The Scarlett Legacy (15 page)

EVIE’S WHITE GOWN
seemed to glow in the sunlight. A smile was plastered to her face, and yet her soul was screaming, begging to be heard. Every step took all of her strength. Beneath her bouquet of purple flowers her hands shook.

Everyone stared at her. Could they see the pain in her eyes or how broken her heart was? She doubted it. All they saw was a beautiful girl about to marry a handsome man with a lot of money, property, and a charming smile. They knew nothing about the truth.

At the altar was not Parker… not the love of her life.

Avalon stood there, that charming smile on his lips, and evil in his eyes.

This is a dream.

Evie woke up in tears. She couldn’t let that dream turn into a reality.

“Parker,” she called into the darkness, her eyes adjusting the pitch black the instant her eyes opened.

“I’m sorry.”

Depression had set in so quickly. A week had gone by, and all she wanted to do was sleep. All it did was make her live out her worst fears.

She sat up in her bed and looked at her clock on the wall on the far end by the antique writing desk.

Time to get ready for the party

It was time to end this.

EVIE WAS SURPRISED
when Avalon allowed her to visit Quinn. While what looked like hundreds of people worked to ready the mansion for the Halloween party, Avalon watched her leave in her own car, a trusting smile on his face.

Apparently, he approved of her best friend.

Quinn wasn’t a threat.

Lucky me,
Evie thought bitterly as she tried on her costume for the party.

White feathers covered her dresses glittering lace and satin. It was fitting. It reminded her of her shifter form, but no one else would ever know.

Perfect.

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” Evie said.

Quinn sat at her desk in her Hello Kitty pajamas, and watching her while finishing the pizza they had shared.

“I wish I knew what you were thinking,” Quinn said.

“What do you mean?”

Quinn stood, fixing her hair. Her brows were scrunched up as she looked at Evie in the full length mirror hung on the back of her closet door. She reached for her glasses on Quinn’s table and put them back on.

“I get that Avalon is hot and all, but what about Parker? I thought you loved him.”

Evie tensed. “I did. Avalon is the better pick for my future.”

Quinn twisted her mouth. “You’re lying. Why are you lying to me?”

Evie sighed. “Stop asking me questions, Quinn. Aren’t you glad that I’m going to be stuck in Woodland Creek? Aren’t you happy? I’m staying.”

Quinn’s face softened. She took Evie’s hand, surprising her by her gentleness.

“Talk to me. Be real.”

Evie sighed, her eyes leaving her reflection to stare at her sparkling silver heels.

Quinn had helped her paint her toe nails. One night with her best friend worked wonders, even if she knew that soon she would be in more danger than she’d ever experienced.

It was as if Evie was getting ready for prom, and Quinn was all too excited to make her shine like a princess. She loved her like a sister.

Evie couldn’t lie to her. She was tired of lying.

She turned to Quinn, holding her hands within hers.

Face to face, and eye to eye, Evie told the truth.

“I miss Parker more than anything in the world,” she said, her voice cracking.

Quinn pulled her into a tight embrace. “Then why the hell did you leave him, Evie? What’s going on?”

“I had to do it, Quinn. Avalon hates my family. He was going to harm them unless I became his… girlfriend, plaything… I don’t know what I am anymore. He actually asked me to marry him. I’ve known the guy for a week and he’s already ruined my life.”

Evie sniffled against Quinn’s shoulder. She sucked in a breath, composing herself. She couldn’t ruin her makeup.

“My goodness,” Quinn sighed, smoothing her back. “I can’t recall ever seeing you cry. You didn’t even cry at your father’s funeral. Why would you let that stranger do this?”

Evie pulled back and took a deep breath. “It won’t matter soon enough,” she said.

“Why?”

Evie shook her head. “Because I’m not going to let him ruin my life for good. I have to do something before it’s too late.”

“Can I help?” Quinn’s lips curled at the corners.

THE ALBRECT MANSION
was swarmed with people, cars, and decorations when Evie returned.

Evie lifted her dress’ skirt and quickened her speed. She would not be late.

She could not.

The stairs waited before her. Her heels tapped along the concrete as she ran up to the front entrance. She paused before the doormen, hoping they’d simply glance at her invitation.

“Identification,” the tall slick-haired doorman said.

Evie raised a brow, looking down at his hand. She looked up to him.

“Really?”

He nodded.

She huffed and searched her gold clutch for her driver’s license.

“I live here. How could you not know that?” She handed her license to him, annoyed.

“Everyone gets carded, ma’am.” He read her ID, looking up at her and back at her photo.

“She’s clear,” he said and the other man opened the door.

“Enjoy your night, Miss Scarlett.”

“Yeah,” Evie grumbled, smoothing her dress. She entered the lobby.

A pretty blonde in a black cocktail dress took her coat and handed her a ticket before retreating to the coat check closet made from the front study.

Everything looked different from just a few hours ago. The foyer was decorated to look like a haunted house with men and women dressed in horrifying costumes depicting vampires, devils, and witches.

The real monster didn’t even need a costume.

Evie straightened her dress and took a breath. “Here goes.”

As she stepped from the foyer to the main ballroom, the number of people present made her nervous.

“Whoa,” she whispered as her eyes took in the grandeur before her.

Spider webs covered the walls and ceiling. Purple and red lights flickered, making the room feel like an expensive nightclub.

The beauty, pomp, and theatrics left her spellbound.

There was a time when her parents would host parties like this in Scarlett Hall. Evie and Parker would play outside instead, chasing fireflies, or hanging out in the attic.

“You’ve made it right on time,” a deep male voice called from her right. She turned to see Avalon Prince approaching her with two champagne flutes. He gave her his bright smile, revealing perfect white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek.

He looked genuinely pleased to see her, and she noted how handsome he was in his costume. She instantly knew who he was supposed to be.

“Prince Charming… from Cinderella, right?”

He had the costume down to the exact buttons from the movie. She raised a brow as she looked him up and down.

He nodded. “Good eye. I figured you’d figure it out. It was your favorite movie when we were in school together.”

Evie’s smile almost faltered. She blinked. “You remembered that?” She now wished she could remember him from that time that wasn’t that long ago.

Avalon definitely had layers. If the circumstances had been different she might have explored them.

But not today.

“And you look amazing. What are you supposed to be?”

Evie cracked her best smile and accepted the champagne he handed to her.

“A swan,” she lied. Her gaze swept over the room, focusing on the aerial dancers that hung and spun from the ceiling.

“Wow.” She took a sip. “It’s quite a party… and the service here is spot on. And easy on the eyes,” she said with a wink at Avalon.

Avalon chuckled. “Why thank you. I saw you enter and swiped two flutes off the nearest server tray. Did you have fun with Quinn?”

She nodded and scanned the room. Clusters of immaculately dressed guests filled almost every inch of the room. The room was lit with crystal chandeliers that looked as though they were passed down from royalty. Even the servers were remarkable. All dressed in black with white masks that covered their eyes, the servers looked as though they’d each had a cover in Vogue Magazine.

Avalon did appreciate beauty.

“I did. Thank you for letting me see her.”

“You can see anyone you want. Except your family, of course.”

Tensing, Evie avoided letting him see the scowl on her face. She couldn’t even visit her brother to make the curse had been completely broken.

She changed the subject. “What a great turnout. Woodland Creek folk love their costume parties.”

He held out his arm and she accepted. “I’ll take you around to meet a few important people.”

“I thought I was supposed to be the one to show you around?”

“I took it upon myself to get to know the important people in my town. I am a businessman after all.”

Evie flashed a smile. She was going to need more alcohol to keep up such a fake act.

“Well, I hope you know some important people that can help me out.”

“Why? What happened?”

She shrugged. “My car broke down and I really need a tow truck.”

He looked concerned. He covered her hand with his. “How did you get here?”

“I walked.” She drank her champagne and handed the empty flute to a passing server. Picking up another glass she flashed a smile to Avalon. “It’s no big deal really. It’s just annoying.”

“Tell me where your car is and I’ll have it towed to my mechanic. He’ll take good care of it.”

“Thank you. You have your own mechanic already?”

“I do,” he said. “Come, meet Mayor Stone.”

Evie followed along, her mind racing despite her cool expression. Her eyes flickered up to the aerial dancers again. She envied them. Her urge to run outside and fly away nearly overcame her.

She hoped her plan would work.

“Sure. I’d love to meet the mayor,” she said.

“Evie?”

Her smile was wiped from her face when she turned to look at who called her name.

Paling, Evie’s face turned to horror. She let go of Avalon’s arm.

“Parker!”