“La Danse des Monstres,” André says. “The monsters’ dance. The Marteaus have a party every year, and only the most important people are invited. Very chic,” he says. “Very, how do you say?Swanky.” He flutters his fingers in mock excitement. “A gathering of the beautiful and the wealthy.”
Luci gives him a friendly punch on a shoulder. “You’re rich, too.”
“Not that kind of rich.”
I’m still missing something. “Sorry, why monsters?”
Luci steps closer, as interested in convincing me as much as André. “Remember those rumors we talked about?Maison de la Morte? A party for monsters was my grandmother’s idea. It’s a way of snubbing our noses at the gossip.”
“Thumbing our noses,” Noah corrects.
“Yes.” Luci frowns, and I remember how important speaking English is to her family.
Noah’s gaze flicks to me. “Why don’t we all go? Luci and I have to attend, but we’ll have a better time with people we know.”
“You mean people we like,” Luci says.
I’m still puzzling over the monster theme when Noah’s question registers. “You want me to go?”
“It’s Saturday,” he says, preempting my next question.
Caught off guard, I can only blink at Noah while my mind races. Saturday. By then, I’ll have sent in my audition. I’ll have the time. Plus, being with Noah isn’t exactly a hardship.
But another night surrounded bythe family?
I shoot him a look of apology. “Not sure it sounds like my kind of thing.”
“No, no. You’ll love it.” Luci bounces and shakes André’s arm. “Tell her.”
“You’ll love it,” he says, voice flat and dry.
“You will,” Luci insists. “Dancing, decadence, high society. So many glamorous people.”
I feign enthusiasm. “Sounds amazing.”
Sounds awful.
Just hearing her description makes my nerves twist and sting. High-class events might be fun for other people. But not me. I’ve attended enough glitzy parties with distinguished guests, and I have different associations.
Different memories.
A distant hallway, a quiet bedroom. The sound of his heavy breathing as he follows me in.
And locks the door behind him.
Nausea works its slimy way through my gut, but I don’t let it show. Instead, I clear my throat and offer an excuse. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Don’t worry. I can tell you a place.” Luci has an answer for everything.
“Well,” I hedge, racking my brain for another plausible reason to refuse.
“Oh, come on.” André gives me a mischievous wink. “If you go, I’ll go. We can back each other up.” He jerks his head to Luci. “And you can help me keep an eye on this one.”
“Oui!” Luci squeals, standing on her tiptoes to kiss André’s cheek. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Luci!” A shout echoes across the courtyard, and we all turn. Lyam strides from the main doors, his expression thunderous.
For a moment, I can only stare, shocked by his anger. He was so friendly at dinner; he and Dora were the most normal and down-to-earth people at the table.
