Page 41

And right now, that scared the shit out of me. Zane was a problem for later, but when later came I wouldn’t have a clue how to stop blood from being shed. My stomach felt oily, my skin clammy, but the anxiety and hurt would just have to wait.

Ace gripped my thigh, holding it tight as he dipped me.

I yelped in surprise, but followed his lead, arching my back as he did.

Across the room, I spotted a familiar figure.

The man was all skinny legs and arms, with a thin moustache he kept stroking as he eyed off the crowd.

His oily hair had been scraped back, his pale face practically shining under the light.

I shivered. The man was like a freaking vampire, complete with a pompous cape.

“Oh, shit,” I muttered as Ace pulled me back up. “Julian’s here.”

“The ex-king’s advisor? It makes sense, I guess,” he said. “He’s probably leading the crowning ceremony. Bastard is likely getting a good look at who he might be manipulating next.”

I snorted. “If I become queen, that guy will be banned from stepping foot within ten feet of me. He gives me the creeps.”

“Say the word and I’ll make sure he never steps foot around anyone again,” Ace said with a sly grin. “My gift to you.”

“Tempting,” I replied, “but right now I just want you to hold me.”

Ace nodded. “I can manage that.”

We stayed that way for a time. Ace, despite his reservations about the ball, was a surprisingly good dancer, not that I’d expected anything less. He was meticulous with everything he did. And I mean, everything .

We were just considering a little rendezvous behind some of the giant curtains when Celeste stepped onto a stage, wearing a ridiculously large flouncy dress made from a rainbow of fabrics. It was garish, but hey, it suited her perfectly.

“Young ones,” she cooed, waving her hands to encapsulate all of us.

“Brave and noble Potentials. Against all odds, you stand before me, every inch a winner in your own right.

But, as you know, there can only be one victor.

Only one can wear the crown and take up the magnanimous duty of a monarch.

Only one can lead us into a new age of glory.

Terrulia awaits in all her splendour, for the king or queen this country deserves.

“Tonight, we celebrate your successes and wish the fallen well as they enter the afterlife. Many died in pursuit of greatness, but rest assured, we commend their souls and honour their sacrifice. There has been too much death in the House of Ascension. The Masters and I take the murders on these grounds very seriously. When the killer is found, they will be punished accordingly. But tonight is for you. For tomorrow is the dawn of a new age. Now go, young bloods! Feast on our delights, drink until you drop, and let love fill the air once again.”

“Interesting, that she didn’t mention Jeremiah,” I whispered to Ace.

He scoffed. “That would draw too much attention to the fact our three are down to two.”

He had a point. Luna was looking stunning as always, though noticeably ashen and withdrawn from her perch in the corner.

Nolan stood beside her, the permanent scowl on his face etched even deeper tonight.

They were clearly aware of Jeremiah’s death, though I had to wonder if they’d had any inkling of what he was up to.

There had been no fallout after I’d painted the House Jupiter crest on Jeremiah’s body, so I could only assume my father had someone clean up the evidence before any staff found him.

Luna caught my gaze and offered a strained smile. She looked around her cautiously, then to my surprise, she whispered something to Nolan and waded through the crowd towards me.

“Fallon,” she said cheerfully as she clasped onto my arm with a death grip. “You look stunning tonight. So good to see you made it through the trial.”

Before I could reply, she pulled me in with surprising strength and wrapped her arms around me. “What—” I began.

“You need to get out,” she whispered. “Leave tonight with your friends, before it’s too late.” I didn’t have time to respond before she pulled away again, a smile pasted on her face. Aloud, she finished with, “Enjoy tonight’s festivities.” Then she was gone.

I looked at Ace, blinking a few times. “What the hell just happened?”

“No clue, but we don’t have time to question it, Fallon. Celeste’s speech was the cue, and Zane is now in position.”

I looked through the crowd to find Kendra, who gave me a smile and a nod. I caught a flash of blond nearby but… I didn’t want to look at his face right now. I couldn’t bear it.

With a heavy heart, I turned to Ace and leaned in, losing myself in the feel of his lips against mine.

His tongue curled, the taste of champagne bubbling against my own.

He slid his hands onto my waist, then down to cup my ass as he devoured me.

It was always like this with him. Never halfway and always everything I needed, which was all of him.

A part of me wanted to forget our mission, forget Zane, and just disappear into the night with him.

The other part was mentally slapping me across the face and telling me to think with my brain head, as Kendra so lovingly put it. I stepped away, already mourning the loss of Ace’s warmth, and nodded.

“Alrighty then. Let’s grab ourselves a weapon.”