Callum
I pushed through the bodies around, trying to nod and remain polite as I did, but there stares were like waking through knives. I told Bianca Iwas headed to the bathroom, but I need more, just a momment.
I pushed out into the quiet halls of the grand room, the ceilings low and dark, only the warm light from the door lighting up the space.
My back crippled into the wall and slid down a bit. It was quie out here. Finally.
The ballroom inside had quieted to a simmer of gossip, suspioutions beneath polite small talk and strained murmured. But even with the chandeliers gleaming and the music playing again, nothing had truly returned to normal.
I tried to straight my spine as if posture alone could stop the storm pressing in on every side. Liora was gone. Zane had disappeared. Mi
