“Blair,” Mama shouts.
Books are flying, Mama needs me, Storm won’t let go, and he’s still muttering about how he never begs, but won’t I just go out with him one more time, and it’s all too much, and then a flying book smacks me in the chest.
I yank my arm away and shout, “No, Storm! I won’t go out with you ever again. I’m with Devlin now. There. That’s it. Now, leave me alone!”
The room goes silent. Even the books are quiet.
Storm’s face is red. His eyes are bulging, and the sincere look he had only a few moments ago has vanished, all traces of iterased. A vein is pulsing in his temple, and his throat is tight, all the corded muscles expanding like his head’s about to pop off.
I inhale sharply. “I’ve got to help my mother pull someone out of a book. If you’ll excuse me.”
I move to pass him, but he grabs my arm one more time. I whirl around, ready for a fight.
But he releases me and drops his face close to mine, sneering like he’s made of nothing except sheer evil. “No one humiliates me. No one. You will regret this, Blair Thornrose.”
And then he vanishes in a spiral of smoke, and my hands are shaking. I curl them into fists to stop them. No big deal. Everything’s fine. My ex-whatever didn’t just threaten to destroy me like an evil villain in a cartoon.
I exhale and shrug off the threat, making my way over to my mother and sister.
As soon as I add my magic, the woman pops out of the book and lands with a smile. “That was great! Let’s do it again.”
At least someone’s happy.
“I’m afraid that I must ask everyone to leave,” Mama tells the crowd. “You must go now. We’ll issue any refunds to those of you who’ve already paid.”
“What was that all about with Storm?” Chelsea murmurs when we have a moment to ourselves.
“Nothing,” I whisper. “It was nothing.”
But I know it wasn’t nothing. You don’t cross a man as powerful as Storm Grayson and not pay for it.
The question is—how much will I have to pay?
33
“Are you ready?” I ask Devlin as we stand outside the entrance to the ball.
He’s wearing a black tux with a silky white tie. His hair is combed back, and his eyes sparkle with love, as I imagine mine do.
I didn’t bother telling him what happened with Storm. It would have only angered Devlin, and I didn’t see a reason to do that. Why tarnish happiness with a vague threat?
He offers his arm, and I release my hold on the skirt of the midnight-blue gown that I’m wearing. It’s got sheer shoulder straps that are thick, and they reach down to a bodice that has a low V. The full skirt is covered in rhinestones that are meant to represent stars. It’s the most beautiful gown I’ve ever worn, and when the town tailor, Daisy, had it delivered to the house today, I was shocked and also elated. So elated that I called her immediately and thanked her for the lovely surprise.
She told me that Devlin had ordered it. Of course he had. He has great taste. Don’t worry, I’ve already thanked him.
“Areyouready?” Devlin asks.
“I asked you first.”
He pretends to think about it. “Maybe we should go back to my place, pop in a movie, cuddle up with Hands between us.”
I toss back my head and laugh. “Hands does seem like a good cuddler.”
“You have no idea.”
I laugh again as he squeezes my wrist and wraps my arm under his. “Come on. Let’s make the entrance of the year.”
My face hurts I’m grinning so hard as the doors open and we’re announced. We timed our entrance to make sure that most of the guests have already arrived.
