Once I change my clothes, I take a few minutes to apply some makeup and pull up my hair into a messy bun. Skylar stands behind me to pull out some tendrils to soften my look. “Absolutely stunning. You’re going to have the boys chasing after you all night.”
I try to ignore the pain in my chest at her words, but she must see the change in my expression. She frowns at me as she places her hands on my shoulders. “What’s wrong? Why do you look so sad?”
I grasp her hand and squeeze it. “I’ll tell you later. You’re right. I need to get out of here and do something fun for a change. Let’s go.”
I don’t tell my father I’m leaving. He probably wouldn’t refuse to let me go, but I don’t want to give him the opportunity. We quietly make our way downstairs and out the front door without anyone noticing. Skylar has a cab waiting for us. Once we slip inside, she turns expectantly to me.
“Not here,” I whisper, before raising my voice. “Let me tell you about my day.” For the drive, I tell her all about how disappointed I was not to get the part of Aurora, and then how I learned I won the part of the Lilac Fairy. I explain the importance of the role and how eager I am to deliver my best performance.
“You’re going to be spectacular. I’ve seen you practice. You’ll steal the show,” Skylar gushes. “This is what you’ve always wanted. The scouts will love your performance and offer you achance to tour with them. I know that’s your ultimate goal. It’s happening for you, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Maybe,” I hedge. “I need to get through training and then hope for the best.”
The bass hits me first, a physical thing that vibrates through my chest as Skylar and I step out of the car and into the humid night. A line snakes down the sidewalk, bodies pressed close together, voices raised over the music pounding from inside the nightclub. I slow instinctively, already bracing myself for the wait.
We don’t stop.
The bouncer’s eyes flick over us and then settle on Skylar. His posture changes immediately, rope lifting as if by reflex. “Go on in,” he says, stepping aside.
I glance at Skylar as we pass, half expecting her to smirk. Of course, he recognizes her. Skylar has that kind of presence—the kind people remember. I’m just the girl beside her, swept along in her wake.
Inside, the world explodes into color and sound. Strobing lights flash blue, purple, and white, cutting through a haze of smoke. The air is thick with perfume, sweat, and alcohol. Bodies move everywhere—young, beautiful people packed together, dancing, laughing, shouting into each other’s ears. It’s overwhelming and exhilarating all at once.
Skylar laces her fingers through mine before I can hesitate. “Come on,” she says, already pulling me forward.
I let her lead me through the crowd, past the dance floor, and toward a shadowed corner where a small table waits as if it’s been reserved just for us. We slide into the booth, the leather cool against my skin. A waiter appears almost instantly, and Skylar orders champagne without even glancing at me, knowing I won’t object.
When the bottle arrives, and the glasses are poured, Skylar lifts hers but doesn’t drink. Instead, she turns fully toward me, hazel-green eyes sharp and searching.
“Okay,” she says, skipping any pretense. “Enough pretending. Why aren’t you floating on cloud nine?”
The music pounds around us, people cheering nearby, but suddenly it feels like it’s just the two of us. I stare down into the bubbles rising in my glass, my smile slipping before I can stop it.
Because everything looks perfect from the outside, and nothing feels right on the inside.
CHAPTER SEVEN: VLADIMIR
“What?” Dom asks when he realizes I’m studying him.
“Just remembering when we first met,” I tell him. “How’s Dina? Is she enjoying college?”
Dom’s usually stern expression softens when he thinks of his younger sister. His smile is so broad it completely transforms his face.
“She’s happy now that she’s living in an apartment instead of the dorms. She says it makes studying easier, but I’ve seen the credit card bills; she’s also hosting parties. Not that it bothers me. Much. I’m glad she’s having fun.”
“She’s a political science major, right?”
Dom nods. “Yeah, I don’t know why she chose that major, but whatever makes her happy. I just want her to be happy.”
“She’s one of the happiest people I’ve ever met,” I told him with a laugh. “She always has been. You’re the sourpuss in that family.”
Dom grimaces but shoots me a grin. “I know. I’m trying to lighten up. It isn’t like our lives are conducive to frivolity.”
I nod in agreement. “Especially right now. I take it you came in here for a reason?”
“Our guest is showing signs of waking up. The nurse says he’s been moaning, and she saw his eyes fluttering. I thought you might want to be there if he wakes.”
About a week ago, a contact of mine in the Ukrainian Army informed me that they had located a man matching the description I provided. They were outside Pischane, spying on the Russian soldiers and making preparations to retake the town. The soldiers spotted a Russian vehicle dropping off several men. The men dragged a fourth man from the truck and beat him before shooting him three times. When the three men returned to the car and took off, the Ukrainian soldiers approached the body, believing it was one of their own. However, they discovered he was Russian. Luckily, one of the soldiers had seen my communique. They patched him up and contacted me.
