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Tobias’s expression shifts subtly, something possessive flickering behind his eyes. “We’ve been ... occupied.”

“So I’ve heard,” Layla says before glancing between us and stepping back. “I should … go mingle.” She purses her lips and melts into the crowd before I can even protest.

The music shifts to something slower. Blue flames cast dancing shadows across Tobias’s face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear about me,” he says, taking the glass from my hand and bringing it to his lips, drinking from the same spot still smeared from my lipstick. “Though some of it might be true.”

“Which parts?” I ask.

He leans closer, his scent taking over me. “That’s for you to decide.” His fingers brush against the brand on my arm. “How are you finding their little gathering?”

I don’t miss how he calls it theirs, but answer anyway, “Everyone keeps talking like I’m on exhibit.” I continue, watching his face carefully, “I heard it’s unusual to have two guides.”

“They’re right.” His eyes never leave mine. “It is unusual. Unprecedented, actually.”

“Why me then?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” He tilts his head, studying me.

“Been looking for you, Emerson,” Kenan’s voice cuts through the music. He steps beside us, his forest eyes blazing. Unlike Tobias’s controlled energy ... Kenan is nothing but raw. He’s taken off the shirt he had under Rosie’s fingers, leaving him in nothing but his black leather pants. His eyes look up to Tobias, “You, however, I wasn’t expecting.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to one of the late-night ensembles, but thought it might be worth it tonight,” Tobias says, his eyes obviously taking in Kenan just as much as I am.

Kenan bites his lower lip and smirks before turning his attention back to me, “Sorry about Rosie. I saw her come talk to you after … our little disagreement.”

“I can handle myself,” I interject, though the warmth of Tobias’s hand against my back has me forgetting most of my thoughts.

“Oh, I don’t doubt that, Kitten,” Kenan says, his expression softening, “but you are causing quite the stir tonight. Truth be told, have been since you arrived.”

I laugh, missing the drink I had in my hand. Because God, I need more alcohol to deal with this. “I wasn’t the one who caused a show in front of everyone with Rosie.”

Tobias hands the glass back to me and I take it happily, letting the liquor coax my courage a bit more before he speaks. “Haven’t seen her throw a fit like that since —”

“Since you and Kenan?” I finish.

Both of them look at each other — memories, pain, desire — then Kenan speaks. “Layla has a loose tongue after a few drinks.”

“Dance with me,” Tobias says, not a question, but I knew if I told him no, he’d respect it.

The music swells around us, the carousel lights spinning faster, casting patterns I can’t keep up with. Blue, gold, shadows, light ... Tobias’s hand finds the small of my back, warm and possessive through the thin fabric of my shirt. He draws me closer, leading me into a slow rhythm that feels almost too elegant for the warped music and painted horses surrounding us.

“I’ve never danced with anyone here – except Kenan – so ignore the stares,” Tobias whispers.

I let him guide me, following the pressure of his hand as he turns me beneath the lights and pulls me back against him. There’s something practiced about it, effortless, like he’s done this a thousand times. The painted horses around us seem to watch with their glass eyes, and over Tobias’s shoulder, Kenan’s gaze burns into us from where he stands.

I truly am going insane. It’s the only answer for anything I feel towards them … towards this place.

“He’s watching us,” I whisper, my eyes flickering to Kenan.

“He always watches,” Tobias replies, his lips turning into a smile. “It’s what he does … almost better than me.”

As if summoned by our words, Kenan approaches. Without hesitation, he slides behind me, creating a perfect line between our bodies. His chest presses against my back, hard and warm.

“Mind if I cut in?” His voice is rough, even though he’s already making his presence fully known.

He doesn’t wait for Tobias to step away, instead, the three of us begin to move together, my body alternating between the two of them. The carnival brew has lowered my inhibition just enough that I don’t pull away, but instead surrender to it all. Just as Kenan said I needed to. The music, their hands on me, the feeling of being between them. I can feel the others watching us … but right now, I don’t care.

“The Carnival has a way of revealing what we truly want,” Tobias says, his lips brushing the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder.

“What do you want, Kitten?” Kenan asks, mirroring Tobias’s actions on the other side.