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“Funny how many people suddenly want to be on Sero at the same time,” Rafe mutters.

Dad’s expression doesn’t change. “Nothing sudden about it. This reception has been in planning for months.”

Marius looks at his brother. “That means behave.”

Rafe closes his eyes. “Fantastic.”

“Your mother said attendance is not optional,” Dad adds.

“She always says that.”

“This time she meant it.”

Lucan’s gaze flicks to me. “Still don’t know why you invited the first years.”

Rafe looks over. “Yeah. That was weird, even for you.”

Dad says nothing.

That gets all three of them paying attention.

Rafe points between us. “Oh, no.”

“We’re leaving.” I push to my feet before he can start. “Before one of you gets curious and makes this worse.”

Rafe grins. “So that’s a yes.”

“Get out,” Dad says, dry as ever.

I grab my jacket. The others fall into motion a second later, Rafe still talking, Marius telling him to shut up, Lucan already halfway to the door.

By the time we hit the front steps, the cars are already waiting. The night is in motion.

And somewhere beneath the noise, the lights, and Rafe still arguing with Marius about the state of his face, I can still feel Rowan under my hand. The memory of him going still against the wall. The sharp catch of his breath.

Dad told me to keep an eye on him.

Oh, I intend to.

I slide into the car, pull the door shut behind me, and stop pretending I don’t know exactly who I’m hunting for.

The party’s been going for two fucking hours, and Rowan still hasn’t shown up. Guess he wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t coming.

Semantics.

If he hasn’t shown up in half an hour, I’ll go get him myself. Him and that mouthy friend of his. I didn’t miss the way Lucan’s attention kept drifting back to his friend earlier.

I brace a hand on the windowsill and look out at the dark, at the planets hanging low tonight, too close and too bright over Sero.

It’s the kind of night people make bad decisions. Like ignoring a direct invitation and making me come find them.

“Do I catch the big Ciaran Virel actually waiting for his date?” Lucan punches my shoulder as he comes to stand beside me.

“Fuck off,” I growl. “I’m not waiting.”

For fuck’s sake.

He just grins at me. “I don’t know. Weren’t you? I’ve gotta say, that first-year has balls if he really doesn’t show.”