Tanzanina Gray, you are nothing more to me than a chess piece…
A chess piece…
Nothing more…
I wake with a scream on my lips. “Damn you, Alexei Mason!”
Damn the look in his eyes when he told me that his feelings for me were not formed from love but from logic.
Damn the look in his eyes when he told me he would rather never see me again than treat me like a chess piece.
Damn him for being a Master Assassin, for knowing how to slay my heart as easily as he breaks necks with hands that make me shiver…
I draw my knees to my chest as the cruel light of the moon taunts me.
Alexei Mason, one of the three Master Assassins, had stayed in my home for weeks without ever crossing any lines. He never kissed me or touched me, but he was there for me, protected me, and at the end of that time, I was sure he loved me.
Then he told me the truth: that he was cursed a long time ago so he could never feel emotions. Not heartache. Not love. Not loss. Logic and reason dictate his actions. He told me that he was drawn to me because logic told him my power would be an asset to him.
He told me I deserved more. Then, he pushed me away.
I tried to lift his curse—tried to revive his emotions—and failed. Now, the revival spell is my last hope.
The moonlight flickers, making me squint. At first I think it’s my tears—the tears I refuse to show anyone—but the beam of light shining through my window flashes brightly.
Magic washes over me, making me flinch and my heart leap. At its bright center, a silvery slip of parchment takes shape.
I jolt upright into the glare, shielding my eyes as I snatch the parchment into my hand.
The light fades, allowing me to read aloud the script on the front: “The Monster Ball.”
On the other side, the invitation states:
Just as the moon has brought me to you
So shall the moon bring you to the Ball
All Hallows’ Eve
The Witching Hour
My first emotion is relief. My second is fear, but there was a time when I let fear rule my life. I’m done with that.
When midnight comes on All Hallows’ Eve, I’ll be ready.
CHAPTER FIVE
The enchanted vines twine around my upper arms as I slip on the black dress.
While the lower vines slide around my thighs to hug them, I test my ability to move, pleased to find that the vines are flexible and move with me.
My makeup is already done. I don’t normally wear much of it, but tonight I need a face. Blood-red lips and dark eyelashes highlight the gold in my hair, some of which I have twirled up into a loose bun while the rest hangs free.
For a final touch, I spin a spell to create another red rose, the stem of which pins my hair in place.
I give myself a last cursory glance in the mirror. Many supernaturals meet their match at The Monster Ball, many go to find love, but I am intent on going into battle.
At five minutes to midnight, I open my curtains and wait in the moonlight streaming through the window, the silver invitation clutched in my fist.
