“It will be before long,” Dahlia murmured, the enigmatic, distant look in her eyes sobering me.
My irritation faded at the weight I sensed behind her words.
“Is there something you need to tell me?” I asked, cautiously. This wouldn’t be the first time Dahlia had given me something that had later saved my life.
Natalia’s humor faded as she and Connor studied the djinn, sensing the same thing I did.
The interaction went over Jenna and Caroline’s head as they watched us in confusion.
“Not at this time, I think,” Dahlia said, her gaze still directed inward as if she was looking at something only she could see. “Maybe later.”
I didn’t know what else to do but nod.
Dahlia was a patchwork quilt of secrets. A riddle wrapped in an enigma with a side helping of mystery.
Pushing too much would only backfire.
“But you might eventually,” I asked carefully.
Her head tilted before she inclined her chin. “If it becomes necessary.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a ribbon of smoke drift down from the ceiling. It curled toward a group of laughing women, circling them. A tendril dipped to brush against one woman’s hair.
A rumbling sound, close to a snarl, came from Dahlia. The smoke froze under her sharp glance.
Scant seconds passed before it withdrew, beating a retreat toward the ceiling.
“Forgive me,” Dahlia said, exasperation showing as the smoke ribbon’s companions clustered around it like it had just been dressed down by the big boss. “I have something pressing to attend to. I’ll return in a bit.”
There was a chorus of “awws” from Caroline and Jenna as Dahlia glided back to the bar.
“Next time, we should go somewhere she won’t be distracted by work,” Jenna suggested.
I looked at her askance. “Should we now?”
Jenna held my gaze stubbornly with her own as she grabbed Connor’s glass and drained the last few drops for liquid courage. She set it down, fire in her eyes. “You heard what I said.”
“I love how you’ve taken to inviting yourself to all future Girl’s Nights,” I teased, not really upset about the fact. From what I’d seen, she fit right in with this bag of crazies. If that was the case, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad letting her hang around.
“I don’t need your invitation, because I already have one,” Jenna said with a smug expression at the surprise on my face. “We discussed it when you were late.”
I looked at Caroline in accusation, knowing she was the most likely instigator.
Her smile was evil.
“Laugh all you want, buttercup,” I warned. “Vengeance is coming.”
Caroline clutched her hands at her heart, pretending to be terrified before bursting into laughter.
I shook my head, snagging the lemon drop Dahlia had left for me and taking a sip. “Such an asshole.”
Caroline slung an arm around my shoulder and squeezed me. “You know you love it.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” I planted a hand on her face and shoved her away from me.
Jenna laughed as she gathered the table’s glasses and rose. “I’m going to procure us more beverages.”
“I’ll help,” Caroline offered, already scooting her chair back.
