Malrik exhales slowly, his tension easing just a fraction and I don’t miss the pink tinge to his cheeks. "She’s walking into danger tonight, Seren. We can’t stand by and let her get hurt."
"Then don’t," Seren says simply. "But you might want to make sure she knows you’re there for her when it counts. Not just in the shadows."
Her words hit harder than I expect, and I glance at the others. Aspen’s jaw tightens, Torric looks away, and even Malrik seems to be considering what she said.
Before anyone can respond, I catch movement outside the window. Darian, his stride as calculated as always, heads toward the Shadow Faction wing. My stomach twists.
"Showtime," I mutter, nodding toward the courtyard.
Malrik straightens, his expression hardening. "Let’s go."
Seren steps aside, but as we pass, she puts a hand on my arm. "Finn," she says quietly. "Be careful. And take care of her."
"Always," I promise, and for once, there’s no joke in my voice.
The moment we step outside, the shadows fall into formation. Bob straightens, his earlier playfulness gone as the shadows snap into formation. Their fluid edges sharpen, radiating purpose. The change is so sudden it sends a shiver down my spine. Whatever Darian’s planning, we won’t let him win. Not tonight.
As we move toward the dance, I glance at Malrik, Aspen, and Torric. Seren’s words echo in my mind:Make sure she knows you’re there when it counts.
Now is when it counts.
Chapter 37
Kaia
"Ow!" I yelp as Seren attacks another tangle with her enchanted hairbrush. "Are you trying to scalp me?"
"Beauty is pain, darling," she says cheerfully, wielding the brush like a weapon. "Now hold still. I'm almost done with this section."
My shadows writhe sympathetically around my feet, and I swear one of them is mimicking Seren's enthusiastic brushing motions. Another keeps trying to steal the brush when she's not looking, probably to save me from further torture.
"I don't see why I can't just wear it down," I mutter, wincing as she starts on another section.
"Because," Seren says with exaggerated patience, "this is your first Equinox Ball. Everyone who matters will be there. Including all those brooding boys who keep following you around like lost puppies."
"They don't—" I start to protest, but she cuts me off with a wave of her brush.
"Please. I've seen the way they look at you. Especially when they think no one's watching." She pauses, studying myreflection. "Although lately, it seems like Darian's the only one you're noticing."
Something in her tone makes me shift uncomfortably. "He's... different. Easy to talk to."
"Mm-hmm." Seren's reflection raises an eyebrow. "And the fact that he's gorgeous has nothing to do with it?"
"They’re all gorgeous.” I retort before I can stop myself.
My face reddens, “Can we just focus on the hair torture?" I ask, desperate to change the subject. My shadows flicker restlessly, and I force them to still.
Hours later, I barely recognize the girl in the mirror. My usual mess of blonde waves has been transformed into an intricate updo, with delicate wisps framing my face. Tiny crystals catch the light with every movement, making it look like I'm wearing a crown of stars.
The midnight blue gown Seren loaned me flows like liquid starlight, hugging my curves before cascading into a full skirt with a daring slit up one side. My eyes, usually a stormy violet, shimmer with flecks of silver thanks to her careful application of some kind of magical cosmetics.
"Holy shit," I whisper.
Seren beams. "I know, right? You're welcome."
I stand, fighting the urge to hide under the bed. Part of me—the part that's spent years trying to be invisible—wants to change into my regular clothes and forget this whole thing.
But a larger part is tired of hiding.
