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I sit down on my bed and pick up my phone. There’s a message from Ayden, and I’m reminded of that morning in his room. It was a several days ago, but those few hours gave me new strength. And Alfredo hasn’t shown any signs of putting his threat in action, but I’m not stupid enough to believe that he’s given up on it. He’s personally run my last few training sessions – probably in the hope that I’ll quake with the fear that he’s about to exact his revenge. But I doubt he’d do anything in his parents’ house. I wonder if Alfredo’s even told them what he found out about Alessandro’s death. I can’t imagine him keeping the news from them, but they haven’t let on. At mealtimes, they punish me in the usual way, with icy glares and silence.
I read Ayden’s message. He wants to know how I am and whether Alfredo’s still biding his time.
“So far so good,” I reply. “I didn’t even see him yesterday. How are you? Do you have time to meet up today?” I have to ask. I really want to see him.
“Not sure,” he replies. “I have another meeting, sounds important and could go on for a while. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.
“Okay, see you later.”
I’m putting my phone away when I hear a knock at my door. Surprised, I turn around to see the door opening and Alfredo entering.
“So, now you’re doing me the courtesy of knocking? Although, you know, most people wait to be invited in. Maybe you’ll learn that someday,” I say.
“Don’t count on it,” he retorts, leaning against the door frame with his arms folded in front of his chest. His dark hair is slicked back with gel. He looks like a sinister crow staring at me with those cold eyes.
“You showing up can’t mean anything good. What do you want?”
I study his face and try to stay calm. If he was intending to hurt me, he wouldn’t have knocked.
“I’m supposed to bring you this.” He glances behind him, and a staff member enters carrying a package, which he puts down on my bed before disappearing again.
“Claire’s second test is tonight, and my family would like you to accompany us again. A stylist will be here at six to make you presentable. You obviously need help with that.”
I shoot him a poisonous look. “Is that all?” Whatever he plans to do to me, he won’t do it today if I’m supposed to be paraded in front of the Council again this evening.
He sighs irritably, turns around, and says, “See you later.”
It’s the first time in ages that I’ve been relaxed enough to focus in class. I know that nothing can happen to me tonight, which is a huge relief.
I haven’t seen Claire in school today.
“Do you think she’s nervous?” Kate asks. “I’d die of fright. What if she doesn’t pull through or it turns out she’s not a goddess?” She shakes her head. “I can’t decide which would be worse.”
“I wouldn’t want to swap places with her,” I agree.
We’re making our way through the crowded corridors to the cafeteria. Countless students and their spirits are moving the same way, which is why Kate and I normally wait a few minutes before going to lunch. We push past a bear that’s standing on its hind legs and looking around for its master when I feel something smack into my shoulder. I lose my balance and stumble into Kate, dragging her to the floor with me.
I look up in surprise to see Max and Lucia walking past. Max’s hummingbird is in the process of transforming back to his usual form, which makes it clear that he was the one that knocked me down. Max flicks her hair over her shoulder with a smirk. Lucia shoots me an apologetic look but immediately turns back to her friend.
“I guess she wanted to remind me that we’re no longer friends,” I say quietly, reaching out to help Kate up. “You okay?”
She nods and rubs her hip. “I’ll have a bruise, but otherwise I’m fine.” She looks in the direction that Max disappeared. “She doesn’t seem to like the fact that you live with the Fabricis. She probably figures being taken in and trained by a Council family gives you an advantage. That’s the kind of gossip I’ve been hearing, anyway.”
“She’s welcome to swap places with me,” I grumble with a sigh. “This kind of childish crap is the last thing I need right now.”
“She really needs to leave you alone,” says Kate. “It’s going to blow back in her face one day.”
“Can’t wait to see that.”
“Ouch,” I hiss, wincing as the stylist rams another hairpin into my hair and unfortunately also into my scalp.
“Sorry, but it has to stay in place. I have strict instructions from Ms. Fabrici to make sure you look perfect tonight.”
“Then it would help if I don’t have blood running down my face,” I snarl.
“I’m sure we can manage that,” she replies with a wink.
The woman has been tinkering around on me for over an hour. My reflection in the mirror is changing appreciably, and I’m starting to not recognize myself. I normally wouldn’t leave the house wearing this much concealer and makeup, but what choice do I have?
