“What about this?”
I looked up from my phone, where I’d been texting with Vaxan as I sat on the edge of the bed, to see Zayn striding out of the walk-in closet.
Yes, we’d put one in at his very adorable request. He wanted to have all his outfits on display. It made it easier to figure out “correct combos”by being able to see all his clothes laid out in front of him.
He was now wearing a pair of pink glittering leather pants and a dress shirt with black and gold swirling designs all over it.
“Love it. Fifth outfit change for the win?” I said, smiling up at him.
He looked happy with it and my praising of it added into the mix.
For about ten seconds.
And then he frowned at it and started pulling at the shirt.
“You know what? Maybe this isn’t the best possible one.”
I rose from the bed and took his hands in mine. “It’s perfect. Very you. Right on point. Amazing. You’re amazing.” I smiled. “And nervous, hmm?”
“I… nervous? About being on display in front of hundreds? I think not.”
“Not about that. Believe me, I didn’t think that for even an instant.” I gave his hands a squeeze. “You’re nervous because this is the culmination of years’ worth of work. And also an end to what had been a constant for you for a long time—attending Loxley Academy.”
Today was his graduation ceremony.
It was where we were supposed to be headed now.
While Vaxan had needed to drop out, I’d stayed for the remainder of the year. Winter was actually going to remain for another three years. He’d really wanted—and needed—some normalcy of simply being a student after everything that had happened. But he was also working with Sylas and Wesley, the three of them taking up the mantle, meaning Sylas was no longer the Last Necromancer anymore, the burden not falling solely on him. And Winter was also working on forming a collective with the other five necromancers and Ambrose, where Ambrose’s black magic proteges would meld with necromantic knowledge and help Ambrose with his work. It was much like a super force.
A couple of those who’d been loyal to Ruxnoth had been rehabilitated by the Guardian Movement, while others were a work-in-progress. But some had proven unsalvageable and were now imprisoned inThe Void.
Just a few days after Ruxnoth had been defeated, actually, one of them had been found murdered. Inside his cell. Ansel. There had been no trace of the culprit at all. Sylas had been suspected, but he’d had an airtight alibi because he’d been with Ryker Morgan when the murder had happened.
“Yeah, that sounds like what’s going on here,” Zayn admitted. “Maybe I should get my painting from the basement to check.”
The one Winter had spelled.
I smiled. “You know you don’t need that anymore. You just didn’t pick up on this today because so much is happening all at once. Graduating, going fulltime with Requital in a week, us leaving tonight to spend a few days in the Basilisk Dominion, because Vaxan needs to be there for the creation of his Honor Council.”
His lips quirked. “And he didn’t want to be without us.”
Winter swept on in. “As if you could handle that either. Going one night without him, without any of us.”
“And you could?”
“Fuck, no. I’m right there with you.” He was carrying a garment bag over his shoulder, and he handed it to Zayn. “And I bring a gift for your graduation ceremony, fireball.”
Zayn took it with a frown. “Oh no. You didn’t. Is this—”
“Your cap and gown,” Winter confirmed.
“I told you, it’s too boring and blah. Not me.”
I grinned at Winter.
“What was that?” Zayn asked, noticing.
“Look inside,” I encouraged him.
