Chapter 148
JACE
I scanned the crowd again for what seemed like the tenth time in five minutes.
Yes. Crowd.
Although this year's Ice Stone Ball's guest list was very exclusive and strictly by invitation, there were still quite a several people in attendance. A number I was far from comfortable with.
Not that you would even guess by looking at me.
I caught a reflection of myself in one of the glass French windows. In a suit, with slicked back hair and shiny new limited edition shoes, I was the picture of sophisticated calm.
In my head, I played a little game where I peered closely at the luxurious masks of our guests and wondered just what their motives and intents were.
Was this one an enemy? Was that one a friend?
It didn't matter though. Tonight I was in charge of security. Tonight, I wouldn't let anything happen to Hannah. I would keep her safe no matter what.
Willa's attack was a warning that someone was still after Hannah. Their plans would definitely not work with me in charge tonight.
To my left was a sudden surge of movement. Several of the guests were talking and looking up at someone or something.
It was Hannah, descending the stairs. Even though she was wearing a mask with elegant gold lines, I knew my mate. She descended the stairs slowly, holding up her dress so she didn't trip.
It was a low-necked, low-backed gown that flowed over her body like molten silver. The way it hugged her curves set my heart thumping. The bright red colour matched her aura—something that most people felt. From somewhere deep inside, my wolf stirred.
What wouldn't I give to be alone, locked in a room with her at this very moment?
I didn't know when I started to move until I almost bumped into someone. I murmured an apology and walked faster. At the bottom of the staircase, Cade and Chase, who seemed to have popped out of nowhere, met her.
I bit back a growl. They were my brothers, and I loved them to death, but sometimes they could get in the way.
"What's this? An ambush?" Hannah asked, her smooth laughing voice coming from behind her mask of fear. I knew she was scared, but I was here to make her feel safe.
"It is whatever you call it. My lady," Cade said with an old-fashioned bow.
Was that a pocket watch he had on? And it wasn't even a costume party. Trust Cade to always want to go slightly overboard sometimes.
"Everyone's staring," Chase said with a hint of pride in his voice. "Well, almost everyone," he amended.
"Why wouldn't they?" I said, my eyes still fixed on Hannah. "You're a vision. Your beauty is dazzling."
"Who? Me?" Chase asked, pretending to be shocked.
I rolled my eyes and elbowed him a little too hard in the ribs. "Not you, stupid. Her. You look exquisite, Hannah."
"Why, thank you." She held out the sides of her dress and dropped a graceful curtsy. "You three look very handsome, too handsome in fact."
Chase made an impatient movement and sunk his voice into a whine. "Come on, Hannah. Don't keep us in suspense anymore. Let's see your face."
Hannah laughed. "I thought this was supposed to be a masked party but okay."
She grasped the sides of the mask, took it off, and then shook her hair free. There was a moment when the world seemed to shift beneath my feet. I didn't have to look at my brothers to know that they felt the same way.
Colourful, carefully applied makeup snaked across Hannah's face. The silver glittering eyeshadow around her eyes made them pop. She looked beautiful and very exotic.
"Stunning," Cade said, sounding a little short of breath. "The make-up-"
"Did it myself," Hannah said proudly.
Her eyes dimmed a little. I knew she was thinking about Willa, who would certainly have been the one obsessing over every detail of their clothes.
With some effort, I shook off the pang of sadness. Willa would be fine. The poison was almost all out of her system now. Just a few more days or hours.
I held out my hand to Hannah and slapped away Cade's.
"Dance with me?" I asked.
"Hey. Aren't you supposed to be in charge of security?" Cade said. He made a shooing motion with his hands. "Go on. Go and secure something."
"After a dance," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "And shouldn't you be in charge of the guest list?"
Cade faked a yawn, then winked when Hannah giggled. "Already done, brother. The guests are here already, aren't they?"
Chase sniggered. I was seriously contemplating catching, or more accurately, snatching, Hannah up in my arms and spinning her across the dancefloor when a girl interrupted us.
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