Page 92

“Katerina?” Tristan murmured beside me, his tone nearly a whisper along the escalating melody.

Our gazes fell upon the figure that descended the main stairs with swift steps. Inky, black hair cascaded over her shoulder to her waist, fashioned into a thick French braid. The top of her gown was adorned with brilliant sunflower petals, the sheer sleeves hemmed into cuffs on her wrists. A short train trailed behind her as her hands gripped further into the tulle skirt, the vibrant canary yellow emanating a slight orange glimmer the closer she grew.

Katerina was day against night, the summer beyond winter, the very warmth that evaporated the frost along my flesh. What undertook my body wasn’t simply hope but something grander. More profound than life itself.

I hadn’t noticed when I began parting through, but I couldn’t deny the gravity she had on me.

“You are the most beautiful being I’ve ever laid eyes upon, Katerina,” I declared breathlessly as I paused before her. “Would you do me the honor of sharing this dance with me?”

Her eyebrows furrowed along a shadowed expression, but her hand brushed against my palm. “Alek, we have to go.”

Before she could pull me away, I tugged her from the last step and onto the floor as the music’s sequence shifted into a low thrum. All three lines that comprised the full orchestra began a composition that brought forth pairs all throughout. The sonata droned upon the floor and walls, one that harmonized the resonating opening and forged an adagio beyond its transition.

“Follow my lead,” I murmured against her ear. “Like we practiced along the lake.”

“Did you not hear me?”

Our steps fell into sync in the same manner they had during our practices, I undoubtedly taking the lead and Katerina following with a cautious rhythm.

“I did, Katerina.”

“Then why won’t you listen to me?”

“I thought you were gone,” I whispered and pulled her closer, her radiating heat a flare against my skin. I sensed her stilling within my hold, yet I continued across the floor as the keys chimed and strings rumbled through the air. “We’ve come to realize that it wasn’t Lorenzo but Sonia.”

“What?” Katerina parted to angle her face onto mine as the music around us strangled. “She’s the one who brought me here.”

Though I halted, her feet continued to follow through with the strides I was meant to guide. “Why?”

“She said that you’re all in danger.” There was a gloom in her gaze as she searched mine. “She promised she’ll give you the notebook, Alek, but we have to leave.”

Though the notes Christopher and I had received prior to the Ball certainly possessed a connection —alongside Lorenzo’s as well— there was a contrast to what Katerina conveyed. Two of which came hand in hand regarding tonight, both portraying two possible conflicting outcomes.

I hadn’t realized when the symphony had halted, but it was Lorenzo’s sudden appearance that forced Katerina to tow me away from the main floor.

“Can I speak to her?”

Katerina’s eyes widened, and her hand tightened around mine. A protest formed upon the tip of my tongue, but the sudden shriek of a microphone steered our attention onto the stage where Davina stood.

The Ambrogios had commanded Ms. Hoko to tailor our outfits as a parallel to each other’s, each of us bearing colors that aligned with the sister we were calculated to be engaged with. Her rich mulberry gown and cape was a statement that depicted more than that. It established the authority neither of her sisters were able to attain.

“I wanted to begin tonight’s announcements touching upon this year’s underlying theme by showing our gratitude toward all the high-ranking guardians that have joined us at this lovely Christmas Ball. This night is the representation of those that have brought together both kinds within and beyond the Ministry and Bureau. Let’s give them a well-deserved round of applause.” Blaring cheers and applause drowned the ballroom, but it hollowed within my ears as I stepped forward.

Davina’s gaze met mine as my body collided with bodies that further separated me from reaching the stage. My jaw tightened while my head shook. She responded with a sneer sharper than a blade.

“But, this isn’t the grand news for tonight. Everyone, I’m proud to announce that I, Davina Ambrogio, am now engaged!”

The ballroom stilled in an intense silence that transcended beyond flesh and bones, eyes burning against my skin as I sensed them all settling in my direction.

“A toast for those who have brought our kind together and to the one that has gifted me with the greatest act!” Her eyes swiftly flickered from me to Kaleb, and it leered my gaze onto him as a wide smile edged across his snake-like expression.

Suddenly, the glimmer within Kaleb’s eyes vanished as a boom echoed through the ballroom. Glass shattered all around us, blood splattering from his blush pink suit. Screams engulfed the ballroom, the darkest symphony, as chaos ensued.

ChapterThirty-One

KATERINA ELI

They’re all going to die.