the spotlight, and he dropped my hand and stood on a chair to shout out, “Hey everyone! Let’s move onto the terrace and get this party started!”
Everyone cheered and began to move away from the reception area and down the hallway. I stood still, not really wanting to follow them, but Lysander jumped down, gave me a boyish grin and said, “Come on. I need to introduce you to a few people.”
I took his hand and let him lead me away, even though every fibre of my being was protesting. But I had to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Just because I preferred a quieterlife didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy a different pace and style of living every now and again.
As we walked through the double doors to the terrace, I took a moment to appreciate the lake in the distance, shimmering in the moonlight, and the dark woods that bordered it. The terrace was beautifully lit with fairy lights, like a twinkling, sparkling haven. Somewhere magical, that was whispering promises for what the night might hold. There was a bar set up along one side and a DJ along the other, and waiters wandered around with trays of champagne.
“I’ll get us a drink. Wait here,” Lysander said, and I tried to stop him.
“A drink from this tray is fine,” I replied, putting my arm out to take a glass from a passing waiter.
But Lysander didn’t hear me.
He was already striding away without a second glance, heading to the bar, waving and greeting every person he walked past as he did, planting air kisses and patting others on the back.
The waiter stood still, waiting for me to take one of the glasses from his tray, but I shook my head.
“It’s okay. I’m fine,” I told him, and he walked away with a hint of disgust on his face.
That reaction only heightened my nerves. I felt self-conscious, standing on the terrace on my own, dressed in an outfit that was shorter than anything I’d ever worn and wishing I didn’t feel so awkward. I didn’t know anyone. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Or for Lysander to come back, so I didn’t look like a nervous outsider standing in a sea of people who all seemed to know each other.
I spotted a group of girls about my age, that Lysander had greeted with hugs and kisses after he’d walked away from me. They were doing a terrible job of pretending to ignore me, but I could tell they were talking about me. I smiled at them, but theydidn’t return the gesture, and then I heard one of them say a little too loudly, “You know what he’s like. He plays games. He’ll never change. This one won’t last as long as you did, though, Tabitha.”
I tried not to let my emotions show. I held myself with dignity, and I took a deep breath. But inside, I felt like I was crumbling. I wanted my legs to work, to walk me away from this disaster, but I was stuck like a fucking statue enduring it all. I had no idea who Tabitha was, and I didn’t want to know.
“Are you going to let them get away with talking about you like that?” a voice whispered in my ear, and I spun around to find Damien leering over me.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, playing dumb.
“Yes, you do. They said you wouldn’t last long, and I saw the way your shoulders tensed. They’re right, though.” He sipped his drink before adding, “He does play games.”
“And you don’t?” I shot back. “You swapped my dress to make me look like an idiot.”
“I made you look like someonetheywouldn’t dare to fuck with.” He pointed to the group of girls, and as I looked over at them, they all turned their backs on me, embarrassment evident on most of their faces because they’d heard every single word Damien had said. “Grow a backbone, Maya,” Damien hissed. “If you want to survive here, you’ll need one, and right now, you’ve got about as much backbone as a fucking slug.”
I fucking hated him.
“At least I don’t have the charm of one,unlike you,” I snarled, feeling angry and wishing he’d fuck off and leave me alone.
“That’s better.” He smirked, nodding to himself. “You’re not a total write-off. I can work with that.”
I was just about to tell him exactly what I thought about him working anywhere near me, when I spotted Lysander holding two drinks and heading towards us, and relief washed over me.
“You just can’t stay away, can you?” Lysander seethed at Damien as he handed me my drink. “You’re always hanging around like a bad smell.”
“I think you’ll find that’s your aftershave,” Damien replied. “Eau de desperation.”
