Veil of Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Two - Supernatural Ball part2

It was as if the night made every worry go away. The ball was now, and everything else felt like it was on the back burner. I reveled in the attention I was receiving; compliments floated around me like confetti, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a spark of joy.

Damian kept his distance, thankfully, but I could feel his eyes on me, a weight that both thrilled and unsettled me. The intensity of his gaze burned through the crowd, igniting a confusing mix of emotions within me. I hated that I didn't hate it. Despite everything that had happened, there was still something there-a pull that I couldn't quite shake. And I hated him for it.

Emma and Ethan were the life of the party. Emma was dazzling in her gown, chatting animatedly with Ryan, her date, who had striking red hair and fiery red eyes. At first, I thought he might be a vampire who hadn't mastered the art of blending in. However, when I asked about his eyes, he simply smiled and revealed he was a hellhound-whatever that meant. The supernatural world was full of surprises.

As the music swelled and laughter echoed around us, I lost myself in the moment. But then I felt a presence nearby, and I turned to find Lucas approaching, his expression serious yet softening as he caught sight of me.

"You look amazing," I whispered, a genuine smile spreading across my face. The sparkle of the ballroom lights caught the silver in my dress, and for a fleeting moment, I felt as if I were the only one that mattered.

He didn't say anything at first, his gaze searching mine, a mix of emotions swirling behind his eyes.

"You didn't come see me," he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Guilt washed over me like a cold wave, and I glanced over at Jaxon, who was at the drinks table, mingling with other guests. He looked relaxed, engaged in conversation, but I felt a pang of regret.

"I'm sorry I-" I started, but he interrupted me.

"Why?" His question hung in the air, thick with unspoken words.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the weight of his stare made it hard to breathe. "I didn't want to see you like that," I admitted finally. "I was scared of how I felt. I didn't know how to handle it."

He took a step closer, the distance between us evaporating. "I've been worried about you, Aria. You know that, right?" His voice was low, intimate, almost protective.

I looked down, my heart racing. "I know, and I appreciate it. I really do. It's just...everything has been so chaotic." I felt the need to explain myself, to make him understand that my silence wasn't a reflection of my feelings for him.

"I wanted to be there for you," Lucas pressed, his brow furrowed. "You don't have to go through this alone."

I nodded, guilt creeping back in as I thought about how I had let my fears cloud my judgment. "I've been dealing with my own stuff, and I didn't want to bring you down with me."

He reached out, his fingers brushing my arm. "You could never bring me down. You lift me up." There was a sincerity in his voice that made my heart flutter.

Before I could respond, Jaxon appeared at my side, a grin on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, what's going on here?" He glanced between us, his tone light but an edge of protectiveness threaded through it.

"Just catching up," I replied, forcing a smile. I didn't want to create any tension between them, but I could sense Jaxon's unease.

"Good," Jaxon said, his gaze lingering on Lucas for a moment before he turned to me. "We should hit the dance floor. It's time to have some fun."

"Sure," I said, grateful for the change of pace. I shot Lucas a quick smile. "We'll talk later?"

"Definitely," he replied, and there was an understanding in his eyes that made me hopeful.

As Jaxon led me to the dance floor, I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The music pulsed through the room, and we joined the throng of students moving to the rhythm. Jaxon's hands settled on my waist, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of exhilaration as we swayed together.

"Having fun?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Yeah! I really am," I replied, trying to focus on the moment. But my mind kept drifting back to Lucas-his warm gaze, the way he seemed to see right through me. It made my heart race in a way I wasn't sure I was ready to confront.

As we danced, I caught glimpses of Emma and Ryan twirling nearby, laughter bubbling between them. But then I noticed Damian lurking at the edge of the dance floor, his expression dark and brooding.

Jaxon followed my gaze and frowned. "Don't let him ruin your night. You look too good to let anyone bring you down."

I laughed lightly, though the unease remained. "I know. I just wish he'd stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" Jaxon pressed, his brows knitting together.

"Like I'm the reason he's unhappy," I replied, my voice barely above the music. "It's infuriating."

"Forget about him. Tonight is about you. Enjoy yourself, Aria." Jaxon's voice was reassuring, and I felt a warmth spread through me at his words.

With that, I let myself be swept away by the music, the lights, and the thrill of the moment. I laughed and danced, feeling the tension of the night melt away. But as I glanced back at Lucas, still standing by the drinks table, his eyes locked onto mine, I realized that the complexity of my feelings was far from over.