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Brien and I started dancing again, not touching this time, just moving to the music. The singer dropped her voice, and one of those eerie hushes fell on the crowd.
Got everyone watchin' us
So baby, let's keep it secret
A little bit scandalous
She could’ve been singing about me and Rafe. Yearning curled through me.
Brien’s brow creased. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head and kept dancing.
Two servers appeared with a giant gold platter holding my birthday “cake,” a tower of chocolate truffles. Three kinds—white, dark and salted caramel—were arranged in spirals and topped with a big red bow.
They set the platter on a small table. Victorine raised her hand and the music stopped.
My stomach clenched.
Brien grinned and urged me forward. “Your birthday chocolate’s here.”
The servers started lighting the twenty-seven tiny votives encircling the tray.
Victorine smiled at me. A warmer smile than she usually gave me. A real smile.
I can’t do this.
She beckoned to Étan, who moved up beside her. The two of them shared a look. Suddenly, Iknew. They were going to trap me into accepting him as my mate.
Suddenly, the music seemed too loud. I drew a calming breath.
Victorine loved me. I knew that. But her kind of love required me to remain her obedient spawn. Not a person in my own right, a person with my own needs and wants.
She’d made up her mind, and nothing would change it. I was trapped.
I can’t do this.
I edged backward toward the door nearest my tower.
“Zoe?” Brien said.
I took his arm. “Cover for me,” I whispered. “I need ten minutes. Fifteen minutes, tops. Tell them…my heel broke off.” I dragged off my shoe and waved it at my mother. “Be right back,” I mouthed.
She frowned and shook her head, but I was already pushing the door open.
Behind me there was a stunned silence. Then Victorine said, “I beg your pardon. My daughter will be right back. But please, enjoy the dancing for another few minutes.”
I pulled off the other shoe and, transferring them both to one hand, dashed up the stairs as the tower clock struck midnight.
Please let Rafe still be in the tower.
But if not, I had his number.
I fumbled with the keypad to open the door, getting it wrong the first time. I drew a breath through my teeth, tried again.
The living room was empty. My heart sank. I shut the door—and jolted as Rafe emerged from behind the door, a bottle raised above his head.
“Hey.” He lowered it with a sheepish grin.
