“Wait, why are we wondering why he left you alive? Varian’s standing right here,” Sarah asks.
Rosie sits up a little straighter. “Yes! Please tell us. He tells this story at least twenty times a year. We need closure.”
Varian grins, and for once, it’s filled with warmth, not teasing. “He was just so… young. And hetalkedthe entire way up the mountain. I’d never seen such a terrible guard. I figured at the very least, he’d be a good early warning system if the guards wanted to give me more trouble. And then there was the smell… Those clothes had to go.”
There’s more laughing, and something in my heart warms at the way the three of them look at each other.
“Vivian has an exercise she needs to do with you all tomorrow,” Sin notes when there’s a pause in the laughter.
I whirl back to him, giving him a betrayed look. We arenotcompleting Dr. Parnard’s homework.
“Oh! Group run? Finally!” Damien exclaims before I can shut it down.
“Yes! Finally! The pre-war runner’s group!” Sarah squeals, jumping up and down. “Should we make shirts?”
“Guys, no. It’s not a run–” I start.
“Vivi, if this ‘exercise’ involves another throne, I’m skipping,” Arianna deadpans, taking another sip of wine.
I choke on my water. Twice in one night might be a record.
Rosie pats me on the back. “Either way, hydration is probably important,” she giggles as she says it, but it sounds weak.
The answering laughter is forced, all of us concerned over the way she’s withering before us. Her shoulders creep to her ears, hating the attention. But before I can help, Conner sweeps in to save the day.
“I knew Viv was going to rule someday,” he exclaims confidently.
His comment is so ludicrous, I don’t manage to contain my snort. “What on earth gave you that impression?”
He taps the side of his head, grinning knowingly. “Because you’re scary smart. You always had your nose in a book.”
I flush, mentally begging him not to go there.
Isaac, my fellow introvert, is the one who betrays me. “She’s stone cold, too. Who else can read about a chick being railed by aliteral kraken while sitting in class, surrounded by people, and not bat an eye?”
Dying inside, I decide I’m going to find a charm that makes his laptop playBaby Sharkon full volume, every time he opens it in class.
As always, Sarah saves me from their antics. “So, how many rebel armies are there? Where are they coming from?”
Her question has its intended effect, and the conversation steers away from me as they start discussing the war. Of course, that topic is also anxiety-inducing, and I begin spiraling all over again.
“Tentacles, kitten?”Sin purrs in my mind.
My cheeks are officially on fire.
“I wascurious,” I think back, wondering if he’ll hear me.
He smirks, and his power gives a slight pulse again.
The moment he does it, it feels like something is snaking up my leg. It’s wet and coils around my thigh, higher and higher, heading toward my center.
It’s a fucking tentacle.
Sin is making me hallucinate a tentacle.
My eyes widen, darting to the others, but they aren’t watching me.
“Want to use your safe word?” He asks.
