by K.N. Lee
Quinn twisted her mouth. “You’re lying. Why are you lying to me?”
Evie sighed. “Stop asking me questions, Quinn. Aren’t you glad that I’m going to be stuck in Woodland Creek? Aren’t you happy? I’m staying.”
Quinn’s face softened. She took Evie’s hand, surprising her by her gentleness.
“Talk to me. Be real.”
Evie sighed, her eyes leaving her reflection to stare at her sparkling silver heels.
Quinn had helped her paint her toe nails. One night with her best friend worked wonders, even if she knew that soon she would be in more danger than she’d ever experienced.
It was as if Evie was getting ready for prom, and Quinn was all too excited to make her shine like a princess. She loved her like a sister.
Evie couldn’t lie to her. She was tired of lying.
She turned to Quinn, holding her hands within hers.
Face to face, and eye to eye, Evie told the truth.
“I miss Parker more than anything in the world,” she said, her voice cracking.
Quinn pulled her into a tight embrace. “Then why the hell did you leave him, Evie? What’s going on?”
“I had to do it, Quinn. Avalon hates my family. He was going to harm them unless I became his…girlfriend, plaything…I don’t know what I am anymore. He actually asked me to marry him. I’ve known the guy for a week and he’s already ruined my life.”
Evie sniffled against Quinn’s shoulder. She sucked in a breath, composing herself. She couldn’t ruin her makeup.
“My goodness,” Quinn sighed, smoothing her back. “I can’t recall ever seeing you cry. You didn’t even cry at your father’s funeral. Why would you let that stranger do this?”
Evie pulled back and took a deep breath. “It won’t matter soon enough,” she said.
“Why?”
Evie shook her head. “Because I’m not going to let him ruin my life for good. I have to do something before it’s too late.”
“Can I help?” Quinn’s lips curled at the corners.
THE ALBRECT MANSION was swarmed with people, cars, and decorations when Evie returned.
Evie lifted her dress’ skirt and quickened her speed. She would not be late.
She could not.
The stairs waited before her. Her heels tapped along the concrete as she ran up to the front entrance. She paused before the doormen, hoping they’d simply glance at her invitation.
“Identification,” the tall slick-haired doorman said.
Evie raised a brow, looking down at his hand. She looked up to him.
“Really?”
He nodded.
She huffed and searched her gold clutch for her driver’s license.
“I live here. How could you not know that?” She handed her license to him, annoyed.
“Everyone gets carded, ma’am.” He read her ID, looking up at her and back at her photo.
“She’s clear,” he said and the other man opened the door.
“Enjoy your night, Miss Scarlett.”
“Yeah,” Evie grumbled, smoothing her dress. She entered the lobby.
A pretty blonde in a black cocktail dress took her coat and handed her a ticket before retreating to the coat check closet made from the front study.
Everything looked different from just a few hours ago. The foyer was decorated to look like a haunted house with men and women dressed in horrifying costumes depicting vampires, devils, and witches.
The real monster didn’t even need a costume.
Evie straightened her dress and took a breath. “Here goes.”
As she stepped from the foyer to the main ballroom, the number of people present made her nervous.
“Whoa,” she whispered as her eyes took in the grandeur before her.
Spider webs covered the walls and ceiling. Purple and red lights flickered, making the room feel like an expensive nightclub.
The beauty, pomp, and theatrics left her spellbound.
There was a time when her parents would host parties like this in Scarlett Hall. Evie and Parker would play outside instead, chasing fireflies, or hanging out in the attic.
“You’ve made it right on time,” a deep male voice called from her right. She turned to see Avalon Prince approaching her with two champagne flutes. He gave her his bright smile, revealing perfect white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek.
He looked genuinely pleased to see her, and she noted how handsome he was in his costume. She instantly knew who he was supposed to be.
“Prince Charming…from Cinderella, right?”
He had the costume down to the exact buttons from the movie. She raised a brow as she looked him up and down.
He nodded. “Good eye. I figured you’d figure it out. It was your favorite movie when we were in school together.”
Evie’s smile almost faltered. She blinked. “You remembered that?” She now wished she could remember him from that time that wasn’t that long ago.
Avalon definitely had layers. If the circumstances had been different she might have explored them.
But not today.
“And you look amazing. What are you supposed to be?”
Evie cracked her best smile and accepted the champagne he handed to her.
“A swan,” she lied. Her gaze swept over the room, focusing on the aerial dancers that hung and spun from the ceiling.
“Wow.” She took a sip. “It’s quite a party…and the service here is spot on. And easy on the eyes,” she said with a wink at Avalon.
Avalon chuckled. “Why thank you. I saw you enter and swiped two flutes off the nearest server tray. Did you have fun with Quinn?”
She nodded and scanned the room. Clusters of immaculately dressed guests filled almost every inch of the room. The room was lit with crystal chandeliers that looked as though they were passed down from royalty. Even the servers were remarkable. All dressed in black with white masks that covered their eyes, the servers looked as though they’d each had a cover in Vogue Magazine.
Avalon did appreciate beauty.
“I did. Thank you for letting me see her.”
“You can see anyone you want. Except your family, of course.”
Tensing, Evie avoided letting him see the scowl on her face. She couldn’t even visit her brother to make the curse had been completely broken.
She changed the subject. “What a great turnout. Woodland Creek folk love their costume parties.”
He held out his arm and she accepted. “I’ll take you around to meet a few important people.”
“I thought I was supposed to be the one to show you around?”
“I took it upon myself to get to know the important people in my town. I am a businessman after all.”
Evie flashed a smile. She was going to need more alcohol to keep up such a fake act.
“Well, I hope you know some important people that can help me out.”
“Why? What happened?”
She shrugged. “My car broke down and I really need a tow truck.”
He looked concerned. He covered her hand with his. “How did you get here?”
“I walked.” She drank her champagne and handed the empty flute to a passing server. Picking up another glass she flashed a smile to Avalon. “It’s no big deal really. It’s just annoying.”
“Tell me where your car is and I’ll have it towed to my mechanic. He’ll take good care of it.”
“Thank you. You have your own mechanic already?”
“I do,” he said. “Come, meet Mayor Stone.”
Evie followed along, her mind racing despite her cool expression. Her eyes flickered up to the aerial dancers again. She envied them. Her urge to run outside and fly away nearly overcame her.
She hoped her plan would work.
“Sure. I’d love to meet the mayor,” she said.
“Evie?”
Her smile was wiped from her face when she turned to look at who called her name.
Paling, Evie’s face turned to horror
. She let go of Avalon’s arm.
“Parker!”
EVIE’S VOICE CAME out in a startled shriek when she called out to Parker.
Avalon’s eyes darkened as he looked at her former fiancé.
Evie didn’t care. She dropped her clutch of Avalon’s arm.
No one else mattered at that moment.
Parker was like a beacon of light and hope. Seeing him stand before her in a black tux surprised her. His blonde hair looked to be professionally styled. Smooth cheeks and chin meant that he’d also shaved; something he normally neglected.
What was up?
Parker’s smile gave her butterflies. That smile was for her. He reached a hand out, beckoning her.
Am I dreaming?
She dared to believe that she was forgiven.
Evie’s lips parted as she stepped to him, her eyes full of so much love that she hoped he could see it.
“Hi, baby,” Parker said, both of them ignoring Avalon.
As if floating on air, Evie took Parker’s hands and allowed herself to be pulled so close to him that their chests pressed together.
Looking into his eyes, Evie felt tears sting hers.
“Parker,” she said in a soft voice. “What are you doing here?”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
“What is going on here?” Avalon took a step to Evie but was stopped by a perfectly manicured hand.
Evie glanced back, shock filling her eyes as she watched her mother lock arms with Avalon.
“Mother?”
“Evening, dear.” Adelaide gave her a wink and returned her attention to Avalon, who looked furious.
“Listen now, Avalon,” Adelaide whispered. “Let’s not make a scene in front of the entire town of Woodland Creek.”
Avalon’s scowl faded as he looked around to see that everyone in attendance quieted and stared at them.
Evie couldn’t help but smile when Wesley and Olivia entered the room, hand in hand, and dressed in regency era attire.
They smiled at her, giving her a nod.
Avalon noticed them as well.
“Someone better answer me,” he said through clenched teeth. When his eyes flickered from Evie to Parker, his face reddened almost as bright as his hair.
Evie watched him clench his jaw and turned back to Parker to see what everyone stared at.
Seeing Parker on one knee before her sent her tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t care that she was ruining her makeup. She wanted this more than anything in the world.
“Evie,” Parker said. He looked to her mother. “Adelaide told me everything.”
She grinned, a weight lifting from her shoulders. Her secret was out. The man she loved knew everything now. Liberating didn’t begin to describe how she felt.
Sniffling, she went to her knees with him. She clutched his hands in hers, never wanting to let go again.
“Do you still love me?”
His blue eyes glistened with fresh tears of his own. He smiled through them. “I could never stop loving you. I knew something was wrong when you left that day, and now I know why.” His eyes hardened when he glanced at Avalon.
Adelaide held Avalon back. “This scene is for Evie. Don’t interfere by trying to make one of your own, or I will ruin you. Understand?”
Evie didn’t bother to look back at Avalon. All she wanted was to taste Parker’s mouth.
She kissed him, not caring that everyone watched. When they broke away from their kiss, he held out her engagement ring.
“This,” he said, taking her hand to put the ring on her finger. “Belongs to you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I will say yes to you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Parker said. He stood and pulled her to her feet.
Everyone cheered.
Everyone but Avalon.
When Evie dared to look at him, she was surprised to see hurt in his eyes. Not anger. Not rage. Genuine hurt.
She almost wished she’d seen the anger at that moment. Hurting anyone, even someone like Avalon didn’t make her feel good.
She offered him a smile. The roar of the crowd filled her ears as she mouthed ‘sorry’ to him.
“Be a good sport, Avalon,” Adelaide said.
“Please,” Evie said, letting go of Parker’s hand for a moment. She didn’t need to rub it in his face. She could have, but she wanted to be sensitive to his feelings.
Avalon pulled his arm away from Adelaide. Wes took a step closer.
“All will be forgiven,” Wes said.
“Yes,” Evie said, nodding. “I beg you. Please…just let me go.”
The crowd cheered for the new couple. Her family waited for Avalon’s reply. Everything seemed to hinge on Avalon’s next move.
And then the ballroom went black.
“RUN, EVIE,” ADELAIDE shouted over the screams of the crowd.
“No,” Evie said. “I know what to do.”
Evie stood there in the pitch black, her eyes adjusting. She scanned the crowd, searching for Avalon.
So much for being a nice girl.
She grabbed Parker’s hand and pulled him to her. “Listen,” she said to him, her eyes still looking for Avalon.
“We need to get out of here,” Parker said, wrapping an arm behind her back and pushing her toward the exit.
“Baby, you know all of my secrets now, and I will never keep anything from you ever again. But I need you to trust me right now.”
“What? No. We need to get out of here.” He held tighter.
A glow came from the floor, lightening the room slightly. Evie gave Wes a nod, thanking him for helping light the exits for the partygoers.
Wes nodded in return. “You should come with us, Parker. Evie has to do this on her own.”
Parker faced her, his eyes worried. “I can’t lose you again.”
She kissed him. “You won’t.”
Wizard’s fire blew toward them, lighting the entire room a bright blue color. Gasping, Evie shielded Parker from the flames.
Evie’s eyes glowed gold as she picked him up and flew him straight through the house and out the door. Parker’s eyes widened as they shot through the hallway, Evie’s body deflecting the flames, sending them back to the source.
They both heard a loud cry of pain, and she clenched her jaw, knowing the voice.
Once outside, Evie and Parker rolled onto the ground.
“Oops,” she said. “I’ve never flown with someone before.”
“It’s okay,” Parker said, breathless. “You really are incredible. You know that?”
She kissed him. “Please, go with my family and stay safe until I return.”
Parker nodded.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you more.”
Evie flashed a quick smile and ran back inside.
Her eyes widened with surprise when she bumped into Quinn in the foyer, just as hordes of guests ran past her the other way.
“Good lord,” Quinn said as she stepped over broken glass and rubble. “You just couldn’t wait for me to get here, could you?”
“You’re always late.”
Quinn adjusted her glasses as she surveyed the damage. “Well,” she said. “What do you need me to do?”
Evie nodded to Avalon’s thugs as they came running in from their posts.
“Take care of them for me.”
“Absolutely,” Quinn said, building small balls of red wizard’s fire between her hands. She shot the flame at Avalon’s biggest man, sending him flying into a nearby wall. The loud crash that resulted made Evie wince.
Quinn glanced back at Evie, who stood by, pleased by her best friend’s talents.
“Run along. Get him.”
Evie took careful steps as she entered the ballroom.
“Avalon!”
She called out his name, hoping he would show his face.
The ballroom was empty of all
guests now. Only random heels, trays of food, broken champagne bottles, and debris remained.
“Run, Evie!” Quinn’s voice shouted from the front of the mansion.
Evie almost paused to watch her in action, seeing bodies flying left and right. Then, more wizard’s fire as Avalon launched himself at her from the balcony of the second floor of the ballroom.
Heart racing, sweat dripping, Evie ran as fast as her legs would take her. She burst through the back doors to the garden and down the whitewashed stone steps.
Her heels stabbed the soil as she raced from the garden and toward the forest.
Avalon chased her, his speed astonishing.
All she needed was to get far enough away from the public and the tables would quickly turn. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.
Evie screeched, hoping he would gain his confidence that she was afraid of him once again.
Come now, Avalon. Follow me.
Her eyes were fixed on the forest. Any other girl would seek aid in town, but Evie knew better. They had no idea who or what she was.
“Stop running,” Avalon shouted. “You can’t run forever!”
Evie ripped open the corset of her dress the instant she was in the concealment of the trees.
“I just want to talk to you. I won’t hold what you did against you. We can still work this all out.”
Evie could hear it in his voice. He was not going to let her get away with what she’d done. Seeing her with Parker clearly destroyed his last shred of sanity. No wizard had revealed their powers in public for as long as she’d been alive.
She was sure that the next day everything would be explained away as some natural or scientific occurrence. None of that mattered if she didn’t survive the night.
Avalon meant her serious harm. She knew what he could do with his power, and that was her fate unless she took matters into her own hands.
Still running, she pulled her dress over her head into the brush.
“What are you doing?”
Always keep clothes nearby.
She almost shouted turn around and leave me alone or you’ll be sorry, but she wanted to hurt him.
He deserved it.
No one messes with her family.
Shrouded by the security of the forest, Evie stopped. She heard his footsteps and turned around.
Face set with hate, she took off her glasses.
