Ballgowns and Dances
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Jordan releases his hand from her iron grip. The girl, Grace Bennett, grabbed a hold of his hand the moment she saw him enter the ballroom with Valarie. Her palms are sticky with something, which makes Jordan push down a lump forming in his throat. He doesn’t want to question what she was touching or eating before she came over to introduce herself and latched onto him despite his effort to escape her. He’s never liked anyone touching him, unless it’s his family-especially smothering, flaunting girls like Grace.
“Thank you,” he says as politely as he can grit out, “excuse me though, there are others I need to greet before I can stand and converse with people.”
Her hand goes to hold on to him again, clearly not understanding him, and Jordan retaliates quickly, stepping away from her.
“Please come find me again later!” She calls out to him as he makes his way through the crowded ballroom.
Not likely.
Jordan greets a few more guests, one of them being Thomas and Lily Edevane, Daisy’s parents. He speaks with them for a moment before bumping into Clarence. His face rears back as he sees Jordan’s flushed with irritation. “You all right?”
“Yes, just overwhelmed.” Jordan admits, running his hands on his trousers, trying to get the sticky feeling off of them .
Clarence chuckles lightly, nodding in agreement. “These events can definitely feel like that, especially when you’re new in town and having to meet new people.” His gentle smile doesn’t waver.
Clarence takes two flutes from a lady walking around with a half-filled drink tray and hands one to Jordan.
“It is. But it’s also a lot more exciting than the balls in Oxford. Let me tell you that much.”
Clarence gives a small chuckle, “That I can imagine. Not that I’ve travelled there myself, but nothing seems to beat London. I’m sure Kora has already told you that we were meant to travel to Oxford with our friends, but I was attacked right before and too injured to travel. She stayed in London to look after me.”
“That does sound like her.” Jordan agrees, grinning wide enough that his dimples deepen at the thought of Kora.
“She wouldn’t even let me get out of bed for two days unless it was to relieve myself.” Clarence laughs, shaking his head. “She’s always been so concerned for me ever since she was little, especially after our parents died. I think it scared her so much that now, if I even sneeze around her, she becomes overly worried and forces me to rest.”
Jordan’s face falters a little.
Clarence notices, frowning slightly. “You do know about our parents, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s just different being talked about out loud. My parents have spoken a few times about Stefan and Tessa, but they never mention much. I think it still pains them to think about.”
Clarence nods. “It pains me too. But it’s also been fourteen years now. Kora and I manage ourselves well enough.”
Jordan smiles, patting him on the shoulder. His eyes drift off to Matthew, who stops at the refreshment table after dancing with Alice. “Would you excuse me? I have to speak with Matthew for a moment.”
“Oh, of course. I should find Levi anyway.” Clarence says, walking off towards the other side of the ballroom .
Jordan beelines over to where Matthew is standing with a glass of lemonade in his hand.
It’s always lemonade .
“I need to ask you something, Matt.” Jordan says when he is within a foot of his friend. The string quartet covers most of what he’s saying.
Matthew looks at him, “What is it?” Taking another sip from his glass.
“Do you know of an Emmett?”
Matthew frowns, like he’s thinking hard about Jordan’s question. “As in Emmett Talslot?” He questions, scratching his tawny hair, which looks to be combed tonight.
Jordan gives a half shrug. “Do you know him?”
Matthew shakes his head. “Not personally. I know of him. He is an incredibly powerful Elemental. He sells some things down at the docks occasionally, but I think his residence is in Farringdon.”
“Hmm.” Jordan hums loudly. “Interesting.”
“What is this about?” Matthew asks, dropping his voice slightly, suddenly more invested in the conversation. “Do you need an Elemental?”
Jordan looks around to make sure nobody is eavesdropping in on their conversation. “I think Charles made a deal with this Emmett Talslot. Something that could cost him being the leader of the Ascendancy if anyone finds out.”
Matthew’s emerald eyes widen, “Are you sure? Wait, how did you hear about this?”
“My father overhead Robert and Charles. But you can’t tell anyone. We are still working it out. I might need to speak with this Emmett that they mentioned.”
“So, you think Charles could get into trouble for this?” A smirk growing on Matthew’s face.
Jordan nods, “I do. But you can’t tell anyone until we know more. ”
“I would never.” Matthew says honestly. He takes another sip and Jordan catches the bluish tone of his skin.
“What happened?” Nodding his head towards Matthew’s jaw.
Matthew just shrugs it off. “Got hit in training today. Not a big deal.”
“Ah.” Jordan breathes out, dismissing him.
Matthew gives a half smile when his gaze moves off of Jordan and he digs his elbow into his friend’s ribs right as Jordan’s taking a sip of his champagne. Jordan half chokes on the liquid as a result.
“Kora and Daisy are coming.” Matthew warns him.
Jordan cuts Matthew a glare as the two girls approach them. Daisy grumbles loudly, “Where have you been? We have been looking all over for you two.” Her hands fisting on her cinched waist.
Jordan looks at Kora, unable to tear his gaze away from her. Long auburn hair loosely flowing down her back with the top half pinned into a tight knot. Greenish-brown eyes dazzling under the multitude of tiny candles lit above them. Her deep plum dress falling around her like a waterfall shimmering with tiny garnitures. She’s a head shorter than him, just reaching his collarbone. Small and slender. The line of her collarbone jutting out, drawing in Jordan’s attention even more.
“I was with Alice.” Matthew says defensively.
Daisy then looks at Jordan. “And you?” cocking up a brow curiously.
“Just mingling, and then I needed to speak with my friend here.” Jordan answers vaguely.
“About something important?” Kora asks, her eyes widening with concern.
He shakes his head at her. “Not too important. Nothing you need to worry about.” His voice is calm.
She gives him a faint smile.
“If you say so,” Daisy drawls before turning her attention to his friend. “Matthew, you owe me a dance, or did you forget? ”
“No, I didn’t forget.” Matthew chuckles, taking her hand and whisking her away as Daisy delightfully giggles.
Kora watches the two of them make their way into the centre of the room. “Would you like to dance as well?” Jordan asks beside her. She looks sideways at him, swallowing, as he takes a hold of her hand. Energy streams along his arm, his pulse thundering from their connection. He brings the back of her hand to his lips, softly kissing her skin before smiling. “Should we join them out there?”
Her mouth curls upwards. “Yes, I think we should.”
Dimples deepen on his masculine face. The dimples that have made many girls swoon for him.
Escorting her onto the floor, soft, harmonious music continues to echo throughout the ballroom. Melody and Levi dance beside them, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Jordan is grateful that the music is slower. He’s much swifter on his feet when the beat is drawn out and unhurried.
Unfortunately, Kora is not as coordinated with her dancing as she is when she’s fighting. She narrowly misses his shoes on multiple occasions as he guides her through the dance. He bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing at her.
“Did you know that Elodi and Ada have their eyes on you?” She breaks the silence between them, drawing him away from counting the music beats in his head.
Jordan’s gaze lowers down into her hazel eyes. “Ada and Elodi. Have I met them before?” He asks curiously.
Kora shrugs lightly. “You’d know if you’ve met them, believe me.”
His grin widens. “Why’s that?”
A small giggle bubbles out of her throat as she answers, “They’re some of the most irritating girls you’ll ever meet. They seem very fond of you, though.”
“Even more irritating than Charles? ”
Kora scoffs loudly, “Please. Nobody is as annoying as Charles.” She drawls.
Jordan snorts a laugh at her before he feels the pressure through his polished shoes. Kora’s cheeks redden as she bites her bottom lip. “Sorry.” She apologises politely. “You’re actually a better dancer than I expected.”
Jordan’s brows rise in surprise. “You thought I’d be terrible?”
She chuckles and shakes her head at him. “No, not terrible. I’m the terrible one.”
“You’re not that bad,” He says right when she stamps his foot for a second time. His dimples deepen, “I stand corrected.”
“Matthew also says I’m terrible.” Admitting to him while looking over her shoulder at Matthew and Daisy twirling around effortlessly.
Her foot hits his again, and she mentally curses at herself. “At least you’ll remember me as the worst girl you’ve ever danced with.” A nervous laugh escaping her throat.
Jordan’s eyes shimmer as his voice lowers to correct her. “The only girl I’ve danced with.” His gaze keeping on her eyes.
She falls silent, her lips parting slowly as she stares at him with widened eyes, his words sinking in. “What?”
“You’re the only girl I’ve danced with. Well, besides Valarie, but she doesn’t count as my sister.”
Kora’s face softens as they both fall silent. Jordan normally finds silence between him and a girl awkward, but somehow, this feels almost comforting. He never likes being this close to anyone, but Kora feels different. She makes his skin itch with delight. His blood pulses with intrigue and excitement. No girl has ever tickled him this way, but she has, ever since he laid eyes on her.
“Clarence used to do the same for me. He taught me how to dance. He taught me everything, actually. We’ve always just had each other since our parents died…” she trails off, her gaze slipping away.
“I am sorry about that.” Jordan whispers to her .
Her cheeks pinch, “I know. But it happened years ago. Clarence and I look after each other now. Our uncle Will sometimes does, although he’s not very reliable with travelling and work.”
“And Will has no idea about…”
She shakes her head at him. Her gaze flickering over his shoulder. “I-” She cuts herself off, not really knowing what to say, “Clarence said that I shouldn’t tell him, so I never did. I think Clarence was worried he’d blurt it out to Robert by accident. Clarence is terrified of what they might do with me if they discover my abilities.”
“What do you think they’ll do to you?”
“Experiments,” her voice is barely audible, “my blood is different. I have the Seraphim marking, but there’s something else inside of me that I can’t comprehend. I’m faster, and stronger, and I can heal quicker. What if they want to use that for their future generations?” Her eyes still not meeting his.
Jordan glances at the gilded halo Mark on her neck before asking, “And you’re scared they’ll want to use you for that?”
She nods to him. “Clarence just wants to protect me, as any older sibling would. He trained me to be the best within the Ascendancy so nobody would find out,” pausing to lick some moisture back into her bare lips, “but then you beat me.”
His brows knit. “Nobody has beaten you before?”
“No, I have a few times, but never wounded. I’d always concede before anyone drew blood.”
“Then why didn’t you just concede with me?” Jordan questions her curiously.
Now her eyes collide with his. Bright and warm. Green with a hint of gold and sable-it’s becoming one of his favourite colours. “I thought I could beat you.” She answers simply.
One corner of his mouth lifts as her face breaks out into a grin. “You are one of the best fighters I’ve come across. I can now see why Matthew and Daisy bragged about you in Oxford.”
“They spoke of me? ”
He nods. “I felt like I knew you before even meeting you, if that makes any sense?”
“It does. Lewis wouldn’t stop talking about Valarie before your family arrived. We were all tired of it after a week-especially Matthew.”
Jordan lets out a chuckle, spinning her through his arm before clasping her waist again. The fabric of her dress swishing like wine. His fingers dig lightly into the material.
“Speaking of,” Jordan’s eyes draw away from hers as he scans the ballroom, “where has my sister disappeared to?”
* ? * ? *
A chilling sensation flows over her exposed skin like a wintry breeze brushing up against her flesh. Except they’re inside the Ascendancy still. There’s no wind in here.
Daisy’s head is pounding from the glass of wine she downed right after stepping off the floor with Matthew. He’s currently speaking with Levi and Harry, whilst Alice is off retrieving Daisy a glass of water.
Sitting on a chair, Daisy rubs her temple with her fingers as her gaze lingers on Clarence in conversation with the Carters. She’s longing to be at his side, holding onto him and never letting go.
The stabbing at her head starts again, and she groans, standing up shakily. Alice is taking too long, and she needs to refresh herself.
Walking through the ballroom, Daisy dodges a couple arguing off to the side, a group clearly too tipsy to still be here and a child being scorned at by his mother for peeking up a woman’s skirt.
A man hits Daisy’s shoulder, and she’s almost knocked off her feet when someone catches her. The familiar scent settles Daisy’s racing pulse as Clarence holds her from behind. “Daisy, what’s wrong? ”
“I just have a headache.” She grits out as they finally reach the doors leading into the hallway of the Ascendancy. Clarence guides her down the corridor a bit before holding her against the wall. The pounding of her head failing to subside.
Her eyes clamp shut, and she can feel Clarence tensing in front of her. “This isn’t just a headache, Daisy. How much did you drink?”
“I only had one glass. It wasn’t even enough to get me dizzy.”
His hands reach up to replace hers on her temples. She winces until Clarence runs his fingertips in soothing circles. “Maybe I should take you home.” He offers.
Daisy nods against his fingertips. Her eyes flicker open to settle on the main doors. “I think you…”
Her words break off as she sees him. The shadowy figure standing in the atrium a few feet away from them.
“I should what?” Clarence questions her.
She doesn’t hear him, her gaze is locked on the blurred man watching them. His hair is redder than brown in this lighting. He’s still dressed in all black like he’s cloaked in night. A smirk dancing on his face as he stares.
His mouth opens and his chillingly enticing voice floats towards her. “Hello, Petal.”
Eyes widening, Daisy’s heart jumps into her throat and the beats of her blood quicken and vibrate down to her marrow.
“Daisy, what’s wrong?”
Swallowing, she watches the man take a step towards her. His head tilting to one side as he’s sickening smirk deepens. His hair’s more dishevelled this time, but still warm and fluffy. “I thought you would have tried harder keeping me out of your mind this time.”
Daisy tries stepping away, but her limbs don’t seem to want to work.
Clarence is now looking around frantically, trying to figure out what she’s so captivated by .
Green snake eyes stare her down like prey. “Trying to protect your friends. How courageous of you. You’re such a martyr,” he drawls as he steps closer again. “You know, I can feel every emotion your brain produces.” Mocking her lightly.
“I’m not helping you,” Daisy grits out.
“What?” Clarence looks at her like she’s terrifying him.
“I can tell what you feel for this man before you. You long for him. You want him for yourself.” The man teases her, grinding her gears. “You’re scared of me. Of what I’ll do to you and your loved ones. Yet, there’s also something inside of you that’s intrigued.” He continues closing the space between them. “You find me terrifying and alluring. You want me to leave you alone just as much as you want me here.”
“Stop!” Daisy shouts at him, tears prickling her eyes.
Clarence steps backwards, and she looks at him. His expression is a mixture of confusion and concern. “Daisy.” Clarence exhales slowly, but she focuses on the haunting man only a foot away from them now.
“Don’t you get it, Petal? I won’t stop until I’m done. When I have my power and this world. I won’t stop until this place knows my name and everyone flees from me. I won’t stop until I have what I deserve!” He yells at her with a face full of rage and terror.
“Stop!” She shouts again.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Daisy’s back slides down the wall, her head falls into her hands, covering her ears as she allows herself to cry. Her hot blood pounds erratically. “I won’t help you. Get out of my head!” She repeats to herself.
“Daisy.” Clarence’s voice is soothing compared with the man’s vengeful tone.
“Get out of my head!”
“Daisy, what’s going on? Talk to me.” Clarence is now crouching in front of her. “Look at me, Daisy.”
Her eyes flicker up into his before anxiously glancing to the side.
The blurred man has vanished .
Letting out a sob of relief, she falls into Clarence’s arms. “What was that, Daisy?”
Reluctantly, she tells him about the man haunting her mind. Clarence silently listens to her every word. She tries gauging his thoughts as she mentions the visions and night terrors and his words in her head.
She waits for him to yell at her for keeping this from him, but to her surprise, Clarence reaches up to wipe away the tears from her cheeks and kisses her gently on the forehead. “We’ll figure this out, Daisy. I promise I’ll help you find out who he is.”
Daisy shakes her head in his hands. “I’ve never seen him before. I don’t know who he is.” Fresh salty tears roll down her face once more and the soft pads of his fingertips swipe them dry. “I’m scared, Clarence. I’m too scared to sleep in case he comes back. I’m too scared to be alone.”
“I know, but we need to find out who he is. Maybe Kora can-”
“No!” Daisy’s raised voice cuts him off abruptly. “You can’t tell Kora. Not right now, at least. I don’t want this on her shoulders as well.”
“But she’s your closest friend. She deserves to know Daisy. She’ll want to help.”
“Exactly. She has enough to stress about already. I don’t want her to worry about this, too.”
Clarence’s eyes search her own. “Would you have told me if I wasn’t here right now?” his voice almost breaking as if he’s scared to know the truth.
Daisy’s gaze drops to her fingers fiddling in her lap. Would she have told him? Maybe eventually. “I don’t know,” she responds honestly, not able to look him in the eye, “he said he’ll hurt the ones I love. I wanted to protect you all from him, and I thought that meant keeping this from everyone.”
Clarence rocks back onto his heels as fear flashes across her face. “I know you want to protect us, but maybe you’re the one that needs protecting, Daisy.” He sighs heavily before reaching out and helping her back onto her feet. “How does your head feel now?”
“It’s fine. The aching is gone.”
His mouth tightens as he nods in understanding. “Come on, I’ll take you home to rest. Kora can ride with the Chiswick’s.”