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The drive to the Singleton-Smith estate feels like a fever dream. Outside the tinted windows, the world is a blur of winter shadows, but inside the Range Rover, the air is thick withthe anticipation, testosterone and the low, steady thrum of the engine.
As we turn onto the private mile-long driveway, the manor looms out of the darkness. It’s a monstrosity of stone and glass, lit up like a Times Square. Hundreds of fairy lights drape from ancient trees, and a line of luxury cars snakes toward the grand portico.
High-level Conclave enforcers are flanking the entrance.
Ludo takes my hand. His grip is firm, grounded. —I won’t let anyone touch you, Nymph—
The Rover pulls up to the entrance. A valet in a white-and-red uniform opens my door. and Max hands over the keys with a cocky wink.
The entrance hall is an assault on the senses. The theme is everywhere—massive ice sculptures of phoenixes and dragons are melting slowly into pools of water, while real fire pits roar in the hearths.
“Theodora, darling!”
Shit. Janine Hart glides toward us, wearing a blood-red pant suit and six inch heel. She looks triumphant as she takes my hands, her fingers cold and gripping. “You look exquisite. A true masterpiece.” Her eyes flick over to Max, then linger on Ludo. Her smile falters for a micro-second. My heart stutters. “And who is this handsome addition to your party, Maximus?”
“Ivor Horne,” Max says smoothly, and I curse Max out internally. Now is not the time to laugh. “He’s my cousin from Kormovia. Thought it was time he saw how we do things in Havengard.”
Ludo, AKA Ivor, stops glaring at Max, then bows his head just enough to be polite. Janine’s gaze slides off him at the knowledge he’s unimportant.
“Welcome, Mr. Horne,” she says, before turning her attention back to me. “Come, Theo. Alistair and the others are in the ballroom. Let us get some refreshments before the ceremony begins.”
She leads me away, and with every step I feel more vulnerable. Reality setting in.
—Heading to the library now, pulu—
Shit. Alexis. Things are getting really real. I can’t see any of our gang, but it’s not a surprise, the place is packed.
Janine leads me into the ballroom like I’m a prized show-pony. The room is a dazzling sea of silver, white, and crimson. My eyes dart through the crowd, searching for any of our team. I spot Naomi, pretending to inspect a voluptuous ice sculpture of Jordan.
Willow goes to join, notices me, then quickly looks away as she sends me a message.—You OK? Need me to come over and run interference with Janine somehow?—
—No, I’m good for now. Keep on patrolling and looking for trouble. Lex is going in now—
I watch her turn and move off into the fray.
Janine leads me further into the room and then I see him.
At the far end of the room, standing on a raised dais beneath a sparkling chandelier, is Cosmo. He looks magnificent in his black suit and even from this distance I can see the massive diamond cufflinks at his wrists. I can also sense the absolute misery inside him.
Next to him, Jordan’s hand is on his arm as she gazes around like the cat that got the cream. She’s also dressed in white, just like a bride.
Cosmo’s gaze meets mine for a split second. Fuck. The memory of our kiss surges through my body. I shake it off.
No time for confusing feelings, the game has officially begun.
49
Open your eyes, Wes.
Open your fucking eyes.
There’s something I have to do.
What is it?
I only know it’s important—deathly important.
