“I… haven’t awakened yet,” I admit, trying and failing not to let the longing seep into my voice. It’s hard to hide. That transformation is supposed to clarify who you are, anchor you, and fix what’s broken.
“So… tell me everything.” Van leans in, a reassuring hand on my arm. I let out a slow breath, the weight of it all pressing hard against my chest.
“Where do I even begin?”
“I still can’t believeAunt Ruby is a centaur,” Van says once I finish unloading the mess that is my life. “She’s so cool.”
I left out the prophecy, not because I don’t trust her, but because I’m trying not to put anyone who doesn’t have to be at risk in danger. But whatever I do, there are consequences, whether I’m ready for them or not. Vanessa is as new to this world as I was, and I am not about to overwhelm her more than she needs to be.
“That’s what stood out to you?” I ask, deadpan.
“That,” she says dryly, “and your embarrassingly obvious lust for Jax, the emotionally stunted lycan.”
“I amnot?—”
“You absolutely are.”
I groan and roll my eyes, but the tension finally breaks, and we both start laughing. Hers is a low, almost amused sound, mine louder, spilling over into tears I didn’t expect.
“I missed you,” I whisper.
Van blinks, unbothered. Emotions aren’t her thing, but she doesn’t need to say it. I see it in the way her shoulders relax, rare.
“And yet… You lived. Shocking,” she adds blankly.
I snort. “Touching, really.”
Leaning back, arms crossed. “Also, stop calling him that. He doesn’t deserve the comparison.”
“To whom?”
“Sons of Anarchy. Jax Teller had actualdepth.”
Van raises an eyebrow. “Right. That guy you’re sonotinto.”
“I’m not.”
“Mmm, very convincing,” Van says, unimpressed. I roll my eyes, but she doesn’t miss a beat. “So, do we hate him or not?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I reply, annoyed.
She shrugs, casual as ever. “Fine, but just know, if he so much as breathes wrong, I’ll set him on fire and still show up to class as if nothing happened.”
I glance at her, voice softening, “I really missed you.”
Van’s expression flickers, almost a full smile, but her voice stays neutral, “I know.”
41
Avilyna
SWEET FLORAL POISON
Coming back from the bathroom,I find Vanessa fast asleep. I still have a million questions, and I’m sure she has twice as many, but they can wait. We’ve all had a rough day, and some rest won’t hurt anyone.
At the bottom of the stairs, a quiet stillness wraps around the house. Peeking into the living room, I spot Caleb sprawled out on the couch, back turned, a tattooed arm covering his face, while soft snores pull my attention to the other side. Wyll’s face is hidden beneath his hat, inky arms crossed, a bottle of fire whiskey resting on the floor just out of reach.
Tempted to join the party, I slip into the kitchen. The girls are probably fast asleep in one of the rooms upstairs, which explains the almost sacred quiet that hangs in the air, so still it feels as if you could reach out and touch it.
