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Syn spends the entire meal like nothing is wrong. He says very little as I hurry around them to set their table, take their order, and serve their food. Even when he leaves, he does so without even a hint of a threat.
But everyone is still watching me after he’s gone, and my stomach feels like there are things bouncing around in there. I slide into the seat opposite Penny, wanting to just sit before I attempt to eat anything.
“What happened?” Penny asks. “Are you okay?”
I’m about to assure her that Syn hasn’t done anything—yet—and that I was just caught up by Payne, but a shadow falls across the table. I look up and find Lissa Carmichael and Declan Salaway staring down at me, Declan with a smug smile on his face.
Lissa and Declan were initiates like me, becoming members of the Elite the night that I became an initiate myself. Maybe that should be enough for their moral support, considering they’d gone through what I am now, but I don’t even expect a vague understanding from her.
Whether it’s because Syn decreed it, or by her own choice, Lissa doesn’t like me. Considering Gemini yelled at her in front of everyone, calling her stupid, it’s probably more like she hates me.
But she dug food out of the trash and tried to force me to eat it, so I can’t say the feeling is anything but mutual.
Declan… he’s never really gone out of his way to treat me like shit—or if he has, it’s not been to my face. There’s a possibility he could be one of those behind the color of my hair, or the worms in my bed. But there’s as much love in his eyes for me as there is coming from Lissa.
“What do you want?” I ask them.
“Don’t talk to me with that attitude, neophyte,” she says, her lip curling with disdain. “You must give all members of the Elite respect—”
“Yeah, but I don’t,” Penny cuts in. “So say what you’ve got to say and fuck off. Or just skip to the last part and fuck off anyway.”
Lissa’s jaw tightens as Penny flips her hair over her shoulder and flashes a bright smile, but instead of saying something bitchy or threatening back, Lissa just turns to me. “I came to say goodbye, actually. I’m so happy to know that the trash is going back where it belongs. I even genuinely wish you luck in finding a delightful meal in there for you to celebrate with.”
She’s saying that to get a reaction from me, and I wish my stomach hadn’t churned uncomfortably in response.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, trying to ignore the smirk she has when I try to fight the nausea that washes over me.
Lissa cocks her head. “You really are stupid, aren’t you? You dared to make Syn wait for dinner, and now, instead of being on your knees in front of him, begging for forgiveness, you’re sitting here and being late for your punishment.”
“Hey, Lissa?” Penny asks brightly. “What’s the name of your plastic surgeon?”
Instantly, Lissa’s back straightens as she folds her arms. “I don’t have a plastic surgeon.”
“Cool. I mean, it would be kind of annoying having to pay twice.”
“Have you been sniffing glue?”
Penny holds her hands up in the air in surrender. “All I’m saying is that I thought your surgeon didn’t do too bad of a job—a little crooked, but you’re working with a deviated septum, and they’re tricky—but if that’s au naturel, then maybe it won’t be so bad when you go to the surgeon for the first—” her hands make finger quotes, “—time.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my nose,” Lissa cries, her voice rising a few octaves.
“No, but if you don’t walk away from this table, you’re going to need a fucking amazing surgeon to fix your nose once I’ve punched it back into your brain cavity.” Penny stands suddenly, and it’s enough for Lissa to flee.
Declan stays, ignoring Penny as he looks at me. “It won’t matter if you drop to your knees and beg, or you drop to your knees and give him the best blowjob he’s ever had. Nothing’s saving you now.”
“Do we need to talk about your plastic surgeon?” Penny places her hands on her hips. “Because I lied when I said Lissa’s nose job didn’t look bad. I’d advise not using the same person.”
Something comes over Declan, like he’s channeling Syn’s inner venom. Only he directs it all at Penny instead of me. “Lay a finger on me, and the only call being made is to the funeral home. And it won’t be an open casket.”
As he walks away, Penny sinks to her seat, somehow managing to look completely unnerved. “Don’t look so worried. I’d only punch Lissa if she threw the first one, tempting as it is. And I wouldn’t give Declan the chance to get the first hit in.”
“Penny, I need to go. She’s probably right about Syn, and I can’t…” I don’t finish my sentence, nor do I wait to listen to her response.
Outside, it’s dark and ice cold. Even though the groundskeepers have already been out with the salt for the paths, the ground is glistening. It hasn’t rained for a few days, so I run over the solid grass alongside the paths, preferring to let my stiletto heel find a little grip there rather than attempt to run on the stone.
The lights are on and I can see Syn, Royal, and Gemini in the living room. That’s not completely unusual, but there’s something about the three of them being downstairs together that leaves me feeling uneasy. Hurrying around to the back of the house, I enter through my assigned door. After taking a moment to straighten my appearance, I walk through the house, stopping in front of the living room. I knock on the door waiting for Syn to call before I walk in.
Syn is sitting in the armchair opposite the door, but he doesn’t look up as I approach him. His attention is on his phone, but I have a feeling he’s not really looking at anything in particular, given how his jaw is tense.
