Read Online Beyond the Veil by Pippa DaCosta - Free Book Online

topic, which is not like him at all. We both know how greedy he is, but tonight, there ’ s nothing here for him. ”
      I looked at Nica with newfound respect. “ You know him well. ”
      “ I have to. ” She lowered her voice and reached out a hand to clasp mine. “ If we play with fire, sooner or later, we all get burned. ” She slipped off her mask, revealing a wrought expression. Lines of worry etched into her fine features. “ Nobody plays with Akil unless they ’ re prepared. ” She lifted her glass, inviting me to do the same.
      “ To the survivors, ” she suggested. We clinked our glasses together.
      “ You ’ re right. ” I finally admitted. I sensed the warmth of Akil ’ s gaze on me but refused to rise to the bait. “ Something happened. ”
      “ Well, don ’ t let him fool you. Whatever it was, it bothered him. ” Nica grinned and dipped her head low. “ Whatever you did, good on you. It can ’ t hurt to remind them who holds the true power, right? ”
      “ Who? ” I laughed.
      “ You, us, women. He loves you, Muse, and that ’ s more powerful than anything else in this mockery of reality. ”
      That was absurd. Akil didn ’ t — couldn ’ t love me. Demons were capable of many things, but love wasn ’ t one of them. “ How much wine have you had? ”
      She arched an eyebrow and admired the swirl of red wine in her glass. “ Not nearly enough. Finish off this bottle with me, will you? ”

Chapter Eight
    As the night wore on, a live band began to play. The crowd got merrier by the minute. Much of the exuberance had rubbed off on me, or perhaps it was the wine. I ’ d begun to relax a little and mingle with the guests. Most were human, but some were not. I caught a few leers from behind the anonymous masks and silently cursed Akil. He ’ d made a point of telling me that no demons were on the list, and yet I ’ d counted at least five blending with Boston ’ s elite. They, of course, looked just like anyone else, but there were clues. Demons move with a fluid grace, as though every step, every gesture, is measured. Nothing is wasted. When still, they might as well have been smartly-dressed mannequins and were equally as disconcerting because of their inhuman stillness. Humans are constantly in motion. Demons are not. They stalk. It ’ s part of makes them so efficient.
      I gave the demons I ’ d spotted a wide berth. Akil seemed confident nobody would dare hurt me in his presence, but that wouldn ’ t prevent one of them driving a dagger into my back before he could stop them. I admired the generous buffet food, wondering if I should eat something from the perfect plates of sandwiches arranged in geometric shapes. Some had yet to be touched, and I had to fight the urge to upset the precise design just for fun.
      A hand slipped around my waist from behind, and immediately a sliver of fear trickled down my spine. Akil must have felt me tremble because he bowed his head, whispering against my cheek. “ Do I frighten you? ”
      I didn ’ t dignify his query with an answer and turned to face him, driving back the fear with sheer determination. He still wore the ridiculous devil mask. I flicked it off to reveal his playful expression beneath, then tossed the mask away with a mischievous grin.
      “ Dance with me. ” It wasn ’ t a request. His fingers had laced in mine, and he pulled me toward the dance floor before I could concoct an excuse. Thankfully, the music was slow. I had no idea how to dance. They didn ’ t teach party etiquette where I was raised.
      He pulled me against him, hand slipping down to the small of my back to hold me close. I giggled. Alcohol had gone a long way toward soothing my fears. Stumbling a little, I looked at my feet, wondering what on earth I was supposed to do with them. Akil tipped my chin up.
      “ Just lean into me and relax. ”
      I obeyed, preferring to let him guide me than risk complete embarrassment. I found