My Darkest Shadow

Chapter 25

The night of the gala, my stomach was in knots. My nerves splintering, it was excruciating to get ready with Maria. Her usual glee at donning the traditional bright red gowns and comparing our accessories was replaced by anxiety at confronting Arthur. Between pacing, she left the room to check to see if Kael had arrived with the car. The thought of seeing him again was probably as irritating for her as it was me.

In the large mirror over my dresser, I studied my reflection. Crimson sleeves hugged my shoulders. The gown was exquisite, costing at least fifteen thousand dollars if not more. 

My eyes drifted up. The diamond necklace that hugged my throat felt hard and cold. Diamonds. I looked behind me but Maria hadn't reemerged from the living room. She'd purchased every item in my wardrobe tonight. Was the choice in gem coincidence?

Stop it Harper. Maria was someone I should trust. There was no reason to suspect her. My hands played against the gems as I fought my doubts in her, in Kael, in everyone.

Trust was something that didn't come easily to me. I'd fought with this my entire life, and with Kael, I continued to doubt and regain trust in rapid succession. I'd trusted him to help me sort this business with Arthur. I'd even managed a nod when he'd said he would take care of Garrett. But seeing the dark sedan and Lila had reminded me of something Ava had said. I knew very little of the real Kael. I needed to trust him, but as long as he kept secrets, I couldn't. He was an enigma. I was a victim of the self-assurance that hid his secrets.

"He's just pulled up." I jumped at Maria's voice behind me.

Her reflection in the mirror dropped a hand on my shoulder. Like mine, her dress was a rich color of red though her neckline dipped further and a daring split came up the left side of her gown. The diamond earrings that came with my necklace slapped the side of her face as she moved, their chandelier of jewels glistening in the light.

Half facing her, I said, "I'm sorry about him Maria. But we need his help tonight."

Bright red lips turned down. "I know. And you think we can trust him?"

I didn't voice my thoughts though I wanted to. Turning away from Maria, I caught my frown in the mirror.

The kiss. The nightmares where he'd hurt me. They were all troubling but nothing was worse than the secrets, the way he'd secure my trust and then continue with his own agenda. It had bothered me before, but there was always too much at stake to have an option, too much happening to consider alternatives.

A car door closed outside and Maria squeezed my arm. "Well?"

My lips twisted to the side in indecision. "To be honest, I don't think there's anyone in the world I trust except you, Maria." Small comfort, but it was true.

Minutes later we stepped out into the cool night. New fears awakened in my heart. Even with the white fur tucked around me I felt cold. The knot twisted tighter in my stomach. Part of me wished this evening were over, the truth about Arthur revealed. Another part of me wanted to stand on the threshold forever, keeping Arthur the father figure I needed him to be.

Kael leaned against the door to the black limousine. Though rented, his tuxedo fit him well. The dark material stretched over his broad shoulders. He'd bothered to style his hair for once. The groomed look highlighted his grave expression. He held a cell phone to his ear, and as we exited, he lowered it. Lila was probably on the other line, telling him that Garrett was ill from the poor conditions they'd left him in. What was included in accommodations ranked four out of ten? Food? A bed?

Kael's hand on my back ushering me into the car pulled me from Garrett's captivity. Maria was already inside, leaning against the far door.

"I need to talk to you," I whispered.