Page 8 of Hunger & Harmony

Where I expect more giggling, there’s silence. I glance at the screen to make sure we’re still connected.

“Hello? Lala?”

When I hear a soft sigh, my eyes widen.

“You can’t be mad, too!” I exclaim, knowing her most measured reactions are the scariest. “Lo already told me, I get it. I need to ‘comply’ or whatever.”

“No.”

I pause. A heavier cloud blocks the moonlight.

“No?” I echo.

“That implies obedience. You just need to do your job,” she says, the typical warmth of her voice gone. “They may be vampires and even your employers, but never lose sight of your own power.”

“Power?” I snort. “What’re you talking about?”

“I . . .”

She trails off. I hold the phone tighter.

“You’ve never been a pushover. Even to your own parents. So don’t start now, okay?”

Moonlight peeks through the clouds again.

“Who said I was? I still think His Majesty is a dumb jerk, even if he is my boss. It’ll be strictly business. Don’t worry so much!”

“I’m not,” she says, and I roll my eyes.

“Okay, miss pop star.”

“Speaking of . . .I have to be up at five.”

I gasp when I check the time.

“That’s like four hours from now! Get to bed!”

It’s good to hear her laugh again.

“Okay, okay. You, too.”

“Maybe at some point,” I say before I blow kisses into the phone. “I love you, Lala! Good luck tomorrow!”

“Thank you. Same to you, Cadie. Goodnight,” she says.

My smile sticks even after the line dies. While I’d love to be closer, it’s good that she can focus on her training. She holds herself flawlessly, but I know so much hides beneath the surface. The last thing I want is to add to that.

The window is cool under my fingertips. I’m on my own path now.

I nearly jump out of my skin when the meeting room door slams open, whipping around to see why Lorelai came back so mad.

“You . . .”

“You?!”

Our simultaneous exclamation hangs between us awkwardly. Niklaus stares back at me like a kid facing a plateful of vegetables.

“Uh . . .” I shift on my shoes. “Are you looking for something, Your Majesty?”