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I shake my head and then place it in my hands, overwhelm quickly overtaking my frustration. “I don’t know. I wish I knew, but Idon’t.” Or maybe I do know, I just don’t want to admit it.
We sit there quietly for a while, both lost in thought, before Olivia puts her arms around my shoulders and pulls me to her. “Whatever you choose, Amelia, I’m here for you. Just please be careful.”
Fucking Olivia. I could put her in danger, Ihaveput her in danger, and she’d still stick by my side. Affection swells inside of me as I turn to hug her properly, thankful for her friendship. “Thanks, Liv. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She hugs me back, squeezing tightly. “Keep that in mind around the holidays. I’ve been vying for a new dress from Suzana’s.”
Chapter 11
I’m sitting on the bench in the same park as two nights ago, fiddling with my amulet. Olivia insisted on coming again, but I refuse to allow her to leave the Society just yet. Not until I know it’s safe. Not until I know that Arman is who I feel he is. Despite the amulet’s power, I told Olivia that I would only stay for an hour again, for those same reasons.
I’m so deep in thought that I startle when a gentle hand is placed on my arm. I whip my head to the right and see Arman sitting next to me on the bench. My heart almost jumps out of my chest at the contact. Every time he’s near, I swear something inconceivable happens to me.
When he notices my surprise, mistaking it for fear, he removes his hand and stands. “I apologize. You were seemingly in thought; I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I stare up at him and swallow, struggling to find my voice. Why does his presence do this to me? “No, you’re fine. Sorry.”
A small smile appears on his face, his eyes so soft with affection that I need to look away. I’m trying to ignore theannoying butterflies in my stomach, but they’re refusing to dissipate. With a deep breath my heartrate finally lands on a normal rhythm, and I sigh in relief. There are still so many unanswered questions; I can’t get distracted.
Even more important: why does he look at me with such adoration when he only just met me? Except he’s all but admitted that’s not the case, and this reminder causes discomfort to settle deep in my gut. I clear my throat and stand, keeping a slight distance. “So, ready to give me some answers?” I say it in a joking manner, but we both know it’s a façade.
He runs a hand over his beard and looks beyond me when he speaks. “I will give you answers, but first I thought we could…enjoy each other’s company tonight. Get to know one another better.”
Out of all the things I expected him to say, that was not it. I blink up at him in surprise. “You want to…what?” Beyond the surprise, his last suggestion registers in my mind. I scoff internally, because from where I’m sitting, heseems to knowmepretty well.
He appears oddly nervous when he finally meets my eyes. “There are some lovely places to explore out here. Clubs, restaurants…whatever you would like.”
He wants to…what, take me on a date? Confusion doesn’t begin to explain how I’m feeling. Fear is beginning to creep in, as well. Is he planning to kidnap me? For the first time, I wonder if that knowing feeling inside me is something he’s planted. After all, Dark Elders are known for drawing humans in.
I look back up at him to decline, but the openness and vulnerability I see makes me falter, and then I wonder: who truly holds the power here? If he makes me abandon all pretense with a look, it’s certainly not me. “Okay.” I blink at myself, surprised by my answer. Wasn’t I just questioning his motives? Yep, definitely not me.
The genuine smile that blossoms on his face dissipates any fear I have at his intentions, and further any frustration I have at not getting my questions answered. Why does he have this effect on me? Why doIhave this effect onhim?He’s a Dark Elder; I’m just some human girl he apparently knows.
He holds out a hand to me, his whole body relaxing from a tenseness I didn’t realize he was holding. “Come with me.”
We begin walking toward town, and I start to feel anxious. Arman is one thing, but what will I do in a town full of Dark Elders? I need some way to protect myself, but I can’t imagine what I could do against their power. That’s when my thoughts switch to the amulet Arman gave me. I am reminded of the fact that it protected me from the Top Elder’s attempts to enter my mind, much to my surprise. I need to know why. “Wait, I do have one question. This amulet…it works as protection, too?”
He glances at me but doesn’t give anything away with his expression. “It does. How did you realize?”
I shrug, unsure if I should tell him what happened. “There was an…incident. A small one.”
His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t comment on it further. Instead, he answers my question. As a peace offering for not answering anything else, I figure. “Yes, it will protect you from magical attacks. From humans and Elders alike.” He stares at me for a moment, as if trying to gauge what had happened by my reaction to his last comment. When I don’t give anything away, he sighs and continues, “Now, let me tell you a bit about the lounge we will attend.”
At this deflection, I know he’s done answering my questions. I sigh and go quiet, allowing him to lead me into town.
~ ~·~ ~
The walk into town is quick. Everything is so new to me; with his hand in mine, I feel a sense of security and that fear I had the first time I saw this place is eerily missing. It’s all as lively as before, but now I can actually drink it all in. I see people laughing and walking along the sidewalks, coming out of and going into random buildings. I turn back to Arman as I allow him to lead me to a set of cherry wood doors, and at first I think he’s brought me to the wrong place. Out of all the lively buildings around us, this one is dead silent.
That is, however, until he knocks on one door in an odd staccato, the latch undoing a moment later. When it opens, the onslaught of music hits me instantly. There’s no one at the door, and that, along with the hidden sound, makes me realize this club is laced with magic.
As I enter the club, I immediately notice that it is different from anywhere I’ve ever been. As soon as I breathe the lavender-scented air I’m hit with deep calmness. The lights are low, but not so low that I can’t see the intricate red and black Victorian-style patterns on the walls. There are red velvet chairs along a wooden banister to the right, and a dance floor positioned on the other side. When my eyes look straight ahead, I can just barely see tables along the back wall.
Humans and Dark Elders are littered throughout the place, sitting on the dark velvet couches and dancing on the dance floor. It’s easy to tell them apart, despite the majority of humans also dressing in darker clothing. With so many Dark Elders in one room, it’s as if their appealing auras double in strength, almost leaving a faint glow around each and every one of them. A quick glance at Arman and I notice the same around him, though a bit more subdued, most likely due to my proximity to him.
Even the bartenders look relaxed behind the bar against the left wall, chatting with patrons easily as they pour drinks. If the air wasn’t calming me already, I would start to feel out of place. There’s no place like this in the Society; an establishment with such freedom. My brow furrows as I wonder why the air makes me full this way.
Arman notices my perplexed demeanor and leans in to speak over the sultry jazz music. “The air is enchanted to help people relax.”
