“What?” My eyes went wide with fear.
“You were in bad shape last night,” he continued.
“Oh, yeah. Right…” I laughed. “Thanks for making sure I got home safe. I owe you big time.” I forced a smile, pushing down the sinking feeling in my gut.
“Shots, shots, shots!” Kenna chanted. Earning cheers from the rowdy patrons as she balanced multiple glasses in her hands.
“Tequila?” Cal asked, scrunching his nose as he sniffed the clear liquid.
My stomach churned, and I held my breath to keep from catching a whiff of it. I passed mine to Eli, skipping over Emory, who couldn’t legally drink yet.
“I don’t know how you can take shots after last night,” I mumbled, averting my gaze to keep from gagging.
Kenna coughed, shoving a lime slice in her mouth. Her face contorted in pain as she swallowed the tequila.
The boys, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed.
The first beat of the “Cupid Shuffle” rang from the jukebox, and the crowd hollered with excitement. Kenna and Emory darted to the floor, not missing a step to the song.
“Come on.” Cal dragged me behind him.
“No, thank you.” I tried to tug my arm from his grip, but it was useless.
“Lyra, this is the easiest dance ever,” Cal hollered over the music. “The lyrics literally tell you what to do.”
People filled in around me, trapping me on the makeshift dance floor.
I shuffled four steps to the right and four steps to the left on the sticky floor, kicking my feet out in front of me. I hummed along to the music, trying and failing to keep up with the beat. My traitorous eyes risked a quick peek at the bar where Grey was watching me.
I lost focus and shimmied in the wrong direction. The girl next to me shuffled right, and I went left. My momentum carried me forward, and I collided with a solid wall of muscle. The scent of pine and whiskey engulfed me, and I fought the urge to inhale a deep breath of the intoxicating scent.
“Hello, little witch.” Grey’s lips brushed against my hair, his voice only a whisper.
“What did you just say?” I asked, staring into his piercing amber eyes. This close I could see flakes of golden specks floating around.
“Witch.” He mouthed. Cold hatred washed over his face at the word.
I stared at him, too stunned to get actual words out. “Uh…” I stuttered, trying to back away, but his hand tightened around myarm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I forced the words out.
“Liar.” He straightened, towering over me.
Laughter and applause exploded as the song came to an end.
“Lyra,” Emory called over the chatter of the crowd. Grey’s grip loosened, letting me go.
I turned and walked away, fighting every instinct to run as fast as I could.
I risked one final glance. His eyes were pitch black. Soulless. He blinked, and they were back to warm pools of honey.
My head spun. Grey knew I was a witch, and he…he was a demon.
I needed some air.
“I think I’m going to head out,” I said to Emory, pulling her in for a hug.
“You’re leaving already?” Kenna pouted.
“Yeah, this headache won’t leave me alone.” I hugged the others goodbye.
