Sevyn’s head canted to the side while Syxx tried to keep ahold of her braid. “I am.”
Damn. I was hoping it was Syxx. Of the two, she’d probably be more likely to help me.
Still, I didn’t let my disappointment show.
“What are the chances of you helping me with my act tonight instead?”
Sevyn snorted. “Nonexistent.”
“Oh, come on.” I chuckled dryly. “You don’t hate me that much, do you?”
A furrow formed between her purple eyebrows, and she pursed her lips. “You stabbed me. Or did you forget?”
“Come on, Sev. It was just a scratch.”
“I almost lost my finger,” she snapped, holding up her pinky for me to see. There was a thick scar running up the side where my blade had severed the skin.
I grimaced. “Okay, but I said I was sorry. And it won’t happen again, I promise.” I made a cross over my chest and poked out my bottom lip. “What do you say?”
“Why?” Syxx interrupted, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I didn’t have time to argue, nor did I want to. I just wanted a yes. “Why are you trying to change the lineup right before the show?”
I ran my tongue over my teeth. It wasn’t any of their business, not really. They’d get paid the same, regardless of which act they helped with.
“I want the newbie to see how a real assistant performs.” I winked at her. “And she’ll take your place in the cage.”
“Does Hallow know about this?” Sevyn narrowed her eyes at me.
Of course she would be concerned if our ringleader knew about a last-minute switch—she didn’t want to take the fall if something went wrong. And I was treading dangerous waters by messing with the performance without orders, but the risk was worth the reward in this case.
If Revel managed to frighten Arina into leaving, we’d be rid of her.
Things could go back to normal.
“Would I be asking if they didn’t?” I cocked a brow, daring her to question me. It was a huge bluff, but considering my proximity to Hallow, I knew she would fold.
Sevyn finally sighed. “Fine. But if you stab me again, Zero, I swear to Christ…”
“I’ll be more careful than ever,” I assured her, which was true. I was already toeing the line tonight. If I hurt Sevyn, Hallow would kill me.
Or Syxx would, judging by the way she was staring daggers into the side of my face.
“Whatever.” Sevyn sat straight in her seat to let Syxx finish her hair. “I deserve a raise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ARINA
So this is what it’s like to have friends.
It was a foreign concept because I’d been so isolated since my awakening, but I was starting to understand exactly what I’d been missing all these years.
Connection, interaction, conversation. I’d missed it all.
For the last three years, I’d immersed myself in movies and books because that was all I had outside of my parents. Now, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and I’d laughed so much my stomach ached. The walls I’d built to distance myself from everyone were crumbling and, for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t afraid to let people in.
I could have friends, and I could talk to them, as long as I kept my designation a secret.
So far, so good.
