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And yet, all the while I couldn’t help but think, so much for asking advice about my stuff. This was Emma’s big crush moment—like a female rite of passage—and I didn’t want to steal her thunder. Because bringing up ancient vampires sure would step on a girl’s buzz.
See, I’d wanted to confide about Alcántara—how he was treating me like his favorite, and what the rose might mean, and what would happen when we left the island and were alone together, and what did it mean that I was feeling more comfortable
with him and was that just a dangerous illusion. But how could I broach any of that when she was all starry-eyed for Yasuo? So I decided to put my problems off. For now.
We got to the dining hall, and Emma automatically went to where Yas was sitting. It happened to be with Ronan and Amanda.
Great.
I chose the lunch line instead, wondering how quickly I could shove the food down my throat and make a break for it.
Someone walked up behind me. “Gidday” was a whisper in my ear.
Josh.
I looked behind my shoulder at him. “You sure are friendly now that Lilac’s out of the picture. ”
I’d thought my sarcastic tone would take the sting from my words, but—wow—he actually looked kind of hurt.
“I’ve always been friendly. It’s you who’s the ice queen. ”
Ice queen really hadn’t been my intention—it was just how things came out of my mouth sometimes. Maybe that was the problem with my love life.
I put my tray down to give him my full attention, making an effort to be charming and warm. “Oh, I see. That you and Lilac were attached at the hip wasn’t your fault. Because you can’t help it that girls fall all over you. ”
He grinned at that. “Exactly. That’s me—ever at ease with the ladies. ” With an encouraging look on his face, he spread his arms wide. “So?”
Josh was a guy. And he was flirting. A little. With me.
I wondered if he might be someone I could be interested in. Then I gave a shake to my head. I needed to get a hold of myself. Alcántara hadn’t liked Josh’s concern for me, and I definitely didn’t want to be putting any boys in danger with any vampires. So even if I were remotely interested—and who wouldn’t be? I mean, premed, scruffy, and an accent?—it was a nonstarter. I just couldn’t do that to the guy.
I picked my tray back up. “No way, bucko. Jury’s still out on you. ”
The words were harsh, but I’d said them with a wink. I was learning.
I joined the others at the table just as Tracer Judge did—now there was a guy. He’d been my phenomena teacher last term. Cute, with floppy hair and warm, puppy dog eyes. A what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of guy.
“Acari Drew, I haven’t seen you around. ” He sounded genuinely pleased to see me.
“She’s been busy with Alcántara,” Amanda said in a flat voice.
My smile faded a bit at the barb. “I’m still alive,” I told him, ignoring her comment as best I could. “Despite Master Dagursson’s best efforts at dancing me to death. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Alcántara, too. But I have to. ” I shot her a look. “Our mission is next month. ”
“No idea where you’re going yet?” Yas asked over a mouthful of stew. Now there was someone who could do with some etiquette training.
“None. ” I took a swig of blood from my little crystal shooter, and a shiver rolled over me. The cold drink had grossed me out at first—all thick and viscous, the color of a red jewel—but now the taking of it was a deeply pleasant sensation.
The table had grown silent, and I couldn’t figure out why. Well, I knew partly why. Yas and Emma were quietly in their own world, cutting their eyes at each other. Only now it no longer annoyed me—it was novel and exciting to be privy to their burgeoning relationship. I felt like an anthropologist. Or a friend.
It was really the Ronan/Amanda/Judge triumvirate that made the table hum with tension. It seemed to me they were making it uncomfortable for everyone. And to think it’d been so nice to see good old benign Tracer Judge.
Ronan blurted, “I have to go. ” He stood and exchanged a weighty nod with Amanda.
Then Amanda stood, too—surprise, surprise. “So do I. ”
I put my fork down, tired of all the secrets. Couldn’t people just say what was going on in their lives? Lately it felt as if my friends wouldn’t tell me anything if I didn’t drag the information out of them.
As Ronan and Amanda left, I decided to spy on them. I shoveled stew into my mouth, crammed a hard roll into my pocket, and wasn’t far behind them. Keeping a safe distance, I followed, certain I would catch them in the act.
