I needed to get away for a moment. Even as I stumbled through the shuffling, gyrating crowd, my heart palpitated andthe world tipped under my feet. Only one corner remained clear, and I struggled toward that empty side of the room.
Separated from the crush of bodies, I found myself in a back hallway. I pressed my heated face to the wall, sucking in large gulps of air. The scent of sweet tobacco, woodsy vanilla, and spices swept in.
My breath caught.
A strong, sturdy arm hooked around my waist. Pulled into a firm chest, I struggled as fear sparked, but my sluggish, uncooperative limbs were terribly useless. A gloved hand clapped over my mouth, stifling a scream already drowned out by the music.
“Ophelia, fuck, stop fighting—it’s me!” a graveled voice urged into my ear while dragging me further down the hall into the darkness. He threw me into a room around the corner, and a door slammed, closing us off from the thumping atmosphere of the college party.
Ocean-blue eyes appeared in front of me, with an expression born of thunder and fury. The dim lamplight of the spare bedroom and the deep shadows of night painted a portrait of contrasts, stressing features simmering with radiant anger and dazzling relief.
He was so insufferably handsome.
“Lu-Luther…” His name struggled past a thick, dry tongue as if I’d been stuffing my mouth full of cotton all day.
“What were you thinking?” he snapped, hauling me upright. “You should have stayed home. It’s dangerous to be out, especially at night. I had everything under control, but you…” He trailed off, shaking his head as he stared down at me.
Words failed to form. All the defensive, sharp, witty things I could have said dissolved into the murky waters of my mind.
“What’s this?” he muttered, eyes sparkling. “An Ashcroft with no snarky remark?”
Only a pathetic whimper escaped in response.
29
What a disobedient little brat.
Ophelia forcing me out of the house gnawed at me. Not enough to feel remorse for my actions. In fact, she had wronged me by tossing me out when she needed my protection more than ever. In light, I might have been a tad hasty when entering the house without her knowing, but only because she was a magnet drawing me closer without exception.
Darkness had since settled on Kilbride, allowing monsters and sycophants to roam the streets in unfettered droves. Nefarious entities with malicious intent stalked the shadows, following the enticing scent of their prey. I’d followed their trail to the party, knowing there would be apostles on site.
Trusting Ophelia to remain safely at home during my absence painted me as the fool. Because she was there inside the crowded house, swaying her hips along to the music. And there was no looking away now that I’d spotted her.
The multicolored lights flashed overhead, casting her in an array of colors. A painting of divinity, captivating with each move. Her body was an altar, and I wanted to drink from her. If I had a religion, it would be her and her soul, and I would worship her on my knees. But I was trapped in the intersection of concern and fury, horrified that the person I cared for most in the world was sitting in a den of potential danger.
God, she should have juststayed home.
The shock on her face when I caught her was almost worth it.
“What’s this?” I said. “An Ashcroft with no snarky remark?”
My inner turmoil settled a fraction with her in my grasp. Ophelia sputtered and gestured with her hands, struggling for a response. It was so endearing I wanted to bend her over on the spot and remind her who she belonged to.
The party music vibrated through the door and floorboards. Only a small table lamp in the corner illuminated the untouched guest room in soft amber lighting. The silence between us weighed heavier than the commotion of the party.
Ophelia watched me warily and crossed her arms. “What on earth are you doing here?”
A bitter scoff breached me. “I was on the trail of a particularly nasty stolas, but now I’m here looking out for you.”
“Looking out for…?” Her arms dropped, and she scoffed. Then she turned, swiping one hand across her forehead and bracing the other on her hip. “God, I can’t believe this.” Abruptly, she whirled on me, eyes blazing and frown set. “You—you can’t just follow me around and watch me all the time!”
I barely refrained from rolling my eyes at her.
“You’re too cavalier about your own safety for me to regret my actions. My aim is to protect you and keep you out of harm’s way. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
“Something is so fucking wrong with you!” She had the gall to attempt shoving my chest away.
I caught her wrists and used the leverage to back her into the wall. She had the audacity to pretend to struggle while glaring up at me with thosefuck-meeyes of hers. My brave little vixen, biting her lip even as she thrashed against me.
