The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead Read Free Book Online

detainment.
    “Can I get you anything?” Colleen asked. I realized now her exuberant energy was partially
     nervousness. We made her almost—but certainly not quite—as uneasy as she and the others
     made us. “Anything at all?”
    “We’re fine,” said Stanton, speaking for all of us. “Thank you.”
    Colleen nodded eagerly. “Well, if you need anything—no matter how small—don’t hesitate
     to ask. Simply grab one of the ushers, and they’ll find me immediately.” She stood
     there a moment longer, wringing her hands. “I’d best check on the others. Remember—call
     if you need anything.”
    “What I need is to get out of here,” muttered Ian once she was gone. I said nothing,
     not trusting any response. If I reassured him we were safe, I’d be regarded with suspicion.
     Yet if I acted like our lives were in danger, I’d be lying. My views were somewhere
     in the middle of those extremes.
    Someone handed me a program, and Ian leaned a bit more closely than I would’ve liked
     in order to read over my shoulder. The program detailed a list of songs and readings
     as well as the members of the wedding party. I could tell from Ian’s face that he
     was expecting to see “Unholy Bloodletting” right after the Corinthians reading. His
     next words affirmed as much.
    “They do a good job making it seem so normal, huh?” he asked, not bothering to hide
     the disgust in his voice. I was a bit surprised at how vicious his attitude was. I
     didn’t remember him being quite this extreme last summer. “Like it’s a real wedding
     or something.”
    He also wasn’t regulating his volume, and I glanced around anxiously, making sure
     no one overheard. “So you’re saying it’s not a real wedding?” I whispered back.
    Ian shrugged but at least took the hint and lowered his voice. “With them? It doesn’t
     matter. They don’t have real families or real love. They’re monsters.”
    It was ironic that he mentioned “real love” just then because at that moment, Adrian
     and his father were ushered to the opposite side of the atrium. Adrian was always
     a nice dresser, but I’d never seen him in anything so formal. I hated to admit it,
     but the look was great on him: a navy suit and vest that was nearly black paired with
     a pale blue shirt and blue-and-white-striped tie. It stood out from the more somber
     black and gray suits most men here were wearing, but not in an outlandish or tacky
     way. As I was studying him, Adrian glanced up and caught my eye. He smiled and gave
     me a small nod. I almost smiled back, but Stanton snapped me back to reality. I allowed
     him one last, lingering look, and then I turned away.
    “Mr. Jansen,” Stanton said in a stern voice. “Please keep your opinions to yourself.
     Regardless of their validity, we are guests here and will behave in a civilized way.”
    Ian nodded grudgingly, flushing slightly as he glanced in my direction—as if being
     so openly chastised might ruin his chances with me. He didn’t have to worry, seeing
     as he didn’t have any chance to begin with.
    Colleen sent an usher to check on us, and while he spoke to Stanton, Ian leaned toward
     me. “Am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy that we’re here?” He nodded toward Stanton.
     “She thinks this is okay, but come on.
They held us captive.
It’s unforgivable. Doesn’t that make you mad?”
    I certainly hadn’t liked it at the time, but I’d come to understand why it had happened.
     “I hate that they did that,” I lied, hoping it sounded convincing. “I’m angry every
     time I think of it.”
    Ian actually looked relieved enough to drop the topic.
    We sat in blessed silence as the atrium continued to fill up. By the time the ceremony
     was about ready to start, there must have been close to two hundred people in the
     room. I kept looking for familiar faces, but Adrian and his father were the only ones
     I knew. Then, at the last minute, a brightly clad figure came