“I know who you are. Everyone does.” His eyes traveled over me appreciatively. “The rumors don’t do you justice. You’re fucking stunning.”
Normally, a line like that would have made me cringe, but the drinks had dulled my critical faculties just enough that I found it charming instead.
“Want to dance?” I asked directly.
He didn’t hesitate, taking my hand and leading me back to the dance floor. The music had slowed to something with a sensual, hypnotic beat, and Leo pulled me close, his hands settling on my hips.
“I’ve been watching you all night,” he admitted as we moved together. “You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Someone way more intimidating.” His fingers traced lightly over the serpent tattoos on my exposed midriff. “The way people talk about the thirteenth zodiac, I thought you’d be shooting lightning from your eyes or something.”
I laughed. “Sorry to disappoint. The lightning eyes are strictly a Tuesday thing.”
His hands were warm on my skin, and I leaned into his touch, letting myself enjoy the simple pleasure of being wanted.Maybe this was exactly what I needed, a night with someone who saw me as desirable for who I was and not because of magic.
As we danced, I let my mind wander to possibilities. I could take him back to my room. Noodle would be annoyed at the intrusion, but he’d deal with it. I could have one night of normalcy before the bond solidified and my life became irrevocably entangled with four men who hadn’t chosen me any more than I’d chosen them.
“What are you thinking about?” Leo asked, his lips near my ear.
“Just considering my options.”
His pupils dilated slightly. “I like the sound of that.”
We danced for another song, our bodies pressed closer with each passing minute. His hands were confident, sliding from my hips to the small of my back, fingers occasionally dipping just below the waistband of my jeans.
“You know,” he murmured against my neck, “my roommate’s away for the weekend.”
I was about to respond when a sudden chill ran down my spine. A presence—no,fourdistinct presences—pushed against my mental walls. The Nightfall Shield had entered the room.
Instinctively, I turned toward the entrance. Percy was the first one I saw, his dark gaze scanning the room until it locked on me. Beside him stood Draco, his white hair gleaming under the starlit ceiling. Aiden and Eris flanked them, all four looking like they’d coordinated their outfits without trying. All black, as usual.
At the same moment, Lydia appeared at my side, her eyes wide. “Dreadwatch just walked in,” she hissed, nodding toward the opposite side of the room.
I followed her gaze to see Rafe and his shield entering, commanding almost as much attention as the Nightfall Shield had. The woman on Rafe’s arm was striking, tall, with longdark chestnut colored hair and piercing blue eyes. Valeria, I presumed. She certainly lived up to Lydia’s description.
“That’s her?” I asked, watching how possessively Valeria kept her hand on Rafe’s arm.
Lydia nodded, her earlier confidence visibly deflating. “I should go. This was a mistake.”
“No,” I said firmly, grabbing her wrist. “Don’t let her intimidate you. If you want him, show her you’re not backing down. Maybe askherto dance. Throw her off her game.”
Through the bond, I felt waves of hostility rolling off the Nightfall Shield. Their emotions hammered against my mental barriers—anger, jealousy, possessiveness. Percy’s was the strongest, a burning rage that made my skin prickle even across the room.
Leo’s hands tightened on my hips. “Everything okay? You suddenly tensed up.”
I forced myself to relax, turning back to him with a strained smile. “Everything’s fine.”
I pulled him closer, making sure the Nightfall Shield had a clear view of us. If they thought they could control me, they had another thing coming. The bond might have been forced on all of us, but that didn’t give them the right to dictate my life.
Leo responded enthusiastically, one hand sliding into my hair as we moved to the music. I could feel the Nightfall Shield’s reaction, a spike of collective fury that was almost satisfying.
“You’re playing with fire,” Lydia whispered as she passed us, heading toward the bar where she could keep an eye on Rafe and Valeria.
Maybe I was, but fire had never scared me. I let Leo spin me around so my back was pressed against his chest, his hands splayed across my stomach. The bond thrummed with increasing anger, and I knew without looking that at least one of them was moving toward us.
“Want to get out of here?” Leo suggested, his lips brushing my ear.
