Viri was too tired to think of anything creative, so she went with something useful. “You’ll owe me a favor,” she told him. “Anything of my choosing.”
Soren was gracious enough not to mention the favor he’d already granted her that very morning. “Just don’t make it anything weird,” he warned. “And remember, what goes around, comes around. Next time I win and you lose, watch out.”
Viri couldn’t remember the last time Soren had won a game at family night. But she said nothing, only smiled to herself andhelped Sarielle pack up the board while the others cleared away the food, until the room was immaculate once more.
“Time to get this one to bed,” Soren said, slinging an arm around Jessalyn’s neck.
She elbowed him in retaliation. “Only one of us needs beauty sleep, and it’s not me.”
“She’s got you there,” Viri said, yawning. “With that face, you need all the help you can get.”
Soren didn’t miss a beat. “Fortunately for you, there’s more to life than looks.”
Viri laughed. “Such a charmer.”
“I save all my best lines for you, Solace.”
And with that, he offered a cheeky goodnight wave and led his sister out the door.
Turning to Wynter and Sarielle, Viri jokingly asked, “Remind me what we see in him again?”
“He has a very nice backside,” Wynter said seriously. “His front side isn’t bad, either.”
Viri choked. “Wyn!”
“What?” she said, all innocence. “Objectively speaking, it’strue.”
“That’s our best friend you’re talking about.”
“Yes, and we both have eyes. Hell, Idatedthe guy, so trust me when I say that he is beautifuleverywh—”
“La-la-la, not listening.” Viri spoke over her, plugging herears.
Sarielle looked as if she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cringe. “On that note, I think it’s time we all retired for the evening.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Viri said emphatically.
“Same here,” Wynter said. But despite her agreement, she moved toward the front door. “I just have to grab some notes Iforgot to bring home earlier. I need them for a weekend assignment.”
Sarielle’s forehead wrinkled. “Can’t that wait until tomorrow?”
“Procrastination is the killer of dreams, Mom. But don’t worry, I’ll take Viri with me for company.”
Viri was about to protest until she caught the look on Wynter’s face and realized her friend wasn’t heading to the Healers’ Guild, but instead to her secret lab to practice alchemy—something Viri had forgotten she’d promised to help with.
Regretting the deal she’d made earlier, Viri didn’t have time to come up with an excuse before Wynter started dragging her away.
“Don’t wait up, Mom,” Wynter called over her shoulder.
And with no say in the matter—and many mental curse words aimed at her friend—Viri was yanked out the door.
6
“Iknow I told you not to miss training today,”Meera said the next morning, her communication amulet gleaming against her scarred neck,“but I also expected you to beawakefor it.”
Viri grunted as her mentor landed yet another blow, this time a firm kick to her abdomen that stole her breath and made the dark green walls of the Hunters’ Guild sparring chambers spin around her.
“I’m awake,” Viri wheezed, raising a hand to say she needed a moment.
