“Why do you think?—”
“Nope,” she says. “Try again and skip the bullshit this time. I’m already pissed. If you play dumb it’ll only be worse for you.”
“I’m trying to keep you safe,” I insist.
“Thanks. I appreciate that. Now spill.”
“It’s complicated,” I groan, tossing my makeup kit onto my station and flicking on the lights around my mirror.
Imani drops into her chair and begins pinning sections of her curls back. “It always is. Fill in the blanks for me.”
“You know what I’ve told you about Dad,” I say, then hold my breath until my wings aren’t threatening to turn to knives any longer.
“Dick and a half,” Imanimutters.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t mention this because it didn’t seem especially relevant at the time, but he wants me dead. And he knows where I am.”
Imani drops the clips on her station with a clatter and slowly turns her body toward mine, leveling me with her most intense stare. “Celine...”
“I know. Believe me, I know. It’s not great. He’s been sending goons to take me out. If you see someone with wings, turn around and go the other way.”
Imani slumps back in her chair, her piercing gaze so compassionate that my eyes well up with tears. “Gods, babe—are you okay?”
I shrug dismissively, then remember what she’s been through, and let out the breath I’ve been holding. Imani’s concern isn’t from imagined empathy—it’s from lived experience. If anyone in the Fringes can understand how I feel, it’s her. Which is exactly why I can’t let her get anywhere near this mess.
“There’s not a mark on me,” I assure her. “But I don’t want him to know who I’m close to.”
“You think he’d come after me?” Imani asks, raising her eyebrows. “It won’t matter if he does, I’m with you no matter what.”
I force a smile, feeling a pinch in my heart. Imani won’t abandon me, yet six inches of water are enough to paralyze her with fear. It’s funny how friendship gives us the strength to fight someone else’s monsters, when even the thought of our own sends us scurrying for cover.
“He’s already tried with Alistair,” I tell her, desperate to make her see how serious this is. If I have to worry about her on top of everyone else...
Her eyebrows shoot up, then she grins. “I knew things were getting real with him.”
“What? Imani, you’re missing the whole entire point.” I shakemy head and begin applying my makeup to give me something to do with my hands. “My dad is insane.”
“Yeah, I heard all that, and I’m appropriately freaked out, I promise. But Alistair hasn’t stopped hanging all over you . . . even after someone tried to kill him. That’s about as serious as it gets in the Fringes, babe. Like—when’s the wedding?”
“Shut up.” I laugh, but it comes out sounding manic.Pull yourself together.
Imani checks her phone, then grins. “I came in early to ambush you. We’ve got half an hour until the other girls get here. Spill, and leave nothing out. I want all the dirty details.”
“Fine, but in exchange, I need a promise from you,” I say, locking my eyes with hers. I’m willing to talk this through with her, but only if I know she’ll be safe. It’s the perfect opportunity to get her perspective and ensure she doesn’t become a casualty to my father’s cruel vendetta.
Imani sits up straighter, the humor falling away from her face. “Let’s hear it.”
“Until this settles, you keep your distance from me in public. I’m already losing sleep worrying about who could get hurt because of me. I can’t worry about you too.”
“Fine, but I have a condition of my own.” She points one perfectly manicured nail at me. “You’ll let me know if you need backup before it’s too late. No prideful, loner fringe bullshit where you try to go it alone, then end up as desert detritus.”
“Detritus? Really?” I chuckle. “Did you subscribe to one of those word-of-the-day email newsletters again?”
“Maybe.” Imani levels me with an exasperated look. “Don’t change the subject.”
I pinch my lips together, carefully drawing on my winged eyeliner. By the time I’m done, my mouth is hanging open despite my best efforts.
“Swear it, Celine,” Imani demands.
