Page 26 of Hell-Bound

Still, it was worrying—being haunted by someone or something couldn’t be a good sign. It hadn’t previously been threatening. In fact, this was the first time she believed it had violent intentions. But not from it…forher. As if encouraging her to lash out.

She breathed in slowly, calming her wrath as she stepped further into the ballroom.

Stay focused. Find the contract. Find the book.

Once inside, she had a full view of the immaculate stage. She gasped. Never had Ren seen such an orchestra. Hundreds of members played both traditional and unfamiliar instruments. She didn’t recognize the song that they played, but it didn’t matter. She longed to join in, take the stage with the rest, and savor the song. To add it to her small memory bank.

“That certainly wouldnotbe blending in,” she grumbledto herself. “Maybe just a listen.”

She walked on the party’s fringes, trying her best to be unassuming and taking glimpses out of the side of her eyes to make sure no one was watching her. She was just one of several Mortal females smattered around the room.

Once she could see the musicians clearly, her stomach clenched in craving. Yet she was disappointed to discover that the orchestra was ending their current score.

A man stood up. No—not a man. A Devil.

He was wearing a starched white shirt rolled up to his elbows and a solid black vest. It was evidently his turn to play solo because he gracefully walked to the front of the stage, his violin held tenderly in his hands.

His eyes were dark burgundy, and his white hair lay elegantly on his shoulders. His face was angular and masculine, with a long, elegant nose. But the most mesmerizing feature was his devilish horns. Smooth as his skin and dark black, they curved gracefully up from the top of his head towards his crown before ending in a sleek point. Not sinister or threatening, but rather like a crown worn by a virtuous prince.

And then, he began to play. While the orchestra surely accompanied him, he was the only thing that existed for Ren. She only heard his honeyed notes and watched as his long fingers stroked the strings deftly.

He’d completely entranced her.

His arms moved, gliding the bow across with exquisite finesse. His eyes were closed, long lashes laying gently on his pale cheeks.

An unfamiliar sensation wafted over her. While her brain tried to process the meaning, her body understood and took over. Her face heated, and her pulse skittered. She was having a hard time catching air, and her dress felt too tight.

The devilish creature swayed rhythmically with the notes, and she could see a small crease between his brow as if so moved by the arrangement he could not help but feel it inevery muscle.

Too soon, and with one last pull from his bow, the music stopped. The echo of the last note ricocheted off the walls, and the male opened his eyes almost sleepily before bowing his head to the audience.

There was a throng of applause around the chamber and murmurs of approval.

But Ren couldn’t move—her mouth parted and breaths shallow. She didn’t even notice that she was now the only person standing by the stage.

As the male lifted his head from his bow, he locked eyes with Ren and gave the smallest smile.

Befuddled, she looked away, her cheeks hot.

Before she could return to the party—flee to hide her embarrassment, she felt a gentle touch on her elbow.

“Excuse me, my lady.”

She turned. It was the violinist.

Her body, still not cooperating with her brain, stood there, transfixed, staring into his eyes, which glittered like tiny stars lived within. His smile was crooked. Sensual.

“It isn’t often I find someone as captivated by music as I am.”

His voice was smooth and deep, the vibration making her toes curl.

She responded, her voice finally restored. “Well, it isn’t often that I have the pleasure of seeing someone—something so stunning,” she blurted.

Good gods, woman. Pull it together.

She tried to give a timid smile, but she wasn’t sure if it looked right on her face.

His eyes flicked for a moment at the rest of the room and then back to her. He bowed again, this time deeply, and offered his hand.