Page 33 of Summoned
I press my lips into a thin line. As if that explains everything.
“I don’t recall your name on the guest list,” Deliberov says, a note of irritation creeping into his voice.
“I’m not your guest. I’m here because Nicole summoned me.”
The entire table falls silent. Every pair of eyes focuses on me.
I clench my fists and hiss under my breath, “Stop!”
“Nicole, whoisthis man?” My father’s glare burns holes through me. He’ll grind me into the ground the moment we’re alone.
Panic tightens in my chest as everyone waits for an answer. The Black Joker continues standing, observing the chaos he’s causing and not offering me a single way out.
Despite the sarcastic smile playing on his lips, none of this is a joke. I take another deep breath. This isn’t a game. Yet, I must play if I want to survive. Ishouldmake a move.
I could admit I’m being followed by a spirit—and become the laughingstock of the ball. The lunatic. Because I have a feeling that if I try to speak the truth, the Black Joker won’t show anything witchlike. Why would he, when this is all a game to him? A game intended to make mesuffer.And his silence would only confirm their suspicions that I’ve lost my mind, thus dragging my family’s reputation down with me.
Or I could leave the ball in his court. The idea unsettles my stomach; I can’t predict how he’ll react. Then again, if I provoke him enough to start casting spells, no one will be able to deny their eyes.
Facing the Black Joker, I let out a theatrical sigh. “How did you get in here?”
He raises an eyebrow at the sharp shift in my tone. “Through the door…?”
“Oh,really? Did you pretend to be part of some dance troupe in that”—I wave a hand at him—“outfit?”
He frowns, glancing down at his clothes.
I don’t wait for his next comment. Instead, I tell my father, “Dad, this guy’s been spamming me with crazy messages online, going on about soulmates and asking for my hand like we’re in some kind of period drama. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to make a fuss, but showing up here? That’s crossing the line.”
I glance at the Black Joker, whose thin smile hasn’t budged.
I don’t miss the tightening of my father’s jaw. “Love messages?”
“Formonths.” I nod, infusing my voice with enough indignation. “I didn’t want to make a scene because I hoped he’d stop. But clearly, I was wrong.”
“Soulmates, you say?” Mr. Deliberov lets out a drychuckle, one eyebrow lifting in clear disbelief.
Gaetano shrugs. “Isn’t it romantic?”
My mother pales. My father rises from the table in a swift motion, his chair scraping against the floor. Standing at six feet three with lightning in his stare, he radiates enough authority to makemestep back. “I suggest you get the hell out and erase any thoughts of my daughter from your head!”
“I’m calling security,” Deliberov mutters, reaching into his jacket.
The Black Joker doesn’t flinch at their threats, his attention solely on me.
When security enters, Gaetano lifts his open palm into the air. His fingers move, making the ink on his skin glimmer. “Now you and I shall dance, Baroness.”
I part my lips to tell him this isn’t going to happen, but the words catch on the tip of my tongue because an icy silence settles around us.
My gaze automatically seeks safety.The guards. Where are the—
They stand by the door like marble statues, arms suspended mid-motion. No life on their faces.
I whip my head toward my father, desperate for something solid. He’s staring straight ahead, a grimace spread across his face, lips parted mid-command. He doesn’t blink.
He doesn’t even seem to be breathing!
Light from the chandelier hits his slicked-back hair, casting an icy gleam. The colors of his costume have faded to white. The fabric stiffens against his body, as if fused to the statue he’s become.
