Chapter 35 · The Last Fake Waltz

"Smile, Sera. Or I’ll give you a reason to scream in front of the whole city."

Nora’s hand was clamped around my waist, her fingers digging into my hip with a grip that promised bruises. We were in the center of the Grand Ballroom, the gold-leaf ceiling reflecting a thousand flickering candles, but all I could feel was the cold, suffocating pressure of her presence.

I stiffened, my gaze locking onto hers. Nora looked like a goddess—white silk gown, shimmering gold accents, her hair pinned up in a way that made her look untouchable. But her eyes were dark. Not the golden light of Solis, but the oily, swirling void of the shadows she pretended didn't exist.

"You're shaking," she whispered, leaning in so close her breath brushed my ear. "Is the little hunter scared? Or are you just realizing how out of your league you are?"

"I'm wondering which one of us is going to bleed first," I spat back, my voice low and jagged. "The music’s too loud for a confession, Nora. You can’t hide the rot under all this glitter forever."

She laughed, a sharp, melodic sound that didn't reach her eyes.