Al’s gloved hand slipped from my neck. I took a breath, trying to expunge the last of the ecstasy he had drawn through me. I stumbled, feeling both numb and alive—unreal.

“Of course, Trenton,” the demon said, placing my hand in Trent’s. “I will console myself with talking to your beautiful bride-to-be.”

I wasn’t breathing right, and I blinked at Trent as the warmth of his hand stole into mine. But Trent wasn’t looking at me.

“Watch your step, demon,” Trent said, his green eyes hardening with an ancient hatred. “We are not helpless.”

Al’s smile widened. “That’s what makes it fun.”

I jumped when Al put a gloved hand on my shoulder, and I cursed myself for it. “I’ll be in touch, Rachel,” he said, voice full and throaty when he leaned closer.

“I’ll sharpen my stakes,” I said, pulling myself out of my shock.

His hand fell away, and he walked off laughing, jaunty and sure of himself.

And through it all, the band played on.

I took a slow breath and brought my eyes to Trent’s. I didn’t know what to feel. I was frightened, relieved. Grateful. He hadn’t needed to intervene. I was supposed to be protecting him. It was obvious he wanted to know what Al and I had been discussing, but there was no way in hell I was going to tell him. Still…“Thank you,” I whispered.

A smile twitched at his lips. His head bobbed slightly with the music three times, and then he pulled me into motion. “Yes, well, it’s not like I want to marry you,” he said.

My free hand rose as we moved, and after a moment I placed it lightly on his shoulder. Trent didn’t say anything, and I started to relax. My pulse slowed, and I began seeing things again. The scent of green leaves pushed out the stench of burnt amber, and I abruptly realized I was utterly pliant in his arms, letting him direct me about the floor without a thought in my head.

I met his eyes. Seeing my horror, he chuckled.

“You are a surprisingly fine dancer, Ms. Morgan,” he said.

“Thanks. So are you. Did you take classes, or is it an elf thing?”

Okay, maybe that had been a little sharp, but Trent didn’t take offense, inclining his head gracefully. “A little of both.”

My eyes darted to Ellasbeth. Al was moving in on her, but the woman didn’t know it yet, too intent on trying to kill me with her thoughts. Beside her, her mother was trying to coax Jenks down. Her husband was sitting sullenly beside her, clearly having given up on trying to stop her, and as I watched, Jenks left his post, coming to a light landing before her. Even from here I could see he was embarrassed at the attention, but he was slowly warming up.