“Dance floor’s better on the fourth level,” Avery suggests, glancing between Oliver and me.
My gaze drifts to where Callie’s now leaning toward Logan, her head practically resting on his shoulder. Irritation buzzes through me, way more than is logical given the short time I’ve known Logan.
But how long I’ve known him doesn’t matter. Because feelings, unfortunately, aren’t always trumped by logic. And my feeling right now is that I don’t want to stand here seeing this.
The best part? I don’thaveto stand here seeing this. Not only do I not have to stay anywhere I don’t want to in general—besides classes, of course—but Avery’s given me a perfect out, and she doesn’t even realize it.
“Let’s go.” I drain half my drink, letting it burn down my throat, and follow Oliver downstairs.
The fourth floor is exactly what I need—dark, loud, and crowded enough to lose myself in what’s happening around me. The torches here burn lower, creating moving shadows that make everyone look mysterious. Oliver pulls me into the crowd without hesitation, and I let the music take over, leaning into the buzz floating through my veins from the nearly finished drink.
He’s a good dancer. Confident without being showy, keeping just enough distance to be respectful, while also making it clear he’d close that gap if I wanted. Avery hovers nearby, dancing with Evie but constantly orbiting back to us.
“Your brother’s popular,” I shout to Evie over the music after the fifth person comes up to greet Oliver.
He leans toward me. “Perks of being genuinely nice!” he says, managing to pay attention to me while greeting one of the other guys. “I know, weird concept at Blaze.”
I laugh, and for a moment I forget about gray eyes and complicated kisses. Because this is simple. This is fun. This is what I need.
Then I spot Miles.
He’s standing against the wall, watching me with that same calculating look from lunch. When our eyes meet, he doesn’t look away. He doesn’t even pretend he wasn’t staring.
“I need to find a bathroom,” I tell Oliver between songs.
“Third floor, back corner, on the opposite side of the tower from where we came in,” he says. “Want me to come with?”
“I think I can manage.”
The third floor is quieter and emptier, and the bathroom is indeed in the back corner, past a nearly empty room with worn out couches and down a narrow hallway lit by those eternal torches.
I’m halfway there when footsteps echo behind me.
My shoulders tense, electricity prickling under my skin. If Miles followed me…
But when I glance back, the hallway’s empty. Just shadows, firelight, and my imagination running wild, like it loves to do sometimes. Well, let’s be honest—like it loves to doallthe time.
The bathroom is basic but clean, which is a small miracle for a partially flooded ancient tower. I splash water on my face, trying to cool the flush from dancing and drinking and pretending I don’t care who Logan’s pressed against on the roof.
Focus on the guy who’s actually available,I remind my reflection.The uncomplicated one. The one whose friends don’t stare at you like you’re a science experiment, and whose maybe-girlfriend doesn’t glare at you like she wants to kill you.
My reflection doesn’t look convinced.
And when I exit, the hallway isn’t empty anymore.
Alessandra Sterling—Callie’s emberlinked partner—leans against the wall, studying her manicured nails with casual elegance. Everything about her, from the honey-blonde beachy waves to the way she makes designer clothes look effortless, is exactly what my mother always wanted me to be and everything I never was.
“Jade Harrington. Just who I was hoping to find.” Her voice drips Southern honey. “We need to have a little chat.”
“Do we?” I try to step around her, but she mirrors my movement with practiced grace.
“Oh, I think we do.” She guides me toward a dim corner, and I’m just curious enough to follow. “See, I couldn’t help noticing you watching Callie and Logan on the roof. That look on your face? Well... it was just heartbreaking to witness.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Why were you watching me?”
“Because when you’re emberlinked, everything that affects your partner affects you.” She tilts her head, her warm brown eyes studying me. “Callie’s happiness is my happiness. Andyou?” That perfect smile never wavers. “You’re making her unhappy.”
“I’m not doing anything. Logan and I have barely spoken since?—“
