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Leadership of the society (Firefly)

Deputy leader (Inkbird)

It was unanimously decided that each member will receive the secret society's insignia in the form of a dragonfly brooch, which they can use to seal their anonymous letters. Shadow Eye is responsible for the design and production.

“Alice must have been Firefly,” I thought aloud as soon as Larissa had finished. “I mean, she was a Fire Quatura.”

“It would also have been fitting for her to take the lead,” Julie continued my train of thought. “Just as it would have been fitting for her to participate in the library research.”

“Then Alarik is probably Inkbird.”

With that, Emely stood up and began pacing nervously around the room, looking as if she were on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I heard her sigh. “How could he be so stupid... God, Alarik...”

It bothered me that she thought that way about him.

Alarik was anything but stupid. Perhaps reckless. And yet he was one of the survivors of these people, with significant influence in town, even if it was only through his directorship of Vanderwood.

Inkbird.

That name...

Had I read it before? In Alice’s diary?

The urge to say it out loud was tempting. The two syllables rested on the tip of my tongue as if they belonged there. Like something gentle... intimate...

I swallowed, burying the inappropriate thought as quickly as it had emerged, even though the sensation lingered on my tongue.

What the hell, Bayla?

Miles and Larissa's eyes followed Emely's footsteps.

“The name and the task would certainly suit a history professor,” Larissa confirmed, and Emely turned around, visibly unenthusiastic.

Not only that. Everything about that name screamed Alarik, without me being able to tell where it came from.

“Yes, goddammit, everything about him would fit. But to be the deputy head of a secret society that works against the principles of the pack…” She threw her hands up in the air. “He can’t just do that!”

Miles raised an eyebrow. “You're here with us right now, Emely, in one room. And you're working with us. How is that not violating your pack's ten thousand unnecessary principles?”

His words had exactly the effect I expected. Emely turned to him in a rage. “It's not my pack! And the principles all have their purpose!”

Miles looked as if he wanted to say something in response, but Emely was quicker.

“I'm part of something bigger. And to violate the loyalty of an oath sworn to an Alpha, no matter how ridiculous those rules may seem, is high treason.”

Miles grinned as he played with the glass balls in the black and gold metal holders on the side table. “Which you haven't done yet.”

Emely paused, staring at him expressionlessly.

“As far as I know – because you're a female Senseque and therefore, thanks to your Code, which is long overdue for reform, tend to change packs – that only happens after you marry someone in the pack or – and please correct me if I'm wrong – when you become part of a new pack, also through marriage.” Emely blinked. “Or are you currently under an Alpha bond?”

Emely said nothing.

“Interesting…” Miles chuckled softly. “A gray area.”

Emely seemed so overwhelmed by Miles’ words that she could only stare at him.