Page 119 of Hunger & Harmony

“Honestly, I’m glad I followed my gut.”

I can’t bring myself to respond to Viola. In the passenger seat of her car, only the low hum of the radio and the open highway accompany us. The late morning sun is harsh, and the closer we get to Halcyon Fields, the further the temperature drops.

Unlike Viola, I don’t have sunglasses to shield my squinting eyes. Unlike Viola, I can’t find anything to smile about.

“It’s better this way. We can fix this.”

My fingers curl into fists on my thighs. I wish she would stop. She thinks she knows better, and I appreciate her wanting what’s best for me. But I know now what is best.

I can define it myself.

Not that I can refuse right now. She came at the perfect time and smuggled me out to her car without encountering any reporters or cameras. Every mile away from Sunveil stabs betrayal into my stomach, though, and I can only bite my tongue to keep from snapping at her.

“ . . .heats up as alleged ‘Dissonant Queen’ denounces vampire monarch and frontman of legendary rock band Arteria.”

My blood runs cold as the news segment floats from the speakers. He speaks so matter-of-factly, like reporting the weather or any other mundane story.

“Supernatural unrest is building on the West Coast. Is Cadence Monroe truly a plant sent to destroy King Niklaus Vane? Or are her claims of fate and prophecy rooted in truth? More at one where we’ll break down the facts⁠—”

I snap the dial down before I hear another word. Viola glances over briefly, and I feel how hard my chest is rising and falling. Clearing my throat, I drop my hands back to my lap, swallowing down rage.

Every moment I fight to be normal, the harder it becomes.

“Cad—”

“How’s training?”

She pauses, her placating smile faltering for half a second. I still notice it, and I bite the inside of my cheek as she answers.

“Oh, well . . .” She shrugs, hands loose on the steering wheel. “Tiring, of course. Honestly, better than I thought.”

“Aren’t you on the hook for anything?” I ask, frowning at my reflection in her big sunglasses.

“No, no, we’re on a break. This whole . . .thing has caused a lot of unrest in Sunveil, too.”

My brows furrow. Is it that serious? I never considered the consequences outside of the Midnight Court and Arteria. Humans must be uneasy, and the radio host said tensions are rising.

“I guess I didn’t realize,” I mumble, and she hums.

“You’re fine. The Order was too brash in their approach, but this is for the better.” She flashes a smile at me. “You can’t trust kingdoms built on blood.”

Hostility rises like bile. She isn’t seriously agreeing with Hunters? Humans don’t know all the ins and outs of the supernatural world and its politics—even I’m struggling—but she seems so sure of her words.

Viola’s been my best friend for years. I know she’s smarter than this. She’s dedicated to knowledge and the pursuit of‌ truth. Of what’s right. To see her taking sides without knowing the facts . . .

I turn towards the window, straining not to cry. Any distraction right now would help.

“Have . . .” I clear my throat again, eyes fixed on the brown fields that stretch for miles around us. “Have you heard of SYRE?”

The sound of her fingers drumming on the wheel fills the brief silence.

“Yeah,” she finally says, in a tone that has me glancing at her again.

“What? Not a fan?” I ask.

“Their style is kind of . . .”

“Different.” I nod. “I think it’s kind of cool. You don’t see many boy groups leaning into moody styles.” I muster a tiny smile. “But you’ve always been so bubblegum, so it makes sense.”