Chapter 85
Chapter 85:
Suddenly, a shadow fell over them.
Julian Vance stood on the balcony above, looking down like a dark god. He descended the stairs slowly. The room went silent.
He walked straight to Jessica. He didn’t look at her. He looked at security.
“Remove her,” Julian said. His voice was quiet, bored. “And the girl in pink. If she comes back to consciousness, throw her out the service entrance p>
“What? No!” Jessica screamed as guards grabbed her.
“You were boring me,” Julian said.
He turned to Skye. His eyes were the color of cold-brew coffee.
He studied her for a long moment.
“And you,” Julian said to Skye.
Skye held her breath. Alistair stepped slightly in front of her, a protective wall.
Julian smiled. It was a terrifying, sharp expression.
“Nice dress,” Julian said. “Matches your soul p>
He turned and walked away.
Skye let out a breath. Alistair leaned down to her ear.
“I think he likes you,” Alistair whispered.
“I think he’s dangerous,” Skye replied.
“He is,” Alistair agreed. “But so are we p>
The party resumed, but the tension remained. The air felt charged, like the moments before a thunderstorm.
Skye stood on the terrace, gripping the stone railing. Her knuckles were white. The encounter with Julian Vance had rattled her more than she wanted to admit. He saw too much.
“He’s not your enemy,” Alistair said, appearing beside her with two glasses of scotch. “Not yet, anyway p>
“He kicked Jessica out without blinking,” Skye said, taking the glass. “He erased her social standing in seconds p>
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲.𝗰𝗼𝗺
“Power abhors a vacuum,” Alistair shrugged. “And it abhors noise. Jessica was noisy. Seraphina was noisy. You… you are silent p>
Skye took a sip. The liquid burned pleasantly. “And Liam? Was he noisy p>
“Liam is tragic,” Alistair said. “He’s a man drowning in a puddle of his own making p>
Skye looked out at the gardens. “He hates me now. Truly hates me p>
“Good,” Alistair said. “Indifference is the goal, but hate is a useful stepping stone. It makes him predictable p>
“He threatened me,” Skye whispered. “He said I was dead to him p>
Alistair set his glass down on the railing. He turned Skye to face him. His hands were warm on her bare arms.
“Let him threaten,” Alistair said fiercely. “Let him scream. He is a ghost, Skye. He just doesn’t know he’s dead yet p>
Skye looked into his eyes. She felt safe. For the first time in five years, she felt completely, utterly safe.
“Thank you,” she said. “For the dress. For The Spire. For… this p>
Alistair leaned in. His lips brushed her forehead. It wasn’t sexual; it was a benediction.