Chapter 24
Dancing in the Moonlight
JESSICA
Seven Years Ago
I’ve seen more of Shadow since my birthday than in all the time since I first met him.
We explored the public areas of the LS. We ate lunches and dinners together.
We enjoyed one of Emily’s roller derby tournaments, took in a movie, and strolled through three museums. He took me, the Blackguards, Sixes, and the twins on a tour of Harvard—transportation courtesy of his magic—and tonight, we’re all going to see Charlie in concert.
Standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I sigh, thinking about Shadow, as I apply the concealer over the scar on my face.
I hold the makeup wand and listen to Emily and Sixes’s hushed conversation.
When the direction of their conversation doesn’t change or falter, I continue to apply the foundation.
I don’t want them to notice that I’m spending time covering the scar.
I’ve been doing it more lately, especially when Shadow comes around.
I have a crush on a man I have no business crushing on.
He’s older than me and more mature. He’s graduating from law school.
More importantly, he’s a guard. I pat the foundation over my skin, blending in the concealer.
Two weeks ago, Shadow stood in the mansion’s sitting room, awkward and unsure, different from how he normally carries himself. He also looked like he struggled, as if enduring an internal dialogue. His eyes darted back and forth, his body stiff and ready for a fight.
Then, in a snap, he transformed right before my eyes.
His posture relaxed, and the irritated look on his face melted into a comfortable ease.
An amused smile flit across his lips, and he exuded something dark and sinister.
Even the blue of his eyes darkened to almost black.
He walked toward me with a confident swagger, unlike the stiffness I saw the day we first met.
What shocked me the most was when he asked if he could take me somewhere.
He claimed it was a surprise to make up for not getting me a gift for my birthday.
I didn’t know what to make of his unexpected request. Why would this handsome mysterious man want to spend time with me?
What the hell was someone like me supposed to talk about?
Maybe out of some morbid curiosity and giddiness, I agreed to go with him.
The more time I spent with Shadow, he slowly metamorphosed into a different person.
He had more animation in his features, with a hint of a boyish quality.
His eyes lightened to a sapphire blue that twinkled with mischief.
Even his clothing changed from suit sets to more casual jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies.
He isn’t the only one changing. For the first time in months, I feel like my old self again, not that scared, sad little girl that sat broken on the bed tucked away in a corner room of the clinic.
I feel like that girl who settled into her new home, who worked on the dairy, who loved playing the piano, writing and composing songs, playing the guitar with Duck in his garage band.
I am the girl who loves being around her family, with ambition to finish college and make something of herself.
That girl returned to the surface again, and despite the scars reminding me of where I started, I love what I see in the mirror.
I have Shadow to thank for helping me restore my confidence.
I haven’t decided when, but I’m ready to talk about what happened that night before the guard ball, as well as the weird things happening to my magic—or lack of magic—lately.
Emily and I stumble into my bedroom, drunk on the high of the night and seeing Charlie in his element.
My ears still ring with the roar of the crowd screaming his name.
Women and men held up handmade posters professing their love for him.
There are no words to describe just how happy I am for Charlie, to be there for him, to see his dream come true.
“You were freakin’ amazing!” Emily cries, bounding on my bed with leftover excitement. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to chicken out and run.”
“I was going to,” I admit as I join her. Shadow saw my short moment of panic when Charlie called for me to join him on the stage. He whispered to one of the stagehands, who scurried off and returned with a baseball cap and sunglasses.
“Pretend you’re at home singing with the dairy hands,” Shadow said as he placed the items on my head. He bent low and made eye contact as he adjusted the sunglasses. “Or you could pretend that you’re singing for someone special, waiting for your confessions of love.”
My breath stuttered, and my cheeks flamed with heat.
He winked before standing to his full height. Was he flirting with me?
“Earth to Jessica!” Emily waves her hand in front of my face. “I asked you a question.”
“Oh, sorry. I was just reliving that moment of singing with Charlie on stage.”
She eyes me suspiciously and hums. “So, we’re watching my favorite show, then?” she asks, reaching over me to grab the remote.
I snort. “I don’t get why you like that show so much. A bunch of women doing ridiculous things on TV just to get a man’s attention.” I flip my hair over my shoulder, push out my lips, and bat my eyes. “Pick me. Pick me! I’m beautiful and pretend to be dumb so you can choose me to be your mate.”
She pulls the pillow out from behind her back and hits me in the face with it. “Don’t dis AGOHD. Besides, those women are hot. I’m waiting for contestant number eight to realize that the bachelor is a jerk, and she can do so much better.”
“Then I guess the bachelor will be quite upset if that happens. She seems to be the favorite right now.”
Emily shrugs as she scrolls through the channels.
“She’s totally out of his league. She will be eliminated soon.
My theory is that they ask to be rejected when they realize that the Alpha is a tool.
” She flashes me a mischievous smile and returns her attention back to the TV, squealing in delight when she finds the channel.
After the episode, Emily’s soft slow breaths fill the quite space of my room as the ending credits roll down the screen. I wish I could sleep as easily as she does. My mind is still on the concert and my time with Shadow over the past two weeks.
Was he really flirting with me tonight? Or did I just make that all up in my head?
I glance down at Emily. I wish I could ask her what she thought, but I don’t want to make it weird in case I’m wrong.
Charlie flirts with me all the time, and it’s harmless.
Maybe Shadow’s just comfortable around me now and…
A soft tap against my glass door stops me mid-thought.
That can’t be right. My bedroom is three stories above the ground.
Another rap against my glass door pulls me from the comfort of my bed.
Curious, I pull the heavy drapes back to find Shadow standing on the other side.
My stomach swirls with butterflies at the sight of him. What is he doing here?
He waves and steps back as I slip outside onto the balcony. He sheepishly looks down and bites his bottom lip. “I couldn’t sleep, and the truth is I didn’t want this night to end without knowing your answer.” He tucks his hands into the front pocket of his hoodie.
The moon shines bright tonight. I can see his features so clearly as he waits for my response. He is so devastatingly handsome. The bachelor on Emily’s favorite show pales in comparison.
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember you asking me a question.” I glance down at my bare feet.
“When you were singing, did you picture yourself singing with the dairy workers, or did you see yourself singing to your someone special? Like Liam? Or one of the dairy hands? Maybe me?”
Him!? Goddess, what do I say without sounding like a complete idiot? I shake my head. “My mind just kind of went blank.” I continue to stare down at the planks beneath my feet, afraid to watch his reaction. If I did look up, would I see relief? Is he subtly hinting that we’re just friends?
“If I hadn’t made it very clear…”
I knew it. It was just harmless flirting, and I overanalyzed everything and read too much into it.
“I really like you. More than just like you.”
My head snaps up. “Me?” This isn’t real. Shadow likes me?
He lets out a breathy laugh. “No. I’m talking about Sleeping Beauty crashed out on your bed.” I peer over my shoulder to look where I left Emily. His warm hand covers mine, and tiny electrical tingles ghost against the palm of my hand. “Sorry. Bad joke. I’m working on it.”
He pulls me toward the balcony table and guides me to sit on the chair. Our knees touch. He bends his head to look at me.
“I drove myself crazy thinking that you were singing for someone else and…”
I release my hand from his grip and place it over his mouth. “It was you. I was just too embarrassed to say it out loud. I sang for you, to you. I have a crush on you. I think I have since the first time we met.” My face burns hotter.
He pulls my hand away from his mouth and smiles. “Me, too.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. The sound of applause, whistles, and clapping fills the silence. Charlie’s voice follows.
I search Shadow’s face. He recorded us singing.
He pushes the chair back to stand. “May I have this dance?” he asks.
I stand, nodding in response, too entranced with this beautiful man to form words.
He pulls me into his arms, and we sway together in time to the music. The light of the moon beams down on both of us. I sing along to my part. His arms tighten around me. When the song ends, the roar of the crowd blasts from the phone’s speaker.
Tucking his finger under my chin, he tilts my head back. “May I kiss you?”
I lift onto my toes and press my lips against his.