We both look down at my wrist, which is circled by my golden star bracelet.
My smile drops, and Donovan instantly nods in understanding.
“I wish he were coming too.”
We don’t need mind-reading to be on the same page.
Donovan squeezes my hand. “At least he’s safe here in the tower.”
“That’s true. Did you find out who gave him a lift back?”
His face clouds with worry. “Wes wouldn’t tell me. I hate this, Tee. We’ve never been so separate. Even when we were trapped in different realms, I felt closer to Wes than I do now.”
Another long car draws up. The driver opens the back door, and I blink as Naomi exits. She’s wearing a silver leather corset top with a slinky silver skirt that almost looks like chainmail. Beside me, Willow suddenly clutches my hand.
—She’s so out of my league—
I don’t get a chance to reassure Willow as Naomi comes straight over.
“Willow, you look amazing,” she says, kissing my bestie’s cheek. Willow flushes, and I can’t hide my smile.
“All of you ladies look amazeballs,” Max says, suddenly producing a bottle of tequila from somewhere. “Shots time!”
I see a quick flicker of approval in Naomi’s eyes, and she pulls a flask out of her small clutch. “Took the words straight out of my mouth.”
After several rounds, some ridiculous toasts, plus a group photo session, Donovan opens the back door of our car for me. "All right, let's go have some fun. I know we’re also on a fact-finding mission but we can have a little of both, right?”
“Uh, that sounds like a jinx if ever I’ve heard one, everybody touch-wood,” I laugh. Hilarity ensues as all of us slap Maximus’ buzzed head. “But seriously,” I say between giggles, “there are going to be a lot of bigwigs at this thing, we’d better not get too wasted.”
“Do you think bigwigs literally have big wigs?” Max asks. “Like, they have so many important things to deal with that all their hair falls out and then they need a massive wig.”
“Yes, Maximus. I think that’s completely correct,” Willow snorts. “Is that why you’re basically bald?”
Max rubs a hand across his stubbly scalp. “Nope, my cock does all the thinking in this body.”
“Better get him a merkin then,” Naomi drawls.
I snort a shot of tequila out of my nose as Donovan looks perplexed and asks what a merkin is.
Naomi raises a sophisticated eyebrow. “It’s a pubic wig.”
Donovan’s eyes widen, and he slings an arm around my shoulders. “You know, I think I’d be into seeing you in a big pubic wig, Tee. I’ve always found that seventies big bush thing super hot.”
The banter cuts off as we watch a long line of cars, full of students dressed to the nines, head down the driveway. “Is everyone in the school going to this thing?”
“Definitely seems like more than usual,” Naomi says. “My parents told me Ihadto go, no choice. I think the WMO is putting out some announcements or something. Anyway, Willow, shall we?”
Once in our respective cars, the drivers join the parade leaving Validus Vale and heading to the capital.
My stomach is filled with flutters. I think it’s just excitement, after all, this is just a school dance.
With WMO and Conclave members present.
OK. No more tequila for me.
???
When our chauffeur opens the door, a wall of sound hits me. I hadn’t expected to see a crowd watching the ball arrivees.
