Dance of Fire by Yelena Black Read Free Book Online

his voice cracking. ‘I’m not good enough for you?’
    â€˜Of course you are,’ Vanessa said. ‘You’re a great guy. It’s just more complicated than that.’
    Justin frowned. ‘How?’
    She told him about her dream, about the demon’s promise. ‘If I kiss you, whatever part of it is still in me . . . it could hurt you. And I can’t be responsible for that.’
    There was a long pause as she watched him take in her words.
    And then he started to laugh.
    â€˜Seriously?’
    â€˜This isn’t funny,’ Vanessa said. ‘I’m being honest with you.’
    â€˜I know,’ Justin said. He took a deep breath and said, more calmly, ‘but Vanessa . . . that’s crazy talk.’
    â€˜After everything we’ve been through, now you’re going to tell me that I’m crazy?’ She stood up, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. ‘You’re an ass, Justin Cooke.’
    She turned, about to press open the door, when Justin’s warm arms wrapped themselves around her. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered. ‘You’re not crazy.’
    Vanessa could feel the muscles of his chest against her back, the sweet warmth of his breath on her neck. ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘And you’re not . . . an ass.’
    He chuckled softly. ‘The demon is not going to hurt you. Not while I’m around.’
    She let out a long sigh. ‘But it’s so close –’
    â€˜We don’t know where the demon is, Vanessa.’ Justin gave her a gentle squeeze. ‘And mark my words – at the first signthat it’s here, in London, well . . . I’ll make up some crazy excuse to your mom and we’ll hop on the first plane back to New York.’
    Vanessa froze. There was no way she could leave London – the Lyric Elite were here, and they were the only ones who could help her find her sister.
    â€˜I don’t want to leave London,’ she said softly.
    â€˜I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you,’ Justin murmured, softly kissing her neck.
    â€˜Justin!’ she said, spinning around in his arms. She wanted to tell him that the demon was in London, Enzo had said so, but she couldn’t. She wanted desperately to kiss him, but she couldn’t do that either. Not now. Not until the demon was destroyed.
    â€˜The demon possessed me, and I survived,’ Vanessa said stiffly, breaking away from Justin’s arms. ‘There is some sort of . . . link between us. I can feel it. And I can’t risk putting anyone I care about in danger.’
    â€˜So what are you saying?’ Justin asked.
    She stared into the clear blue eyes of this boy who clearly liked her. And who – if she was going to be honest – she liked back. ‘I’m saying . . . we need to be just friends for now. OK?’
    â€˜That’s ridiculous,’ Justin said. ‘I don’t understand –’
    â€˜Please,’ Vanessa said. ‘If you care about me at all, you won’t question me on this.’
    Justin still looked as if he didn’t quite believe her, and it made Vanessa sick that she was hurting him this way. ‘OK?’ she whispered.
    Justin looked away. ‘I guess.’
    The silence between them was deafening. Vanessa pushed the bar on the door leading back into the hall. ‘I’ll see you at rehearsal.’
    He nodded. ‘Later.’
    And with that, Vanessa climbed down the stairs, along the hallway to her room. Alone.
    Back inside room 321, Svetya was nowhere to be found. Which was probably a good thing, because Vanessa still hadn’t unpacked, and her chat with Justin had unnerved her. She pressed her back against the closed door. She had wanted Justin to kiss her, more than anything, but she had to be careful. She couldn’t let anyone else be hurt because of her, especially not Justin. She was trying to protect him . . . even though, right