Lucian Nightshade's Arc

Chapter 2 of 4

Elena's hand settled into Lucian's, and the curse lunged. It rose up his arm like a hot wire. His grip tightened before he could stop it. She did not notice. She stepped into the frame of the dance and smiled up at him, waiting for him to lead. He led. One turn, two. The music covered the sound of his own breath going wrong. Under his ribs, the curse pushed against his teeth and told him what to say to break her. He had used those words a hundred times. They were already forming. He had maybe an hour. Less. When the curse won, it always won completely, and the woman in his arms always paid. He steered Elena toward the edge of the floor. "There's air on the balcony," he said. "Come." "You're shaking," she said, curious, not afraid. "Are you sick?" "Yes." He pulled her through the tall doors before she could answer. Cold night hit his face. He let go of her hand and stepped back until stone met his spine. Xavier was already there. His brother stood at the rail with his jacket still half-buttoned, boots planted like he had been waiting for this exact failure. He did not look surprised. He looked tired. "I told you," Xavier said. He crossed to Lucian and grabbed his wrist hard. "Look at your hand. Look." Lucian looked. His fingers were locked into a shape that was not his. "Give her something," Xavier said, low. "Now. Before you speak again." Lucian reached inside his coat. He carried the old locket for exactly this, and had never used it. The heart-shaped case was warm from his chest. He held it out to Elena on a flat palm. "Take this," he said. Each word cost him. "Wear it. Do not take it off tonight." Elena looked at the locket, then at his face. "Why?" "Because I asked." She hesitated. Xavier said, quiet, "Please." That did it. She lifted the chain over her head and let the locket fall against her collarbone. The pull in Lucian's chest broke. Not gone. Dulled, like a shout heard through a wall. His fingers unlocked. He could breathe around the words again. "Go inside," he told her. "Find the older woman in the red gown. Stay near her until the carriages come." "You're not going to explain any of this," Elena said. "No." She studied him a moment longer. Then she went. The doors closed behind her. Xavier let go of Lucian's wrist. "That thing won't hold past sunrise." "I know." "She'll come looking for you tomorrow. She's like that." "I know." Lucian pressed his palm flat to the cold rail. The curse was still there, quieter, waiting. He had bought one night. He had spent the only shield he owned to buy it. "Then we start hunting the cure at first light," Xavier said. "Because you just used your last stall."