Page 88 of Salem’s Rise

“He is not. He tried to kill me, or did you forget?”

“I can assure you, the way Ashcroft feels about you has nothing to do with his actions when it comes to the Veil. He’s still very much under your spell, as much as he dislikes it.”

I glance over Silas’s shoulder to find Rowan watching us, his expression intense, almost angry.

“And he’s not the only one.” Silas leans closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, sending a shiver racing down my neck. “Every time you enter a room, heads turn.”

“What, you’ve been keeping track?”

“Yes.” His hand moves fractionally lower along my back. “And I don’t like it.”

My fingers curl into his shoulder as he lowers his head. As if caught in some magnetic pull I can’t resist, I tilt my face toward his. My lips part, my pulse racing.

With a start, I realize not only that he’s going to kiss me, but something far more alarming.

I want him to.

But then something changes in his eyes—a flicker of unease, gone as fast as it appears. I follow the direction of his gaze for half a second and catch a cluster of Veil members near the far wall, watching us with unconcealed interest, whispering to one another.

Silas straightens, putting careful distance between us. “I’ll be back,” he says, his voice suddenly cool. “I need to speak with the senator. We have something… important to discuss.”

A sharp pang of disappointment hits me unexpectedly as the warmth of his body disappears, leaving the space between us strangely cold. I watch him go and can’t decide whether I should be grateful or offended. I know he wanted to kiss me. I could feel it. Whatever stopped him had nothing to do with the senator.

Still, it’s probably for the best. A partnership with Silas Blackhollow is already complicated enough. Adding sex to the equation would only make things infinitely worse.

At the bar alone, I take another glass of champagne and watch Micah and Wren laughing together while Lena seems to be having a nice time with the woman in the gold dress. For one brief moment in time, everyone I care about in Salem’s Fall appears safe.

Then Lucien Blackhollow steps up beside me.

“Enjoying the evening, Ms. Mercer?”

Lucien Blackhollow stands beside me with one hand resting lightly against the polished edge of the bar, a glass of amber liquor balanced between his fingers. Candlelight softens the sharp planes of his handsome face, making him look almost friendly.

Winter Solstice Gala guests continue to waltz around the dance floor of the Blackthorn Manor ballroom as the orchestra shifts into something lighter, strings rising above conversation and laughter. Lucien appears perfectly at ease throughout it all, as though the house, the music, and every person within reach exist solely because he permits them to.

“Thank you for inviting me,” I say. “It’s a lovely party.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” he says. “Tell me, Ms. Mercer, how are you holding up?”

The question surprises me.

I know everyone in town fears this man—even his own nephew, who is terrifying in his own right. But during the limited contact I’ve had with Lucien, he’s always been nothing but cordial. It’s confusing, especially now that I know who he really is and what he really controls. He’s no doubt a cold-hearted killer—either by his own hand or by his allowance—so why does he always seem different around me? Almost… gentle.

I take a sip of champagne to give myself time to think of a diplomatic but truthful answer.

“I’m okay, I guess,” I finally respond. “The last few weeks have been a lot. But I’m lucky to still be here.”

“I’m not sure it’s luck,” he says, studying me with a look I cannot read. “But I’m glad for it too. You’ve done well.”

The warmth in his voice is unexpected.

“Uh… thank you.”

His gaze shifts across the ballroom to where Silas is now standing near the fireplace with the senator and two older men who I don’t recognize. He’s listening rather than speaking, shoulders relaxed, one hand in his pocket. He looks entirely at home among them. Not because he’s pretending, but because he’s been trained for rooms like this since birth.

Lucien watches him for several seconds.

“You’re good for him, you know.”