Page 251 of Blackwood

You’ll feel me, love, before I’m dead.

So, look for me at your Winter Ball,

I’ll blend right in, for I’ve watched you all.

A dance, a drink… a little gift.

Just one more crack before the shift.

My blood turns to ice. My stomach drops.

I don’t realize I’ve gone pale until Cade says, “Bella?” and Lex snatches the phone out of my hand.

“He’s coming to the Masquerade,” I say again, barely recognizing my own voice. “Luca. He’s going to be there.”

Lex stares at the screen like he’s ready to snap it in half.

Cade’s jaw tightens. “How the hell can we stop him if we don’t even know who he is?”

Lex finally speaks, and when he does, it’s all steel and storm. “We do know something. We know he’s coming. That means we’ve finally got the upper hand.”

“How is that the upper hand?” I ask.

“Because now we bait him, baby. We draw him out from behind his damn screen.”

Lex looks at me, deadly calm. “We use the Masquerade. Every camera, every angle, every blade we can pull from the shadows. He thinks he’s crashing our night?”

A dark smile tugs at his lips. “Let’s make it his fucking funeral.”

I exhale shakily, but it doesn’t settle the dread coiling in my stomach.

Lex leans forward, eyes meeting mine. “As much as I hate saying this, baby. Call them all.”

I frown. “All?”

“All of them.Every ally, every name from every book. Nate, Jack, Tex—hell, even fucking Laing.”

My eyebrows shoot up.

“I don’t like him. I don’t trust him,” Lex growls. “But I’d rather deal with that smug asshole breathing down my neck before I let Luca lay a hand on yours.”

“Okay, I’ll call them.”

His tone softens just barely. “This is the moment we stop reacting, baby. From here on out, we hunt.”

Chapter 69

BELLA

Rose of Thorns Masquerade Ball - Wexley University

756 Days Since Zeke’s Death

The dressing room glows with soft golden light, but the air feels sharp, electric. My hands tremble slightly as I tighten the silk ribbon at the back of Ellie’s gown. She’s quiet. Unnervingly quiet, not the usual stream of sass and sparkle I’m used to.

“You okay?” I ask, smoothing the satin over her shoulders.

She glances at me in the mirror. Her bright blue eyes wider than usual.