Chapter 48

The party was alive with chatter, laughter, and the soft clink of wine glasses-yet my eyes were fixed on Chloe, who still hadn't looked in our direction once.

Vanessa and I had tried sticking close, trying to catch glimpses of her and Adam, but it was like they were locked in a bubble of their own. She stood at his side like a silent echo, nodding when he did, laughing softly at things he hadn't even said yet.

"She hasn't even blinked in our direction," I murmured.

"She's glued to him," Vanessa said through clenched teeth. "Literally. It's starting to piss me off."

We didn't have long to stew in our annoyance. A shift in the air told me something-or someone-had just walked in. My spine prickled with awareness before I even saw him. Damon.

He entered the room like it belonged to him, wearing a tailored black suit that looked like it had been stitched by sin itself. And beside him was a woman. Beautiful blonde hair, silver eyes, blood-red lipstick, an expression that made me feel like she knew things she shouldn't. His sister.

The moment Damon walked in, time slowed-again.

I hated that. Hated how my stomach dropped, how the noise dulled around me, how everything else blurred into the background. He wasn't even looking at me, and still, it was like his presence had pulled the oxygen out of the room.

But as if he felt my eyes, his gaze slid to mine. Locked. Deep. Dangerous.

I forgot how to breathe.

"Hey," Vanessa's elbow nudged me sharply. "You good?"

"Fine," I said quickly, eyes still on Damon until he turned away, expression unreadable.

His sister was still watching us, though. With a smirk on her red-painted lips, like she knew exactly what had just passed between Damon and me. And maybe she did. There was something unsettling about her. Like danger wrapped in silk. I didn't like her. At all.

Before I could say something, Vanessa's mom called her from across the room. "Coming!" she called back, then shot me a look. "I'll be right back. Don't start any fights without me."

"No promises," I mumbled.

Left alone, I scanned the crowd again. My eyes landed on Adam. He was across the room, standing near a table, reading a folded piece of paper. Relaxed. Unbothered.

Meanwhile, my best friend was acting like a programmed robot in heels.

I didn't think-I just moved.

Adam looked up the moment I neared, his usual smug smirk curving on his lips. "Well, if it isn't Damon's favorite distraction."

I didn't bother reacting. "What did you do to Chloe?"

He blinked once, then tilted his head as if genuinely amused. "Straight to the point. I like that about you."

"What. Did. You. Do?"

He chuckled, folding the paper and slipping it into his jacket. "Is it such a crime that she likes me? I'm not exactly unpopular with the ladies."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Come on, Elizabeth." He stepped closer, voice lowering. "It's not that deep. Chloe's obsessed, sure. But that's not new. Girls tend to get attached to us."

My jaw clenched.

"And speaking of obsession..." His golden-brown eyes locked on mine. "You might want to check your own heart rate next time Damon walks in. It's quite loud."

I stared at him, stunned into silence. How dare he-

He winked. "Enjoy the party," he said over his shoulder as he walked away.

I stood there, mouth open, fuming. I wasn't obsessed with Damon. That was ridiculous. I didn't even know him. Not really. But my heart was still hammering in my chest, and that just made it worse.

I needed a break.

I pushed through the crowd and slipped into the nearest hallway, then found the bathroom. Cold marble, gold-framed mirrors, and too-perfect lighting. I splashed cold water on my face, hands trembling.

I wanted to help Chloe. I needed to. But I felt so helpless, like I was fighting shadows without a flashlight. And Adam-smug, arrogant Adam-just stood there like none of it mattered.

I looked up at the mirror-and nearly screamed.

Bella was standing behind me.

My heart crashed against my ribs. She wore a long crimson dress, tight around her frame like blood-wrapped silk, and a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, voice sharp.

"Long enough," she said simply.

"What do you want?" I turned around, narrowing my eyes.

She shrugged. "Nothing. But I could help you. With your friend."

I narrowed my eyes. She had heard my conversation with Adam.

"Oh please, Elizabeth don't look so bothered," she said, circling me slowly. "This place has ears. And I'm quite fond of yours. They're always picking up such juicy things."

I took a step back. "I don't want your help."

She tilted her head. "Why? Because I'm one of them?"

"Exactly."

Her smile faded slightly. "You really are quite ungrateful, you know. I tried to be nice." Her eyes darkened-literally. Like shadows had poured into her irises.

I stepped back quickly, pulse jumping.

"I could make this whole thing easier for you," she whispered. "One word to Adam and Chloe is free. One touch and she remembers everything."

I did not know what she meant but I did not want any of her help, "Stay away from her," I hissed. "Stay away from all of us."

I turned to leave, but she grabbed my wrist-tight.

"I tried to be nice," she repeated, voice now cold, sharp like ice.

I tried pulling away, panic flaring in my chest. Her grip was stronger than it looked. Her eyes flickered, lips curled, and suddenly-she staggered.

Bella let out a sharp groan, hands clutching her head as she stumbled back. Her nails scratched at her temple, and she shrieked. "Get out of my head!"

I turned to see Vanessa standing in the doorway, one hand raised ever so slightly, her eyes glowing faintly like a candle was lit inside them.

"Touch her again," Vanessa said calmly, "and I'll rip every thought out of your brain."

Bella let out a final grunt of pain before dropping to her knees. She looked up at us, hatred burning in her eyes, but said nothing.

Vanessa stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and yanked me out of the bathroom like I weighed nothing.

We didn't say a word until we were back in the hallway, away from the mirrors and shadows.

I took a shaky breath. "What... was that?"

Vanessa didn't look at me. "Something I've never done before. And probably shouldn't have."

I blinked. "That was you? What even was that-how did you-?"

She stopped walking, turned to face me, and for once, her expression was unreadable. "I don't know, Liz. I just knew I had to protect you. And it's like something inside me snapped into place. Like I remembered something."

I stared at her. "Remembered what?"

"I don't know," she whispered. "But whatever it is... it's old."