The Beasts Inside Us

Chapter 23

I pick up my pace to follow the path I saw him go. It leads me to the corner of the ballroom where there are fewer people. Eyes wide and searching, I stop for a second and scan the crowd again.

What am I going to do if it is actually him? Do I want to go up to him? No. He hates me. I should leave him alone.

But I can't.

I'm about to give up when I hear it.

My name. The sound of it coming from his mouth causes my whole body to freeze. Even though I'm frozen in place, I feel hot all over. Also a little panicky.

"Allie. I know that's you, look at me."

Tears well up in my eyes and I quickly blink them away. I don't want him to know I care. I need to be nonchalant.

I turn to him slowly.

"Caide." I almost choke on his name as my eyes land on him.

He looks the same. Still beautiful.

No. I can't think that.

He's ugly, he's ugly, he's -

"I am sorry it took me this long to find you."

Hold up. Find me? He gave me away, he should know where I am.

I slowly shake my head, clenching my fists at my sides. "What do you-"

He steps into my space. Woah, back up please, I can't breathe. "I sent the guards to look for you and bring you back to the castle. I didn't believe them when they said you weren't on the territory at all."

"But- but you."

"Then, I got a call. Tavarious said you had agreed to go live with him. He told me he could help you better than I could."

"Stop!" I squint my eyes closed. Nothing makes sense. Why is he here? "You gave me away. You told Tavarious to take me."

"I swear I didn't, Allie. Once I figured out he was lying to me, I tracked you. The witches tried to free you for me, but he was too powerful."

"The witches? That was you?" I can't disguise my watery eyes as I look up at him. He doesn't hate me. He looked for me. He came to take me back.

"But you said I didn't mean anything to you." I am smiling now, tears and all.

Caide avoids eye contact. "The circumstances were unfair and I wanted to make them right. I don't like being lied to."

Well. I guess that's as good as I'll get.

"And Marie threatened to hurt me if I didn't get you back."

Oh, Marie.

I feel ecstatic and confused all at once. Everything I thought had been a lie.

Wait a minute.

He lied to me. Tavarious made everything up to get me to come with him. But how did he know? He gave so many details that he should not have known.

"Caide, I think-"

"There you are!" I jump as a hand softly glides against my lower back. Caide goes stiff as James joins us.

James doesn't seem to notice Caide at first. "Why'd you run off? I was hoping for one more dance before the night ends."

I stare at him, wondering if he knows about all the lies his uncle has told.

"I think I want to call it a night and head to bed, actually." This was all too much.

"Wait." Caide finally cuts in and goes to grab my arm.

James quickly pulls me away before he can reach me. "And who are you?"

Caide glowers at him. "Someone you don't want to mess with."

I am a little shocked as I see black seep into James's eyes. He had been concealing his true features for so long, I forgot what he really looked like. It seems that even experienced demons have trouble keeping their temper in check.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I don't take threats very lightly."

Caide chuckles. "I need to speak to your uncle first, and then I'll be out of your way."

"Caide, what a lovely surprise." Oh, great. I really hope this doesn't turn ugly.

We all look up at Tavarious as he towers over us. His dark aura cascades down and seems to act as a blockade to the light and laughter behind him.

James keeps his eyes locked on Caide as he speaks, "uncle, it seems we have an unwanted guest at our ball."

Tavarious laughs, giving him a rough pat on the back, "Caide is always welcome, James. What did you need to talk about, my dear friend?"

Caide scoffs, "you need to start telling the truth. I do not entertain liars."

I bristle at the sudden tension. James looks ready to pounce and I don't know why I do it, but my hand is suddenly on his arm.

His head swivels towards me. He stares in bewilderment at my hand, then slowly glances at me.

"Um- I.. you seemed ready to kill Caide."

He steps close to me and his attention shifts from his uncle's conversation to ours.

"And why would it matter? He was ready to yank you by your arm. Aren't you mad?"

The sudden close proximity makes it hard to respond, but I try my best.

"One, I can handle myself. Two, I've known Caide for years and, while he is an ass, he wouldn't hurt me."

Well, that's a slight lie. Training always left me with many bruises.

"So you're here to take her back?"

That one statement brings me back to the other conversation.

Caide looks between me and James in confusion before responding to Tavarious. I step away from James when I realize how close we still are.

"Yes. You lied to both of us and still refuse to say the truth. I'm taking Allie back tonight and we can speak tomorrow. You will tell me everything you were planning to do with her."

"And if I don't?" Tavarious regards Caide with slight indignation.

"You will, if you ever want to see her again."

"What makes you think I won't stop you?"

"Because I don't think it will help you if Allie hates you. You need her here out of her own free will."

When Tavarious doesn't respond, Caide takes that as his cue to leave.

"Come on, Allie, let's go." He begins to make his way back through the crowd.

"You're really going to leave? Just like that?"

I look back at James.

"You guys lied to me. I trusted you."

He doesn't say anything as I leave.