Bellamy groaned when she got up. She brushed her teeth, tended her curls, touched up her mascara and eyeliner, then decided she’d stay in the clothes she’d slept in. It wasn’t anything bad, but itwasa statement to everyone: Vesper was hers, so back the fuck off.
Vesper eyed her in the stolen V-neck and boxers and chuckled. “That’s what you’re wearing?” she asked with a little smirk.
“Yes.” Bellamy jutted her chin out, a challenge in her eyes.
“All right. Let’s see if Cedar’s back.”
She followed Vesper out of the room, waiting behind her while she knocked. A muffled “come in” came from the other side. Immediately, Vesper had to dodge out of the way as a bundle of socks came flying at her head—a vastly different reception than she’d gotten the day before.
Bellamy covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her laughter.
“Hey! It’s me!” Vesper exclaimed, catching a second bundle thrown her way. Bellamy stayed planted out of the line of fire.
“I know!” Cypress yelled back. “Did you know only the working rooms are soundproof?”
Oops. She couldn’t say she was sorry about that. Cypress was way too attached to Vesper. She needed to understand that Vesper wasn’t hers. Better sooner than later. Even though Bellamy didn’t think they’d been that loud.
“Sorry,” Vesper muttered, rubbing the back of her nowbright-red neck. Bellamy smirked. She fucking loved seeing Ves squirm.
Vesper cleared her throat awkwardly. “So, um, did Cedar mention when she might get back?”
“Why? So she can be next?” Cypress yelled again.
Bellamy laughed, saving Ves from a reply by finally butting in. “Don’t worry, Cypress,” she purred with all the sweetness she could muster. “Vesper’s not allowed to fuck Cedar anymore.”
Vesper whipped her head around, eyes wide and mouthed, “whose side are you on?” right before another bundle of socks came flying her way.
“Anymore?” the kid screeched, tears filling her eyes. Shit, she cried a lot. Bellamy couldn’t tell if it was genuine or if she was just manipulating Ves. Either way, she didn’t fucking like when Vesper immediately tried to comfort her.
“Don’t be like that. Come here,” Vesper shushed her gently and took a step forward, opening her arms for Cypress to curl into. Unsurprisingly, she did, in fact, let Vesper comfort her. Bellamy rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth while Vesper murmured gentle platitudes and reassurances against Cypress’s hair.
Despite having decided not to hold this little crush against Cypress, she still couldn’t help wanting to rip the girl's hair out. It wasn’t fair to Cypress though. The girl clearly loved Vesper. Bellamy had to try to not let it bother her. She cleared her throat, interrupting their moment and glared at Vesper, who shrugged like she was an innocent bystander in all this.
“When’s your sister coming back?” Bellamy snapped, only a little frustrated with herself for not being able to keep her tone in check. Cypress gave her a look and tightened her hold on Vesper.
“I don’t know,” Cypress shot back, matching Bellamy’s tone. She almost smiled. She might be able to like this one after all. The girl had fire. Then, a light chuckle sounded behind her, and her skin crawled with recognition.
“Jealousy never did look good on you,” Cedar hissed, low enough only Bellamy could hear it as she pushed past her into theroom. “Did V fuck up again, Cy?” Cedar asked, with all the sad gentleness Bellamy had never known her to possess.
Cedar’s entry marked the end of her somewhat good mood. She’d never like that bitch, and there was no reason to pretend. Vesper had to hate her by now too, right?
“You didn’t tell me either, so really, it was both of you that fucked up,” Cypress stated matter-of-factly, shooting another quick glare at Bellamy. Bellamy did not hold back her laugh this time. Yeah, she would be able to like this kid—eventually.
“Bel helpfully mentioned that we used to, uh,” Vesper stopped short. She shrugged, one arm still around Cypress.
Bellamy, however, had no qualms about censoring herself. Cypress could hear it again. She was an adult after all, as she seemed so keen on reminding Ves.
“Fuck,” Bellamy offered brightly, a fake smile plastered on her face. “Used to,” she added when Cedar narrowed her eyes at her. Bellamy pushed past them and plopped down on one of the chairs, tucking her feet under her. “Just give us the updates, Cedar.”
Cedar rolled her eyes. She perched on the edge of the bed. She patted the spot next to her for Cypress to join when Ves finally nudged her away.
“It’s not great,” Cedar started tentatively—exactly how Bellamy thought she would. She didn’t know what the fuck Ves expected Cedar to be able to do anyway. “I’ve not really gotten to anyone who is in a position to dig up much. The Embunuh definitely know you two have gone to ground, and they’re searching pretty hard. Can’t say if it’s because of the job or something else. But one of my contacts has people infiltrating. They’ll try and see if they can find anything, but it’ll take a while.”
“Great,” Bellamy grumbled, glancing at Vesper. “So, we’re fucking stuck here. Are we confined to our rooms? What’dshedo the last nine years?”
Cypress shot her a dagger-filled look before standing up and digging around in her dresser. She threw two Ilusi veils at Bellamy,similar to the ones Cedar had gotten for the trip over, except much nicer quality. “Put these on or go out with any of the Illusionists. Leave with one of the girls and you’ll look like a client.”
Bellamy frowned, rubbing the thin fabric between her fingers. It was way more comfortable than the suffocating shit they wore on the way over. A proper Ilusi veil. It would cover her hair and face. No doubt it was imbedded with illusion magic. She didn’t know how many Illusionists worked at the Downstairs, but Vesper’s go-to would be Mazz. Not that she was jealous, but Ves could use some separation from the girls.
