43. Rook
The symphony had begunto play and couples swirled around us, their faces hidden by their masks. I kept my eyes open and alert for any lurking danger.
And, even though my gaze continually scanned the room, I couldn’t stop the pull to Summer.
My fingers tracing over her skin. Her body pressed to mine. Her smell permeating my nose like an addictive drug. My senses attuned to every movement she made.
She made me feel alive in ways I had never felt before.
We moved as one, even though we hadn”t practiced the steps together, as she allowed me to guide her smoothly across the floor, trusting me to take care of her.
I couldn”t be happier.
Happy. When had I ever used that word to describe myself? I couldn’t remember.
I held her close, my fingertips buzzing at the contact, and, taking a brief minute to appreciate the moment, I pressed my face into her hair. Inhaling deep. Breathing in the woman who made me feel alive again.
”Excuse me, may I borrow Miss Duvall for a dance?”
I opened my eyes to see Tucker standing there.
“Tucker!” Summer stopped dancing and smiled at him, her face lighting up. “How are you?”
I scowled, growling out low and angry. “No.”
Tucker gave me a roguish, lopsided grin. ”Looks like you”ve acquired some taste since we last spoke.” He was staring at the tie Summer had gotten me. It was a dark plum, paisley color, and it matched her dress.
”Isn”t it awesome?” Summer preened, happy that someone had noticed I was wearing something other than my usual black or silver. She ran her fingers down it, smoothing it over, making a tingle spread out my chest and into my fingers.
My scowl grew deeper. I didn”t tingle. And yet, Summer made me feel like a little kid again. And Tucker standing here was ruining my vibe.
”My darling,” Tucker took her hand, kissing the tips of her knuckles. ”Would you please ignore the grumpy man and honor me with a dance? If not, I”ll be so devastated, I”ll jump off a cliff.” His tone turned pleading, blinking with large puppy dog eyes.
”Awww,” Summer sighed, a hand to her chest, making me want to strangle the guy. She looked at me, asking for permission and, even though I was itching to throw him off a cliff myself, Summer could choose for herself.
Hadn”t I taught her that—she was in charge of her own destiny.
How could I teach her to control her own life, while withholding something she seemed to be excited about, all because I was being a caveman and hated Tucker with every fiber of my being.
”Yes, of course,” I forced the words through gritted teach. “It’s your decision.”
”Well, I do declare,” Tucker effected a heavy, southern accent, his hand squeezing my arm, ”Rook Craven, if someone special hasn”t gotten your panties in a twist and turned you into a gentleman.” He led Summer off with a wink at me and a cocky smirk.
I slid my hands into my pockets, watching them the whole time with a glower, making sure he wasn”t going to do anything nefarious, like hurt her, try to kidnap her…
…or possibly kiss her…
They danced through one song, then started another, with her glancing shyly at me as the second one began. I nodded, trying to school my face, and ignored the other women in the room giving me not so subtle hints for their attention.
Suddenly, she laughed at something he said and my chest tightened with jealousy. I couldn’t stop the low growl in my throat. My fingers itched to wrap around his neck. Or maybe I could break his jaw. I should be the only man to make her laugh.
There was a subtle shift of movement from out of the corner of my eye.
I turned, my instincts on high alert.
Olivia and the Maidens had disappeared. I couldn’t see Saul or Maxon, though they must be here somewhere. Couples were still dancing, the orchestra still playing, people laughing. And yet…there was something off.
Keeping half my attention on Tucker and Summer, I roamed the large ballroom, my sharp gaze taking everything in…until, I saw her.
She stood at the edge of the dance floor, all in white, her veil keeping her identity from me.
Surely, she would be punished for staying behind, or her betrothed would be looking for her.
Somehow she”d managed to escape and was staring at me. Even with her eyes hidden behind her lace veil and standing in the shadows as she was, I knew she”d wanted my attention.
I glanced at Tucker, unconvinced that him asking Summer to dance at this precise moment wasn”t connected to the Lady in White.
Still keeping a keen eye on the two dancing, I made my way through the shadows of the room towards her.
We stood by each other for a long time, not speaking. I could see that her chest fluttered nervously, and she kept touching her hair.
What the hell was going on? And what was so important that made a Maiden defy the Veritas to speak to me?
Finally, she spoke and I had to lean cautiously forward to hear her.
”They will take her tonight.”
A weight sat heavy on my chest—she was talking about Summer.
”Who are you?” I was instantly suspicious.
She dared to look at me, her dark eyes boring into me. ”You don”t need to know that.”
I suddenly recognized her—the rare molten golden color of her eyes betraying her identity.
It was the woman Maxon was in love with. The Maiden also promised to his son.
“Birch Boudreau,” I said.
She froze for a whole five seconds, yet her face didn’t betray any emotions, though it was hard to tell underneath her veil.
“If you reveal me, you have killed me,” she finally answered, raising her hand to pull at the collar suffocating her neck.
She had a tattoo of a bird in flight on her inner wrist. It was small but clearly visible. This little act of rebellion showed me she wasn”t like the other puppets the Veritas kept. “Regardless, I”m here to warn you, they’ll take her tonight, and unless she gives them what they want, they”ll keep her. Forever.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
”You”ll have to decide that on your own. Trust me—or not. It’s your choice.”
She stepped back, but I grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving.
“Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?” I growled, my fingers holding her tight, determined to know the truth. No one in the Veritas did anything without wanting something in return.
“Because,” surprising me, she lifted her veil, revealing defiant eyes. “I want to.”
I held her gaze for a moment, wishing I could peek inside her mind. I didn’t trust anyone here except for Summer.
And yet, she was going out on a limb—risking her life, as she’d put it—to warn me.
That I knew to be true.
“Thank you,” I said, releasing her wrist, and she nodded, then quickly melted into the shadows and disappeared in a throng of people.
I didn’t watch her go, but yanked out my phone, my gaze snapping to Tucker.
He was looking at me.
He nodded once, then stepped back, and gave Summer a polite bow.
Why the fuck would Tucker help me?
I shot off a quick text, then started towards Summer. This woman may have just saved Summer’s life.
Before I’d taken a few steps, four large men in gray suits formed a wall in front of me. Behind them, I spotted a man in a demon mask appearing by Summer’s side.
I was too late.