“Why don’t you come over here?” I suggest.
“Why don’tyoucomehere?”
“Are you always so stubborn?”
“Only with men I don’t trust.”
“And yet you trusted me enough on our first meeting to touch my hand.”
“Now I know better.”
A roaring laugh escapes my throat. “You know better now? Tell me what you know.”
She takes a step forward and tips her head back, watching me closely. “That you invited us all here for a reason. Is it to cast your curse more effectively?”
I extend my hand. “Why don’t you find out?”
She eyes my hand like it’s a venomous snake. Then slowly, she reaches for me, her palm about to slip over mine?—
Yes, touch her! Kiss her! Tell her she’s the one!
The study door swings open. Light floods into the room, hitting the both of us.
A woman with blonde hair takes one look at us and says, “Chelsea! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Get your heinie back into that ballroom before your grandmother dies a second time!”
We know her name! Write it in blood and cast a spell so that she falls in love with us.
Chelsea’s gaze flicks to me, and she retreats a step, taking with her warmth that I didn’t realize she’d created until it was gone.
“It seems one of us must get back to the ball,” she says, her eyes sparkling.
Is she teasing us? She’s teasing us! She likes us!
With that, she turns on her heel and walks out. As she slips through the doorway, I spot a sparkly pink sneaker on her foot.
Nightmare sighs.Do you think she’ll lose her shoe and we’ll search Castleview to find her and give it back? If we lose her tonight, all we’ll have is vengeance on our mind.
Just the thought of Nightmare returning to his old self makes a headache bloom behind my eye.
I have a better idea,I tell it.
And what’s that?
Let’s join our ball.
Chelsea
Ican barely catch my breath as Ovie drags me back to the ball. “Can’t leave you alone for a minute before you’re talking to strangers in dark rooms.”
I open my mouth to tell her the truth, but my gaze lands on my uncle Charlie, who’s on the other side of the room, talking to a group of men.
He sees me and our gazes lock. My stomach churns, pushing bile up the back of my throat.
“Ovie, I’m sorry, but the truth is I ran into?—”
“The Nightmare King, Eryx Nightshade!”
The announcement cuts me off. Charlie will have to wait.
