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“Of course. I’ve always wanted to go to a masked ball. It’s not really the same, but a mask would still be cute.”
He tilts his head obligingly and, much like he did with Caelan’s mask, creates one for me. But this time, he makes a show of it. Elias smirks, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
Darkness gathers at his fingertips like liquid shadow, and he gracefully directs it to form the shape and detail of an intricate lace butterfly mask. It solidifies into existence, and Elias offers it to me.
“Pfft,” Caelan comments. “Who’s the one being unnecessary now?”
I take the mask with both hands, staring down at it. It’s lovely, there’s no doubt of that, but more than anything, I’m fascinated by the possibilities. “Can you just… make anything you want like that?”
Elias chuckles. “Darling, I could shift your entire reality if I really wished. A trinket like that is no more effort than blinking.”
My stomach twists into a very strange knot. Of course, I knew they were far beyond human, but at times, it hits me just how powerful they really are.
And they’re spending their time indulging me?
It’s the most incredible rush yet leaves me terrifyingly insecure. They could have anyone, anything, in the entire world, yet I’m the one who gets to be with them? They’re beyond out of my league.
I’m just standing there, staring down at the mask, so Elias takes my hands and guides them up to place it over my eyes. He kisses me firmly before drawing away.
God. I don’t deserve him. Don’t deserve either of them.How could I possibly be enough?
“Whatever you’re thinking, Shannon, stop,” Elias says softly. “Are you nervous about the gala still?”
That’s not it, but I’m happy to go along with the guess. It’s a better option than explaining what’s really bothering me.
“It’s okay. We should get going.”
“Time for the fun,” Caelan says, with not an ounce of sincerity.
“There’s going to be food,” I inform him, grinning. Even though Caelan does his best to maintain his aura of bored reluctance, I can almost visibly see him perk up at that.
We part ways with Elias. Then it’s just Caelan and I making our way to the ballroom. I take his hand, and he gives me a sidelong glance but doesn’t pull away.
I’m overdressed, I realize as we return to the main corridor and join the tide of others funneling into the event. Aside from being the only ones with masks, a ballgown is kind of overkill. Everyone else had a far more modern and sensible interpretation of the ‘formal’ requirement.
Still, I try to keep my head up. I look good, regardless.
The atmosphere is lively, at least. Full of chatter and people who all seem to know each other, at least on some shallow level. The air is rich with laughter and the clink of champagne glasses. Everyone falls into their own cliques. They don’t care if one awkward newcomer falls through the cracks.
I’m glad of that, as I’d rather not be noticed. I stay by Caelan’s side, and he likewise avoids interacting with anyone. In this situation, at least, we really are two of a kind.
“Do you really not talk to anyone else?” I murmur to him. “Even just for the sake of business?”
Caelan shrugs. “I let Elias do the schmoozing. I hardly have the disposition for that shit.”
I laugh at that. He has a point. “But, for real. Is it just you and Elias? You’re not close to anyone else?”
“From what I gathered on the beach, that’s a bit like the pot callin’ the kettle black, huh, doll? We got our reasons. I’m sure that doesn’t need explaining.”
I nod in acquiescence. It doesn’t.
What gave me the honor of being the one to know them? Learning the truth of what they were by pure chance?
“Caelan…” Amongst the throng of people, we might as well be alone in our own world. We’re invisible to them, not worth the time. “Why did you accept me? Out of everyone you could possibly have known?”
“’Cause you accepted us first.”
I have no reply to that.
