A modified voice whispered seductively, “Carissima,why don’t we?—”
“Am I interrupting something?” Patro asked loudly, and I gasped for air as the two men in wolf masks took a step away from me.
Head dizzy, I nearly passed out with relief at the familiar voice as two jungle-themed masks came into focus.
“Yes—you fucking are,” the man behind me said harshly.
Patro took a step forward.
The man in front turned his head toward my saviors. “We were just... talking.” Since he flexed his hands, then graphically readjusted the bulge in his pants and tightened his belt, his words were not convincing.
Liar.
He took another step toward me.
“I’ve been looking for you!” Helen said as she ran forward out of seemingly nowhere, elephant trunk bobbing. “I have someone who really wants to dance with you—let’s go.”
She dragged me away across the dance floor and left the four men standing together.
I tried to look back, but she tugged me forward.
“That was insane—the chemistry,” she said. “Holy Kronos...everyonein Sparta is talking about your dance.” She gasped and fanned at her mask dramatically. “I had to get you out of there before they started talking about dishonor and betrothal contracts—although... since you’re a mutt, you probably don’t need to worry about that until you’re twenty-six. Still. Wow.”
I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. “I don’t even know who they are,” I whispered. The lie tasted poisonous, but I didn’t let myself think about whothey were.
If I did, I’d fall apart.
A part of me was wildly alive, and the other part of me was screaming in terror.
Butterflies danced like knives in my stomach.
Helen scoffed. “Well, one thing’s for sure—those men knewexactlywho you were.” She stopped abruptly on the edge of the marble floor and gestured to a man in an elk head. “Here’s theperson who wanted to see you. He says he’s one of your professors.”
I froze.
Held my breath.
“Alexis!” Pine’s voice was unmistakable as he offered his hand. “How are you? I wanted to talk with you.”
It’s just him.
I exhaled with relief.
“Of course, Professor.” I took his hand.
He held me at a respectful distance and led me across the dance floor, talking about Thagorean and advanced math concepts. Other dancers swirled around us.
I couldn’t concentrate on a single word.
My head swiveled.
Searching for . . . I didn’t even know.
Just calm down. It’s over now. Don’t think about the men. Worry about it tomorrow after the graduation.
The problem was it didn’t feel over.
The song ended, and both of us stopped dancing.
