Page 61 of Stardusted

I snorted and drained the rest of my mixed drink.

The song shifted, something dark and pulsing. I was still trying to place the lyrics when Amelia squealed and broke away from Emerick. “Wehaveto dance to this one! Come on, Rae!” Her fingers wrapped around my forearm, and she tugged hard.

I barely managed to set down my empty glass before she hauled me from the bar and toward the floor. Emerick strolled after us, sipping from his tumbler. Something expensive and amber-colored—and top-shelf, of course. I lost sight of him a second later when the crowd swallowed us whole.

The alcohol’s buzz hit then. Perfect timing. It blurred my thoughts and loosened tight muscles. Laughing, I let Amelia pull me closer. The music slithered through me, an anchor. The song, the club, dancing with my best friend—this was familiar. Loud, chaotic, and safe.

Normal.

No monsters here.

I closed my eyes and dropped my head back, lifting my arms over my head. I let the music take over. Let it scrape away the madness, the lies, the weirdness. For the length of one song, I was just a girl in a pretty silver dress, dancing off a shitty week of midterm and work stress.

The song ended. When I opened my eyes, Amelia and Emerick were twined together, hips moving in perfect sync. I watched them for a beat, more than a little surprised.

Maybe therewasa spark there. It’d been a while since I’d seen her really into a guy.

For some reason, it made me feel even more alone.

Sighing, I pushed aside the silly self-pity and turned away, giving myself over to the beat again. More of my tension bled away. I relaxed for the first time indays.Whether it was the drinks, the dancing, or just pure exhaustion, I didn’t care. I was just glad I was finally?—

I sensed someone step into my space. I opened my eyes…and nearly groaned out loud.

Prince Charming. Again.

He smiled like we were old friends. I tried to step back?—

Except he’d grabbed my wrist.

“Hey, where are you going?” he slurred. Somehow, the alcohol on his breath was even more noxious now. “You’re not gonna run away again, are you? Don’t be like that.”

Irritation flared, dousing whatever contentment was left. “I’m not interested.” I tried to pull my arm back. He held on, and I glared at him. “Let. Go.”

He didnotwant to mess with me today of all days. The ball of anger in my chest burned brighter than normal.

He must’ve caught it because his smile slipped and his fingers tightened. “What’s your problem?”

“You,” I said through gritted teeth.

People were starting to notice now. Heads turned our way. But no one stepped in.

Not that I needed them to. I could handle one jerk with a hearing problem.

I yanked, and this time it worked. I wrenched my arm free, hard enough he stumbled, loose-limbed and clearly drunk. Unfortunately he caught himself before he face-planted on the sticky floor. I took a step back, rotating my sore wrist.

He wasn’t done, though. He straightened, and his frown turned dark enough that I stiffened. A flash of blue club lighting flared behind him, shadowing his face as he stepped forward, reaching out like he was going to try again?—

A presence warmed my side. A body, moving in close. I jolted when an arm wrapped around my waist.You have to be kidding me.I whipped my elbow up, ready to drive it back because what waswrongwith people in here today?—

Then a low, all-too-memorable voice rose over the music. “Hey. I thought I spotted you earlier.”

Shock. Pure shock jolted me to the core. I froze with my elbow raised like I was doing half a chicken dance.

I turned my head slowly. My mouth dropped open.

Sky Acosta wasn’t looking my way now, though the words were clearly meant for me. His dark eyes were locked on Whiskey Breath.

“Is there a problem here?” he asked in an even tone.