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“Do what?” I responded.
The thumb that rested along the left side of my face gently stroked the damp skin. He pulled it away to reveal a swipe of makeup on the pad of his thumb.
“Hide yourself.”
Instinctively, my own hand moved up, wiping away any moisture that lined the side of my face. I looked down at my fingertips only to see a layer of light brown concealer.
Panic set into my core at the realization. He was beginning to see me for who I really was and what parts of me I was trying to hide.
I opened my mouth to begin to explain myself, to explain the doubts that riddled my thoughts every day, but a knock sounded at the greenhouse door. Caius ignored it, with his stare still locked on me. He was waiting for my answer.
The door opened, and in walked the older man who was always stationed at the entrance. Lawrence.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mr. Attila,” he spoke sincerely. “Good evening, Miss Castell.”
I gave a half smile, and he turned back to Caius.
“We have a slight inconvenience.”
Caius
The air was cold against me, even though my insides were heated. I was fuckingfurious.
Weaving through the restless ghosts, I guided Celeste at my side in the path back to the house. Moments ago, her lips were on mine, sending me spiraling into the deepest version of need. I needed more of her, every part of her, all of her.
Every inch, every pore, every blood cell, every breath.
The second I saw her, I knew my life was no longer my own. She had me in a suffocating hold the instant her eyes met mine, even if she didn’t know it.
And by some divine design, her body melded with mine in an act of connection.
But the fact that things were going well should’ve been a sign that everything was about to turn south.
With the quiet click of Celeste’s heels next to me, I kept my hand on the small of her back, the silk of her dress soft under my palm as we walked briskly. I could tell she was having trouble keeping the pace, and I was moments away from lifting her and carrying her up to the house. But before I knew it, we were at the back door. I opened it and stepped through, keeping Celeste at my back in case of any surprises.
And boy, if I wasn’t alwaysfuckingright.
In the main corridor, on an empty wooden chair, stood Amadeus, with an unopened bottle of champagne in one hand and a large kitchen knife in the other.
“There he is!” he shouted, waving the knife in the air at the sight of me. “And look, he broughtfriends!”
I watched as the insanity in his eyes bounced from me, to Lawrence, to Celeste, all in a matter of a second. I didn’t think I could become more possessive and protective than I already was, but when I saw him look at her, I could feel the vigilance burning hot inside of me.
“Dey,” I grumbled. “What are you doing here?”
Lawrence leaned over in my direction. “I tried to keep him out, Sir. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“He’s right,” Amadeus chimed in. “I just had to see what all the fuss was about tonight. After all…” he began, clutching the handle of the knife. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to one of these things.”
“Because you’re not invited,” I pushed. “You haven’t been allowed access to the Open House for almost ten fucking years now.”
“Come on, bro. Lighten up. I’m only here to liven the party a bit. I want to tell everyone what they’rereallygetting into.”
I gently pushed Celeste behind me in an attempt to shield her from whatever shit Amadeus was trying to pull. I could feel her hands lightly grasp the back of my shirt, and the fact that she was in this position because ofmepissed me off to no end.
In a swift motion, Amadeus swiped the blade of the knife to the neck of the champagne bottle, popping the cork off with a loud burst. I stood completely still as Celeste and Lawrence both flinched. The cork hit the ceiling with a thud, and foam spilled out of the bottle and onto the floor with a splat. Amadeus raised the drink, the bubbles pouring over his hand, and smiled.
“To Purgatory.”
