Page 58 of Salem’s Rise

“There you are,” he says, smiling as I approach, but the smile disappears the moment he sees my face. “What happened? Are you all right?” His expression hardens. “Did he do something to you?”

“I’m fine,” I say, because telling Rowan about Silas kissing me is not a conversation I want to have. “Where is everyone? Lena and Jonah are gone. Their parents. Georgina and her parents. Lucien. Van. Silas. Your parents.” I gesture around us. “Where did they all go?”

“People leave parties, Jack.” His tone is light, but he doesn’t quite meet my eyes.

“Did something happen to Lena and Jonah? They didn’t even say goodbye.”

“They’re fine.”

The certainty in his voice makes my stomach tighten.

“How do you know?”

“I just do.” He glances toward the nearest doorway before looking back at me. “It’s getting late. You should head back to campus.”

The unease that’s followed me all evening returns, stronger now. Something is happening. Maybe it’s already started. Whether Rowan is part of it or not, he knows far more than he’s willing to admit, and I’m tired of being the only person stumbling around in the dark.

“Where did they go?” I repeat. “And don’t lie to me.”

Rowan plucks a glass of champagne from a passing tray, watching the bubbles rise before taking a slow drink. “You’re upset.”

“I’m tired of being played with.”

The music swells behind us. Around the ballroom, couples turn beneath the candlelight while friends laugh and take shots at the bar. I wait, watching him.

“There’s another part of the evening that’s about to begin.” He hesitates. “A very… private gathering.”

“Veil Night.”

He goes still, his reaction confirming my suspicions. His gaze settles on me with a new intensity. “How much have you learned from those books?”

“Not enough.”

“Good.” There’s an edge to his voice I’m not used to hearing. “Keep it that way.”

He is no longer looking at me but sneaking glances around the room, as though measuring who might be watching us. A tiny bead of sweat forms on his forehead, though he wipes it away quickly.

“Go home, Jack,” he says quietly. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“No.” I step closer, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Everything has been leading me to this. I know Josh disappeared on Veil Night. What happened to him?”

Rowan studies me, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

“I don’t know.”

“Bullshit.”

“I don’t, Jack.” His voice drops. “I know he came to Veil Night last year. From what I was told, he followed someone there. After that, I don’t know what happened to him.”

The ballroom seems to recede around us. Every muscle in my body goes taut.

“You told me you didn’t know anything about his disappearance.”

“I told you what I thought you could handle.” His words are careful, almost gentle, which somehow makes them worse.

I stare at him.

“Take me there. I want to see Veil Night for myself.”