Veil of Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Three - Supernatural Ball part3

The music pulsed around me, drawing me deeper into the rhythm as I danced with Jaxon. I felt lighter, the weight of the night lifting with every twirl and spin. We made our way over to Emma, Ethan, and Ryan, who were already moving to the beat, their laughter infectious.

"Look who decided to join the party!" Emma exclaimed, her face radiant as she grabbed my hand and pulled me into the circle.

I laughed, letting the energy of the moment sweep me away. Together, we danced, our bodies swaying in unison with the crowd. For a while, I forgot about everything else-about the tensions, the secrets, and the complicated dynamics swirling around me.

As the song transitioned into a slower, more melodic tune, I felt a tug of thirst pulling at me. "I need a drink," I said, glancing at Jaxon, who nodded.

"Let's go," he replied, guiding me toward the drinks table. The clinking of glasses and cheerful chatter filled the air as we approached the refreshment station.

I was pouring myself a glass of punch when I felt a familiar presence behind me. I turned to find Damian standing just a few feet away, his expression a mixture of admiration and something else-something harder to read.

"You truly look breathtaking," he said, his voice soft, almost sincere as his eyes roamed over my silver dress, the red accents glimmering under the dim lights.

"Thank you," I murmured, torn between politeness and the desire to end the conversation. I was still grappling with the emotions he stirred in me, and I didn't want to linger.

But then he surprised me. "I'm sorry," he said suddenly, his voice low.

I looked up at him, a questioning expression on my face. Part of me wanted to turn away, to walk back to Jaxon and my friends, but another part-one that was far too curious-stayed rooted in place.

"I'm sorry about what I did to you," he continued, his tone sincere. "I know it doesn't make up for what happened, but there are things about this world that you don't know, and I'm sorry. You may not believe it, but I was trying to protect you. I just wanted you to know."

With that, he stepped back, the distance between us widening, leaving me stunned. I opened my mouth to respond, to ask what he meant, but the words wouldn't come.

Before I could process his apology, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the throng of dancers. My heart raced with confusion, a storm of emotions swirling inside me. I needed to talk to someone, but what would I even say?

I took a deep breath, shaking off the encounter as I walked back to the group. Jaxon caught my eye, concern etched on his face as he leaned against the table.

"Everything okay?" Sebastian asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Yeah," I lied, not wanting to burden them with my swirling thoughts. I forced a smile, trying to project confidence. "Just needed a drink."

But as I looked across the room, my gaze locked onto Lucas, who stood near the edge of the dance floor. The moment our eyes met, a jolt of electricity coursed through me. His expression was intense, his bright silver eyes piercing through the crowd, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher.

For a brief moment, it felt like the rest of the world faded away, and it was just the two of us. I was drawn to him, the tension between us palpable and electric.

But just as quickly as the connection sparked, it flickered, and I was pulled back to reality. The chaos of the ball surged around me, but my heart was still racing. I tried to shake off the confusion and focus on my friends, on the night ahead.

I couldn't let Damian's words or Lucas's gaze distract me-not tonight. I needed to enjoy the ball, to savor every moment, no matter how complicated everything felt.

As the music changed again, I joined my friends on the dance floor, forcing myself to smile and dance, even as thoughts of what Damian had said and the intensity of Lucas's gaze danced at the edges of my mind.