Everyone is so loving here, I can’t help the beaming smile on my face as I make my way to Amelia and throw my arms around my sister. “Thank you for encouraging me to do that. I loved it!”
“She’s caught the bug now,” Amelia says to Liz, grinning as well as she pulls me into a firm hug. “I’ve always thought you were wasting your voice not getting into performing.”
I shrug. “I don’t think it’ll ever be serious with me and singing, but maybe I can fill in every once and while.”
Amelia squeezes me. “Actually, I was thinking maybe Goddess’ Trance needs a backup singer.”
I laugh. “Nah, I don’t think so. Without me as a band manager you guys would be hopeless,” I tease.
Arms reach around my middle as I’m swept upwards in a strong pair of arms. I struggle a bit until I hear Grim’s reassuring laugh. “Hey, babe,” he says in my ear. “You were incredible up there. I had no idea you could sing.”
He puts me down on my unsteady feet and spins me around to face him. I clutch his forearms to steady myself and see the white ribbon still fixed to my wrist. My stomach drops as I look at Grim. Part of me is realizing I don’t want to be celebrating with him. My eyes wander off to my right, where I see Wrath giving Reese a quick hug. He turns to Mist and practically picks him up in celebration.
I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like for him to come over and wrap me up in his arms, not to comfort me like he did that night in the maze, but in celebration.
Grim follows my gaze and reaches out, gripping my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger. “Bliss,” he says softly. “Remember what I told you.”
I return his serious look and nod. Except I can’t exactly stay away from Pisces Penrose. Not since we’ll be going on tour with him.
A phone rings. Liz pulls out her phone and heads further backstage to get away from the noise.
I disentangle myself from Grim, wanting to find Wrath, and stars—I don’t know. Even if nothing can come of this, I think, I think I want to see where it could lead. I think he feels the same way. I think he wants to find out what’s between us.
And I know the wraith is up to something. I know this is what I amsupposedto be doing, but now I want it for myself, not for whatever his plan is.
I search for him. I’ll pull him aside. I’ll kiss him, even if our masks get in the way. And I’ll see if he kisses me back.
Maybe.
As I look around for him, I can feel doubt and insecurity starting to creep in. What if he doesn’t kiss me back?
I don’t think I could survive the rejection.
A moment later, a scream makes my blood run cold. I tense as we all look towards the spot behind the stage. Before I can even think about it, I take off running, still in my costume, mask and all.
Amelia and Grim call out after me and multiple sets of shoes pound on the concrete. Whether they’re running after me, or running to where the scream came from, I don’t know.
I make it there first.
Gwen stands there with her hands over her mouth, frozen in place, eyes locked on a body that’s crumpled a few feet away from her.
I come to a halt next to her, reaching out and grasping her arm. “Gwen, what happened?”
Wrath reaches us next, coming to stand in front of Gwen and I, shielding us from the body. It’s so much worse than I could have imagined. Stars, it’s horrible. I’m not an expert, but it looks like the woman fell from the stage’s scaffolding. I look up at the metal beams constructed high above us and immediately wish I hadn’t. It’s a very long way down.
“Bliss,” Wrath says softly, bringing my gaze to his mask. I can’t see his eyes, so mine end up resting on his lips again. “Take Gwen over there.” He motions to where there’s a ledge in the large stairwell we’re in. I do, steering the other girl over so she can lean against the wall. She stares at her feet now.
“What happened?” I ask again.
She shakes her head. “I came down here because I heard a noise. I thought maybe I saw Simon. But when I got here…” She trails off, waving her hand towards the body, where Grim and a few other Phantoms have now gathered. Simon, Poison, and Amelia have also made their way down, along with my aunt.
Liz is still on the phone, exchanging words with someone.
Heated shouts erupt as Grim roughly shoves Wrath backwards. Poison and Simon come to his aid just in time, preventing him from tripping over himself. “What the fuck?” Simon spits out.
“Get him the fuck out of here!” Grim snarls. “This is a crime scene.”
“What are you? A cop?” Simon quips, annoyed.
